A Bright Particular Star (6 page)

“
At
my
request,
”
Sophie pointed out.
“
I am gra
teful, but I absol
ve you of responsibility.
The s
tage
leaves later this evening
and
I intend to be on it.
”
She rose and went toward him, putting out her hand in a conciliatory gesture.
“
Pleas
e
Mr
Cavanagh, I don
’t
want
to argue
.
Can
’t
you see I have to do this?
”

Once
again, Theo found himself torn
.
He was used to dashing through life without a care for anyone other than family and friends, and yet
already he
felt a strong sense of obligation
toward this girl
.

Why?
W
hat
was wrong with him?
It was out of character for him to reac
t this way
.
He rarely lost his temper or raised his voice, but he had done both since meeting Sophie
Devereux
and
h
e felt irritated at
being
jolted
out of hi
s
comfortable, even-tempered state
.
He
found it hard to comprehend
why
,
in a short time
, it had come to matter what happened to her
.
Fear
shafted through him at the
tho
ught of her travelling
a
lone
.

Catching her
outstretched hand
in
his, he
kissed her fingers
.
Then, in a softer tone, he said,
“
I cannot allow you to tra
vel on the st
age
.
May I suggest an alternative?
”

“
I won
’t
ask Olivia to come with me—
”
she began.

“
No, I agree that would not
be sensible.
I will escort you to London.
”

****

Sophie stared, taken aback by his suggestion and by the sensations the touch of his lips had unleashed.
Her han
d tingled
where h
e had kissed it and she
found herself
wishing his lips had lingered
.
Her mouth went
dry at the swe
etly tormenting thought
and with difficulty s
he dragged
h
er attention back to his proposal
.
She could not deny the
prospect of travelling with Mr
Cavanagh was far more appealing than the stagecoach, and she would enjoy getting to know him better.

But
she was mystified as to why he would want to be further entangled in her affairs.
Her favourable first impressions had been confirmed over their shared lunch, but there was a difference between asking for his help to reach Bath and allowing him to escort her to London.
She did not want to impose on his good nature, or to have him help her out of a misguided sense of responsibility.
Sophie had been aware of the difficulties involved when she had embarked on this course, and accepted them.
It was not right
for a stranger
to
do the same.
There was also James to consider.
What would he think if she arrived in London in Theo
’s
company?
He would be astonished enough to see her as it was.

“T
hank you for your generous offer, but I cannot allow you to disrupt y
our plans
.
”
She extracted
her finge
rs from his grasp.
“
When I dropped
into your curricle, I had no thought of dragging you into my affairs beyond getting to Bath.
”

“
I know,
”
replied Theo,
“
but
I’m
willing to help further
…
if you will allow it.
”

“
Because you feel oblig
ed to?
”

“
B
ecause I wish to be of service.
”

S
he
looked at him quizzically.
“
But you said I needed a female chaperon
e
.
”

Theo coloured.
“
Well, it
would be preferable, of course, but in the absence of a suitable female companion, I
’d
rather you travel with me than go alone.
My groom can stay here.
It would be an uncomfortable journey for Stevens anyway, perched on top
of the baggage
.
”

“
We cannot travel together without having some ready explanation,
”
demurred Sophie.
“T
he fact I have no maid and little baggage will give rise to conjecture and gossip.
”

“
I have already considered that.
You will be the orphan
ed daughter of my mother
’s
dearest
friend.
Your grandmother, who is unfortunately an invalid, has entrusted me to escort you to London, where
you will be staying
with my mother.
The post chaise hired to transport you and your maid met wi
th an
accident
outside Bath, and your maid was injured.
We have therefore been forced to continue our journey in my curricle, bringing only a limited amount of baggage.
”

Sophie gaped at him.
“
Even I could not have thou
ght of such a tall tale!
”

“
I’m
rather proud of it myself,
”
admitted Theo, flashing a grin.
“
Most irregular, of course, but it should serve as an explanation at the coaching inns.
M
any
of the landlords know me so I daren
’t
introduce you as my sister, or even my cousin
. T
hey
’d
know at
once I was pitching the gammon.
”

“
Perhaps you should go with
Mr
Cavanagh, Sophie,
”
ventured
Olivia.
“
Your journey would be more comfortable, and faster, and if Perry should someh
ow discover where you have gone
…
”
Olivia shrugged and directed a meaningful glance toward the hallway.

