Beauty Tempts the Beast (Sins for All Seasons #6) - Lorraine Heath Page 0,13

please, sir. Now.”

Uncrossing his arms, he strode over to a plush chair, snatched up her cloak, and what appeared to be his coat. “I’ll accompany you home.”

“That’s not necessary.”

His glare could have stopped an invading army in its tracks. “Did you learn nothing tonight?”

She was an independent, stubborn little minx, the top of her head barely reaching the center of his chest. She projected such confidence at the tavern that it was easy to view her as taller. More challenging when she walked beside him. With the hood of her cloak covering her head, she gave the appearance of being huddled inside the velvet, her slender shoulders slightly hunched, not that he blamed her. It was cold enough to create fog when one breathed, and ice was forming in the dampness. He brought up the collar on his own woolen greatcoat.

She refused to hold on to his arm for support, but her steps were smaller, slower than they’d been earlier when he’d been following her.

Knowing she had a protector—refusing to acknowledge the relief he’d experienced to discover he was a brother and not a husband—he didn’t understand why he’d lingered outside the Mermaid. Perhaps because her escort had been tardy the night before. Or perhaps because he’d had a sense that tonight trouble was afoot.

He’d learned to trust his instincts and be cautious when he was eighteen and a lass had lured him into an alley where Three-Fingered Bill had introduced him to the ease with which a knife could slide into flesh and the pain it wrought while doing so and afterward. It seemed Bill had not taken kindly to his loss in income. What he hadn’t counted on was that Beast wouldn’t go down easily. When Beast was done fighting for his life, Bill had lost his.

In spite of his victory, he had nearly died that night from the wound the gang boss and pimp so expertly delivered. Fortunately, a surgeon more skilled with a scalpel had seen him spared from dancing with the devil at such a tender age. Rapping on Death’s door was not an experience he cared to repeat before his black hair turned silver. Some were still about who took exception to his prowling the streets to ensure none took advantage of those in need or preyed on the weak and disadvantaged. His fists had served many who hadn’t the strength themselves to ward off the miscreants.

Tonight they’d served her. He’d never been more grateful that his size gave him the advantage in a fight, that he had the skills to protect, that he’d been there when she’d needed him.

He was relieved when he spotted a hansom cab and was able to hail it down because he hadn’t wanted her trudging all the way back to her residence, had decided if her steps slowed any further, he’d carry her. Although she’d no doubt protest.

She didn’t say anything as he assisted her inside the buggy, and he wondered if she needed all her energy to simply move. He should have insisted she wait for the surgeon. Instead, he’d directed a footman to inform the man his services weren’t needed after sending one saying they were. He’d send a generous payment round to the surgeon in the morning for the inconvenience of disturbing his slumber. Knowing Dr. Graves as he did, he suspected he’d probably donate it to a charitable hospital.

He gave the driver her address. She’d shared it with him earlier, because she’d been unfamiliar with her surroundings. New to Whitechapel, she didn’t know her way around all the warrens and alleyways that made up the rookeries. Whereas he was familiar with every nook and cranny, knew she lived in one of the less reputable areas. His mum’s home was on the outskirts of Whitechapel, but as they’d grown up, he and his siblings had spent a good bit of time on these streets because they offered adventure. Often adventure fraught with danger, but excitement all the same.

He didn’t think Althea was searching for adventure, didn’t think she’d be here if she didn’t have to be. She wasn’t here because she’d married a commoner as he’d originally thought.

The cab drew to a halt in front of a residence that had seen better days. He handed up the fare through the opening in the roof. The driver took it and the locked doors sprung open. Beast leapt out and handed her down.

“Thank you.” With a gasp, she widened her eyes, pointed toward the street. “There goes