Page 21 of A Little Bit Dangerous
“Hiring a vessel is rather more expensive than I thought,” Miss Lawton admitted. “But thank you for your time.”
Christian stepped into the room and slapped two sovereigns on the counter. “In case Snell forgets to pay for your drink tonight.”
The woman snatched the coins like the starving did bread. Christian didn’t wait to hear her mumbled thanks. He ushered Miss Lawton to the carriage, assisted her ascent and told Gibbs to head to Mrs Maloney’s bookshop in Lime Street.
Miss Lawton settled into the seat opposite and gripped the overhead strap as the vehicle picked up speed. “Well, now we know Captain Snell lied.”
Christian took a moment to study Miss Lawton. She had her father’s cunning, though used it in pursuit of justice, not to scheme and trick men out of their inheritance.
“Few people impress me, madam.” It would be wrong not to offer her due praise. The compliment was by no means a prelude to seduction. Yet the need to see pleasure dance in her sad eyes was as compelling as drawing breath. “Daventry should offer you a permanent position. You have a talent for gathering information.”
“I pray you’re right and such skills are in high demand,” she said, fussing with her skirts. “Else how am I meant to put food on the table?” Her practical reply did not disguise the tinge of fear in her voice.
Guilt surfaced. “I must apologise for my violent outburst at the wharf. There’s nothing I detest more than a man who preys on a woman’s vulnerability.”
Though Christian had been a boy when his mother died, sometimes he woke in the dead of night, convinced he could hear her sorrowful wails.
Miss Lawton’s gaze journeyed down the length of his body, her mouth quirking though he could not read her thoughts. “If you were a debutante, you might be considered an Original, Mr Chance. Men with your exceptional looks are rarely so considerate.”
“You find my features exceptional?” The compliment did nothing to stem his growing attraction to her. “That’s high praise indeed.” If only she had more experience with men, they might indulge in a brief affair.
“I’d be lying if I said you weren’t handsome. But you have other qualities a lady might admire.”
“Such as?”
He shouldn’t ask personal questions, but he was desperate to know.
“I’ve never met anyone capable of putting two men on theirarses.”
A laugh escaped him. “And I’ve never met a prim woman who could sayarseswithout stuttering.”
She laughed, too. “In your company, Mr Chance, I’m learning to embrace wickedness. And we should laugh more often. I’m told it’s good for the soul.”
He couldn’t recall the last time he had a reason to smile, let alone chuckle. “Around you, madam, I find I’m more of a gentleman than I’d like. I’ve never made excuses for hitting a man.”
“Under any other circumstances, we would make an excellent team.”
Her comment reminded him this was the last time they would be alone together. Pressure gathered in his chest. An uncomfortable feeling, much worse than the restlessness he’d experienced of late.
He was thankful when the carriage entered Lime Street and stopped outside the quaint bookshop. Then he could focus on fixing the problem, not these confounding pangs of regret.
Miss Lawton peered out of the window and craned her neck to read the sign. “Mrs Maloney’s Bookshop. What makes you think she’ll have a room for rent?”
An unexpected lump formed in his throat. “Mrs Maloney always keeps our old room ready. Should we ever find ourselves destitute or in need, she said it’s important to know we have a home here.”
Miss Lawton laid her hand over her heart and looked at him. “After the life you’ve had, it must be wonderful to know someone cares.”
Christian allowed a wave of love for Mrs Maloney to sweep through him. “She’s like the mother we lost. I don’t know where we would be without her. Aaron offered to support her financially, but she refuses to leave the bookshop.”
“She’s kind and independent. I like her already.”
“You’re bound to get on well.”
Christian opened the carriage door and alighted. He took a moment to glance at the upper window. He’d often kept his nose pressed to the glass, waiting for Aaron to return home from a fight.
Don’t die tonight.
We need you.
