Page 16 of Noble Scoundrel

Several hours later, Katherine and Frederick sat outside a small café eating Italian ices.

They’d been all around St James Park, which was everything she’d expected it to be. Fashionable people strolled along well-maintained paths, and children romped and played beneath the watchful gazes of their nurses. Being amongst such vivid greenery was a refreshing change from the brick and mortar that made up so much of the city.

They’d also had an opportunity to explore the British Museum, where they perused wonderful exhibits of all sorts. Apparently, the museum contained a special reading room where gentlemen could review curious manuscripts, but only upon prior approval from a committee. Katherine was instantly intrigued then frustrated to learn that, as a woman, she would not be allowed access to such a space.

After the museum, they’d gone to Bond Street, where Katherine made a few purchases for herself and several more for Frederick, who was continually outgrowing his wardrobe. Then they made their way to a wonderful bookshop, where they spent more than an hour exclaiming over rare and unexpected finds.

After loading their many purchases into their carriage, which was waiting at the end of the block to take them home, they decided to enjoy a moment of rest and a sweet treat.

Based on her brother’s relaxed posture as he lounged in his chair with his lanky limbs and slightly tousled hair and the open expression on his face, Katherine declared the day a success.

If she’d happened to notice a few judgmental glances here and there, Katherine had simply ignored them. She was aware that an unmarried woman and an underaged child were expected to be accompanied by some sort of chaperone while on an outing about town. But they’d never had to worry about such things in the country, and the idea that the presence of a maid somehow made their activities more proper in the eyes of society seemed rather ridiculous.

Besides, the opinions of strangers were not her concern. All that mattered was Frederick’s happiness.

Though visiting the tailor had not been a favorite task, her brother had clearly enjoyed seeing new areas of London; his sharp gaze had never ceased soaking up every detail surrounding them. And Katherine had been surprised to find a great deal of beauty in the city she had previously judged to be too full of stone and brick to hold anything aesthetically pleasing.

She was happy to admit she had been proven wrong in her initial impression. There was certain unique loveliness in the harmony that existed within the chaos of the bustling metropolis. Even here, sitting at a small table not far from the traffic on the street before them and the constant rush of pedestrians on the sidewalk between, she could practically feel the energetic flow of movement and activity.

So many people going about their day, attending to business or pleasure or a bit of both, nodding to passersby or shouting for a passing hackney cab. There were children skipping alongside their mothers and ladies briskly walking their small dogs with their maids in tow. Gentlemen gathered in groups or strolled solo...

Or stood still and silent in the shadows of an alley.

Unease pricked at her nape as she caught sight of the gentleman across the street. He was around thirty years in age, and his black hair was combed back from a handsome though slightly angular face further shadowed by a silk top hat. Even at a distance, there was no mistaking the fine cut and rich materials of his clothing. Despite the way he leaned with elegant nonchalance against the side of a building, his stare was bold and appeared to be intently focused in their direction.

A chill slid down her spine and she narrowed her gaze. Was he watching them?

She got the strangest feeling she should know who he was, but she could not place him as anyone she’d met, recently or in years past.

“So, where shall we go tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?” Katherine glanced at her brother as he spooned lemon ice into his mouth. “I don’t know.”

When she looked back across the street, the stranger was gone. She glanced around for a black greatcoat and top hat, but saw no sign of him.

“We could go to Vauxhall Gardens or a theater performance,” Frederick suggested brightly.

Drawn in by her brother’s excitement for their next adventure, Katherine soon forgot about the oddly intense stranger. A short while later, they returned to their waiting carriage to begin the drive home.

Being late afternoon, the streets were crowded with traffic. Katherine settled into the seat and pulled the hat pins free of her bonnet so she could remove the cumbersome head-covering. She’d rarely gone about in a bonnet while in Lincolnshire, and she was having a hard time getting accustomed to the discomfort of sharp pins digging into her scalp and tugging on her hair.

With a sigh, she settled the bonnet in her lap then tossed Frederick a contented grin. “I would say today ended up being rather lovely.”

Her brother’s mouth tilted in a way that was wholly uncharacteristic of him, yet was oddly similar to one of Hale’s amused grins. “You sound like you expected to hate it.”

She rolled her eyes. “I didn’t think I’d hate the day...just London, perhaps.”

“And what are your thoughts on the city now?”

Before Katherine could answer, another vehicle passed precariously close, causing their carriage to sway and shake.

With a smirk of her own, she replied, “I can’t say I love the traffic, but I might—”

Katherine’s words were cut off as their carriage veered sharply before being righted again in a violent, swerving maneuver that sent their packages tumbling to the floor in a chaotic heap. Katherine fared no better as she was thrown against the door. Unfortunately—or not—she’d also managed to crush her bonnet beneath her. If not for their driver’s skill, she suspected their carriage could have ended up on its side.

“Kit, are you all right?” Frederick’s face was tense as he reached out to help her recover her seating.

Before she could assure him, something hit the side of their vehicle hard enough for the wood to crack loudly as the carriage came to a hard stop. Their coachman shouted a strident accusation. And then nothing.

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