Mrs. Cook frowned deeper. “But he called you Thérèse. That’s a French girl’s name, not yours.”
“He is calling me by my middle name.” Jeanne held her breath and waited to see if this lie would be accepted.
Mrs. Cook blinked several times. “You have a French middle name?”
“Yes. My mother’s mother was French.” Another lie.
The matron’s eyes narrowed. “Just how does this gentleman know you? He seems very well off to be on familiar terms with a decent girl from around here.”
Jeanne caught herself biting her lip. She quickly released it and gave the first answer that came to mind. “He’s my cousin, on my mother’s side, twice removed.”
Again, Mrs. Cook blinked a few times then her mouth twisted until she looked like she’d just tasted a particularly sour lemon.
“My cousin is not well.”
“Apparently. More likely drunk as a lord.” Mrs. Cook’s tone became sourer than her expression. “I don’t like this.”
“Pardon me?” Jeanne tried for genteel outrage.
Mrs. Cook’s tone became sharper. “I have known you since you started coming here on Saturdays with your Papa. I always thought you were such a dedicated daughter. A good girl. But I don’t like having fancy pieces courting trade in my shop.”
“Mrs. Cook, this man is my cousin.”
“A wealthy relation who didn’t help you when your dear Papa was ill?”
“My cousin was out of the country at that time—he was in India, making his fortune.”
Mrs. Cook looked from Jeanne to the gentleman and back. Several times. “I don’t see any family resemblance.”
Jeanne swallowed against a tightening throat. Could everyone hear the pounding of her heart? “I favor my father’s side. He—he is my cousin.”
Her voice came out so strained that she cringed internally.
The matron’s expression hardened. “I think you met this gentleman under less than respectable conditions. Perhaps in a place where you’re known by a false name, a fancy French name to make yourself sound more interesting to wealthy gentlemen.”
Jeanne’s mouth dried and anxiety twisted her insides. “That’s not how it happened.”
“I’d appreciate if you took your cousin and left. I’d also appreciate if you never came back. I run a decent shop here, not a place of disorderly assignation.”
Jeanne sucked in a deep breath. That had hurt. More than she wished to admit. This was her place of comfort and respite when her isolation became too much. And she was a horrible liar. But what else could she have done? Consigned this poor soul to Bedlam? Oh God. She’d known he was dangerous. Why hadn’t she listened to that inner voice?
She glanced up at the gentleman. He was gazing at her with an odd, confused expression. Might he be ill, instead of insane? Surely, if he were that ill, he’d be in bed.
She reached a hand to him. “Let’s leave.”
The gentleman released the chair then took her hand and laced his fingers with hers as naturally as though he’d always done so. “Come, Thérèse.”
They walked sedately out of the coffee shop, just like that, with their hands intertwined.
The rain had let up yet the wind still gusted. With her free hand, she readjusted her scarf. His hold remained firm on her hand until they had traveled a block away. The strength of his grip sent prickles of fear darting into her. He could easily overpower her, if his insane whim so dictated.
He stopped just as they were about to turn the corner, and he looked down at her. A slight smile softened his mouth. “My darling.”
Dear heavens, he was such a gorgeous man. But he was still a madman. Dangerous, utterly dangerous. Any sensible person knew well to be frightened of the insane, she more than anyone. She returned his smile but only to placate him.
“Are we headed in the proper direction for the mews?” he asked.
“Yes, we are. They are just down this street and to the right.”
“Esau has the carriage there.”
Well, there it was. She’d done her part keeping him out of the clutches of an overzealous doctor. God and this Esau fellow would have to watch over him now. She wasn’t about to get anywhere near his carriage and risk him shoving her bodily into it.
She offered another, hopefully warm, smile.
She must have succeeded for he relaxed his grip on her hand and they resumed walking. As they rounded the corner, she slipped her hand from his.
And ran.
“Thérèse!”
Her heart pounded and she ran faster.
