A lie, but she couldn’t risk the man remarking to someone else about the singing lessons held at the asylum.If she knew Mr.Beaumont’s name without a formal introduction, then he likely knew hers.They crossed paths nearly every week while visiting their mums, and she’d worked exceedingly hard to avoid any sort of conversation with him.Previous experiences with other men had taught her that charm and kind manners were often used to lure a woman into compromising situations.With her mum here, Mr.Beaumont probably assumed that Nora was a vulnerable and easy target.
Mum narrowed her eyes at Nora, then shifted her gaze to Mr.Beaumont.A pleased smile emerged.“We mustn’t risk harming your voice.”Mum closed the fallboard of the piano and swiveled on the bench.
Of course Mum would assume attraction where there was none.Well, maybe not none.Nora could appreciate a handsome man without falling prey to his schemes.Still, the last thing she needed was Mum getting any matchmaking ideas.Father was bad enough.
A meow drew her attention toward Mr.Beaumont’s basket.Had he brought—
A gray streak shot out from the basket and scaled the back of the sofa with cloth-rending strength.
Good gracious!Not only was the beast ill-behaved, it was the most disagreeable-looking cat she’d ever seen.Two torn ears, one eye, and a yowl declared it more feral than domestic.It wouldn’t surprise her if foam started bubbling at the corners of its mouth.She pushed Mum back and blocked her from attack.
Mr.Beaumont dropped the basket and grabbed the cat by the scruff.He tugged the claws free, earning a swipe at his face for his troubles.Fortunately, Mr.Beaumont’s beard served as a shield.The cat dangled with its tail flicking back and forth.Was it ...growling?She’d never heard a cat growl before, but the creature was most definitely voicing its displeasure in one.
“Dr.Chalfant will not approve of your bringing a cat, especially one as ill-mannered as that.”Nurse Abbott frowned at the unhappy feline.
Nora didn’t approve of the animal either.The poor manners of Flossie’s puppy did little to endear him to Nora, but at least Harold was cute.This creature looked like it’d lost a fight with a dog and was ready to take out its losses on anyone close enough to scratch.She guided Mum to a chair as far away from Mr.Beaumont and his beast as possible.
“Dr.Chalfant suggested I bring something that would entice Ma to recover so she can come home.Tristan’s her favorite.”
If that was Mr.Beaumont’s enticement to bring his mum home, did the man secretly wish her to never return?
Nurse Abbott didn’t appear pleased, but she signaled to another nurse in the hall to take her place.“I’ll return with your mother shortly.”
Nora didn’t trust the cat to not escape its master, so she angled her chair to keep them both in view.
“I want you to bring my copy ofZelmiranext week.”Mum spoke much too loudly for the small room.“I think ‘Riedi al soglio’ would be a wonderful piece to add to your repertoire.”
Though Mr.Beaumont pretended to be occupied with calming the cat into compliance, his tilted head indicated he eavesdropped.Hopefully he was opera illiterate and had no idea of what Mum spoke.
Still, redirecting the conversation away from singing and music was prudent.“Did I tell you Lydia has a contract for a new story?It’s her first one since the whole Dupin debacle.”
Fear tightened the edges of Mum’s eyes, and Nora immediatelyregretted the choice of topic.Reminding Mum of the vigilante who brought Lydia Pelton’s crime novels to life through murder and then kidnapped Lydia was as foolish as stepping in front of a carriage.Now Nora had to scramble to prevent disaster.Mum was already feeling the crush of fear.
“Do you think it is safe for her to write?That that man won’t come after her or, worse”—she gripped Nora’s arm—“you because you’re her friend?”
Nora patted Mum’s hand.“It is safe for Lydia to write anything she pleases.That man has been captured and awaits the fulfillment of his sentencing.Neither he nor anyone else will harm me.Besides, Lydia writes mostly romances now, and the only one likely to bring her stories to life is her fiancé.”
Lydia’s euphoria of her whirlwind romance with Detective Abraham Hall influenced her every conversation and plan.Truly, Nora was happy for Lydia, but she couldn’t help the twinge of bitterness Abraham’s presence created.The addition of a man to the Guardians had changed interactions and how they fought for those who couldn’t defend themselves.Abraham was a good man, but his determination to safeguard the Guardians meant their clandestine adventures had mostly diminished to social visits and reminiscing of past escapades.
A pained grunt from Mr.Beaumont snapped Nora’s attention back to him.The cat darted directly toward Nora while Mr.Beaumont shook out his hand.Before she could determine what the cat planned, it leaped onto her lap.With a purr of satisfaction, it bumped against her chest, then her hand.The beast’s sharp claws poked through the material as it anchored itself in place and continued butting its head against her.After seeing what the feline had attempted to do to Mr.Beaumont’s face, Nora had no intention of touching it.So much for her months of successfully avoiding conversation with the man.If she wanted to escape unscathed, she’d need to appeal to him directly.
“Mr.Beaumont, I need your assistance, please.”
Chapter Three
THAT CAT WAS GOING TObe the death of him.If Tristan weren’t Ma’s beloved pet, Ezekiel would dump the feline on the nearest ferry to be a mouser and someone else’s problem.
“Mr.Beaumont, I need your assistance, please.”
After four months of Miss Davis deftly outmaneuvering his attempts to force a formal introduction, her soft, dulcet voice had finally addressed him.Ezekiel might have to begrudgingly reward the ball of fur later for forcing the enigmatic dark-eyed beauty to speak directly to him.
“My apologies, Miss Davis”—he bowed to her, then her ma—“Mrs.Davis.It appears Tristan has decided you are a better companion than I.”
“Tristan must have a good sense of character.My daughter is as sweet as she is talented.”Mrs.Davis sat stiffly in her chair, warily eyeing Ezekiel.“However, it appears his opinion does not speak well of you.”
And there went Tristan being helpful.The cat must be determined to make Ezekiel’s life miserable at every opportunity.“I assure you, the cat only hates me because he’s jealous of how handsome I am compared to how ugly he is.”
A surprised laugh burst from Mrs.Davis.He’d aimed to amuse Miss Davis, but her face remained impassive.Of course, the source ofher displeasure was still lying across her lap.Perhaps a heroic rescue would be more to her preference.
