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“What’s your hurry?” he heard one of the men ask as they blocked her path to the door. “Come join us for a cup of coffee.”
“No, thank you,” was the young woman’s reply.
“What is your name?”
The young woman stiffened. “That is none of your concern.”
“Leave her be,” Sarah ordered firmly.
The men dismissed Sarah’s comment and continued to pester the young woman with unwelcome questions.
Baldwin rose from his chair, knowing it was his duty as a gentleman to help a woman in need. He walked over to the group of men, shoved past them and reached for the young woman’s arm. “Allow me to escort you to your coach,” he said.
One of the men blocked his path. “Maybe this woman doesn’t want to go with you.”
Baldwin met the man’s gaze, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “It is time for this lady to leave, and I intend to ensure she is met with no harm.” His words brooked no argument.
The man’s eyes flickered with fear as he moved to the side. “That is good of you, Mister.”
Baldwin addressed the young woman when he asked, “Is your coach outside?”
“It is,” she replied.
He acknowledged her words with a nod as he started leading her towards the door. As they stepped outside, he saw a black coach waiting on the street. A footman jumped off his perch when he saw the young woman and went to put the step down.
Baldwin dropped his hand from her arm as they came to a stop in front of the coach. “Get in the coach and never come back,” he barked.
The young woman’s lips twitched downward, but her words were cordial, reiterating to him that she was a genteel woman. “I would like to thank you for escorting me—”
Baldwin cut her off. “Save your words.”
“I beg your pardon?”
He took a step closer to her, and the young woman looked up at him in surprise. “Women are not allowed in coffeehouses,” he stated. “Reputations have been ruined for less.”
“I am aware of that, but I needed to speak to someone renting a room upstairs. I assure you that the matter was of the utmost importance.”
“Why didn’t you send a footman in to do your bidding?”
Uncertainty flickered in her eyes. “I wanted to be discreet.”
“Discreet?” he questioned. “The very presence of a woman in a coffeehouse caused a stir amongst the patrons.”
“I had not realized my presence would cause such a disturbance.”
“Then you are a fool.”
The young woman’s lips parted in disbelief, making it evident that she was not used to being treated in such a fashion. “That is rather ungentlemanly of you to say.”
Baldwin let out a dry chuckle. “I never claimed to be a gentleman.”
“Your actions prove otherwise,” the young woman challenged.
Realizing that they were drawing the attention of the people on the street, he held out his hand and said, “Allow me to assist you into your coach before anyone recognizes you.”
The young woman reluctantly placed her hand in his and stepped into the coach. Once she was situated, she slipped her hand out of his.
“Thank you—” Her words were barely out of her mouth as he closed the door of the coach.
Baldwin watched as the coach drove away from the coffeehouse, finding himself immensely relieved that he would never have to see that infuriating young woman again.