“Stop, please. For the love of God!” His tone was hollow with desolation. Her sympathy panged her yet again. Unwittingly, she glanced over her shoulder.
Wind whipped the gentleman’s dark forelock. He leaned against a street lamp, one hand holding his side. He appeared to be panting for breath, his expression a mask of loss and despair.
Just like Papa. She’d seen those emotions on her father’s face too many times. But the expression appeared so out of place on such an arrogant, masculine face. Her heart constricted. She turned back to face the direction she was running and put all her energy into it.
Something came between her foot and the pavement. She lost her balance and fell forward. As the bricks rose to meet her, she threw her hands out to brace her fall. She cried out then reeled from the fall. Her arm began to burn like fire. She knew she wouldn’t be able to run easily for much longer.
She hauled herself to her feet and scanned the shop fronts.
Mrs. Mason’s Bakery.
Relief washed over her. Mrs. Mason had always been friendly. She had even given her day-old bread on days when she couldn’t pay.
She darted into the shop and the scent of baking bread and spicy cinnamon and apples comforted her.
“Good day, Miss Darling!” Mrs. Mason sang out. “What shall it be today?
“I think I’ll have whatever smells of apples and spice.”
“You sit and I’ll bring it right out.”
Jeanne sank into the nearest chair. Moments later, Mrs. Mason brought hot tea and apple pie. But Jeanne found the pie tasted like ashes and could only manage a few tiny bites. Unable to stop twitching and fidgeting, she kept catching herself glancing back at the window.
She jerked her head away.
No, don’t look. He is not your affair.
She forced herself to focus on Mrs. Mason’s steady chatter. The wind made a long, low, threatening howling sound. Such a dreadful day. What about—
No, he isn’t your responsibility.
A loud crash seemed to rumble through her body and shake her bones and resound in the pit of her stomach.
What happened? An accident? A carriage trying to avoid a disorientated pedestrian and yet hitting them all the same?
She jumped to her feet and rushed to the window. Some crates had blown over. Men were shouting and running about. The sky had grown darker.
Against all her caution, her gaze was drawn back to the direction whence she had come.
Oh God, there he was, staggering down the street in a wavering pattern. For such a stalwart-looking man, the gentleman walked so oddly, so slowly. Had he been in the war perhaps and suffered some irreparable head injury that had left him this way?
Almost completely in front of the shop, he glanced up. He had that lost, desolate look.
Her throat burned.
His gaze sharpened. Homed in on her.
Oh, damn. How stupid of her. Of course, he’d seen her at the window. She stepped back several paces. But it was too late. He began walking toward the door.
“Isn’t it just awful weather, Miss Darling?” Mrs. Mason exclaimed. “My Ben can take you home in the gig later, if you like. Come sit back down and have a chat.”
Jeanne didn’t answer, her gaze was fixed on the gentleman as he reached for the door. He was coming in. And he looked absolutely furious, in a cold, controlled way that was all the more frightening. Her hand flew to her m
outh to stop the cry of protest that sprung from the depths of her and she backed away from the window.
The tiny bell tinkled as he entered, an incongruously gay herald. His eyes blazed into hers. She gave a little squeak and took several steps backwards until her bottom hit one of the display cases.
As he approached, he looked down at her arm. She followed his eyes. Long red scrape marks still oozed a little blood. She drew it behind her, scratching it along her wool gown and the wounds burned. She winced.
His expression softened. “My darling, are you all right?”
“Dearie, is he bothering you?” Mrs. Mason asked in her grandmotherly tones.
“We have something to discuss,” he answered.
Jeanne inhaled sharply and gave the first plausible explanation that came to her mind. “My father owed him money. He thinks I can pay but I don’t have it.”
The gentleman gaped at her, his eyes gone wide with shock that quickly transformed into raw-edged hurt.
