There came a persistent knocking at her door and she answered it to find Chadwick Hamilton standing there and looking disquieted.
Leigh motioned him inside. His hair was as black as a moonless night, wavy and silky, and brushed away from his tanned face with flawless features. He was thirty-one and six feet tall, with a physique men envied and women craved. Chad possessed a special gaze and grin that could disarm and sway; perhaps that was what unsettled her. Anyone—male or female—would love to have his overwhelming allure. His lordship’s eyes—a rich blue with a tiny hint of hazel—were nearly magical with their power to enchant and entice or to inspire admiration and affection. Chad Hamilton was confident and masculine. Who wouldn’t be with his looks, wealth, aristocratic title, and irresistible prowess Leigh mused? But was there a greedy rogue lurking behind that magnificent Adonis visage?
Chad began talking before she could. “What happened to you, Leigh? At seven, I came to make certain you’d received my dinner invitation. When the doorman said he’d given it to you and had seen you leave in a carriage, I returned to the restaurant. When you weren’t there, I assumed you had made plans with someone else without telling me. Then I realized it wasn’t like you not to send me a message of regret so we wouldn’t keep waiting for your arrival. I came back to the hotel and the doorman said you’d returned not long go and were in your room. Why didn’t you come inside and join us?”
Leveling her gaze on him, she said, “I did get dressed and leave to join you, Chad. But the carriage driver took me to the wrong address and left me there, on the deserted waterfront. There is no restaurant at number six Stams Street.”
The black-haired man looked baffled. “Of course there isn’t. It’s at number sixStemsStreet. Whyever would a responsible driver take a lady to the wharf and leave her there alone? Didn’t you notice a street sign and the deserted area and realize you were mistaken?”
She stared into his inquisitive blue eyes and said, “That’s the address you wrote in your message, Chad. I knew it seemed strange, but I figured that warehouse was owned by us and perhaps you had a surprise party in mind. It happened too fast to think clearly.”
“You were mistaken, Leigh. Is my handwriting that bad?” he asked. “Do you still have the note?”
Leigh walked to the side table and lifted the page. She held it out to him and said, “Look for yourself.”
Chad took it and did so, then remarked, “It says Stems Street, Leigh. S-t-e-m-s.” He spelled it for her and handed back the page. “I’m sorry you misread it, but I’m glad you got home safely.”
Leigh stared at the troublesome word. “I thought it saidStams,and that was what I told the driver so I guess I’m at fault. But he should have realized I was mistaken. As soon as I got out of the carriage, he took off like an escaping stallion who smelled a branding fire.” She went on to explain what had taken place in the alley—excluding the romantic part about her rescuer from her narrative.
“Heavens, Leigh, are you all right?” he asked. He ran his fingers through his dark hair and sighed deeply. “I should have known something was wrong and searched for you sooner. I never would have forgiven myself if you’d been injured. I should have come to the hotel and escorted you to the restaurant, but I was involved with an important business meeting. I never imagined anything like this happening. I assumed the doorman would get you a carriage—and it’s only a short ride away. You could have been killed or abducted. This is my fault for not taking better care of you. I’m sorry.”
She was touched by his expression and mood. “Why didn’t you call the hotel to check on me? They have a telephone in the lobby.”
“But the restaurant doesn’t have one yet, so I couldn’t ring you. I thought perhaps you might need a little urging to join us. I know how Louisa and Cynthia make you uncomfortable, and I’m sorry.”
Leigh noticed the lines of worry that etched Chad’s forehead and creased the skin near his blue eyes and mouth. He had apologized twice. She was vexed with herself for ever thinking dark thoughts about him. Chad had been kind, thoughtful, gentle, and protective. His winning smile and mood relaxed her. “It wasn’t your fault, Chad. I don’t know how I misread the address twice, but I’m fine. If that man hadn’t come along, I don’t know what would have happened.”
“Who was he? He deserves a reward for his help.”
“I don’t know. He didn’t give his name. He was in a hurry to make an appointment. As soon as it was over, he found me a carriage and sent me home. I was too upset and mussed to track you down and join you, and it was too late by then.”
Chad embraced her and said, “At least you’re safe; that’s all that matters.” He gazed into her eyes and vowed, “I wouldn’t want anything happening to you. Next time be more careful and observant, my little ward and boss. Please don’t let this happen again. You’ve already scared years off my life.”
“I’ve ruined your evening, Chad. I’m sorry. And I promise I’ll be more careful in the future. In fact, I’ll carry my derringer with me from now on. Uncle Colin gave it to me. The Wild West can be a dangerous place, so he made certain I had protection. It’s small enough to fit into my purse, so I can keep it with me at all times.”
“That’s a wise idea, Leigh. I wish you had been carrying it and shot both of them. How dare they attack you, or any lady!”
Fury darkened his eyes to midnight blue and furrowed his brow.
“They were drunk and restless, Chad. I’m lucky they didn’t harm me, and I had very little with me to steal, just a few pounds and—” Her fingers went to her throat. “My locket! It must have been torn off during the fight. Father gave it to me. I must get it back. Help me, Chad.”
“I’ll go to Stams Street in the morning and look for it,” Chad suggested. “If I don’t find it in the alley, I’ll post a description and a reward for its return. I’ll also report your assault to the authorities. As for your rescuer, since we don’t know who he is, we can’t reward him. But if he contacts you, let me know and I’ll handle it.”
Leigh focused widened eyes on him. Her heart pounded at the idea of seeing the irresistible stranger again. She concealed her excitement and inquired, “Why should he contact me?”
Her step-uncle laughed, then replied, “You’re a beautiful woman, and he saved your life. Surely he’ll want to see that you’re all right after your misadventure together. In his place, I would. He’s also a witness who can identify your assailants. I hope we can locate him.”
Chad’s gaze was soft and complimentary. He looked appealing in his ivory shirt and blue waistcoat and pants. Irrefutably he was breath and wit stealing, and a skilled charmer. Leigh didn’t doubt he could talk a starving woman out of her last bite or penny, or talk a disgruntled client out of his anger and into his next order. Chad must have been a valuable asset to her grandfather and the firm. If she wasn’t careful, that old infatuation might return, Leigh warned. She tried not to gaze into those arresting blue eyes or be captured by his magnetic spell, and asked, “What about your friends?”
He shrugged his powerful shoulders. “Probably finishing dinner about now. If you’re certain you’re all right, I’ll rejoin them. Unless,” he hinted with a sly grin and tug at her arm, “you’ll change clothes and come along. I wish you would, Leigh. You brighten any room you enter. I won’t let you out of my sight for an instant. I’ll guard you with my life. Do you want to try it again?”
She eyed his entreating expression. He could be mighty persuasive, but she said, “Not tonight, Chad. I’m still jittery, and tired. I’ll have something sent up here. Then I can settle down while I eat.”
He looked disappointed, but smiled in acquiescence. “I’ll take care of it before I leave. I’ll see you tomorrow. This time, I’ll fetch you. No going out alone, understand?”
“Yes, sir,” she stated. “Good night, Chad.”
“Good night, Leigh, and sleep well.”