Page 93 of In the Midnight Hour

North let out a sharp laugh. How he enjoyed her wit. “You’ve caught me.”

“A rake indeed,” she muttered as she proceeded from the room.

He continued to chuckle for a moment, then heard her call from the corridor.

“North, are you coming?”

Perhaps soon she’d permit him to call her Hypatia.

Epilogue

North had settled into a new routine in Pemberton Square. He managed to find Quill at least once a day so they could have a nice chat, even if he didn’t see the cat’s owner as often.

On Tuesdays, he played whist at the Pemberton Club. Hypatia was stunningly good at the game.

Tonight was his third consecutive Tuesday at the club, plus he’d dined there on a few other nights with his neighbor, Mr. White. One night, the other gentlemen from “Bachelor Row,” which was numbers eleven through sixteen, had also joined them. Apparently, they made sure to dine together at least monthly.

They’d been delighted that the new owner of Parfitt’s house had been another bachelor and had embraced North warmly.

The footman at the club, Tiffin, greeted North warmly as he arrived. “Pleasure to see you, my lord.”

“Thank you, Tiffin. Do you know if my whisky arrived safely?” He’d sent a few bottles over from his private stock.

Tiffin chuckled. “I’m sure I don’t know, my lord, but Mr. Brundage will.” He referred to the club’s manager.

North gave the man his hat and gloves, then made his way upstairs to the cardroom. It was crowded tonight. He recognized many residents of the square, including Mrs. Lambton and Miss Selby, Mr. White, and Mr. Huxley. The latter sat with Hypatia, much to North’s annoyance. They’d been spending time together planning an event in the library located on the first floor of his bookshop.

If only there was another murder for North and Hypatia to solve so he could steal her away from Huxley.

North made his way to their table and stood behind one of the two empty chairs. “Is this seat claimed?”

“It is now,” Hypatia said warmly.

“Blast,” Huxley murmured. “Mrs. Lambton has her sights set on us.”

As he sat, North looked around for someone else he could wave over in order to prevent Mrs. Lambton from joining them.

Miss Selby walked—rather quickly—to the empty chair. “I believe this is mine?”

“It certainly is,” North said with a grin.

“You’re welcome,” Miss Selby murmured. “My sister was set on sitting with you tonight, Lord Northwood.”

Huxley put his hand to his chest briefly. “You’ve saved us all, Miss Selby.”

“I confess I had a slightly selfish motive as well.” Miss Selby’s blue eyes gleamed with anticipation as she regarded Hypatia and Huxley. “I was hoping you’d tell me about the secret plans you have for the first literary gathering at Huxley’s.”

“They aren’t really secret,” Hypatia said. “It’s just that we’re working things out. We’ll have the details soon.”

Miss Selby sniffed. “Well, that is disappointing.”

“Please don’t leave.” North used an exaggerated pleading tone.

Hypatia smiled at Miss Selby. “I’d love to hear your thoughts on the literary gathering.”

Delighted, Miss Selby suggested a few recent works for discussion. “I do hope you’ll invite authors to speak on occasion. I would find that most stimulating.”

“Indeed, Mr. Huxley and I are working on exactly that,” Hypatia said with enthusiasm.