“What? No, not that! I fail to comprehend what your disguise is. Are you not simply dressed as Lord Trafford?”
Julius continued his chore, proud of his restraint when he only hesitated for a second to drop his gaze back down to theluscious arse inches away, before stepping away and heading toward his wardrobe for the overcoat he had mentioned. It was a fortunate happenstance that his propensity for spending his allowance on fine clothing meant he had more garments than a person of common sense ought to possess. But he had never been accused of common sense, and heaven help him if he ever was. He would have failed as a gentleman of misadventure if that day arrived.
“Julius?”
He realized he had not responded to her last question, blinking while he tried to recollect what she had said.
“This is last year’s fashion. Everyone knows I would not be caught dead in anything so out of style.”
Audrey groaned, causing Julius to chuckle. Taking pity, he provided a more thoughtful reply.
“It cannot be helped. The overcoats and beavers will help us blend in, and when we return, we shall be cautious to ensure we are not followed home. It has been several days since my attack, so if we are far from my father’s home, that should be sufficient.”
“Well, it is fortuitous that the rain is coming so we may button up the overcoats without attracting attention. I suppose if we have to follow Montague into a club, we will keep the coats on.”
Julius grinned. Audrey appeared more occupied with the etiquette of wearing an overcoat indoors than with any trepidation to be shadowing a potential killer. “You are not a lady of excellent reputation this morning. Being a gentleman means you make the rules.”
“Which is unfair,” she grumbled back.
“Ah, but when you are weary of repressive etiquette, there is nothing to stop you from taking a respite as a man.”
She glanced at him, her silver eyes sparkling in the glow of the candlelight. “Where there is a will, there is a way.”
“Precisely.”
Audrey and Juliusarrived on Henry Montague’s street at first light. Not that it differed greatly from night, with a thick bank of clouds filling the skies.
Her current disguise was much tighter than the loose-fitting workmen’s outfit from the day before. Her neck was tied within the strangling embrace of a snowy cravat, and she could not lower her chin with the starched collar of her crisp shirt. It was all rather uncomfortable, but she supposed it was tolerable if she were to see more of the inner sanctums of men. Not just men—gentlemen. The truly privileged class.
Not that the gentleman at her side boasted privileged airs in private, despite the foppish airs he displayed in public. Julius treated Patrick and Rose with the same sincere interest as he did members of thebeau monde. Friendly, irreverent, provocative, but with an underlying warmth that made him immensely popular, if the two servants at Lady Hays’s were to judge by. Despite their correct behavior, Rose had been in tears after Julius’s fever had broken. Which suggested that both she and her secret husband had been quite distressed about Julius’s health despite their calm demeanors. Certainly, any request he put to them was met with immediate compliance, as if they were all too happy to meet his needs.
Audrey herself found she was growing fond of him. She wanted to remain on this adventure with him as long as possible. It was the most fun she had had since her father died, and she had thought that sense of happiness would never return. Yet, here she was, in her clothes of discomfort with excitement energizing her steps.
They walked about on the street, rain drops dampening their shoulders, Julius exclaiming with eagerness when he discovered a coffeehouse on the corner down the block. It was not open yet, but he assured her it should be soon, which provided them with an excuse to loiter.
At around eight o’clock, Montague exited from his front door after a loud spat of rain had receded back to a mild drizzling. Audrey and Julius sprang to their feet, Julius tossing the coin onto the table. Fortunately, Montague walked in their direction, so they waited near the door until he passed, departing to follow him down the street.
Montague walked for a couple of blocks, then turned down a street and knocked on the door of a business. They waited on the corner until he was let in, and then quickly made their way over.
“Dr. Walker,” Julius read off the sign.
“It must be a surgery,” Audrey responded.
“Then I shall act as lookout and allow you to lead.”
Audrey experienced a rush of pleasure. Julius had deferred to her as a healer, and this was yet again confirmation that he took her calling seriously. She hoped the villagers of Stirling would accept her as easily when she returned to treat them without her father. She did not know what her reception would be, considering she was an unmarried woman. She hoped that they would recall the number of times she had been present and assisted when they had been treated, and that the London scandal would fail to reach their ears.
They hurried back down the block, turning the corner to find the alleyway that would lead past the surgery. There they cautiously entered after looking about the street to ensure they were unobserved. Audrey counted the number of buildings until she was relatively certain they stood behind the surgery.
Julius watched the area while she made her way to one of the back windows. It was high up, so she searched about andfound a barrel. Beckoning him over, she asked him to move it to the window. Julius lifted her up carefully, Audrey enjoying the sensation of his hands on her waist. She was almost certain he had been thinking about kissing her the night before, and she mulled over the moment when she had gone to sleep in the room down the hall.
Did she want him to kiss her?
What would it feel like?
Was it an inevitable stop on their adventure together?
Audrey shook her head, commanding herself to focus on the task at hand. Peering in the back window, she discovered they had successfully found the treatment room. Montague lay on a table with his stockings and breeches off, his shirt and small clothes all he wore in what must be a chilly room, considering the poor weather.
