Chapter 2

Chapter Two

King Street, London ~ The Next Day

J onathan stepped down from his carriage and walked up the steps to the office of his father’s man of business. The front door jangled, as a bell announced his entry to the second-floor office. “Lord DeLacey, it’s a pleasure to see you,” a slightly balding man with spectacles said, standing to take Jonathan’s coat and hat. “Mr. Slade will return shortly; he had an errand to run. May I offer you a glass of water, my lord? Or, if you prefer, I can offer you something stronger.”

“Thank you. Something stronger would be good,” Jonathan said.

“Yes, my lord.”

A moment later, the bell clattered again, and Nash Slade entered the office. Slade was the cousin to Lady Maggie, the wife of Max Wilde, the Earl of Worsley. Over the past few years, Slade had become a valued member of Harlow’s family—despite Slade being illegitimate, he’d overcome a nefarious history in his youth and had matured into a man of wit and honor with a thirst for knowledge and an intuitive approach to discovering lucrative investment opportunities. Through Harlow’s connections, Slade had become established and successful with clients numbering among several of the most influential and titled men within the ton .

“DeLacey, glad to see you’re back,” Slade said, shaking Jonathan’s hand. “I have the file for your father’s property in Tintagel, Cornwall.”

“Elysium Manor? Interesting. I wonder what he has in mind,” Jonathan murmured.

“Brandy, my lords,” Mooney said, handing both men a snifter.

“Good man,” Slade said.

“Thank you, Mooney,” Jonathan added.

The door closed behind the clerk and Jonathan leaned back in his chair, swirling his brandy in the bottom of the glass, admiring the deep red dregs left on the inside of the glass. “I’m back but I’m not sure how long I’ll be in London.”

“How was Paris?” Slade asked, taking a sip from his glass.

“The usual. But we caught the rat. The only problem is there may be more.”

Slade gave a knowing nod. “Glad to hear it.”

Jonathan gave a harsh laugh. “Yes. It is a problem—one I hope to rectify as soon as possible. While Father is still handling the properties and hasn’t pressed me for more involvement, yet, I have time to resolve it.”

Slade was trustworthy. He knew what Jonathan had been working on but not the specific details. Slade had always been a good resource, not only because of his finesse in matters of business but because of his own background growing up in the criminal underworld. Jonathan also knew that Slade would never share anything he knew with Jonathan’s father.

Jonathan’s father did not approve of his working for the Crown, especially considering he was the only son. His father considered it selfish for him to have “gallivanted” off to France.

“Just because that harpy broke your heart doesn’t mean you have to throw your life away,” his father had railed at him four years ago after Jonathan made his decision to work for the Crown.

Perhaps in the beginning he’d acted reckless and impulsive, but his spy work had become important and meaningful to him. His father had never been able to understand that. Even so, Jonathan knew the risks he took could have had dire consequences for his family’s legacy. Hunting down Talbot and arresting him had been his final assignment. He’d promised his father he would come home and take a more active role in managing the family’s estate and holdings.

He knew his father would once again launch back into the “marriage” talk with him, insisting that marrying and having children was also doing his duty for the Crown. It wasn’t that Jonathan refused to marry; it was that he didn’t think he could have the kind of marriage his parents had. Or find the kind of woman several of his closest friends had been fortunate to find.

Worsley’s wife, Lady Maggie, was as brave as she was beautiful and had become a force to be reckoned with. She was Worsley’s partner in every sense. Jonathan doubted he would be as lucky as his friend had been. He’d been young and foolish when he’d met Diana, unable to see her for who and what she was. When he decided to think seriously about marriage, he would never make that mistake again.

“I am compiling a dossier outlining all your family’s investments along with my suggestions for future growth. I should have it completed soon,” Slade said, bringing Jonathan back to the matter at hand. “In the meantime, perhaps you can discuss matters with your father and mutually agree on a good time to consider taking more responsibility and then we can meet again. I mean, with your other issue still awaiting a final solution—this doesn’t seem the best time.”

Jonathan smiled tightly. Slade had also become quite diplomatic in his ability to communicate when there was a conflict in the families of his clients. “Yes…I agree. But I’m hopeful to have that resolved soon. As far as Elysium Manor is concerned, Father and I have discussed the shift in responsibility. No date has been decided, but I know Father wishes to spend more time with Mother traveling and visiting family and friends, so yes, I’ll be ready. He wants me around more. And I find that I want to be around more, as well.”

A knock sounded at the door. “My lord, Mr. Slade, a man just delivered this for Lord DeLacey.”

Jonathan perused the note. “I’m sorry, Slade. I must cut our meeting short.” He had just received a note from an informant asking that they meet on the corner of Bond and Oxford. The missive conveyed a sense of urgency.

