by Sable Grey
He stepped from his study and headed upstairs and into the short corridor. Almost upon the door to his sleeping chamber, he noticed it slightly ajar. The scent of soap and woman drifted toward him, and without thinking, he pushed the door open.
Half submerged in the large tub of steaming water, the street urchin slept. She no longer looked of filth, however, but appeared close to godly in beauty. Without the dirt dusting her skin, he could see her features were delicate and small, her eyebrows and lashes fair. Her slender arms rested across the rim of the tub, her fingers curled against the wood. Wet hair hung against her shoulders in dark blonde strands, the ends floating atop the water that barely covered the light pink crescents of her breasts. Two ivory knees parted the surface, leaned against each side of the tub.
He had a sudden urge to slip between those knees into the tub with her. He blinked suddenly and jerked from the thought, surprised he would even entertain such a notion. His gaze moved around the room, half expecting a teasing grin, but Ursula was not present. His gaze slid back down to the woman before him.
No doubt Ursula had purposely placed the woman in his chamber for him to find. It was like her to try to coax him into coupling.
"Is that you, Ursula?” Cora asked groggily without opening her eyes.
Shame filled Baden's chest and he cleared his throat, causing her to start and straighten. “It is I. Forgive me, but I did not realize you were still bathing.” He turned and stepped quickly from the room.
With his back to the door, still left ajar, he spoke again. “I believe Ursula left you a change of clothes across the bed.” His bed. The water sloshed, and he heard her feet slap against the wood of the floor. The friction of cloth moving quickly over her skin caused his body to harden. The rustle of clothes followed. Moments later, the door behind him opened fully.
"I fell asleep,” she offered when he turned.
"I was coming here myself for that very reason.” His gaze swept the plain linen dress that fit snugly over her slender hips and waist. The bodice, however, was loose, and he realized it was one that laced in the back.
"You are...” He indicated the loose bodice with a flourish of his hand. “Here, allow me to assist you.” He stepped past her then faced her back. Tiny droplets of water, left over from her bath, glistened on her bare skin. He fought the urge to lean forward and lick them away as the scent of her wet skin dragged deep into his chest. Instead, he reached forward and mechanically adjusted the material beneath the laces before pulling them tight.
"Thank you.” She spoke once she turned and faced him. “For the bath and the clothes. It was very kind of you to..."
He interrupted and waved her toward the door. “Let us seek out my maid and see what she has for us to eat."
* * * *
Cora stared down at the crumbs of food left on her plate. The meal had been good, filling the spot in her belly that had been neglected for two days. She felt whole again, bathed and dressed in clean clothing.
"Do you have anywhere to sleep tonight?” Ursula asked, bringing Cora's attention up to the two finishing their meal at the table.
"Yes. I've secured a room near Miller's Court for the rest of the week.” She wouldn't tell them it was a room plagued with rodents and filth, not when they lived so finely. Even the dinner cloths had lace.
Ursula had told her his name. Private Detective Baden Sikes. He must be very wealthy, Cora surmised, if he could live so finely in a temporary home.
"You may sleep here tonight. I shall take you to your place of residence in the morning.” Baden placed his napkin on his plate and stood. “Ursula, you will settle her in a room for the night?"
"Of course."
"Then I shall retire to my study.” He inclined his head before turning and striding from the room.
Cora felt herself relax a bit once he was gone, but Ursula pointed her fork at her. “I hope you don't mean to steal from the detective after he's shown you such kindness. Do wrong by him, and I shall do very wrong by you."
"Yes, miss.” Cora nodded that she understood.
"Good.” Ursula dropped her fork to her plate and pushed away from the table. “Now that we have that ugliness out of the way, come on and I'll show you to your room."
Cora quickly stood and followed Ursula from the room. “He must be good at what he does.” She hadn't meant to speak aloud as she gazed at the tapestries that hung the walls.
"That he is. He has a much nicer home on the other side of London. But he was called here on account of the murders,” Ursula told her as she led her through a door into a bedroom.
"He seems rather cold. Has he a woman?"
"He doesn't,” Ursula answered as she bustled forward to turn down the coverlet. Cora stared. The bed alone was larger than the room she was renting. Her gaze swept to the large hearth at the end of the room and to the fanciful rug that stretched between bed and hearth.
"If you need anything, just call out. The walls are thin, I am a light sleeper, and the detective never sleeps.” Ursula turned and touched Cora's cheek, surprising her with the tenderness. “You don't have the look of a thief. Have you a family waiting for your return?"
"No. I am alone.” Cora's heart tightened in her chest. “My father passed away some months ago. We did not live in a house such as this, but it was comfortable and warm. When he died...” Her voice cracked.
"You were forced to find your own way.” Ursula nodded as if she understood. “I shall speak to Detective Sikes tonight. He knows a good many gentlemen who may have need of a maid. If you have no children or additional family, it will be easier to place you."
Tears threatened Cora's eyes. “I am unafraid of work. I learn quickly. I've searched myself, but there is no work to be had."
Ursula smiled softly, and her hand slid away from Cora's cheek. “He may seem cold, but he has a large, warm heart. I have faith that you will not have to look to stealing again. Rest tonight, dear. Tomorrow holds many promises."