“
You see,
even Miss Sloane thinks this is the best option.
”

Sophie chewed thoughtfully on her lower lip.
She
tried to push aside the
anticipation she felt at remaining with Theo and concentrate on practical considerations.
The benefits
seemed to outweigh any disadvantages.
She had
enough
funds to cover her immediate expenses, but she had no idea what monies she would need in London, or how long it would be before she could draw on her inheritance.
In view of that, she should save the cost of her ticket if possib
le.
Eventually, she sighed and said,
“
V
ery well, but I don
’t
feel comfortable about involving you.
And how, pray, am I eve
r to repay you
?
”

“
You can thank me when we reach London
,
”
replied Theo
with a smile
.
“
Now, we must set off within the hour if we are to make Newbury before nightfall.
”

“
And I must go back before I am missed,
”
said Olivia
, getting to her feet
.
Embracing her cousin, she said warmly,
“D
earest Sophie, take care
!
I’m
glad you are travelling with
Mr
Cavanagh
.
I will feel
much
more comfortable now.
Write and let m
e know you have arrived.
I
’
ll
miss you more than you can guess
—
you’ve
made my life more bearable and I thank you for it.
”

“
Goose!
”
said Sophie
affectionately.
“
I’ll
send for you as soon as I am settled, and w
e shall see the sights together,
just as we
have
talked about
so many times
.
Until then, don
’t
let yo
ur mama or Perry browbeat you.
”

Olivia
nodded and collected her hat and gloves.
S
he
then
put out her hand to
Theo.

“T
hank you for help
ing Sophie.
She is indeed fortunate it was
your
carriage she chose, for she could not have alighted on a more considerate and attentive rescuer.
”

“
I will ensure she reaches her
destination
,
”
said Theo
.
“
Allow me to escort you back to your maid.
”

“
I’m
coming too,
”
declared
Sophie.

They went back into the hallway, where
Olivia
’s
maid was waiting
on a wooden settle near the fireplace
.
The room was busy,
but Sophie
’s
attention
was
drawn to the gentleman on th
e far side the room.
Mr
Lucius
Grey was staring at them and
,
under his keen gaze, a shiver r
an
down
Sophie
’s
spine
.
S
omething about Mr
Grey
put her
on ed
ge.
Another man of stocky
,
muscular
build with grizz
led features and a shaved head,
who had been deep in conversation with
Mr
Grey, moved away into the tap room after a whispered comment from his companion.

L
ucius
Grey came
towards them
.
Like Theo Cavanagh he
was a tall, imposing man
of
roughly
the same age, perhaps
three or four
years
older
.
He was
also possessed of thick
,
dark hair, but there the similarities ended.
Where
Mr
Cavanagh
’s
demeanour was o
ne of restless
energy,
Mr
Grey evinced con
trolled power.
Like some
mysterious avenging angel,
thought Sophie, although devil
might be an equally
appropriate term.

He regarded
them
from under half-closed
lids, giving an impression of languor
belied by his uncomfortably penetrating gaze.
Enigmatic and ever watchful,
Mr
Grey
’s
remarkable
blue orbs missed not a whit.
They
were of a shade of blue so dark and intense
that the pupils were almost indistinguishable from the irises.
He was dressed soberly
in
buckskins, top boots, a
dark coat
and
waistcoat
,
and a neatly tied cravat.
The cast
of his lean features was severe
and his manner reserved, but his mouth, although at present unsmiling, was
not un
attractive.
A
small,
crescent-shaped
mark
adorned
his right
cheekbone.
Most striking of all
was the slender ribbon
of
pure white
hair
which st
ood out from
the
black
locks
bru
shed
back from his brow.

Sophie felt Olivia, who was standing next to her, stiffen with surprise
.
S
he
had not observed
Mr
Grey
’s
approach until he was almost upon them.

“
Miss Sloane,
”
he said, addressing Olivia in a smooth, deep voice,
“
I saw you earlier and decided to wait.
I wondered if you were in need of
assistance, but now I see your
cousin is here also.
”
His
gaze fell on Theo, but beyond a flicker of interest, he betrayed no other emotion.

“T
-
thank
you,
Mr
Grey,
”
stammered Olivia.
“T
hat was most kind of you, but, as you see, Sophie is
with me.
I
…
er
…
brought her something.
”

“
I see,
”
he mur
mured.
He bowed to Sophie.
“
It is an unexpected pleasure to meet you and your cousin today, Miss
Devereux
, and in this unusual location too.
How charming you both look!
It is such a war
m day I decided to call
here to take a
tankard of ale.
Bowyer
, my valet, is with me
.
Do you visit the White Hart often?
”
His slight smile and bland expression offered no clue to his thoughts.