She drew a quick breath, then plunged on, "Now we can only pray that dear Alberta does not suffer any lingering affects, such as a congestion in the chest." She pinned a stern glance on Mrs. Brown. "You must take a hot bath the minute you're settled, then take yourself off to bed."

Mrs. Brown nodded. "I-"

"And you," the baroness intoned, swinging her gaze to Robert, "shall make certain she is well taken care of until she is in the duchess's care."

"Of course."

"Excellent." Lady Gaddlestone nodded, clearly satisfied that her dictates would be obeyed. "Now I understand the duchess is close to giving birth. Has the child arrived yet?"

"Not as of this morning." A laugh rumbled in Robert's throat. "But Austin has already paced a ditch in the drawing room."

"Well, I shall expect to be informed when the babe arrives so I may schedule a visit. I just adore purchasing baby gifts." She gave Robert a thorough up-and-down inspection. "You're looking quite fit, young man," she proclaimed with an approving nod. "Hard to believe, but I dare say you're even more handsome than when I saw you last. You've the look of your father about you. That same devilish gleam in your eye."

"Thank you, my lady. I-"

"Perhaps you can cheer up Mrs. Brown a bit," the baroness plowed on. "Poor dear is still in the doldrums over losing her beloved David. Laughter is what she needs. I've told her at least a dozen times that she's far too serious by half, have I not, Mrs. Brown?"

Mrs. Brown had no opportunity to reply, for the baroness continued, "She enjoyed the boys, however. They managed to coax a number of smiles from her. Remarkably pretty woman when she smiles, which is of course not to insinuate that she isn't remarkably pretty when she isn't smiling, which is sadly most of the time, but when she smiles she is very remarkably pretty. Tell me, dear boy, don't the duke and duchess have a dog?"

"Yes. They have-"

"Excellent. Canine company will do Mrs. Brown a world of good. And now, dear boy, tell me, are you married yet?"

"No."

"Betrothed?"

"I'm afraid not."

The baroness raised her brows and pursed her lips, and Robert could almost hear the gears turning in her head. "Excellent" was all she said, and Robert was not certain he wanted to know what she meant by it. She glanced beyond Robert and waggled her gloved fingers. "My carriage is ready to depart." She extended her hand and Robert obligingly bent and brushed a kiss over her fingertips.

"Always a pleasure, Lady Gaddlestone. Welcome home."

"Thank you. I must say it is a relief to have both feet planted back on English soil." She turned to Mrs. Brown. "I shall see you again before you return to America, my dear."

"I hope so," said Mrs. Brown.

"You may count upon it." Giving the leads a slight tug, she set her brood in motion and was nearly yanked off her feet. "Good-bye for now," she huffed as she staggered away.

The instant he judged her out of earshot, Robert turned to Mrs. Brown and offered her a sheepish grin. "I rather feel as if I were rolled over by a runaway carriage."

Allie looked up at him, at his striking countenance, lopsided grin, and mischievous eyes, and her throat tightened. With his ebony hair and dark blue eyes, he looked nothing like blond, brown-eyed David, but his teasing manner, his easy smile… they were so achingly, hauntingly familiar. Clearing her throat, she said, "Lady Gaddlestone is really very kind."

"I would never imply otherwise. She could, however, talk a saddle off of a horse." His gaze roamed her face, his eyes reflecting concern. "You're certain you're all right after your accident?"

Accident. "Yes, thank you."

"Now that the baroness had departed, perhaps you will tell me what you'd been about to say before she arrived." A teasing light sparkled in his eyes. "Something you'd wanted to whisper in my ear?"

Heat suffused Allie's face. Did this man take nothing seriously? Not only had he had the temerity to kiss her but now the gall to tease her about it! She clutched her gown to keep from touching her lips where he'd kissed her. How could such a feathery touch, one that had lasted less than a second, have affected her so? He surprised me, that is all. That rapid beating of my heart… merely the result of the unexpected. And the unwanted.

She cast a glance around the bustling dock area and another chill crept down her spine. Someone was watching her. She knew it. Biting back her unease, she said, "I'd simply planned to discreetly ask you if we could leave here as soon as possible. I'd noticed Lady Gaddlestone coming toward us-"

"Ah. Say no more. I quite understand. Even people we like can sometimes prove exhausting. We shall depart immediately." He smiled at her and offered his arm, tilting his head with another David-like gesture that made her teeth clench. "My carriage is right this way."