Cora watched her slip from the room and gently pull the door closed. Then she sank to her knees and wept with hope.
* * * *
Hours later, Baden stared out at the dark, empty street from his window. Nothing stirred. Nothing he could see. But there was something out there; a monster that lurked in the shadows. Silently willing the bastard to show himself, he lifted his drink to his lips and took several swallows.
Behind him, the door creaked and he tensed. A soft, feminine scent and soap found him. He turned slowly and watched a candle appear, followed by the young woman he'd brought to his home earlier. She was dressed in a plain white gown and no robe. Her gaze swept around the room as if making certain there was no one to be disturbed, and Baden realized that he was hidden in shadow where he stood.
A slight frown tugged at her lips as if disappointed to find the room empty of occupants, and she was about to turn and retreat when something must have caught her eye. Baden's gaze dropped to the glass he held. Of course. The firelight had no doubt reflected upon the smooth glass he held. Clever girl.
His gaze returned to Cora as she lifted the candle and stepped toward him.
"Sir?"
"It is late for you to be rambling about.” Baden stepped forward and watched the relief cross her face.
"Yes, sir."
"Do you have need of anything? Another blanket?"
"No, sir. I'm quite comfortable. It has been so long since I've lain on such softness."
Baden imagined she spoke the truth after hearing of her recent loss of her father from Ursula. His maid had insisted he find work for the young woman, that she'd most likely turned to stealing in an attempt to pay for food.
"If you need for nothing, then why, might I ask, are you traipsing about my home in the middle of the night?” Baden barely saw the blush in the candlelight. His attention was drawn down to that nightdress, and he wondered why she'd not donned a robe.
"I was looking for you, sir."
Baden raised an eyebrow as his gaze da
rted up to her face. “Me?"
"Ursula said that you did not sleep. I thought you might be in here since this is where you said you would retire to.” She shrugged.
"I see.” Baden walked toward his desk to refill his glass. “And what had you planned on doing once you found me?” He could think of a number of things he wanted her to do. He kept his back to her as he closed his eyes and inhaled the scent of her.
"The truth is I could not sleep myself, sir.” When he glanced over his shoulder at her, she moved farther into the study, the glow of her candle easing into the corners of the room. “Ursula spoke highly of you to me, and I wished to explain myself to you."
"Explain yourself?” He faced her fully and settled back against his desk, half leaning, half sitting, on its edge.
"You were correct about me, sir. I know nothing of the things I stole, and it is true that I was afraid, very afraid when I took what I took.” She frowned, her gaze lowering to her feet. “The meal you provided me tonight was the first I'd had in two days, sir. I was released from the work I was doing."
"Why?” Baden had known Ursula had suspected correctly. He could usually trust her judgment in people.
Cora winced. “I ... I would not sleep with the man I worked under."
"Wouldn't you?” He wondered if he could change her mind about that, but then pushed the irrational thought aside. “Then you have not yet turned to prostitution.” Baden tilted his head when she raised her flashing eyes and lifted her chin. She further surprised him by taking a quick step forward.
"I have not and would never. I only meant to steal enough for one meal. I have been looking for work, but I am not so desperate that I would resort to selling myself as if I had no more worth than the things I stole."
"I meant no offense.” Baden set his drink aside and crossed his arms.
Some of her fire eased from her eyes. “I only wished you to know that I normally wouldn't turn to thievery. I thought that if you knew, you would have no reservations about who I should work for.” Her bottom lip caught between her small white teeth.
"Do you think me ignorant?"
Cora blinked. “Of course not, sir."
"Then you must know that if I thought you truly a thief, I would not have allowed you to come into my home.” Baden straightened and reached for his drink. “Good night, Cora.” He walked toward the hearth and settled into a chair.
For several minutes, she just stood there in silence. “Will you remain here the entire night?” She moved closer, but Baden didn't answer. He turned to look at her when she set the candle on the table next to him.
"If you read, sir, you should do so with more light.” She still didn't turn to leave.
Baden exhaled heavily. “If you mean to stay, do not stand behind me as you are. You may sit.” He heard her breathe out before she moved to sit in the chair on the other side of the small table. Baden watched her pull her feet up and beneath her as she made herself comfortable.
He was surprised she did not speak. She seemed content with just sitting there with him, staring into the dying fire. Apparently she just didn't want to be alone.
Of course, he reasoned. The murders. It had every woman so terrified that they scurried at the dying light of day. The only ones who continued to venture out at night were prostitutes and working women. And this one had already told him she was neither.
He remained silent, watching her lids drop heavily over her eyes. He knew that Ursula meant for him to keep her on in his own household. He sighed heavily. She and James Martin expected him to act as savior to every little street mouse they came across.
But this young woman was not like the others he'd helped find work that would get them off the streets. She had spine and a fire in her that he couldn't help but admire. She obviously had a natural instinct about people if she had concluded she would be safe in his study alone with him, dressed only in her sleeping gown.
