Noble Scoundrel - Amy Sandas Page 0,89

still unspoken, feelings that seemed bigger than she’d expected, and such a loss of control it made her heart race to think of it.

She wasn’t altogether surprised when she’d received his note cancelling their lesson scheduled for that day, though she was certainly annoyed he hadn’t bothered to provide a reason. She’d gone to her study instead to read through her father’s journals yet another time. The talk about Emsworth’s possible involvement and the missing journals had her mind whirling in all directions as she struggled to pinpoint how any of it pertained to her brother.

As the clock struck the hour, she rose to her feet with a twist of unease in her stomach and smoothed her hands down the silk of her gown. It was just a party. Amongst a crowd of strangers.

No problem.

At the bottom of the stairs, she collected her cloak from Foster, who informed her the carriage had already been brought round from the mews and was waiting outside. She was just about to head out the door when she heard a familiar foot tread behind her. A rush of tingling sparks erupted in her belly as she turned to see Hale stalking purposefully down the stairs. He’d dressed in dark clothing and no cravat. His hair fell to his shoulders. When she took a brave glance at his face, it was to see a heavy scowl darkening his brow.

“Don’t tell me you were thinking to leave without me.”

She frowned as her brain struggled to catch up to the riotous reaction in her body. “And why wouldn’t I?”

He came to a stop in front of her. Close enough she had to tip her chin to look into his face. His hard stare swept over her appearance from head to toe before coming back up to meet her gaze.

Then—finally—he smiled and his voice dropped to a husky timbre. “You dress up rather nicely, dove.”

Ignoring the way his voice made her melt, she pressed her lips together and lifted a brow. “You are not coming with me tonight.”

Arriving without a chaperone was one thing. Arriving with a brutish bodyguard was quite another.

“Oh, yes I am,” he replied as he took her hand and slid it into the bend of his elbow before guiding her down the front steps.

“There is no cause for you to join me,” she argued, though she already suspected it was futile. “Your job is to protect Frederick. He is staying here; therefore, you must stay here.”

Reaching the carriage, Hale held her hand firmly to assist her into the vehicle. “I have four well-trained men guarding this house and your brother tonight.”

She settled into the seat and before she could even draw her skirts out of the way, his great form climbed in after her to take the seat across. “You, on the other hand, shall have me.”

“I don’t need you,” she lied. “Frederick does.”

There was a pause after her words as he stared intently at her through the darkened carriage. “I’m gonna protect you, duchess, whether you like it or not. But don’t worry, I’ll find a nice dark spot to keep myself away from the fancy guests and their delicate sensibilities.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as his intense eyes flickered. “But I will be there. In case you decide you do need me, after all.”

Then he leaned back more comfortably in the seat and rapped sharply on the ceiling to signal the coachman to drive.

As the carriage rolled along the lamplit streets, Katherine accepted Hale’s company with contrary emotions of worry and relief. Worry for her brother’s security while his bodyguard was with her. And relief to have him at her side. She hadn’t realized how nervous she was about tonight’s foray into London society until he’d managed to provide a bit of confidence by the simple nature of his presence.

It was just a party. She’d make it through the next few hours and then she’d be on her way home again. With Hale across from her.

And then what?

Would he escort her up to her bedroom? Would he want to go inside? Heat swept through her at the thought. She forcefully switched direction of her thoughts.

“I doubt I’ll be in any danger at a small gathering of the ton.”

His visage darkened. “Have you considered the possibility that whoever’s after Freddie might try to use you to get to him? The foolish boy would give himself up in a second if he knew you were in peril.”

“As I would