Chapter Two
Clutching her small, paper-wrapped purchase, Annie Fairfax stepped out of the Burlington Arcade and merged into the turbulent tide of man, beast, and carriage that walked, trotted, and rumbled along Piccadilly.
After a week of wet and windy weather, the dawning of this calm, sunny day seemed to have brought forth half of the city’s population, Annie included.
Unfortunately, London’s more disagreeable odors hung stubbornly in the motionless air, adding weight to the discomforting swell of humanity.
Nose wrinkling, Annie opened the silver vinaigrette that dangled on a fine chain about her neck and lifted it to her nostrils to savor the more agreeable scent of lavender.
It calmed her somewhat, but she clutched her package a little tighter as she dodged and wound her way through the throng of people.
Despite being born and raised in the city, or maybe because of it, she had never been comfortable in crowds.
“Are you still with me, Hattie?” she asked, glancing over her shoulder at the woman who had long served as matron, teacher, and maid to Annie.
“Right behind you,” Hattie replied, wafting a hand like a fan beneath her nose. Annie nodded and turned back, a move that caused her to side-step directly into the path of someone coming toward her. She had no time to correct herself or even cry out as she ploughed into whoever it was.
It might as well have been a stone wall.
A decidedly male “oof” coincided with her choked cry as she toppled backwards, arms flailing, hands snatching at air.
The package flew from her grasp, her heels caught in the hem of her skirt, and she sat down hard on the pavement.
The vicious jolt caused her to bite her tongue, which brought instant, scalding tears to her eyes.
From somewhere above, a man’s voice uttered a mild curse, while another tittered.
Winded and tasting blood, Annie flinched as the crowds continued to move past, their shapes creating dizzying waves of shadow and light.
She tried and failed to take air. “Pl… please,” she managed, struggling to fill her lungs. “Cannot br—”
“It’s all right miss, I have you,” a man said, and she felt herself being hoisted gently to her feet by a pair of strong, and undeniably masculine, arms. “My sincere apologies. That was quite the bump. Are you injured at all?”
Annie, at last, managed to draw a desperate lungful of air. She opened her eyes but squeezed them shut again when the world around her tilted nauseatingly. “Oh my.”
The man’s hands, cradling Annie’s elbows, tightened slightly as she grabbed, blindly, onto his sleeves. “Take your time, miss,” he said. “Catch your breath.”
Hattie’s concerned voice meandered into Annie’s ear. “Gracious, my pet, you took quite the tumble. Are you hurt? You’re as white as a sheet. Here, let go of the gentleman and lean on me.”
“Just give me a moment, Hattie,” Annie replied, and clutched the fabric of the man’s sleeves tighter. Yes, she was hurt. Her tongue stung, her bottom ached, and her pride was not without injury either. It took an effort to keep the tears at bay.
“Do you feel faint, miss?” the man asked. “Perhaps you should sit for a while. Come, there’s a bench over here.”
Annie cringed inwardly at the thought of sitting on a hard bench. “No, I’d rather not,” she replied, somewhat abruptly. Softening her tone, she continued, “That is, thank you, but I just need…” She squinted through her lashes. “I just need a moment or two.”
“Of course,” came the gentle response. “Take all the time you need. I’m in no hurry.”
Annie knew she should probably let go of whoever he was, but didn’t quite dare, mostly because her legs felt somewhat like jelly. Besides, nothing about this man’s nearness gave her cause for concern or embarrassment. If anything, she found solace in his apparent strength. Who was he?
She breathed in a subtle hint of Eau De Cologne and dared to open her eyes fully, exhaling with relief to find her dizziness had almost abated.
She blinked and stared at the blue silk cravat before her, the neat folds secured with a pearl-tipped, gold pin.
As her composure returned, her gaze moved upward over a cleanly-shaven, masculine jaw, an unsmiling but pleasant mouth, and a finely sculpted nose.
A second later, she found herself looking into a pair of arresting hazel eyes, gazing down at her from beneath a pair of dark brows, which were currently knitted together in a frown.
Annie’s breath caught and her stomach gave a queer little lurch.
She opened her mouth to speak, but words failed her.
All she could do was stare into the man’s eyes.
He stared back, his frown usurped by the hint of a smile.
“There now,” he said, quietly. “Feeling better?”
His voice broke through the strange spell that had Annie in its grasp. She blinked again and loosened her grip on the man’s sleeves, though her gaze remained locked with his.
