‘Miss Towers?’
The deep voice penetrated Kitty’s thoughts. She stopped and looked round, blinking a little. Theo was on the other side of the road, on horseback. He was frowning at her. Kitty gave a gasp of disbelief. It was as if she had conjured him up. She had been dwelling on his face as she walked and turning over his remarks from the previous evening.
She had just decided that he was only flirting with her. Probably he was so used to having all the young ladies fall in love with him that he simply wanted to add her to the list. Even her friend Miss Walmseley confessed to being a little in love with Theo, he was so handsome and elegant.
So Kitty had made up her mind to admire his work for his hospice but to keep him at arm’s length as far as she was concerned personally. But now he was in front of her once again and, as usual, she felt her willpower melt away. She was completely absorbed in the pleasure of looking at him and the temptation of spending some time in his company.
She retained enough common sense to try and hide her feelings. She smiled at him brightly. ‘Good morning, Mr Weston. I see you have at last got your beautiful horse back.’
His frown did not lift. He walked Nimrod across the road and came alongside Kitty. His face was serious.
‘Miss Towers, this is a very strange part of town for you to be in – and quite alone as well?’
Kitty looked round a little vaguely. ‘I have been paying a morning call on Caroline. It seemed to be a very exclusive area, so I thought I would make a detour to the north – it looked to be more open land and I enjoy walking when there is a lot to think about.’
Theo gave her a keen look. He dismounted without any sign of weakness in his left leg, noted Kitty. As he pulled the bridle over his horse’s head and stroked Nimrod’s glossy neck, she secretly admired his smart appearance. Man and horse were splendid. She could perfectly agree with Miss Walmseley on both points. Her eyes lingered on his profile. She jumped a little when he turned towards her, tilting his head down to look at her very closely.
‘You seemed to be in a world of your own when I saw you.’
Kitty blinked. ‘I – er – I was deep in thought—’
‘And now you are lost, are you not?’
She looked around. ‘Well, I do not recognize this street, but no doubt I would get back to Grosvenor Square eventually.’
He was frowning again. ‘Where is your maid?’
‘Martha? She has a blister and could not manage the walk. I sent her home before I reached Cavendish Square.’ He was even more strict than great-aunt Picton, thought Kitty. She indicated Nimrod. ‘Your horse appears to be in excellent condition.’
‘Indeed. He is fully recovered and craving exercise.’ As if to confirm this, Nimrod tossed his head and stamped a hind hoof.
‘Surely you would prefer to ride him in one of the parks to exercise him.’
‘Oh, we have been out for some time already. I was just planning to pay a call on William before returning home.’
‘May I?’ Kitty looked at Theo for permission before putting out a hand to stroke Nimrod’s velvety muzzle. Theo watched carefully.
‘In general he is not too friendly towards strangers, but I feel sure you are the exception.’
‘He is so handsome,’ murmured Kitty, as the horse inclined his head towards her. ‘No, I am afraid I do not have any sugar,’ she told him, giving him a final pat and stepping back.
‘We will accompany you,’ announced Theo.
‘But you were on your way to visit William.’
He shook his head. ‘You should not be in these streets alone. And perhaps at last we have time to discuss your visits to the Rookery.’ He indicated that they should move on and added, ‘It does concern me closely, you know. If Lady Picton had the least idea.…’
Kitty checked the impulse to retort that it was nothing to do with him. She found it rather pleasant that he cared so much about her safety. She glanced up and found him watching her rather anxiously.
‘Well, I do assure you it is just to help a sick child, and now he is getting better I will probably only go once more.’ She could not help laughing at his dismayed expression. ‘Surely, sir, you should be satisfied with that.’
‘Every visit is a risk. I truly fear that someone in there will be bold enough to rob you.’
‘The poor wretches seem too weak from hunger to do much. That is something we could discuss.’
He shook his head. ‘You cannot solve all the problems of humanity. It is best to help where it can make a positive change. I admire your spirit, ma’am but sometimes you are too innocent to understand the danger to a young female of venturing out alone.’
Kitty sighed. ‘Life is so restrictive in London. Sometimes I feel suffocated.’