Slade nodded. “Don’t worry. We can continue this later in the week.”

They concluded their meeting as Slade promised to contact Jonathan in a few days.

As Jonathan stepped from the building, a woman’s shrill scream heralded the thunder of horses as pounding hooves, wild and frenzied, echoed through the narrow street, followed by the piercing squeal of horses fighting their reins. His head snapped toward the source—a black carriage, sleek and ominous, tearing around the corner, its four ebony horses in a desperate, uncontrolled dash.

“My lady…careful…watch out!” A woman wearing a blue day dress screamed.

Instinctively, he tensed. A young woman with fiery copper hair stood alone in the center of the road, cradling a tiny kitten, blissfully unaware of the runaway carriage hurtling straight toward her.

Jonathan exploded into motion, sprinting toward that vivid red hair like a man possessed. In one fluid movement, he scooped her into his arms, muscles straining as he pushed them both toward safety. The thunder of hooves bore down on them, closer with every heartbeat, every desperate step. Just as they reached the edge of the street, he twisted, shielding her as they tumbled hard onto the cobblestone. His body absorbed the impact, jarring pain shooting through him, but there was no time to think. The runaway carriage roared past, a dark blur missing them by mere inches.

Are you alright?” he asked, his heart still thundering in his chest. He hoped the young woman was uninjured. Her deep coppery hair had tumbled forward in a shimmery curtain, covering her face. He gently swept the silky strands back, and his breath caught as he beheld the beauty he held in his arms. Creamy skin with a sprinkling of freckles. Full rosy lips opened in surprise. But it was her eyes that mesmerized him. Big velvety brown doe eyes framed with thick black lashes. She blinked in confusion at him, her breath coming in short gasps.

A wave of recognition washed over him. “Kitten?” he breathed, astonished. “Kitten…it is you.”

“M-my name is Lady Melanie Stenson! This is a kitten!” she huffed, her chest heaving as she lifted the meowing creature who seemed to be none the worse for wear.

“My apologies,” his lips twitched. “Lady Melanie Stenson.” He hadn’t seen Melanie in years. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d seen her. But he’d known her since she was a child—she was his sisters’, Lydia and Lillian, best friend, and the little sister of his best friend, Gavin Stenson, the Earl of Rochester.

He’d always thought of her as a little girl. But the gorgeous young woman who was still wrapped in his arms was no child. “He gazed down at her in disbelief, compelled to acknowledge the woman she had become—a woman who had practically grown up in front of him. But for the first time in his life, Jonathan truly noticed her.

Melanie blinked and stared into the face of the man she’d dreamed about since she was a young girl. Part of her felt like she was still dreaming as she inhaled the scent that enveloped her. His scent. Amber and sandalwood. Oh God, did she actually just inhale his scent? Worse, he saw her do it! “Jonathan…I mean, Lord DeLacey…w-what are you doing?”

“I just saved your life,” he said, his lips twitching again.

“Y-yes. Yes. Quite right. You did just save my life… Oh dear. Where are my manners?” She’d been shocked at first at quite literally being swept off her feet, not knowing what was happening. And then she realized someone had saved her from being run down by a runaway carriage. “Forgive my strident reaction to your calling me Kitten.” She swallowed as she tried to calm down. She couldn’t believe he’d called her that. His nickname for her. No one else had called her that except Jonathan.

“F-forgive me,” she said again. “First, I should thank you, my lord, for saving my life.” Her tone sounded stiff to her ears. Well, how else was she supposed to react? Should she have thrown her arms around his neck! Of course not! They were in a public setting and fast attracting a crowd of curious onlookers, buzzing with gossip. “Er, could you…please…kindly roll off my person,” she demanded, clutching a small, mewling black and white kitten to her chest. I must see to the welfare of this tiny creature.”

Jonathan helped her up just as the short woman who had screamed warnings came hurrying up to them, crying.

“Milady! Milady! Are you alright? I saw it coming straight for you,” Melanie’s maid, was out of breath, tears streaming down her eyes. “Oh, I simply froze in fright. That carriage seemed to come out of nowhere! It pulled out at the end of the street and looked as if it aimed at you. I screamed but couldn’t get your attention. I thought you would be killed for sure! Thank goodness for this kindly gentleman. He saved your life!”

Melanie felt her cheeks flame and cleared her throat. “Er, yes, I am quite alright, Rachel. Lord DeLacey was kind enough to save my life. I saw this poor kitten…hurt and lying in the road. I needed to save it from further injury. I hadn’t realized the danger.”

“I do recall you have a habit of doing that. But this time, perhaps you should have looked before you left the curb,” Jonathan chided. Was that a humorous gleam in those striking blue eyes?