When she hesitated to take his arm, he simply grabbed her hand and settled it in the crook of his elbow. "See there?" he said. "I don't bite. Hardly ever."

She fell into step beside him, trying to reconcile the impulse to snatch her hand away from him and the undeniable relief the safety of his presence offered. His arm felt firm and muscular beneath her fingers, more so than David's had. And although Lord Robert was several inches taller than David, he matched his longer strides to her shorter ones, unlike David. She'd always felt as if she had to run to keep up with her husband.

When they arrived at a handsome black lacquered carriage, Lord Robert instructed the waiting footman to fetch her trunk. He then handed her into the carriage and settled himself on the plush, gray velvet squabs across from her. Deciding the time had arrived to tell him, she cleared her throat.

"I'm afraid I owe you an apology, Lord Robert. You traveled all this way to escort me to Bradford Hall to see Elizabeth, but I'm afraid I must remain in London for at least a day or two. I have some business affairs to see to." She forced her hands to stay still and not pluck at the material of her gown. "There are several matters regarding my late husband's possessions that I must take care of. He'd resettled in America, but he was English, you know. From Liverpool."

"No, I didn't know." He glanced down at her mourning gown. There was no mistaking the sympathy in his gaze. "I’m very sorry for your loss."

She lowered her lashes so he couldn't read her eyes. "Thank you."

"Although it's not exactly the same, I know what it's like to lose someone you love. My father died several years ago. I miss him every day."

He looked as if he were about to say something more, but when he remained silent, she said softly, "I understand. I think about David every day." Drawing a deep breath, she continued. "I'm certain you're anxious to return to Bradford Hall to await the birth of your niece or nephew, and I've no wish to inconvenience you further. If you could recommend a reputable inn, I'll arrange my own transportation to the estate when my business is completed."

He was clearly surprised, but he did not question her. Instead, he offered, "An inn is not necessary, Mrs. Brown. Elizabeth and Austin would insist you stay at their London town house."

"Oh, but I couldn't-"

"Of course you can. Elizabeth would have my head if I allowed you to put up at an inn. And as I have several business affairs that could stand my attention, I have no objection to remaining in London until you are ready to travel to Bradford Hall. I have rooms on Chesterfield, which is only a short distance from the town house."

She studied his face, and a warning tension gripped her stomach. Something had flashed in his eyes when he'd said several business affairs.. . that same evasiveness she knew all too well, thanks to David. But the look had been so fleeting. Had she imagined it?

"That is a very kind offer, Lord Robert, but-"

"Kindness has nothing to do with it, believe me. It is simply a case of self-preservation. If I were to show my face at Bradford Hall without you, after giving my solemn vow to bring you there, my honor would be irreparably impinged." A slow grin lit his face. "And Elizabeth would harangue me until my ears fell off."

For the briefest instant, Allie felt herself involuntarily responding to that grin, allowing its warmth to wash over her. It was so like David's grin…

His expression turned to one of concern. "Are you all right, Mrs. Brown? You suddenly appear a bit pale."

"I'm fine. I was simply thinking…"

"Yes?"

"That you remind me very much of my husband."

He seemed surprised at her words. Then he smiled gently, his eyes full of sympathy. "Thank you."

At that moment, the footman arrived with her trunk. After it was secured to the top of the carriage, they departed, leaving the scents and sounds of the docks behind. As they moved farther away from the riverfront, Allie relaxed a bit, until she glanced at the man sitting across from her. The man who was another David, only this time wrapped up in an even more attractive package. He'd thanked her for the comparison to David. He'd thought she'd paid him a high compliment.

If you only knew, Lord Robert. If you only knew…


*********

Lester Redfern emerged from the long shadows cast by the wooden hull of the Seaward Lady. He narrowed his eyes at the departing black lacquer carriage, then spit onto the cobblestones. Damn it all, the woman possessed the devil's own luck. How the blazes were he supposed to kill the chit when she were always surrounded by chattin' old biddies and yappin' dogs? He glanced down at his torn trouser cuffs. Bloody stupid beasts. They ruined wot would have been a perfect murder. And weren't it just his rotten luck that the Brown woman could swim?