Priscilla raised her brows.There was no way he was an actual servant.She turned about again, holding out her hand.“Lady Priscilla Applegate, pleased to make your acquaintance.”
His ruddy cheeks turned even brighter red.“Mr.Ralph Fitzroy.”And then he took her hand quickly in his.
“Decisive,” she repeated as she turned back to Viscount Ware.“I see.”
“And you?What’s a defining characteristic of yours?”
Priscilla had to shake her head.She’d had a few suitors and none of those interactions had been quite like this… “Hmmm.Committed, I suppose.To my father’s legacy and the future of that endowment.”
They looped down a smaller path, the trees about them growing thicker, adding an air of intimacy to the ride.
“Admirable,” he replied, easily handling the carriage as they continued on at the same speed.
She searched for another question, one that might tell her more about the man who sat next to her, who offered her an alternative to Eugene.It would be so easy to trust him, but a shrewd businessperson carefully assessed each option.
She glanced over at Lord Ware’s profile again.If she were forced to marry Eugene, she knew exactly how that life would look, awful as that future may be, it was also completely clear.
But the man next to her?
He was still a complete mystery.
* * *
Wyatt stoodin the shadow of the alley, watching as a crowd left the Adelphi Theater.There had been several robberies at this location and he’d yet to apprehend the culprits.This theater, which catered more to clerks of barristers and solicitors, had the sort of clientele who could not afford to be robbed regularly.Someone had to put a stop this kind of crime.
“You look ridiculous in that cape,” Ralph muttered from next to him, his gaze travelling disdainfully from the high collar that partially hid his face to the long, billowing folds.
“I do not and you should have worn yours.I had one made for you.”
“When I punch a man, I want him to see my face and know that I’m the man who made him suffer.”
Wyatt looked over at him, one side of his mouth turning down.In his younger days he’d eschewed all violence, believing it was the path for weaker men who lacked the discipline to control their emotions.
He still preferred to keep his feelings within a tight control, but now he preferred to use measured aggression to protect the people who could not protect themselves.“My face is too notable to chase criminals openly.”
“Or you just like keeping everyone at arm’s length.Figuratively speaking, that is.”
“Are you referring to the length of my jab?”
“I was referring to your mask and how you use it to keep others at a distance.”
He’d like to jab Ralph in this moment.“That’s ridiculous.I only wear the mask when I’m out at night.”
“Which is the only time you’re out.You’ve been hiding yourself away.”
“You know how like a woman you are, don’t you?”
“I’m not the one wearing a fancy mask and cape.”Ralph took another long pull on his cheroot.
Wyatt choked on a laugh despite himself.“Fair point.”
“Even with the lady today.Lady Priscilla Applegate.”
Wyatt straightened, his hackles rising.“What about her?”
Even in the dark, one corner of Ralph’s mouth tipped up.“Did I detect a defensive tone?Well, there’s something.Feeling a bit sensitive, are we?”
His fists clenched at his sides.The truth was, he had been.From his reaction to her story about Eugene to his response to her scent, the sight of her, she pulled at him in ways that no one had in years.