‘I do not imagine it is very different in any large town.’ Theo looked at her keenly. ‘And you seem to go where you want to in any case.’ He paused for a moment, then added, ‘Which brings me back to the thing I seem to keep repeating: it is dangerous for you to venture into the Rookery.’
Kitty bent her head to hide a smile. ‘Would you venture in there?’
He gave a bark of laughter. ‘Not I! Only in dire need, to help rescue someone.’ He indicated a road running southwards. ‘We should take this direction now.’
They turned into a busy street. At once, Theo had to give all his attention to his horse. Nimrod was not very willing to walk through such a press of people and noise. Theo coaxed him along and by degrees they reached the other end of the street. Kitty was impressed by the unfailingly firm yet patient handling of the nervous animal.
As they reached the corner at last, she pointed to a couple of ragged children sitting in the gutter. ‘They look like suitable candidates for the orphanage.’ She smiled up at him and again was fascinated by his sparkling blue eyes. They were unaware that they had stopped. Theo caught her hand in his free one.
‘That is not the only topic on my mind,’ he murmured. He slanted her a look full of meaning. Kitty’s lips parted. Her heartbeat quickened. She wanted nothing more than for him to kiss her, so she could drift away, surrendering to her senses in his strong arms. But with a great effort of will, she reminded herself of her decision earlier. She must stick to that.
She still did not feel certain that he meant anything other than flirtation. He never showed any deep emotion towards anyone. She remembered how cold he was towards Miss Harling, who kept trying to attract him. And then there was this Miss Payne, whose mother wanted her to marry him, but he was avoiding her. It seemed he was determined to stay free.
The pressure of Theo’s hand on hers was getting stronger, he was pulling her towards him. His eyes were intent on hers; his face was pale. Then Nimrod tossed his head and sidled, still uneasy. Theo gave a start and dropped her hand. He looked a little dazed.
‘We should carry on,’ he said, indicating the road ahead. ‘It is not much further now.’
Kitty felt her knees trembling. She gave a little sigh of disappointment. They walked along the next street in silence. She reminded herself once more that he had never said one word to show he felt any real attachment to her. She must act normally.
‘Will you not tell me a bit more about your hospice?’ she asked. He was so deep in his own thoughts that she had to repeat the question.
He shrugged. ‘There is not a lot to tell. At present the hospice is a small house with enough outbuildings and land for ten poor souls to look after themselves, while they recover from their wounds.’
‘It does seem to be an excellent idea,’ said Kitty enthusiastically. ‘I am sure my father would wish to do something like that.’ She sighed. ‘If he could find the necessary money.’
Theo nodded. ‘It was difficult to set up at first but now all seems to be running smoothly.’ After a short pause, he looked at her a little hesitantly. ‘If you would like to see it, I will drive you there.’
‘That would be splendid, but I doubt my aunt will give me permission.’
He looked down his nose, suddenly haughty. ‘Lady Picton dislikes my reputation, does she? But she allowed you to drive to Richmond Park with Saint-Aubin.’
‘Oh!’ Kitty stopped dead and wheeled round to face him, her eyes flashing. ‘And just how do you know about that?’ She watched his look of surprise change to dismay and nodded grimly. ‘Have you been gossiping with Miss Harling?’
Theo’s eyebrows snapped down. His face became thunderous. ‘Never!’
‘Well then,’ bit out Kitty, ‘you were spying on me – in spite of what you said last night.’ Her bosom heaved. Her eyes stung with sudden tears. He still did not trust her, so how could she trust him? Stupid her, she thought, to care so much for a man who considered her to be a spy.
Theo was looking bewildered. ‘Miss Towers,’ he protested, ‘I swear to you that I have not—’
‘Pray do not attempt to justify yourself, sir.’ Kitty’s voice trembled. ‘We have both made mistakes in our judgements about each other in the past. It is of no importance what you think of me. I shall soon be returning to my home.’ She swallowed hard and managed to keep the tears back by blinking hard.
Strange how she no longer wanted to go home. This man staring at her from under his dark brows was making her feel more miserable than ever before in her life. With a supreme effort she said, ‘Thank you for your escort. I know where I am and can safely walk the rest of the way by myself. Good day, sir.’ She turned away and set off.
Theo was left standing there, his expression a mixture of fury and dismay. Nimrod tossed his head impatiently as his master seemed rooted to the spot.