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“Money or luck?” she replied drily. “I suppose it doesn’t matter. I have none of either.”
“Here, take this.” He shuffled off his tailcoat and draped it over her shoulders. “You should cover the… mishap with your dress. It is unsightly.”
She eyed him coolly. “Thank you, My Lord. I wouldn’t want all the world thinking I’m a whore, like my father does.” She pulled together the two sides of the tailcoat to hide the rip in her dress. In truth, it swamped her, but she seemed content to sink within the fabric. “I’m not, by the way.”
“I did not accuse you of being such.” Dorian stood guard over her as he waited for Hudson to arrive.Where is that blasted ingrate?He had not minded the silence before, for there had been a purpose behind it. He had desired to keep her at arm’s length. But now that he had tossed proximity out of the window, the quiet between them felt much too stilted and uncomfortable.
A lifetime later, Hudson and Shenton came striding down the road from the gambling hall. The former had a gleeful flush about his cheeks, and his clothing was in utter disarray, while the latter looked harried and disoriented from having to fetch Hudson from whatever den of bawdiness he had been wallowing in.
“I hear we have a casualty, Captain?” Hudson rounded the side of the carriage and flung a casual arm over Dorian’s shoulders. “Where is the…” He trailed off as he laid eyes on Rose, who was now standing by herself, despite one hand still clinging to the edge of the carriage doorway.
Rose smiled politely. “I think that might have been me, sir, but I am well enough now.”
“Lord Bentley.” Hudson wasted no time in abandoning Dorian, so he could take Rose’s hand and place a delicate kiss upon it. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss—?”
“Rose Parker,” she replied with a shy laugh. Dorian doubted many gentlemen had kissed her hand before. What gentleman would, considering her station? And yet, he felt a sudden pang of envy that Hudson had pressed his lips to her bare skin. He had carried her, he had felt her palms on his chest, he had caught her in his arms, and he had caressed her cheek, but there was nothing so intimate as a kiss. Hudson had performed the act as though it were as natural as breathing.
You bothersome rogue…Dorian fought to keep his emotions from twisting up his face as he muscled his way between the charming introductions.
“You really ought to be seen by a physician, Miss Parker.” He shot Hudson a warning look to keep away from the girl. “Head injuries are not to be underestimated.”
Hudson chuckled. “I hope you have not found my dear friend to be endearing. Otherwise, I would be exceedingly worried about a head injury distorting your mind, Miss Parker.” He reached out to touch the bruise upon Rose’s cheek, and it took all the willpower Dorian possessed not to bat his friend’s hand out of the way. “When I have been in a brawl, Shenton here always puts a steak upon my bruises.”
“I haven’t been in a brawl, My Lord, I assure you.” Rose fumbled nervously, though it appeared, to Dorian to be a pleased sort of nerves, more akin to shyness. Hudson had a knack for putting ladies at ease, which Dorian lacked.
I suppose I cannot expect kindness or warmth, nor should I desire it from her,he scolded himself, feeling utterly stupid that he should be jealous of his friend’s allure to the fairer sex.
“You must tell me what has occurred, Miss Parker. It will be the only way to truly assess if you require the aid of a physician.” Hudson leaned against the side of the carriage, edging perilously close to Rose.
Rose surprised Dorian by looking toward him. “My Lord, perhaps you should tell the story to your friend? My head is still a little tender, and I wouldn’t want to miss anything out. I don’t know that I would remember it as clearly as you.” Her eyes held a hint of amusement.
She knows I was not entirely honest. She knows I carried her.He rallied swiftly and cleared his throat.
“Yes, of course.” He relayed the tale, from their initial meeting in the alley and the argument with her father, until he concluded it with where they all were, at that exact moment. “I imagine my good friend would have assisted you, had he not been otherwise engaged with… How many ladies was it, Hudson?” He could not resist making a small jibe at his friend’s expense, so Rose would not think him the perfect gentleman.
Hudson tutted. “It would be impolite to say in such rarified company. Pay no attention to him, Miss Parker. He enjoys a good jest, though you would not think so to look at him. I fear gambling and revels make him dour.”
“Yourrevels make me dour, for they leave me waiting for you,” Dorian shot back, with the ghost of a smirk. “Tell me, when do you intend to purchase your own carriage instead of using mine?”
“When you cast me out of Langston House, my good man.” Hudson clapped Dorian on the back, making him feel slightly more at ease.
Rose lifted her gaze. “So, what do you make of my situation? Are you satisfied that I’m not in need of medical attention?”
Hudson grinned. “I am satisfied that you are a healthy young woman. As for your situation…” He offered a pointed glance to Dorian.What is that look supposed to mean?Dorian did not dare to think. “I am not so sure that pleases me. You are much too well-spoken and, if I may be frank, you are much too beautiful to be trapped amidst the dangerous streets of London. Tell me, where did you learn such a vocabulary?”
“I was not always as I am now. Once upon a time, I had a comfortable existence, where I was permitted something of an education.” Her words came out stiffly, as though she did not feel comfortable revealing too much of her past. Dorian could understand that wholeheartedly, despite his curiosity to learn more of what she might have been about to say.
So… she is reasonably educated. I wonder if she is able to read and write.He did not ask the question aloud, but Hudson was not hindered by any such restraint.
“Then, that settles it; you must come to work as a maid at Langston House! Captain, you would not mind, would you? Why, it seems you are already rather attached to Miss Parker here, and you have done your fair share of rescuing her this night, so why not rescue her from London all together?” he declared, stunning his friend in the process.
“I do not think you are at liberty to hire people on my behalf, Hudson,” Dorian replied tersely, frustrated by Hudson’s blasé attitude to almost everything in life. Mostly, he was horrified that his friend had announced that he was already “attached” to Rose. It was not true… was it?
No, it is only because I have rescued her that I feel some responsibility. That is all.He would not allow Hudson to believe that he was remotely interested in a woman. It had been his friend’s hope for the past twelve years that he would find someone to make him forget that long-ago love. And Dorian had constantly disappointed Hudson in that regard.
“I would not dare to insinuate myself where I was not wanted,” Rose said quietly. Her tone of voice, so sad and pious, stirred Dorian until he felt that nettle-sting burn race across his flesh once more.
Hudson patted Rose gently on the shoulder. “Then, perhaps you might agree to be my maid? I am often in want of a maid who can brew an exemplary cup of tea. I am convinced Shenton here simply shovels mud into hot water and calls it a beverage.”
