She could only hope Nathaniel would wait for her.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“This is the unhappy fate that attends nearly all our great social grievances. They are overlooked or shyly glanced at and kicked aside for years and years, when suddenly a stray spark ignites their smouldering heaps, and the eager town cooks a splendid supper of horrors at the gaudy conflagration; but having supped full, there ensues a speedy distaste for flame and smoke, and in his heart every one is chiefly anxious that the fire may burn itself out, or that some kind hand will smother it.”
~ The Seven Curses of London
Nathaniel perused the shelves at the bookstore while keeping an eye on the door for Letitia. Where could she be? He checked his pocket watch. It was nearly ten minutes past the time he’d suggested they meet.
Granted, ten minutes was nothing for most members of the ton. That wasn’t even considered fashionably late. But his years in the military had made punctuality a habit.
The bell above the door tinkled, and he glanced up to see her enter the shop. Her maid waited by the door while Letitia searched the store for him. Her bonnet today was once again fawn colored. He scowled at the annoying shade.
Her hazel gaze landed upon him, and her face lit as she hurried forward, causing a similar reaction in him. “My apologies for my delay.”
“It’s of no consequence.”
“My family picks the worst times to need me.”
Nathaniel couldn’t imagine what it must be like to live with four other females plus her parents and a houseful of servants. Though he’d lived side-by-side with his men in the Navy, that had been different. The idea of having them all invade his house made Nathaniel shudder. In the few months he’d been out of the military, he’d come to enjoy spending time alone.
“I was pleased to receive your message,” she said, her expression hopeful.
That made him feel all the worse for what he was about to tell her. He reminded himself it was far too dangerous. This was no game he was playing. He’d had several close encounters with armed men, and he refused to allow that sort of danger close to her. Or any sort of danger for that matter.
“Can I assist you in locating something?” the shop owner asked as he appeared at Nathaniel’s elbow.
“We’re going to browse for a time,” he answered, hoping the man would leave them in peace.
“Of course. Let me know if I can be of help.” He moved to the counter to speak with another customer.
Nathaniel led the way to the rear of the store, away from the other customers so they might have some privacy. The shelves reached the ceiling along the wall. The aisles of books narrowed at the back as though the shopkeeper had run out of room. The tall rows suited Nathaniel’s purpose quite well. The only danger was in being overheard by other customers.
He turned toward Lettie in the shadowed area. “I appreciate you meeting me here.” The enclosed, dusty space made Letitia’s orchid scent smell all the better. Unable to help himself, he breathed it in.
“I was pleased to hear from you. Might I hope you’ve decided to assist me with my...endeavor?” She glanced around at the last word as though she was well aware of the risk of being overheard.
Her caution pleased him as it showed that she realized how careful she needed to be. But it didn’t change his answer. “I have given the matter considerable thought. While I appreciate your wish to help others, your best option would be to choose a charity that aligns closely with your ideas and donate funds.”
The disappointment in those amazing eyes nearly had him changing his mind. What was it about her that made him want to please her?
“I see.” Her gaze lowered, stealing his pleasure at looking into them.
“Do you? The streets are far too dangerous for a lady such as yourself. The things that happen...” He decided against completing the statement. During his years of service, he’d never failed to be surprised at what acts men committed in the name of greed or a shared cause. He thought he’d put those encounters behind him when he returned home to London, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
“I have come to realize the situation on the streets is more dire than I’d imagined even after reading the book,” Lettie said. “But that is the very reason I feel compelled to help.” At last she looked back up at him, her gaze meeting his. “I ask again if you would please consider assisting me. I wouldn’t do anything to put you or myself in harm’s way. I only request an escort for a limited time so that I might find a way to help.”
Damn. She made her request sound almost reasonable, as though it would only take an hour or two of his time. In all honesty, he was sorely tempted. For reasons he didn’t care to examine, he liked Letitia. He enjoyed her company on every level—from her intelligence to her humor to her kindness. And if the opportunity arose, he would certainly enjoy kissing her again. But that path held a danger of its own. She was a young lady of the ton, therefore searching for a husband.
He didn’t want to give her any ideas by spending time with her. He was not husband material. Leading her to think he might have that sort of interest in her would be unfair. Not when he had no intention of marrying any woman.
No. This was for the best all around. No matter that it didn’t feel like a good decision.
“I fear I must decline.”
Her full lips twisted, tugging at something deep inside him. Surely it was only desire.
“I see. Then I suppose I have no choice.”
The look in her eyes gave him a moment’s warning, but he wasn’t certain what it warned him of.
“I wonder what your brother, the earl, might think of your recent activities.” She raised a brow as though expecting a reaction.
“Ah. You think to force me into aiding you?” He nearly smiled. Such a clever woman. He admired her strategy.
“I wouldn’t dream I could force you to do anything.” She grinned, and desire coiled deep inside him.
Did she realize the double meaning of her words?
He cleared his throat in an attempt to regain control of his body. “Good. Because that would be impossible.”
