“I may keep that one too. It all depends on what I learn in the next few days.”
“Chase said you think to live here in Town.”
“That also depends on what I learn.” She would have to remember that those two were cousins, and Chase would probably tell Kevin most anything he wanted to know.
“Shouldn’t you be looking at homes to let instead of shops?”
She wondered if he was going to offer unwelcome advice all day. “First I am going to look at some shops, if that be acceptable to you.”
He turned onto Oxford Street and stopped the carriage. He tied up the reins, passed a boy a coin to watch the conveyance, then helped her down.
“Thank you, I can manage now,” she said hopefully. “I will hire a hackney to get meself back.”
“I will accompany you so you are not walking the streets alone. Town is unsettled these days, and not safe. Besides, I have never shopped for a shop before.”
There were not any street-level shops available in the area she wanted, but she found a few on cross streets. She bent close to the windows of one a few feet down Gilbert Street to peer in. Then she walked around the corner back onto Oxford and strolled down, angling her head to look up.
Beside her, Kevin Radnor did the same thing. “What are we looking for?”
“Space above that be available, like this one here.” She stopped below a window that had a “To Let” sign in it. The shop was on the second story.
“Most women’s shops in London be up like that,” she said, more to herself than to him. “It be cheaper, of course. However . . .” She stepped back and examined the shop below, at street level. It sold jewelry. “It also be more private. A woman enters a door and becomes invisible until she emerges. No one peers at her while walking past the window. The question—” She walked back around the corner, then crossed the side street to see what would be noticeable when one walked by on Oxford.
Kevin Radnor followed her like a shadow. “The question is what?”
“Is one at an advantage having a shop on the street or a disadvantage? In Richmond I have me own at street level, and having wares visible to passersby brings new patrons me way. The milliner’s shop where I worked in the City did as well. However, in Mayfair the modistes and milliners might be up there for reasons besides the cost of letting. A more public establishment might be looked down upon. I don’t suppose you know if street level be considered too common here?”
“I don’t buy women’s things, so how would I know?”
“Lots of men buy women’s things, Mr. Radnor. I daresay you be an unusual gentleman if you never have.”
“Oh. You mean for mistresses and such. I don’t buy gifts like that.”
She had to smile. “You said you have never been enthralled and now you claim to have never had a mistress or lover for whom you bought gifts. Are you a monk?”
He looked her right in the eye. “Hardly.”
For a moment, while their gazes connected, she saw a different Kevin Radnor. Smoldering more than brooding. Frankly sensual. It surprised her that he revealed himself in such a way, until she recognized that what she really witnessed was masculine interest. In her.
She was not prepared for that from this man. Nor did she expect her own reaction. His hooded, piercing gaze compelled her attention in spite of herself and evoked warm little trembles in her body.
He gestured to the shop. “Whatever is normally done, I would think a lady would prefer not to walk up two sets of stairs. Just because something is not commonplace does not mean it can never happen.”
“I will ask Minerva about this, but you may have the right of it. Why should women have to climb stairs to buy a bonnet or dress?” She began walking back to the carriage, all too aware of Kevin Radnor in stride beside her.
* * *
The man who represented building owners was waiting outside when Kevin brought the carriage to a stop in front of the house on Chapel Street. Kevin took in the façade while he tied the reins. It was not a modest abode. It rose three levels above the elevated entrance doorway. In this neighborhood it would cost a good deal to let.
Apparently, Miss Jameson was eager to spend her inheritance.
He helped her down and introduced her to the agent after receiving his card. Mr. Maitland smiled and opened the door. “We will tour the cellar kitchen and chambers last, if that will suit you, sir. Most couples are more interested in the public rooms. The library is right here.”
“You have misunderstood, Mr. Maitland,” Miss Jameson said. “Mr. Radnor escorts me today, but I alone will be living in the house that is let.”
Mr. Maitland expressed no surprise, but he sent a gleaming glance in Kevin’s direction before extolling the proportions and airy space of the library.
Miss Jameson paced around, unaware that the agent had formed his own conclusions about her. Nor did Kevin see any reason to alert her or to correct the man. When it came time to sign the lease, Mr. Maitland would learn the truth of it.
