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“I have never been accused of such,” he drawled, liking that she smiled so readily. Lucien also noted her parasol gripped rather firmly in her right hand. “Are you expecting another attacker?”
That smile turned into a full-blown grin. “In the books I read, gentlemen who follow young ladies can be villainous. I am still undecided about you, and to help you decide the path you might want to remain on, I am very proficient at wielding parasols.”
He laughed; truly, he could not help himself. Suddenly he hoped she was not as genteel as he had first believed. For then, perhaps he could make a proper introduction to her family and…he shook his head sharply. What the hell was he thinking? Frowning, he glanced down at her and caught her watching him. Her cheeks flushing, she hurriedly looked forward and hastened her steps a bit.
“I assure you I am not a villain,” he murmured. “I only hope to see you safely home.”
She was silent for a bit, then she softly replied, “Thank you, Mr. Lucien.”
“You are welcome, Miss Mimi.”
Something about the air around them changed. They walked for a few minutes in a silence that was filled with sidelong glances at each other. The fraught tension which had formed earlier slowly dissipated, but his curiosity had only grown in leaps and bounds. Who was she really?
“Are you an avid reader?”
She jolted as if she had forgotten his presence. Lucien was mildly affronted.
“When it suits me,” she said with a smile. “Today was a perfect day to walk to the park and read for a bit.”
“Most read in the comfort of their homes.”
She wrinkled her nose. “My home can be terribly chaotic. Charming chaos, but chaos, nonetheless. Sometimes I escape by taking long walks.”
“And by going to the park to read.”
She peered up at him from beneath her bonnet. “Yes.”
He idly wondered if he should share his love of reading as well, especially with technical books. Lucien quickly dismissed it from his thoughts, a pulse of annoyance going through him, for it was as if he had forgotten how to talk to a lady. While attractive ladies at their gambling den were more than willing to be tumbled for a night of mutual pleasure, the only lady he spent any time conversing in depth with was his sister.
He cleared his throat. “I would like to offer you my cane.”
She came to a complete stop, pressing a gloved hand over her mouth. With an inner jolt, he realized she was suppressing laughter.
He arched a brow. “You find my offer amusing?”
“I find my thoughts amusing. They were twirling with things to say to you and wondering what you might say to me. I assure you they had not wandered along the path of you…” she looked down at his hand. “You offering me your cane with a rapier.”
God, she was such a surprise. Her unabashed honesty marked her apart from other girls. As did the sweetness of her smile and the inquisitiveness directness of her stare.
“I merely thought it could offer you a measure of protection should you forget your servants again.”
“And if footpads accost me again.” Her voice betrayed a hint of nerves.
“Hmm,” he said, “should that happen flay away.”
Her eyes widened, and then the loveliest sound clasped his heart into a tight grip and squeezed. Her laughter was utterly enchanting. She surprised him by holding out her hand. Lucien handed her the cane, and she looked up at him with perfect gravity and said, “I know it is highly improper to accept a gift from a gentleman, especially a stranger, but I assure you I will treasure it.”
He was truly bereft of a reply.
“We must part here, I am afraid.”
He glanced up at the house they had stopped close to. “Is this where you reside?”
Her nose did that charming wrinkle again. “I would never take a potential villain so close to my home.”
Lucien couldn’t help smiling at that little indignant reply. “Of course, I should have expected it.”
They stared at each other, unmoving. She delicately cleared her throat, her cheeks turning rosy.
“Good evening to you, Mr. Lucien. Would you please turn around and do not look at the house I enter?” He heard a wry smile in her voice.
He let his gaze wander her sweet, lovely face beneath the bonnet. “You trust that I would do this?”
“Of course, you are a gentleman of honor.”
There went that squeeze inside his chest again. Taking a final look at her and imprinting her onto his memory, Lucien turned around. This time she hurried away with his ‘gift’ and book and parasol clutched to her chest.
And he was smiling. And fascinated.
