“Why didn’t your mother want you to go?”
“She’s recovering from one of her crises. The physician gave her Godfrey’s Cordial.”
“I know what it is.” He’d drunk gallons of the sweet, syrupy potion that worked as a powerful sedative.
She exhaled, and her breath fogged in the cold air. “It pains me seeing her like that, weak, defeated, and sleeping all day. Father hates it when Mother takes sedatives, but he wants her to come tonight as well. He says she needs to get out more and that I need to make new friends, and I agree.”
He knew why. As the captain had said, she would find a suitor soon, and she might be tired of being in the company of a frightened man who couldn’t talk. “You must look lovely in this new gown. I would love to see you.”
She trapped her bottom lip between her teeth before saying, “We could meet after the party. I can sneak out of the house somehow and come to the flat.”
No, he didn’t like the idea. She already took too many risks to see him. He’d seen shady people walking down the street under the window at night, and a couple of times, a brawl had started, waking up the whole neighbourhood.
“Or I could come to you,” he said.
“Wouldn’t it be too dangerous? What if someone sees you around my house at night and warns the household?”
“I’ll be careful. I’ve been cooped up in the captain’s house for months. Aside from the walks in the park, I don’t leave the house.” While he was grateful for everything Captain Jackson had done for him, he wouldn’t mind a bit of an adventure. “I’ll ask Captain Jackson to escort me to your house, but once I’m there? How can I see you?”
She craned her neck towards Dobkins and the captain. “There’s a tree right outside my window. You could climb it, and if I leave the window open, you’ll be able to jump into my bedroom easily, but it might be too dangerous for you.”
Actually, no. If there was one thing he was good at, it was climbing. Cade had often forced him to perform while climbing the cage or the ropes to impress the audience.
“I lived in a circus. Climbing a tree won’t be a problem, and I’m curious to see where you live.” He must have said something offensive because she knit her eyebrows.
“I live in Mayfair,” she said as if expecting a reaction from him.
“I’m sure it’s a beautiful place.”
“Yes, it is.” Her worried tone left him puzzled.
After the promenadein the park, Vivienne walked back to the flat, chatting with Samuel about the different types of social engagements.
He dedicated all his attention to her. “So there are dinner parties, evening parties, afternoon parties, garden parties, and tea parties…did I forget something?”
“Just one. I love balls the most.” She twirled, and he followed her with his gaze.
“You must teach me how to dance.”
“I will.” She hooked her arm through his, and he beamed at her.
Dobkins cleared her throat, and even the captain grumbled.
Vivienne was about to leave Samuel at the flat to hail a cab home when the captain called her.
“A word, my lady?” His too-polite tone didn’t bode well. “I’ll escort you to the high street.”
“What’s wrong?” Dobkins said.
“Nothing.” The captain stuck his head inside the flat. “Samuel, I’ll be back in a moment. Put the kettle on, will you?”
“What is it?” She waved at Samuel who was looking at her from the window.
The captain closed the door behind him and started to walk. “What is this madness?”
“What?”
“Samuel told me you invited him to see you tonight after you return from your dinner party. He mentioned climbing a tree to reach your window.”