She nodded as though she’d expected as much. “I’m certain the earl already knows of your efforts to save our city though you don’t appear to be close from the little I’ve observed.”
If he didn’t know better, he’d guess her trap was closing, but she’d said nothing he couldn’t easily avoid thus far. Fascinating.
“You and he probably had a lengthy conversation about how you entered a brothel and saved two young girls from a life of prostitution.”
Nerves tingled along his spine. How had she found out that? And hell no. He had no intention of sharing those sorts of details with Tristan.
She tapped a finger on those luscious lips as she studied the books on the shelves before them. “Perhaps a word to a reporter about how one of England’s finest military heroes is now performing those same heroics at home in London. Wouldn’t that be an intriguing story?”
He frowned, no longer troubled by desire. He couldn’t imagine a worse fate. “You wouldn’t.”
She looked up at him and blinked oh so innocently. “Which one wouldn’t I do?”
“Either. Neither.”
With a gloved hand, she retrieved a book from the shelf and opened it, paging through it. “Wouldn’t I?”
He hadn’t given her nearly enough credit. He’d always considered himself a good strategist but she was amazing. Who knew?
“Letitia.”
She glanced up in surprise at his use of her given name.
“Surely I have permission to call you by your first name if you intend to blackmail me.”
“I am not blackmailing you.” She replaced the book with a thump. “I am only asking for a few hours of your time,” she added with a disgruntled expression.
“Or else you’ll reveal my recent activities to my brother and perhaps even an interested reporter. How did you find out about the girls?”
; She smiled, clearly pleased with herself. “I had the pure luck of running into Alice, the girl on Blackfriars Bridge that I spoke with the day we met.”
“Where did you come across her?” He immediately pictured Letitia loitering about in the very places he’d asked her to avoid.
“At Madame Daphne’s, the seamstress shop. You may remember I gave Alice her card. She took an apprenticeship there. And one of the girls you rescued lives in her lodging house. She guessed it was you from her friend’s description of her rescuer.”
Nathaniel could only shake his head. “What are the odds?”
Letitia’s eyes gleamed. “I couldn’t agree more. Needless to say, when this information was shared with me, two things came to mind.”
“Oh?” Nathaniel wasn’t certain he wanted to know what they were.
She stepped a little closer, within inches of him, her gaze holding his. “You are a hero.”
He frowned, disliking the label. “I did what anyone would’ve—”
“Don’t discount your efforts. You were truly amazing from what little Alice told me.”
He shook his head. He was never amazing. Never.
“But the story also tells me you take far too many risks.” Her expression grew serious. “You could’ve been killed.”
He didn’t consider what he did risky. He’d only wanted to save those girls from the terrible fate awaiting them. They mattered just as much as he. More even. Why should he take care when those girls couldn’t?
But he didn’t tell her any of that.
Instead, he offered, “We managed to make it out of there together. That’s what is important.”
“I disagree.” Her somber expression surprised him. Normally people brushed aside his comments without further analysis. But she continued to study him as though trying to absorb what he was truly saying.
“Nathaniel.” Shivers coursed down his back at her use of his first name. No one called him that. “I am asking you to please be careful. The more I learn of the problems noted in that book, the more I believe a significant number of people must be involved to run these schemes. That also means there is money involved.”
Nathaniel was nonplussed at her words. How had she come to those conclusions based on the little she knew and even less that she’d experienced?
She reached up to run her fingers under his lapel, such a sweet, feminine gesture unfamiliar to him. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.” Her lashes lifted to reveal those beautiful eyes, and he was mesmerized.
He drew closer until their breath mingled, until her heady fragrance filled his senses and desire pulsed through his body.
Her gaze dropped to his lips and all thoughts fled. He couldn’t remember ever wanting someone so desperately as he wanted her. She appealed to him on every level—physically, emotionally, and intellectually—a heady combination.
“That is why I must insist on us finding a way to work together.” Her gaze captured his again. “I want to help keep you safe.”
He tried to clear his head, to make sense of the words she’d uttered. But he could only think of the taste of her lips. How she’d feel in his arms. Slowly, tentatively, he pressed his mouth to hers as though kissing her for the first time.
Her lips were soft and warm beneath his. She made a tiny sound in the back of her throat. He captured it with his mouth, turning his head slightly to better fit with her.
She drew back with a gasp, eyes wide then glancing about as though suddenly remembering where they were.
“Letitia, you are sweet.” He couldn’t resist touching her cheek with his bare finger. Her skin was warm and soft. “No.”
“No, what?” She blinked in confusion.
“No, we cannot work together.”
The determined glint in her eye gave him pause. “I beg to differ.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Letitia.”
“Nathaniel.”
He released an exasperated breath, unable to remember when he’d had a more frustrating conversation.
“I’m pleased that is settled,” she announced. “What is your next step?”
“I don’t have a set agenda.”
“I see.” She frowned. “I am more of a planner, but I will try to adjust to your schedule, or lack thereof, as best I can.”
