“My lady!” Dobkins gasped.
Vivienne’s face warmed. “Well, yes. He wished to see me wearing my new evening gown, and I offered to come here after the dinner party, but he thought it too dangerous and said he preferred to come and see Mayfair, where I live.”
“It is dangerous. Both are too dangerous,” the captain said at the same time as Dobkins said, “Inappropriate.”
“I told him it could be dangerous, but he insisted, and he said he’d been cooped up in the flat for too long. I agree.”
The captain frowned. “He’s been cooped up in the flat for a damn good reason.”
“Language,” Dobkins said.
“Cade and Murdock left,” Vivienne said. “The police aren’t patrolling the streets anymore, and Samuel looks completely different.”
“Sod Murdock. I was referring to his mind.” The captain put a hand on his chest. “And heart. I know the chance that Murdock and Cade could find him is low, but Samuel is vulnerable to other types of dangers.”
She rolled her bottom lip between her teeth. The captain was exaggerating.
“Lady Vivienne,” Captain Jackson started patiently, “we know your future and his future travel in two different directions. With no family, connections, or status, not to mention with no voice, the best he can hope for is to work at thedocks or on a building site. Good professions, but not enough for an earl’s daughter. Officially, he doesn’t exist. Tell me, what are his chances of spending time with an earl’s daughter?”
She wrung her hands. “You’re too grim. I could help him find employment in my house.”
“Great. Wonderful. And then what? Will you take tea with the stable hand?” He inched closer. “How do you think he would feel when you marry a toff? That young man is quite smitten with you. Hasn’t he suffered enough?”
“Captain,” Dobkins said. “Lady Vivienne has no intention of hurting Samuel. Don’t throw accusations.”
“Lady Vivienne might hurt Samuel unintentionally. We often forget how different he is from us.”
She rubbed her brow. “That’s a good point.” Although who knew what would happen? She was sure they would find a way to be happy.
“Put yourself in his shoes.” The captain’s tone became gentler. “He doesn’t know much about love and affection, and then he meets you, pretty, kind, and caring. I would say it’s inevitable that he falls for you, and that he falls hard.”
“I care for him as well,” she whispered.
“That’s lovely, but for his own sake, let’s end the feeling there.”
“I agree with the captain,” Dobkins said. “Samuel wouldn’t understand why he can’t see you if things between you two grow into something impossible.”
She acknowledged the bitter taste of sadness in her mouth. “Exactly for that reason, I want my days with him to be filled with good experiences. He wants to see me, and I think he needs a distraction from his confinement and to see something else other than the park. Please, just for this once, will you let him go? He needs to explore London. Keeping him confined in the flat won’t do him any good.”
Captain Jackson exhaled. “Climbing at night into a lady’s bedroom isn’t the right way to start knowing London better.”
Dobkins was flustered. “I agree. Again. I’m worried.”
“You’ll go with him.” Vivienne stopped walking. “You know Mayfair well. If something worries you, and you think you should return home, then by all means, you’ll leave. But Samuel needs something exciting to look forward to.”
“Yes, getting arrested for trespassing is thrilling.” The captain scoffed.
Dobkins chuckled but composed herself immediately.
“I’m sure you’ll understand if the situation is dangerous or not,” Vivienne said. “Dobkins could make sure the draperies on the ground-floor windows are well shut. Lest someone see him.”
Dobkins didn’t look pleased.
“Just this once,” she insisted.
The captain worked his jaw. “At the first sign of trouble, I’ll take him home.”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
“But please, keep in mind what I have said. He’s too fragile. Another blow would shatter him.”