Surely this isn’t happening to me . Melanie studied the man who’d just saved her life. He looked gorgeous and suave and debonair. Like he’d just stepped out of Whites. The only thing out of place was the lock of wavy dark hair that fell over his brow, which only served to make him look rakish!

Meanwhile, she looked like something the cat dragged in. Her hair had come loose from its chignon and no doubt resembled a bird’s nest. Her cloak was muddied, and her gown was torn along the hem and good Lord, her knees were showing! She quickly whipped her cloak tightly about her, feeling embarrassed by her flustered, unkempt state in front of Jonathan. Not to mention the crowd of curious onlookers who had gathered around them.

“Do not admonish me, my lord. It was an accident. Besides…who would wish to run me over with a carriage? she said in a huffy voice. “I do not have a habit of doing anything, my lord. I am usually quite aware of my surroundings. Isn’t that so, Rachel?”

The maid cleared her throat and looked down “Uh, yes, milady. If you say so.”

A tremor shook Melanie as she realized her folly and how close she had come to being maimed or worse by that runaway carriage. She took a deep breath and exhaled, trying to calm her racing heart, and at the same time petting the mewling kitten, trying to calm it. She recalled how this man—the man she had loved since she was a little girl—had broken her heart. She’d dreamed of waltzing with him beneath a chandelier of crystal and candlelight, at the Calvin’s ball—during her first (and only) London Season. Instead, in front of everyone in attendance, Jonathan DeLacey had made an announcement, introducing all in attendance to the woman he’d planned to marry. Pain gripped her heart, just as it had in that moment four years ago.

“Melanie, are injured? Nothing hurts, does it?” Jonathan persisted. This time, his voice was full of concern, his brow furrowed.

It’s my heart that hurts and you’re the one who hurt me when I trusted you. “My pride,” she said with a self-deprecating chuckle. She didn’t think she was bleeding and the only thing that seemed to be causing her pain was her derriere. She’d no doubt bruised it in the fall. But she certainly wasn’t going to admit that to him. “Otherwise, I am quite unharmed. Thank you for your concern.”

“Good.” He insisted on checking her hands and arms, his touch burning through her sleeves and causing butterflies in her stomach to swirl. “I don’t see any bleeding, and nothing seems to be sprained or broken. Can you walk?”

She was having trouble thinking because he was still holding her hand and standing so close. Looking at her with those sky-blue eyes.

What was he doing back in London? She’d only just returned herself. She had his sisters to thank for that. They’d written to her in Scotland begging her to come for a visit. She finally decided to return. Besides, her dear grandmother’s 70th birthday was coming up. After that debacle of her first Season, her mother decided to take her back to Scotland—to her family. Her mother had passed away two years ago, leaving Melanie with only her brother, Gavin. But she’d remained in Scotland, because it was peaceful and quiet, and she could concentrate on her writing. Melanie had found solace in books and writing in the past few years. Until Gavin insisted she return to England and reinsert herself into London Society.

Melanie had known all about Lady Diana Thurston leaving Jonathan at the altar and eloping with a wealthy old duke. Evidently, he was so heartbroken he’d left England and became an agent for the Crown. Of course, given his nature, he no doubt spent the past four years being heroic.

Rumor was that he had had many mistresses since Lady Thurston had jilted him. Melanie had tried not to think about that. After all, she had carved out a new life for herself. One that did not include Jonathan DeLacey, hero, and Lothario! Her aspirations had nothing to do with Jonathan DeLacey or marriage.

“You’re still rescuing kittens, I see.”

She blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

“How many times have I rescued you over the years?”

“I’m afraid I don’t remember,” she said. Now, that was a bald-faced lie because she remembered every single time he’d saved her life.

“And while we’re at it…when have you ever called me my lord ?” Jonathan said lightly.

“We aren’t having that discussion. It has been many years since we have seen each other, and I am no longer a child,” she said. “I was merely being polite.”

“Well, then I give you leave to call me Jonathan. Given that I am certain we shall be seeing more of each other soon.”

“Oh really? And you are certain of that?”

“Quite certain.” He grinned.

Lord, I need to leave now.

She’d been on her way to the bookstore to purchase a book she needed for her research and possibly pick up some Christmas gifts for her friends before returning to her brother’s townhouse in Mayfair. She’d never expected to quite literally run into the one man she’d worked so hard to try to forget. Of course, she couldn’t go there now. She should return home.

“If I were a betting man, I might think you were on your way to King Street Books and Curiosities . Perhaps you will allow me to accompany you to the bookstore tomorrow?”

Her mouth opened to answer him; instead, she closed it. Why was she hesitating? The man she had dreamed about for years was standing here…asking her to accompany him to look for books…tomorrow. She nodded. “Yes. Tomorrow.” Surprised by his invitation. Unable to think of a reason to decline, she had agreed to join Jonathan DeLacey for an outing the next day.