Page 60 of Once More, My Darling Rogue
“No, I just—”Fear I’ve done you a disservice.“Do be careful.”
“I shall stay clear of the river.” That smile again, the one she’d given him from the chair, the one that made him want to take her in his arms and ensure no harm ever came to her.
He escorted her into the hallway where a young woman with dark hair and startling blue eyes bobbed a quick curtsy as soon as she saw him.
“No need to curtsy for me, girl,” he said.
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll wake you for your bath,” Phee said, before brushing by him and leading—Marla, was it?—out the door.
In three quick strides, he was at the entryway window gazing out. The ladies were walking toward the street. Marla said something, Phee smiled. She would be fine. No one would accost her, no one would recognize her. All would be well.
He was exhausted. He needed his sleep. He had the club to worry over. And his own future should the partners indeed decide that it had outlived its usefulness. He’d taken three steps toward the stairs before turning on his heel, retrieving his hat, and heading out. He wasn’t going to interfere, but he intended to follow them. She was his responsibility.
He was beginning to wish he’d left her in the bloody Thames.
Chapter 16
“He is a handsome devil,” Marla said as they walked along the street. “Much better to see him up close, rather than looking at him through the window. So large. I don’t know if I’ve ever known anyone as tall as him.”
“I barely noticed,” Phee lied. She hadn’t expected Marla to be so enamored of Drake. He was all she’d spoken of since they left the house. She wondered what Marla would think if she confessed that he kissed her. But she knew that kisses were not to be talked about. Like everything, she didn’t know how she knew, but she knew it would put her reputation at risk. But who was there to care?
“He seems rather dark and brooding, though,” Marla said. “Like Heathcliff.”
Wuthering Heights.Phee almost shouted out the title. She knew the character. She knew the book. She had feared she’d appear to be somewhat of a nitwit on this outing. But she decided she could hold her own. More, though, shewantedto shop. Had this intense yearning to purchase something.
Now she had coins jangling in her pocket—she needed a reticule. And a hat. And gloves. Good Lord, she was out in public without gloves.
“Before we get to the market, will we pass any shops?” she asked.
“Yes, just over there.” Marla pointed, although houses prevented Phee from seeing any shops. “I like to look in the windows.”
“Don’t you go inside?”
“Hardly ever. No point in it when I won’t be buying.”
“Why don’t you purchase things?”
“I have to put away my money for a rainy day.”
“You shop when it rains? Are the prices better then?”
Marla laughed. “No, it’s an expression. Do you just not remember it?”
“I don’t recall saving my coins. It seems if I want something I should purchase it.”
“We have to hoard our pennies. When Mrs. Turner passes, where will I be? I have to find other employment and I don’t know how long that will take.”
“Drake Darling isn’t going to die anytime soon. He’s young.”
“And strong. And virile,” Marla said on a sigh. “You are so fortunate. I read a novel just last week where the girl in it was a maid. She fell in love with her employer. Terribly romantic.”
“But it was all made up. It wasn’t real. Maids don’t marry the masters of the house.” Even if he did kiss her in the kitchen until her knees turned to jam.
“Somewhere they might.”
Phee felt badly for what she’d said. Apparently Marla was hoping to marry a gentleman, but it seemed so unlikely. “Perhaps I’m wrong. I hear every story is based on a bit of truth.”