His pain sliced into her. She began rubbing her hands together. As though iron bands constricted her, she could barely breathe, so greatly did sympathy overwhelm her. “Please, sir—”
She couldn’t think of what else to say.
His expression hardened, his eyes frosted.
“That’s just about enough.”
At the sound of Mrs. Mason’s voice, Jeanne turned to the serving counter. The older woman narrowed her eyes. She reached behind the counter and pulled out a small pistol.
Every hair on Jeanne’s body stood on end and she gasped. “Oh, please don’t—”
“Don’t fret, dearie, I’ll take care of this,” Mrs. Mason said as she leveled it straight and steady at the gentleman.
“Please, Mrs. Mason, put your gun away.” Jeanne forced the words past her tightening throat muscles. “I can handle him.”
“I know how to deal with these uppity nobs. They get two pence to rub together in their pockets, some fancy clothes, and they think they are the lord of the manor.” Mrs. Mason said, keeping her pistol aimed at the gentleman’s chest. “Mister, I think you better leave.”
He frowned. “Madam, do you have any idea to whom you are speaking?”
“To whom am I speaking?” Mrs. Mason asked.
The gentleman stared at her blankly. He lost that arrogant expression. He looked forlorn once more.
Jeanne’s chest tightened again.
“You forget yourself, where you are at. You’re not among your type here, sir.” Mrs. Mason walked closer to the gentleman. “I left my home in Pennsylvania over forty years ago when I married. And I have lived here among the British and made my husband‘s home my own. But I have never been settled to bow and scrape to your kind.”
“My kind?” The gentleman asked.
Mrs. Mason jabbed the gun into his chest. “I am sixty-seven years old. I’ll be damned before I cower to one such as you.”
The gentleman held his hands up. “I mean no trouble.”
“What else could you be about, coming here and terrorizing a sweet young thing like this?” Mrs. Mason harrumphed.
“I thought we had something to discuss.” He gave Jeanne a cold, hard glance. It was so full of sadness, bitterness that it made her heart jump. “Apparently, I was mistaken.”
“Yes, you certainly were,” Mrs. Mason said.
He turned on his heel and left the shop. The little bell rang in the wake of his departure.
Jeanne returned to the window and watched him staggering and veering down the street. The wind gusted again. It was such a cold day. He had no hat. Where would he go? Who would watch out for him?
He wasn’t her responsibility.
It was dangerous to reach out to others. Someone like him, with a disorder of the mind, would be a bottomless pit of need. Sucking her dry.
He was turning the corner. She put her hand to the glass. Her throat began to burn again.
A light touch settled on her shoulders. She started and twisted around.
Mrs. Mason smiled. “It’s all over, dear.”
It was over. She was safe now. He was gone and gone in a way that didn’t involve doctors treating him with all sorts of barbaric, useless torture. She should be relieved. She was relieved.
He might still encounter dangers between here and reaching Esau. But how much was one person required to risk for a stranger?
“Oh, you are shaking.” Mrs. Mason patted her shoulders. “Now don’t you worry. I know his type, a craven fox preying on the weak. But he’ll think twice about harassing you, now that he knows you’ve got some friends in this town.” Mrs. Mason pulled her away from the window.
“I am so tired. I need to go home.”
“No, you must wait. Be sure he is gone. You should finish your pie and have some more tea.”
“Yes, of course you’re right.” Jeanne followed her back to the table and chairs. She took some coins out of her reticule and placed them on the table.
Mrs. Mason shook her head. “My treat today.”
“No, I insist.”
Mrs. Mason waved dismissively. “I have to attend to the baking but you stay here and rest yourself. Ben will drive you home later. If that coxcomb comes back, you just call for me.”
Mrs. Mason hurried away to the backroom.
Jeanne stared into the steaming cup.
Tap, tap, tap.
She looked up. Raindrops pattered the window. No, not rain. Sleet. The drops stuck to the glass, then melted and slid down.
