go!”
“Nicola.” His violet eyes held a promise of delights, of hidden sensations that he could give her.
“No. Don’t call me that. You...we…” She touched her lips with her fingertips, frightened by the intensity of him. It was as thought the very air about them was charged. Trembling, she walked backwards, putting space between them. If he touched her she believed she would lose her mind, she was sure of it. How could he arouse such desperate feelings in her from a mere glance of those eyes of his? She was terribly afraid that if he laid a hand on her she would beg him to never stop...
“Nicola, please...”
“I cannot.” She shook her head, not knowing her mind.
“Why?” His pained passionate plea broke her heart.
“We are too different! I know nothing about you.”
“Let me court you, please.”
“No. We aren’t even friends. You-” Choking on a sob, she fled the house and the tantalising Nathaniel West.
Chapter Nine
Standing, hands on hips, Nicola glared at the cook lolling on the floor, her legs spread wide and an empty bottle of gin nestled in her arms. The beginnings of a meal lay scattered across the table. “Mrs Nesbit, will you get up!”
“Can’t. Me legsth won’t work…” She hiccupped and laughed.
Nicola glanced at Meg who, having divested her outdoor clothes, came to stand beside her. “Mrs Nesbit is drunk.”
Meg sniffed. “Half her luck.”
“Meg!”
Shrugging, Meg headed for the hallway. “Let her sleep it off.”
“And have no dinner?”
“Who can eat anyway?”
Nicola gave the intoxicated woman a small kick in frustration. “You have no decency. Now get up.” When the cook fell sleepily to one side, Nicola cursed and stormed from the kitchen. In the study, she stopped by the window and massaged her temples. The day had been trying enough with Emily’s funeral without coming back to find Mrs Nesbit in that state and the maid nowhere to be found. Why did this country have such dreadful servants? They’d both have to go, but who’d replace them? She shook the thought away, not prepared to deal with it today.
A slight tap interrupted her thoughts and the door opened to reveal Mr Belfroy. “Ah, Miss Douglas, sorry to disturb you.”
“Not at all, Mr Belfroy, do come in.”
He stood just inside the door, his hat brim being mangled in his thick fingers.
Nicola frowned, for the kind man was usually at ease in her company. “Is there something I can help you with?”
“There is indeed, my dear.”
“Sit down, please.”
“I cannot stay…” He straightened, taking a deep breath. “I was wondering if you could manage a few more ladies here.”
“More?”
“I’ve found a small hostel down near the Rocks area. A disgusting place with a ruinous reputation.” Anger flashed in his weary eyes.
“And there are ladies there? Governesses?” She couldn’t help sounding doubtful, as the Rocks area was notorious for habituating the worst sort of people.
“Yes, at least one lady is, or was. She is in very poor spirits.”
“But you think there could be more than one lady?”
“I’m certain of two staying there. The-the other woman, Miss Rogers, needs immediate help. She is with child…Unmarried. Not a governess, but a lady’s maid recently arrived from England. Her virtue was stolen aboard the ship. There is an inquiry into the matter...” His shoulders sagged. “I’m sorry this has come so soon after Miss Downing. I quite understand if you refuse-”
“Of course we must help them.” Nicola started for the door. “Give me a moment to gather my things.”
“You are a good woman, Miss Douglas.”
“Who can turn their back on those in need?” She smiled grimly, thinking of Emily Downing and how she hadn’t been able to help her. Pushing the thought away, she marched into the hallway. This was her job, her duty now. It was what she had agreed to do. Besides, keeping busy kept her mind off a certain handsome man with the eyes that seemed to burn through her soul.
In the carriage, Mr Belfroy gave her more details as they made their way through the poorest area of the city to the infamous Rocks area. “I do understand, Miss Douglas, your reluctance in accommodating more women. The house is becoming too small.”
“And we have unreliable staff, Mr Belfroy, to help us.”
“Well, you’ll be pleased to know that I have put my house up for sale and the proceeds will be used to purchase a more spacious house for you.”
Nicola stared at him. “Oh, Mr Belfroy, is that necessary?”
“You know our predicament, it is the least I can do.”
“But where will you