She tilted her head to look up at him, and his breath caught. She was exquisite.
Creamy white skin, rosy lips, and just a hint of blush on her cheeks. Her hair hung in spiral curls, but they somehow did not look ridiculous, as he’d often considered the style on other chits.
“It’s all my fault — mine and Peaches, that is. Which, in reality, means that the entirety of fault lies with me. I could not stop her barking when she watched the animals pass. And her barking upset the horses.”
It was the confounded driver’s fault.
The floundering idiot ought to have exerted control over his animals.
Dev would reassure this slip of a girl. “All of this? Somehow, Miss Babineaux, I do not think you can be blamed for such chaos.”
She took in a deep breath and then let it out in a long sigh. In doing so, she unwittingly pressed her breasts against his waistcoat. A low rumbling sound arose behind him. Dev crowded into the little doll protectively and tucked her head into his chest. “You are doing well to keep the pup silenced now. We don’t want to appear too interesting to our friend in the cage.”
“Oh, I rather think he’s interested,” she whispered. Up until then her voice had sounded like a song; the tenor of her whisper stirred him in a rather inconvenient way.
He touched a finger to her lips. “Any more than he already is,” he clarified in a low voice. The skin beneath his finger felt soft and plump. Hell, he was growinginterestedas well.
What were the gents doing out there? Did they intend to leave the wagon tipped over all afternoon?
“Poor thing, trapped in a cage. I hope he isn’t too badly hurt. Will they kill him, do you think? If heisinjured?”
Devlin raised his brows at her question. A circus life seemed a poor substitute for the wilds the beast ought to live in. Perhaps death would be merciful.
“People used to pay to watch the lions at the menagerie eat small pets, did you know that? A very long time ago.” The girl continued without receiving an answer to her first question. “Humans can be the vilest of creatures sometimes.”
She tilted her head to look up at him again. “Oh, not you, sir. I simply mean in general.”
But her words had struck a chord within him. He’d witnessed far too much carnage brought about by humans, to contradict her statement. “I think you have the right of it, Miss Babineaux.”
And then she wrinkled her nose. A petite nose, just as her person was, and really quite adorable. “I’m afraid we’ve not been introduced properly.”
Devlin could not help but shake his head at her turn of thought. A proper English miss, indeed! “Captain Devlin Brookes, at your service.”
“Oh!” she exclaimed suddenly. “You acted as Colonel Harris’ second in the duel.” She knew about the duel? “It was unsporting of him, I suppose, to have, well, you know. But I rather think Lord Kensington deserved it.”
Who is this chit?
“Ladies aren’t supposed to be apprised of such nasty events,” Devlin said, taken aback that she’d been privy to the earl’s... accident. She even seemed to know the nature of the injury.
“I am well-acquainted with the countess.”
Ah, well, that would explain it. Lady Kensington needed as many friends as possible. What with a eunuch for a husband now.
Contemplating Kensington’s injury, Dev winced inwardly.
Miss Babineaux chose that moment to shift her weight. She was an enticing combination of sensuality and innocence. Did she realize it?
The clanking of chains dragging nearby echoed from the street on the other side of the overturned wagon. It would not be long before they had it righted, and Dev could be on his way.
He would leave the city soon. As a man of property, he would most likely become responsible, a respectable landed gentleman. It was something he’d desired, but he would miss a few aspects of the life he’d lived up until now.
On that thought, he wrapped his arms around Miss Sophia Babineaux, placing one of his hands just below the small of her back.
She furrowed her brows at him with questioning eyes.
Such a sweet bundle of womanhood. Long lashes fluttered in surprise when he slid his hand even farther and settled it upon her bum.
She tilted her head questioningly. It was all the encouragement he needed.
