Page 5 of Lady Elizabeth's Winter Stranger
Even more bizarre that the thought stirred a vague regret.She knew nothing about him, but she could already tell that he was among the nicest men she’d ever met.
“Will you please escort me back to Piccadilly?I can find my way from there, thank you.”
She didn’t want him to know who she was and where she lived.The story of Lady Elizabeth Tierney traipsing around Hyde Park and chatting to strangers without a chaperone would make for delicious gossip.While she’d undoubtedly been rash to leave home alone, she’d rather avoid a scandal if she could.
“It would be my pleasure.”
She took a step in his direction.Her half boots were designed for a winter’s day, but when she stood still so long on the snow, the cold seeped up through the stout soles.She was grateful that she wore Mrs.Dawkins’s thick cape, for the warmth it provided as much as the concealment.
“Would you like me to walk behind you?”
This time, she couldn’t stop herself from smiling.“That would be more likely to draw attention than if you walked beside me.”
He looked arrested.Those deep-set eyes sharpened on her features.It was the most male expression she’d seen on his face.As if within a flaring instant, the quality of his interest changed.
Elizabeth gave a shiver, not because of the bitter cold.Nor was she frightened, although perhaps she should be.Instead, something deeply feminine inside her responded to that sudden masculine reaction.
When he approached and extended his arm, she curled her gloved fingers around his elbow with a willingness that surprised her.Warmth radiated through her.She’d been feeling so hideously lonely.Accepting the company of a tall, protective stranger made her heart expand in a way that was almost as disturbing as her initial fear of him.
Settle down, my girl.She wasn’t a wide-eyed debutante of seventeen.She was a sophisticated woman who had danced with a hundred men much more handsome than this one.For season after season, she’d held her own in society.As her father had pointed out in his infuriating letter, she’d refused a long list of requests for her hand.
“I appreciate your trust,” he said softly.This close, the deep voice vibrated in her bones in a pleasant if unfamiliar fashion.
“I appreciate your offer of assistance.”
“I hope you won’t feel I’m prying, but would it help to talk about whatever is worrying you?”He began to retrace the path that she’d tracked across the snow.Although he shortened his stride to match hers, she’d been right about his ease of movement.
“No, thank you.”For a moment there, Tom’s subtle but increasingly powerful attractions had distracted her from her dilemma.His question reminded her that this glimpse of freedom, however fleeting, might become a poignant memory when she was running herself ragged at Great-Aunt Agatha’s beck and call.“It’s a family matter.”
She cast him a sideways glance.When their eyes met, heat flushed her face as if she’d never met a man before.With his coal-black hair, she’d imagined that he’d have brown eyes.But the irises between the thick black lashes were a clear gray, the color of a calm sea just before sunrise.
Hoping Tom wouldn’t notice her fluster, she looked away quickly and lowered her chin.What on earth was wrong with her?She was acting like a fluttering little fool, when she prided herself on her composure in social settings.
“I hope something you can sort out.”His easy response went a little way toward restoring her customary optimism.He spoke as if he couldn’t imagine her failing to achieve her aims in any sphere.
“I do, too,” she responded with a bitter edge.
They turned onto the path that wound between the trees.“Well, if you feel the need to confide, your secrets are safe with me.You have my word on it.”
While he spoke lightly, something in his tone suggested that he was in earnest.Perhaps it was just more madness, but Elizabeth was tempted to pour out all her troubles.She didn’t.She preserved just enough caution to control the impulse.
They were two chance-met strangers.This would be their only encounter.Even that reached an end.They weren’t far from the park gates.Then it was a stroll to Piccadilly and the place where she and Tom would say their farewells.Another twinge of inexplicable regret.
She’d like to know him better.Because he’d been kind, and he hadn’t taken liberties, and he’d stepped up to offer aid when she was at risk of getting into very hot water indeed.And despite all her turmoil, it was pleasant to amble around Hyde Park in the presence of a charming gentleman who she could tell admired her.All those eventful seasons hadn’t gone to waste.She knew enough to recognize that Tom responded to her the way a man responded to a woman he found of interest.
What was more unusual was that Elizabeth just might be a little interested in him in return.Not that she intended to do anything about it.But the frisson in the air had nothing to do with the frigid temperatures and everything to do with her intriguing companion.
So when they approached the gates, she couldn’t stem a pang of disappointment.And gratitude.“Thank you for coming to my rescue.”
He stopped and she waited for him to reply, but then she, too, heard the faint cries.
“I think someone else is in trouble.”Tom released her to run in the direction of the high-pitched shrieks.
Nonplussed, Elizabeth stared after him.She’d been right about his athleticism.He moved as smoothly as a jungle cat.And as fast.
She refused to be left behind, even if she was only a few hundred yards from the park’s entrance.Picking up her skirts, she rushed after Tom, who remained visible amongst the sparse winter vegetation, despite how far ahead he was now.
Chapter 3
