Page 66 of A Fearless Heart
Cady blinked and hid a yawn behind her hand. “Really? So soon?”
“You slept for a while.”
“Oh! I’m so sorry.”
“Nothing to apologize for, blossom. I enjoyed being your pillow.”
That comment caused a little pink to spread across her cheeks, which he liked more than he should.
“I hope the house is in a suitable state,” she said, changing the subject. “I sent word that I’d be arriving today.”
“Does your brother know as well?”
“I thought I’d make that a surprise,” she said. “And I wanted to get settled before I saw anyone, even Trevor.”
Just then, Jem brought the carriage to a halt. Gabe glanced out his window, and was surprised at the sight before him. Cady’s family had their home in Wimpole Street, an excellent part of the city. But he hadn’t realized just how excellent.
The town house was large, at least four stories tall. Unsurprisingly, there was a garden in the front, the trees and flowers just coming into spring bloom. Light spilled out of the windows of the house, giving it a welcoming air.
“This is yours?” he asked, just to be sure.
“Yes, indeed.” Cady was smiling, but she gripped Gabe’s hand tightly.
“Then you ought to go in.”
She looked at him with alarm. “Alone?”
He nodded. “It would be better if we weren’t seen getting out of the same carriage, at least not at the moment. But I’m certain that everything will be ready for you. And I’ll call on you as soon as I can tomorrow. Then the world can know that we know each other, and it won’t cause any comment when I visit in the future.”
“But…won’t it be odd if my gardener keeps calling on me?”
“Cady, the next time you see me, I won’t be your gardener.”
“What will you be?”
“A surprise, little blossom. Now go.”
“I’m scared.”
“No you’re not. You are Lady Arcadia Osbourne, and you’re delighted to be in London.” He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed the tops of her fingers. “As your tutor in bravery, I strongly suggest you believe that.”
“You promise you’ll return here tomorrow?” she asked anxiously.
“Of course. When have I ever lied to you?”
“Um, frequently?”
“But never about seeing you again. Good night, Cady. Welcome home.”
He opened the door for her but remained in the shadows of the carriage. He watched as she made her way slowly up the path to the front door, which was already swinging open, the interior gleaming in contrast to the blue twilight.
Cady vanished inside. Gabe waited patiently as Jem drove the carriage around the back to the alley-side entrance of the property where the trunks would be unloaded. He got out and helped Jem with the heaviest trunk. In his ordinary groundskeeper attire, he fit right in.
Jem shot him a look. “Assume I’ll be seeing you about the house again, sir. Anything we ought to know for tonight?”
“Keep her safe. Tell the other Disreputables to keep her calm if she should experience any distress at all. Don’t let anyone else in, and for God’s sake don’t let her out.”
“Aye, sir.”
