“I am in your debt, sir.” She’d not felt her heart thudding till now. “And am grateful for your assistance.”
The gentleman flashed her a sparkling smile. Not only was he smartly dressed, he did not reek of drink. An anomaly in this crowd.
“And as you are clearlynotone of Miss Li’s ladies, I presume you are with the bride’s party instead?”
“I am her sister.” Annabelle was relieved to be conversing in a civilized manner.
“Then I shall remain steadfast by your side Miss—Winthrop, is it?—to scare off further untoward advances.”
He charmed her not a little with his fine manner of speech and equally fine appearance; she suddenly found her heart thudding for altogether different reasons.
“Thank you, sir. I am sure my father shall return shortly.”
“Lord Winthrop, I presume?”
“Do you know him?” Annabelle was instantly suspicious. Papa knew too many gentlemen of a certain type.
The man’s lips twitched. Sculpted lips, neither thin nor thick. She really should not notice.
“I do, Miss Winthrop, as he regularly frequents my establishment.”
“Your establishment?”
“Yes, I own a?—”
But he was cut short by Papa himself, who’d appeared like a burr at Annabelle’s side.
“Bella, we are leaving.” Her father took her arm in a close grip. “I’ve bid farewell to Lizzie and the Baron so we needn’t?—”
“Lord Winthrop.” The gentleman stepped forward. “I was just making your daughter’s acquaintance.”
Papa seemed instantly on his guard. “Harris, I did not expect to find you here.”
“Didn’t you?”
“No, I?—”
“The Baron and I are old friends, sir. Business partners. Surely you knew that.”
Her father’s face flushed. “If this is a matter concerning my account?—”
“No, no, not at all,” the gentleman assured Papa but met Annabelle’s eyes. “I never mix business with pleasure, my lord,though meeting your daughter has been a singular pleasure indeed.” He took Annabelle’s hand and smoothly kissed it, her father’s face a cloud of fury. She felt a hard edge press her glove as the gentleman kept her hand prisoner a moment longer than was necessary. And then Mr. Harris smiled pointedly at Annabelle.
His teeth were slightly crooked, one jagged, as if he’d bitten off something hard. It gave him a slightly feral look, though not menacing. Intriguing.
“I hope we meet again, Miss Winthrop.” His eyes locked on hers. “Happy to be of service, should you ever find yourself in need.”
She flushed as he released her hand, then quickly slipped his card into her dress pocket to hide the indiscretion. Mr. Harris clearly knew her father, and knew him in a way she felt sure was not entirely above board.
***
Harris stepped away from the girl and immediately sought Jasp, who took one look at him and asked, “You met the sister, then?”
“Oi.” He nodded. “Jam tart, that one.”
Jasper’s brow furrowed.
“Not that I were lookin’,” he added. “But I see yer concern. You sure about this, Jasp? Meddlin’ in some lord’s affairs rarely leads to?—”
