“Would you like to ride the Underground?”
Her eyes widened as excitement swept through her. “Would I? But of course! But wait... is it safe?” she added, caution tempering her initial enthusiasm.
“I wouldn’t have brought you here if I didn’t think it was safe,” he replied, looking at her with such possessive tenderness that something melted in her belly and trickled down to her core.
“Although, I must warn you, it can get a little smoky. The tunnels lack sufficient ventilation, as they were not designedwith steam locomotives in mind. But the ride will be short. Less than twenty minutes. Do you think you’ll be able to tolerate it?”
“A little smoke won’t deter me from enjoying the first underground train.”
He smiled at her and offered his arm. “In that case, let’s go purchase our tickets.”
They entered the station through the main entrance, which was covered by a heavy canopy of wrought iron that extended from the facade, providing shelter to passengers entering and exiting the station.
The interior was open and bright. Flooded in natural light by the large, arched windows. People scurried about, purchasing tickets or purposely walking to and fro. Gabriel directed them to the ticket booth and bought their fare.
“You seem awfully familiar with this place,” she remarked.
“I invested in the Metropolitan Railway Company and take a great interest in everything related to it, so I’ve had occasion to visit.”
“I didn’t know you invested in railways. Are you interested in industry and innovation then?”
He smiled one of those boyish half smiles that disarmed her and made it difficult to think. “But of course,” he replied. “Isn’t that the future? There’s been so many inventions in the past decades, and I predict a great many more will come into existence in the next few years. The world is changing. Industry is progressing rapidly. We who manage estates must adapt and embrace these changes, or risk being left behind.”
“You are right, of course.” She nodded before another thought struck her. “Where did you get the money to invest, since the earldom was in such dire financial straits?”
As soon as she spoke the words, she realized how indelicate they were. She clapped her hand over her mouth, horrified. “I’m sorry. That question was unforgivably crass of me.”
Gabriel looked at her and burst out laughing.
“It is quite all right, Hannah. I don’t mind talking to you about anything. We have bigger secrets than the source of my funds. I used the money from the sale of my commission. It was not enough to save the estate, but I hope that by investing it thus, it will bring income for years to come.”
They had descended to the platform area, a huge, vaulted tunnel punctuated by niches over which huge, recessed windows allowed light from the outside. Just at that moment, a whistle rent the air, and the locomotive emerged from the depths of the tunnel in a vast cloud of smoke.
“Our train has arrived,” he announced.
They boarded the first-class compartment, which at this time of the morning was almost empty, and took their seats on the comfortable, padded benches.
“You could remove your veil,” he whispered, leaning into her for his words to reach her over the relentless noise of the train.
“I dare not,” she replied, fingering the edge of her veil for reassurance.
His mouth hardened, but he said nothing more.
Truth was, she was uncomfortable being in public with him. Her guilty conscience constantly provided reminders of her scandalous behavior and had her starting at shadows, making her feel observed.
The trip was exhilarating, but short. Soon, they had reached the end of the line and were disembarking in another part of London she had never visited before.
“Where are we now?”
“Clerkenwell,” he replied, guiding her towards the building exit. “There’s a lively street market. And a high street lined with shops and cafes. I thought we could stroll about the market and maybe take refreshments in one of the tea shops.”
“Oh, that sounds splendid,” she replied and meant it.
The energy of the place differed from that of the aristocratic streets of Mayfair and Belgravia. After walking around the market for a while, the aromas of fresh pastries teased her nostrils, and she spotted a stand that was selling mouth-watering beef pies.
“Fancy a pie?” Gabriel asked, and her stomach rumbled in response. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Sorry,” she replied, appalled at her body’s rude noises. “I had little for breakfast this morning.” Between the nerves of yesterday’s encounter with Mr. Blackwell and anticipating today’s outing, she had not been able to eat much this morning. His eyes crinkled in amusement.
