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“Spoilsport.” Hudson leaned forward so he could peer out of the window. “Ah, there she is. My one true love—Langston House.”
“So, it is not me you return for but the house?” Dorian feigned offense. “How very callous of you to say so outright, without dampening the blow first.”
Hudson smiled. “I care for you both, equally. Why, it is the only place in England where I may fully enjoy the thrill of the chase without ever snaring a vixen. It does not do a gentleman’s pride any good to always emerge triumphant in the hunt of fine creatures.”
“You hunt here?” Rose asked, oblivious to the subtext.
Dorian cleared his throat uncomfortably. “He is referring to other pursuits, Miss Parker. You see, I have a firm rule in my house that no-one in my employment may entertain the flirtations of my friend here. In the same vein, Hudson may flirt as he wishes, but he may not lay a finger upon any of my staff. So, you may rest assured that you will be… untroubled here.” He had been about to say “safe,” only to remember what she might have heard when he thought she was asleep.
“He truly is an awful friend,” Hudson joked, putting on a pretense of irritation.
“I do not have as many qualms should members of my staff form a romantic attachment with another, but only on the expectation that they are immediately wed,” Dorian went on, though he did not know why he felt the need to tell her of that. “If there is a refusal, then the party that has refused is cast out of my employment, while the willing party is permitted to remain.”
Hudson laughed. “She has only just arrived, and already you are telling her tales of being cast out? You ought to give the poor lady a chance to acclimatize before you start with your commandeering act.” He glanced toward Rose. “Fear not, Miss Parker, his bark is much worse than his bite.”
Thankfully, Dorian was freed from making further, awkward conversation by the halting of the carriage. He opened the door and got out, instinctively offering his hand to Rose before Hudson had the chance. She took it with a shy smile that brought a flush of pink into her cheeks and held it tight as she descended the shallow set of steps to the gravel.
Why does she blush?Had he acted wrongly in offering his hand? Truly, though he did not wish to admit to it, Hudson had been correct about his lack of aptitude with the fairer sex. It was much like learning how to wield a bow and arrow, and honing the skill, only to abandon the endeavor and return to it some ten years later, to find that all of that talent and memory had abandoned the archer.
Dorian’s palm was still marked by the impression of Rose’s now-released hand. Upon entering the house, he received welcome distraction from the appearance of Mrs. Whittaker, the housekeeper.
“My Lords, I’ve not been able to rest for worry!” she wailed, bustling across the grand entrance hall with her starched collar still as taut and prim as when the two gentlemen had left her earlier in the evening. “You know I hate it when you go to that awful place. I don’t understand what delight you see in it.”
Hudson winked at Dorian. “Vigorousconversation, Mrs. Whittaker.”
The housekeeper squinted at the unfamiliar third party. “And who might this pretty waif be? You’ve not imbibed too much and got yourself married, I hope?” She looked at Hudson when she said it, for she knew Dorian would not be the one to do something so foolhardy. Indeed, she had given up trying to urge him into attending social occasions, so he might find himself a wife, many moons ago.
“Not tonight, Mrs. Whittaker.” Hudson grinned.
Dorian led Rose forward. “This is Miss Rose Parker. Please, might you show her to the servants’ quarters and find suitable accommodation for her? I know the hour is late, but she is to have employment here, and she has had a troublesome evening. I would want that she has a place to rest comfortably.”
Mrs. Whittaker showed a flicker of surprise on her wrinkled features, her all-seeing, all-knowing blue eyes narrowing a half-inch. “Certainly, My Lord. Might I ask how she came to be in your company?”
“She was accosted by ruffians and had her purse stolen. I aided her, and an offer of employment was made. That is all you need to know at present.” He pushed a thread of sternness into his voice. He adored Mrs. Whittaker and could not have run the household without her, but she did have a propensity toward being needlessly nosy.
She curtseyed gracefully, despite her advancing years. “That’s as good a reason as any, My Lord. You see, this is why I despise London. A young woman like this can’t so much as walk on the street without fearing for her life.” She took Rose’s hand with maternal tenderness and led her away from the entrance hall. “Come now, let’s find you a place. Take no notice of the girls if they complain about being shuffled around to make room—they were new here too, once.”
Dorian watched her go, his mind suddenly incredulous to the events of the night. He had gone to London to appease Hudson’s desire for gambling, good liquor, and willing women. And yet, having watched Rose sleep for most of the journey and seeing the peace fall across her beautiful face, he realized that he had not minded this particular visit so much. For she would have a safe haven at the end of it.
“I saw you staring.” Hudson raised a knowing eyebrow.
Dorian looked at his friend. “Pardon?”
“You thought I was asleep, but the watcher was being watched.” He folded his arms across his chest proudly. “I saw you staring at her, and I do believe I heard you tell her she was safe and that no harm would come to her. Do you think she heard you, as well?”
Dorian wished the entrance hall would swallow him up. “I was not staring. You know I must look forward in the carriage, so the sway of it does not make me feel unwell.”
“Tosh! You were gawping at her like a schoolboy feeling the first prick of desire for his sister’s governess.” Hudson clapped his friend on the back. “Though, you should not have said that part about no-one touching her, for then you will have an exceedingly lackluster coupling.”
Dorian glared at Hudson with sudden fury. “There will be no coupling or touching or revelations of desire. I brought her here so she might escape sordidness and disrepute, not to be the purveyor of it!”
Hudson smiled, irking Dorian further. “Tell me one thing.”
“What?” he snapped.
“Whydidyou bring her here? Why did you take pity on her, amongst countless other unfortunates who might have benefitted from the same offer? Why not dismiss her and be done with it? And do not blame me for pressuring you. I merely gave you an excuse to offer employment to her yourself.”
Dorian’s throat constricted. “I… felt responsible for her welfare. A duty within myself, after what she experienced this night.”
“Precisely.” Hudson’s smile softened, no longer jeering. “And you would not have done that if you did not, at the very least, feel intrigued by the girl.” He gave Dorian’s shoulder a squeeze. “Think about it, Captain. You saved her, and she sees you as her hero. That is a powerful bond, as you well know.”
What have I started in bringing her here? What have I unleashed in myself?“I am not destined for such things,” he said softly. The curse upon him had already seen to that. If he allowed himself to feel affection for Rose, the curse would see to her, too.
