What Happens in Piccadilly - Chasity Bowlin Page 0,48
myself.”
“But what will you say to her?” Callie asked. “I don’t think you should involve yourself if there is danger, Effie!”
“Yes, Miss Darrow,” Winn interjected. “While I certainly have no say in allowing you to do anything, I must protest. Miss St. James is correct and you could be putting yourself in danger.”
“My lord, how could I do anything else? While I understand most people view the Darrow School as just that… a school, it is, in fact, so much more. The girls who come here are like my own children. They are my family and I would never dream of not doing all that was in my power to protect them,” Effie replied. “I assure you, my lord, that I will have all the assistance I require to see to my own safety. You, however, are charged with Miss St. James’ safety, and I hope you realize just how much she means… to all of us.”
“I do, Miss Darrow,” Winn answered. “If you are ready, Miss St. James, I will hire a hack to transport us to the house. The less we are both walking about the streets of London right now, the better.”
Chapter Eleven
T he interior of the hired hack was quiet, neither of them speaking. The silence between them was neither comfortable nor awkward. It was present and noted, significant, but also necessary. Winn understood that. There was a great deal for Miss St. James to consider, a great deal to take in, and as for himself, he had his own plotting and planning to do.
Finally, when they had almost reached the house, she asked, “Do you really believe that I am in danger?”
“I think the possibility exists and it would be imprudent not to treat that possibility with all the respect and caution it deserves,” he answered honestly.
“Then perhaps I shouldn’t continue working for you, my lord. I don’t want to place the children in harm’s way,” she said.
“I don’t want them in harm’s way, Miss St. James, but I’m not willing to let you be either. Sometimes, danger must be eliminated rather than simply avoided,” Winn insisted. “And I daresay if you were to attempt to leave them, you’d face greater danger from the three of those imps than anything Averston might devise.”
The comment coaxed a soft smile from her. That gentle curving of her lips called to mind their all too brief kiss. It had been a mistake. He knew that. It was a lapse in judgment and a lapse in propriety from him that was out of character. But he didn’t regret it. He couldn’t. Not when all he wanted, more than anything else, was to repeat it. Of course, it wouldn’t be a simple brushing of his lips against hers if the opportunity presented itself once more. If he kissed her again, he meant to kiss her in a manner that neither of them would ever forget.
“We shouldn’t mention any of this to the children,” Callie insisted. “I won’t have them worry… and I certainly won’t have William doing something reckless because he thinks it’s his duty to protect me.”
“And he most assuredly would,” Winn agreed. “We will say nothing to them. As for reasons for you not taking them to the park, blame it on a megrim or some other simple malady. Or lay the blame at my door. Heaven knows they’ve all certainly done something that warrants a restriction of some sort.”
“Absolutely not! I won’t have them thinking they are being punished without just cause.”
“Whatever it takes to keep them safe,” he said. “And you.”
She eyed him curiously, her gaze direct and unwavering. “Why does it matter so much to you?”
“Because it does,” Winn stated. “Because you work for me and that places you under my protection. Because the children care for you and need you. Because… because I very much want to kiss you again, Calliope St. James, and I plan on ensuring that there is ample opportunity for me to do so.” It wasn’t something he should say, nor was it something he should feel. But it was there nonetheless and he didn’t mean to hide it from himself or from her.
Her lips formed a soft “O”. “My lord… that is, I hardly think this is an appropriate topic of conversation. And it’s hardly an altruistic motive!”
“I’m not an altruistic man, Miss St. James,” he admitted. “I’m not a bounder or a rogue by any means, but I’m not a saint either. And I think, if you’re perfectly