He placed both hands alongside her face, holding her still. “I appreciate your wish to help. But it is too dangerous. I don’t want you anywhere near these men. They are capable of unmentionable deeds.”
“I know.” She patted one of his hands. “It seems as though you should have one more day of rest before any action is taken to make certain your leg is better. How does your schedule look for the morrow?”
At his look of disbelief, she smiled. “I’ll allow you to think upon it. Will you be attending the Ainley’s ball this evening? We could discuss it further there.”
When he merely stared at her in baffled silence, Letitia continued, “I’m certain it will take time to grow used to the idea of having a partner.” She retrieved a piece of paper from her purse. “What do you think of this? Is it safe to contact them?”
After a glance at the ad offering an infant for sale, Nathaniel’s stomach churned. The idea of Letitia speaking to whoever placed the ad made him ill. “No.” At her crestfallen expression, he relented. “Perhaps it would be best if we did work together on an occasion or two.” He didn’t add that the reason behind his change of heart was his desire to keep her safe.
“Excellent. I look forward to it.”
The shopkeeper entered the row in which they stood, eyes narrowed with suspicion as he peered at them. “Did you find something of interest?”
“Yes,” Letitia answered as she glanced at the shelves. “We’re narrowing down the options at the moment.”
“Very well,” he said as though doubtful it was true.
After he stepped away, Letitia leaned forward. “Perhaps we’ll need to find another place to meet. The shopkeeper is far too suspicious.”
One of the many challenges he faced in working with her would be to find ways to speak with her that wouldn’t draw attention. His mission of helping the children was growing more complicated each day. Military operations had been conducted with more ease than this was proving.
But as he watched Letitia glance at the books on the shelves, her head tilted to the side as she read the titles, a tiny corner of his soul was pleased at the twist his life had taken.
He merely had to make certain to keep her at arm’s distance from the dangerous situations as well as from himself. He didn’t care for the doubt that filled him as to whether that was possible.
~*~
Lettie returned to the carriage with a smile upon her face. She gave a little cheer as she took her seat, pleased at her progress with Nathaniel.
“Did you find the book you were looking for, miss?” Cora asked as she settled onto the opposite bench.
Realizing she’d forgotten to purchase a book, she shook her head. “I’m afraid I’ll need to try another bookstore some other day.” Perhaps that would provide an excuse to meet him again.
There was more to subterfuge than she’d realized. She blamed the tingle of excitement she felt on that rather than the sweet kiss they’d shared.
Could he truly not see how amazing he was? No other man she knew, not that she knew many, would’ve bothered to investigate the brothel let alone rescue those poor girls. While she didn’t know anything about houses of ill repute, she knew men paid for certain services there. That meant money was being exchanged, and that meant guards. Armed guards.
She couldn’t help the shudder that passed through her at the thought of Nathaniel in that house alone. They could have easily shot him and dumped his body in the Thames with no one the wiser.
Yet he appeared to sincerely believe the risks he took were nothing. She didn’t understand that. While she knew he had most likely faced dangerous missions during his time in the Navy, this was di
fferent. He was working alone.
She was no closer to understanding his dismissive attitude by the time she arrived home. The footman advised her that her mother and Rose were entertaining guests in the drawing room. That rarely required her presence, so she went upstairs to her room.
Holly sat at the chair in front of her desk when Lettie entered.
“What are you looking at?” Lettie asked as she removed her gloves and set her purse on the bed.
“I believe it’s something you left behind.” Holly held up a newspaper clipping.
Lettie’s heart pounded. How had she managed to leave behind one of the ads for a child for sale? “What is it?” she asked, hoping to fool her youngest sister.
“You know very well what it is.” Holly’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.
Funny how often that was happening of late.
Lettie continued playing innocent, though she held doubt Holly would let it go. “Why don’t you tell me?”
“It’s an advertisement for a child for sale.” The outrage in her sister’s tone nearly made Lettie smile. “Why do you want a baby? Shouldn’t you find a husband first and then have a baby the normal way? Why would you pay for one?”
“I am only keeping my options open.” Lettie turned away to hide her expression. “You know how unlikely it is that I will marry. I’m nearly on the shelf already. Five Seasons and no offer.”
Holly mistook the amusement in her voice for emotion. She rushed over to wrap her arms around Lettie. “Do not give up hope. There are many things to love about you, and someone will see them like I do. Perhaps if we make a few changes, those silly men at those silly balls will see the true you.”
Lettie gave her sister a squeeze, touched by her words. “What changes would those be?”
“When you brought home that blue scarf from the dressmaker’s, I realized how pretty it looked on you.” She drew back to look at Lettie’s gown. “Brighter colors would be much more becoming. I’ll speak with Mother. Maybe I can make her see that her choices in dresses do not suit you.”
Lettie could only stare at her sister in disbelief. “That’s the second time someone has told me that.”
Loving the Hawke (The Seven Curses of London Book 1) Page 13