Page 4 of Lady Elizabeth's Winter Stranger
She braced for a barrage of questions, but he must have guessed that she was on the verge of scarpering.“My name is Tom.”
“I don’t need to know your name.”
“No, you don’t.But you might feel safer if I tell you.”
“The only thing that isn’t making me feel safe is you.”Perhaps not polite, but despite his assurances, she was rattled.No amount of smooth talking and lack of immediate attack made her forget how vulnerable she was.Nobody even knew where she was.
“I apologize for frightening you.”Regret turned his mouth down.The odd combination of features – chiseled jaw, beaky nose, prominent cheekbones – all made for an unusually expressive face.“But when I saw you all alone over here, I feared you were in trouble.I wondered if perhaps I could help.”
He was right about one thing, at least.Elizabeth was in trouble.Unfortunately not the sort of trouble that a passing stranger could solve.
She adopted a dismissive tone.“I appreciate your concern.”Which they both knew was a lie.“But I’m perfectly fine.You may go on your way, sir.”
“Tom.”
“Tom,” she said with a hint of a snap, although Christian names generally weren’t used outside one’s closest circles.
He didn’t shift.She’d had a feeling that he wouldn’t.That square jaw conveyed stubbornness, just as his mouth conveyed humor.“A gentleman likes to oblige a lady, but I’m afraid I can’t leave you at the mercy of the elements and any stray ruffian.”
“No, just at your mercy.”
Another smile.Despite her peril, she couldn’t help noticing that it was a nice smile.The sort of smile that invited a person to smile back.She didn’t.
“Yes, but I only harbor the most innocent intentions toward you.”
She still didn’t smile.“Words are cheap.”
His lips twitched.“Undoubtedly, and there’s nobody around to vouch for me.Where I come from, I could probably rustle up a respectable squirrel to confirm I’m a capital fellow, but I’m new to London and a stranger to the local wildlife.”
Despite everything, some of Elizabeth’s tension drained away.This time, it was an effort to fight a smile.He was charming.But that didn’t mean he was safe.She injected more determination than she felt into her voice.“I’m perfectly all right.There’s no need to concern yourself.”
He waved away her answer.“But you see, there really is.I know hardly anyone is around, but that’s the issue.Should anyone offer you insult, there’s no rescue at hand.If I arrange to stay ten paces behind you, can I at least see you back to where you live?On my solemn oath, I’m really no danger to you.You shouldn’t be out here with no protection.No man of conscience would allow it.”
“It’s really none of your business.You could pretend you never saw me.”
“No, I couldn’t.”
A long-suffering sigh escaped her.“Because you’re a man of conscience.”
Somewhere in the last few seconds, she’d accepted his good intentions.Perhaps because he made no attempt to threaten her physically.
He must have heard surrender in her tone, because those impressive shoulders relaxed.“Precisely.Chivalry forbids me to abandon you.”
“Then by all means, we must obey chivalry’s call,” she said drily.
He smiled at her again, with a touch of approval this time.“So you’ll let me see you home?”
Did she want to go home?For a few precious moments, she’d tasted freedom.She’d received a nasty fright when this man accosted her.But the suffocating feeling that had overwhelmed her when she read her father’s letter had faded once she was outdoors.
Elizabeth wasn’t ready to retreat to Lorimer Square and hide away inside until her family arrived later this afternoon.Slinking home and forsaking this brief liberty would only remind her of her restricted choices.She’d fret herself back into a complete state.
That queasy, trapped feeling stirred once more and made her stomach clench.What on earth could she do, if her father refused to compromise?“I…”
Tom’s fixed attention should make her uncomfortable, but somehow it didn’t.Perhaps because his expression conveyed no judgment, just friendly interest.It was a clever face.But now that her initial suspicion faded, she couldn’t help thinking that it was a kind face, too.
“I know I’m a stranger, but I’d love to help.You can trust me, you know.”
The strange truth was that she did trust him, which seemed mad when she didn’t know him from Adam.Heavens, she didn’t even know his last name.Probably better that she never did.For the sake of her reputation, they shouldn’t meet again after today.
