“That too,” I quickly added.
The young lady eyed me strangely, as I had been doing to her. “I assure you, Miss Wilde is the bane of the neighborhood. No one can tolerate her nor she them. It is a doomed task, and you willregret your time here. There, I have done my best to warn you. Are you certain you would like to proceed with your interview?”
I had to try my luck. I didn’t have another offer for a position, and even after all my time away, I wasn’t ready to return home to my fate there. “I am sure.”
“Well then, you can leave your carriage here, and I shall take you through the shortcut to the house.”
She pointed to the path that cut through the trees to the massive edifice beyond.
I wasn’t certain I trusted her, but since I was not far from the house, I could not think of a reason not to follow. It wouldn’t hurt me to learn a little of the gossip surrounding the place if I were to stay here. “Very well.” I waved to Nora, explaining how I would go on ahead with the simple gesture. I attempted to pick up the wide skirt of my gown, determined not to muddy it like the woman walking next to me. “How are you acquainted with Miss Wilde, again? I did not catch your name.”
“Think of me as a concerned party. A very concerned party.”
So, we were to wait for a formal introduction? I did not want her to think me ill-mannered, so I did not persist. We had only walked a short way when we heard a cry that sounded almost like a baby.
Both of us jerked to a stop.
The “concerned party” hurried to a nearby tree. “Gingersnaps, is that you?”
I peered up at the long branches of the oak tree and spied a large tabby staring down at us.
“Gingersnaps, come down right now!”
It meowed again in a pitiful call for help.
I frowned at it. “I do believe she is stuck.”
The young lady bit her fingernail. “Poor darling. I have to help her.”
Dear, me. My guide wasn’t going to leave until this was taken care of, was she? I took stock of the height of the branch not far above our heads. I did not care for heights, or cats for that matter, but I think I could manage the task if it hurried us along. I cleared my throat. “If we work together, I am sure we can get her down.”
The young lady stared at me. “But your interview.”
I lifted the small timepiece pinned to my bodice. “I still have a few minutes. If you can give me a boost, I think I can reach her.”
She lowered herself to a crouch, not at all worried about the state of her dress, and put her hands out to create a foothold.
In my haste, I did not think twice before stepping into them, my many petticoats beneath my skirts encumbering my efforts. I snatched the branch above me for balance. “Come here, Gingersnaps.” I made a kissing sound with my lips and the blessed thing crept closer to me. As soon as she was within my reach, I released one hand from the branch and snatched her. I was not prepared for the weight of the cat, and I screeched as I tumbled backward.
I hit the ground hard on my rump before tumbling back until my view was blue sky and fluffy white clouds. A head appeared, blocking the sky and staring down at me—fortunately from the other end of my belled gown that had flown up for the entire world to see. It was not a lady’s face either.
I blinked, my vision clearing. Gray-green eyes under a pair of sandy brows pinned me to the ground and left me staring back. He had a square face and a rather nice jawline above his dark silk necktie. His hair was short everywhere but the length across his forehead that barely hid a pink scar. Trimmed side whiskers stopped halfway down his face, emphasizing the concerned frown that molded his lips into a straight line.
Who was this man, and why couldn’t I breathe?
Chapter 9
Atlas
Istared down at the woman sprawled on the ground, meeting her wide brown eyes beneath the brim of her overembellished bonnet. For a moment, my words of concern stopped on my lips, and all I could do was hold her gaze. It was as if her fall had propelled me back in time to my attack. I suddenly felt like someone had once stood over me in just this way. And had looked at me in the manner she was doing now.
I swallowed and found my voice. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m winded,” she whispered.
Right. I snatched Gingersnaps from off her chest. “This is no small feline, and that was quite the tumble.” I offered her my hand.
She took a deep gulp of air and accepted it, warmth passing from her hand to my own, or perhaps the other way around. I gently pulled her to a standing position.