What if the gentleman were truly ill and delirious with fever? Not insane at all? He had no hat. Was lost. Alone. The burn in her throat swelled into a sob. She slapped her hand to her mouth and pressed it back.
A touch on her shoulder brought her into the moment. “Why don’t you just stay here tonight?”
Jeanne shook her head furiously. “No, no, I have to go.”
She tore from Mrs. Mason’s touch, arose from her seat, and hurried to the door.
“Wait, wait. The gentleman may be waiting—”
Jeanne jerked the door open and exited the shop.
She ran faster than she ever had in her life. But she didn’t have far to go once she’d turned the corner. The gentleman was leaning against a wall. He looked as pensive as ever.
As she approached his expression eased and he reached a hand out. “My darling, let’s go home.”
The wind gusted, sending ice cold straight to her bones, and she pulled her pelisse closer to her chin. A passing coach rattled by, its wheels sending a sluice of cloudy grayish water up in an arc which came dangerously close to drenching them.
She forced a smile. “Yes, let’s go home.”
She’d get him into a carriage and on his way back to where he belonged. Surely that was enough. A gentleman like him must have servants who would watch over him. Her responsibility would be discharged.
“Where the devil is the carriage?” Deep offense resounded in his voice, as though he’d never had to wait for a carriage before.
“Didn’t you tell your driver to wait?”
“Of course I did.” His voice rang with indignation.
“Come,” she said firmly. “Let’s go back to the mews and see about your carriage.”
The groom at the mews nearest the coffee shop said that the gentleman hadn’t left any carriage there.
“Where did you come from before you arrived at the coffee shop?” she asked once they had walked out of earshot of the groom.
The gentleman just stared at her with that highbrow look and compressed his lips. So, he didn’t know where he’d been or where he’d left his damned carriage. She sighed. “We’ll walk a bit and a hackney will come along.”
He looked down from his lofty heights, almost sneering down his aristocratic nose. “We’re certainly not going to take a public carriage.”
“Well, the carriage is—” She drew her brows together. “—being repaired.”
“Being repaired?” he asked, as though such a thing were a complete impossibil
ity.
“Yes.”
Her heart fluttered a series of frenzied beats. Shaky, panicked energy quivered down her legs. She drew in a deep, hitching breath. Calm, she must remain calm. If she stayed calm, he was less likely to have any sort of fit or rage, right? Perhaps she might play the loving mistress? “Darling, don’t you remember?”
He stared at her then blinked several times.
“Don’t you?” She made her voice very soft.
He released her hand. “Blast it, I don’t remember.” His expression went blank yet his eyes widened. “I don’t remember anything.” He frowned. “Except that you were angry with me.”
“Angry about what?”
“Everything.”
There was that devastated, desolate look again. The burn returned to her throat and she had to turn away. “It’s terribly cold. We’re being soaked. Let us find a public conveyance and sort all of this out later, shall we?”
He jutted his chin and his features took on an annoyed expression. Apparently, he was not used to listening to others or taking their advice. He blinked once or twice and then he took her hand again and strode determinedly ahead, pulling her with him.
When they found a carriage for hire, the gentleman stared blankly at the driver.
“Sir, where shall I take you?”
“Darling, tell the man.” Again, she tried to make her voice soft. Loving.
He turned to her. His eyes, now glassy again, reflected sheer fear. Her throat constricted. Again, she wondered if he were really ill with a fever. He didn’t remember where he lived. Or he couldn’t remember how to give directions to where he lived. Heavens, it was worse than she’d thought. Oh Lord. She did not want to deal with any panicked hysterics or self-defensive rages like with Papa. She swallowed hard and smiled at him in a hopefully reassuring manner.
He jerked his gaze away.
“Give him directions, Thérèse.” The resentment in his voice made her heart contract. She was intimately familiar with a man not wanting to appear weak. Not wanting to need help.
Wetness pricked the corners of her eyes. Not from the rain but from frustration.
Miranda's Dilemma Page 22