He remained there, sipping his bourbon, until her breathing deepened and he was certain she was asleep. His attention dropped again over her figure, then rested on her bared ankle. Small and delicate, he was tempted to reach out and touch her, to feel her soft skin beneath his fingers. It was sadistic to entertain such an idea when she apparently felt comfortable and safe with him. Still he imagined his hand slipping farther beneath her gown, toyed with the thought of touching her intimately, tasting that which he could smell now.
He finished his drink quickly, drowning his indecencies, stood, then slipped his arms beneath her and lifted her against his chest. She weighed almost nothing, far too thin for a woman who Ursula had guessed to have reached at least her twentieth year.
Carefully he carried her back to the room she'd been given for the night and eased her onto the bed. She stirred slightly, but he leaned close.
"Sleep. No harm will come to you this night."
She snuggled down into the blankets. Again he wrestled with an urge to touch her. What kind of spell had this faint woman cast on him? Finally his fingers brushed the strands of hair from her face, and he realized his mistake immediately when she turned her cheek against his palm.
He jerked his hand away from her but remained there, watching her sleep for a few moments before slipping from her room and returning to his study.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Two
"You needn't have accompanied me, sir. I wish no inconvenience to you.” Cora's pink tongue slid across her bottom lip, and Baden forced himself to look away from her. Pushing the dark curtain aside, he peered out the carriage window at the buildings.
"It is no inconvenience.” It had been Ursula's idea for him to ride with Cora to collect her belongings in the event that the landlord gave her grief about moving. Now he wished he'd not listened to the concerns of his maid. After a night of no sleep, of thinking of nothing but Cora's soft cheek against his hand, the close quarters of the carriage offered no relief to his dark mood.
"I shall not require so much attention once I am settled. Ursula has already told me that she wishes me to help her until you place me in another household.” Cora touched his arm familiarly, and he ground his teeth together without looking at her. “I shall prove to you that I am worth the trouble and inconvenience I have not caused you."
His gaze slanted at her to see the quick sobering of her expression. She was attempting to lighten his mood with her wit and humor. He could appreciate none of it, however, as the burn of her fingers on his arm made him want to lay her across the carriage seat and devour her.
"You insinuate I lie?"
"Certainly you had other plans for the morning. I need no one look after me. Though I do appreciate your company, I've become very good at doing things on my own.” Her fingers dragged back to her lap and intertwined with those of her other hand.
"I had no other plans, and perhaps I mean to be certain you've no other thoughts of thievery to entertain in my absence.” He raised a brow then regretted his jab when her gaze dropped to her hands. “Or perhaps I am curious to see where you lived before you took to rambling about my home in the wee hours of the morning."
"The room is too large for me.” Her voice was so soft that he had to lean closer to her to hear. “I am unaccustomed to sleeping in such a large space where I cannot see in the darkness all four walls."
"My study is three times the size of that room, yet you managed to fall asleep soundly enough."
Her lips curled, but she still did not look up at him. “Because you seemed to fill most of it, sir."
"Fill it?"
Her lashes rose so she could gaze up at him. “Certainly you are aware that you have a large presence. Forgive me, but the space did not seem so vast when you were occupying it."
"I see.” He drew his gaze back out the window as the carriage began to slow. “It is good we have arrived then, for I would not wish to smother you in the confines of the small space of which we now travel.” He heard her soft giggle.
"You should stay here. It should
only take me a few moments to collect my belongings. I haven't much at all. Because I did not wish anything I do still have stolen, I've always kept everything in my trunk under a lock."
The carriage halted, and Baden didn't wait for the driver to open the door, reaching through the window to pull the latch. Stepping to the road, he dragged three ragged breaths into his lungs, ignoring his driver's curious stare, then turned to offer his hand.
"I will not be made to wait in the carriage like a woman.” He watched her fingers slip into his. She carefully climbed to the ground, a frown pulling her pretty features.
"I would prefer that you did not accompany further, sir. You are a gentleman, and this place is not fine enough for you.” She didn't release his hand, but closed her fingers around his. “Please, sir, I insist..."
"She insists,” Baden directed to his driver. “Lucas, that is the trouble with women. They push and insist to get their way and expect men to wait around for them to do as they wish."
"Yes, sir,” Lucas answered with a chuckle.
When Baden's gaze dropped back to Cora, she jerked her hand away from him, her eyes flashing angrily. “I only meant to spare you the indecency and filth of the place. If you wish to wallow in it with the swine that live here, do as you please."
"Thank you.” He bowed slightly, grinning at the back of her head when she flounced past him and through the door of the derelict building. He followed, noticing her nervous glance around as she entered and then how she hurried toward the stairs. She actually groaned when the door to their left opened.
The man who appeared was in need of a bath and sneered at Cora as if she were something as foul as he. Baden instinctively took a protective step toward her, winning the man's attention then narrowed gaze.
"At last, she's taken my advice.” The man's gaze remained locked with Baden's. “Did she already name you a price, or had she the sense to bring you back so I could handle the exchange for her?"
"A price?” Baden repeated and glanced down at Cora to find her cheeks reddened as she gasped.
"For her virginity."
"She most certainly did not,” Baden snapped.