“Yes,” she replied. “Yes, I think so.”
“Are you sure?” The man spoke as softly as before, his concerned gaze moving over her face.
Annie swallowed and found a smile from somewhere. “Yes, sir, quite sure,” she replied. “Thank you.”
He acknowledged with a nod and released his hold on her. Annie, to her bewilderment, experienced a brief sense of regret.
“Here, pet, let me brush some of this dust off your skirts,” Hattie said, tutting as she stooped to the task. “There, that’s better. Oh, but you’re still rather pale. Lean on me, now, if you have need.”
“I’m all right, Hattie, really.” Annie’s hand drifted to the base of her throat as if to settle the continuous wild beating of her heart. “Just a little shaken, that’s all.”
“Hardly surprising,” Hattie said, her accusing tone obviously aimed at the stranger.
“And it was entirely my fault,” Annie replied, giving Hattie a quick, reproachful glance before facing the man once more. “I was not watching where I was going. An apology, therefore, is entirely mine to make.”
“Well, since it is unseemly to argue with a lady, I shall keep any further admissions of negligence to myself. However, I will not rescind them.” The man stooped to pick up the package, which lay at his feet.
“What is most important to me, miss, is your honest assurance that you are not injured in any way.”
Hattie harumphed and Annie threw her another admonishing glare. “My dignity is a little bruised, perhaps,” she replied, easily deciding not to mention her sore tongue or bruised backside. “But that is all, sir, truly. No harm done.”
“Glad to hear it.” The man’s frown reappeared as he handed her the package. “Hopefully, no harm done to this either.”
“None, to be sure,” Annie gave the wrapping a cursory inspection, “since it is not a breakable item.”
Hattie harumphed again. The man gave the maid a somewhat amused glance and then returned his attention to Annie, his gaze once again critical.
“With respect, miss, may I ask about your plans for the rest of your day? Given how crowded the city is today, and despite your assurances, I’m loath to leave you and your companion unassisted. ”
“We have no further plans, sir,” she replied. “We’re going straight home.”
The man nodded. “Then permit me to hail a cab for you.”
Annie gave her head a brief shake. “A kind offer, but I do not live far. A short walk, only.”
“Then at least allow me to escort you to your door,” he countered. “Given what has occurred, I would be happier knowing you have arrived home without further mishap.”
An odd little flutter arose beneath Annie’s ribs at the thought of spending more time with him, even as she provided an argument against it. “But my direction is opposite to the one you were taking, therefore an inconvenience to you, surely.”
His expression softened. “Not in the least.”
Annie ignored the flutter and pondered for a moment.
The man was a stranger, after all, though every bit of instinct she possessed insisted she had no cause to fear him.
Besides, she reasoned, a faint headache now occupied a spot behind her eyes, her tongue and her bottom continued with their persistent throb, and her legs were still a little wobbly.
It was probably prudent, then, to accept this handsome stranger’s offer.
And, she silently admitted, it had an undeniable appeal.
“With respect, my dear,” Hattie’s voice cut into her thoughts, “I believe you should accept the gentleman’s offer. It’ll do no harm.”
Annie barely suppressed a surprised gasp as she regarded her maid, since not a minute earlier the wretched woman had been scowling at the fellow. “Perhaps you are right,” she replied, and returned her gaze to the gentleman. “Therefore, sir, I accept your offer with gratitude.”
“Excellent. And in that case, miss, allow me to introduce myself.” He smiled, tipped his hat, and presented an elbow. “Julian Northcott, at your service.”
Julian Northcott.
Annie absorbed the information as she tucked her hand into the fold of his arm. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Northcott. My name is Annabelle Fairfax.”
“The pleasure is also mine, Miss Fairfax,” he replied, “though I regret what precipitated it. Shall I carry the package for you?”
“No, it weighs nothing,” she said, “but thank you.”
Lifting a brow, he regarded Hattie, who had several packages tucked under her arms. “And what of you, ma’am? May I unburden you a little?”
“No, sir, you may not,” Hattie replied, looking mildly affronted. “I am not injured and can manage quite well.”
Annie noticed the same amused expression flicker across the man’s face as he returned his attention to her.
“Then let us be on our way,” he said, “but you, Miss Fairfax, must be the one to set our pace. There is no hurry on my part. I ask only that you’ll tell me if you feel in the least unwell or in need of a pause. ”
Annie nodded her assent. “I will, sir, thank you.”
“Good. Now, where do you live?”