“You sent two footmen with me.”
“Yes. But they’re not me. You don’t realize how dangerous the area is for a woman like you.”
“Me? What about all the women we expect to house? Do they not count?”
“You are a lady of Quality. It is apparent from everything about you, from your well-cut clothing to your expensive half boots. Anyone looking to make a few coins would go after you much quicker than any of the other women in the neighborhood, who are trying to stretch every sixpence they earn.”
She raised her chin. “There is a lock on the door.”
How to make her understand no lock on the door would prevent someone with nefarious purposes from climbing through a window. “What if I spent the night there also?”
Bridget shook her head furiously. “No. It does me no good to move out of your house—”
“Our house—”
“—if you are going to follow me there.”
Her cheeks flushed a bright red, and her breathing increased. He hated having to back off, since everything protective in him rebelled. But he could not undo all the good that had come from today. He dipped his head. “Very well.”
…
Bridget was still unsettled from the day. She’d barely gotten over Cam jumping in to help her. The most amazing part of the day had been how he’d allowed her to take the lead and hadn’t foisted his own ideas and opinions on her.
She dared not, in her foolishness, allow herself to think he’d done that because he cared for her. Perhaps the entire thing had been his way of strengthening his honor and position in Society, because it would soon become known that she had left him the morning after their wedding. Even with the old Season far behind them and the new Season months away, gossip spread among the ton like an overflowing river.
The ride to the women’s house was quiet as she went over the happenings of the day. Cam spent the time gazing out the window and watching her. She could never allow him to spend the night at The Sanctuary. There was no doubt in her mind that if he did so, he would end up in her bed. As small and uncomfortable as the dilapidated old thing was.
Not that she would have not wanted him to, but there were still too many unsaid words and hurt feelings between them to allow that to happen. If only he wasn’t so handsome and affected her in such a way that she lost all good judgment when he was near. And if he kissed her! Well, it was better if he escorted her home and returned to his house.
Our house.
He’d been certain to mention that, but the women’s house felt more like home than Campbell Townhouse.
The carriage stopped in front of the building, and Cam flipped his coattails back to reveal a pistol tucked into the waistband of his pants. He stepped out, looked around the surrounding area, and then reached in for her.
She shivered, whether from the threat of danger, the cold, or his touch, she didn’t know. He grabbed her elbow and hurried her up the stairs. Once they were inside, he went from room to room and checked the windows.
Next he huddled with the two footmen and, after a lengthy discussion, walked over to where she stood. “Are you certain you don’t want me to stay?”
Yes, I desperately want you to stay, but if you do I will fall under your spell and lose myself again.
“No. I will be fine.”
He wrapped her in his arms, the scent of starched linen, horses, and male emanating from him. He lowered his head and took her lips in a kiss that started soft and then turned to fiery passion. By the time she pulled free, they were both panting.
“I will be back tomorrow.”
She nodded, still dazed from all the emotions and feelings running through her body. With a tap on the tip of her nose, he walked out the door, closing it softly. His voice rang out. “Lock the door.”
She hurried over and flipped the lock then leaned against the wood, her eyes closed.
…
The next morning, Bridget rose from the only bed in the house and wandered to the window that looked out to the street below.
She frowned at Cam’s carriage parked in front of the building. She checked the small clock on the table next to her bed. Seven o’clock. He was up and about this early?
She performed a quick wash and dressed then hurried down the stairs, still pinning up her hair.