The Wrong Girl(40)

"No, I'm fine. Thank you, Samuel. You saved me."

His fingers kneaded my shoulders, but I got the feeling it was as much to reassure himself that I was unharmed than to comfort me. "I'm glad I was able to help."

I felt sick to my stomach. It was my fault entirely. He'd only agreed to accompany me because I'd insisted. What had I been thinking? "I'm so sorry, Samuel. I didn't know it would be like that. Those people...they're so...desperate."

"Starvation does that."

"I should have known. I've read the stories of Mr. Dickens."

He laughed and patted my hand. "Then you are indeed a woman of the world."

We walked off in what I assumed was the direction of Claridges, but in truth I couldn't be certain. The fog had become so thick it shrouded the entire street and I could see no landmarks, let alone recognize them. The clip clop of hooves and the rattle of wheels on the road signaled that a vehicle had gone past, but it could have been a spectral carriage for all I knew. It was nowhere to be seen. Behind us, footsteps echoed. I turned, but could see no one. The footsteps continued.

Had Jack doubled back and now followed us? Or had someone been following the entire time and I'd been too distracted to notice?

"I've just had a thought," Samuel said, apparently oblivious to the footsteps.

"Oh?" I looked back over my shoulder, but the tap tap of shoes on the pavement had ceased. "What about?" If it were about Jack, I already had a response in mind. I might not know everything about him, but I didn't want to divulge his fire-starting secret to Samuel. Not yet.

"Do you recall how you said your narcolepsy may be caused by fear?"

"Yes."

"I don't think it is, or you would have suffered an episode just now. You were terrified, weren't you?"

"More than I've ever been in my life." It was quite true, I realized. I'd not even been that afraid when I woke up in the carriage after Jack abducted me.

"Yet you didn't fall asleep."

"Good lord. You're right!"

"That means it has another trigger."

"Yes," I muttered. "Yes it does."

We reached the front door of Claridges, and a footman opened it for me. Before I had a chance to thank Samuel for his help and say goodbye, Sylvia barreled up and threw her arms around my neck.

"Thank goodness you're back," she said on a small sob. "I've been so worried."

"I sent word that I was going for a walk," I said.

She held me at arm's length. "Yes, but I knew you didn't know your way around London, and I've heard such dreadful things about girls getting lost and never being seen again." She smothered another sob with her hand. "I had a dim hope that you'd gone with Jack, but then he returned without you. We've been out of our minds with worry. Jack was just on his way out again to search for you."

Jack stood to one side in the foyer of the hotel. A desolate, bleak shadow passed across his face before he turned away, presenting me with a view of his back. He drew in several deep breaths and his fingers gripped the marble tabletop, his knuckles white.

"I'll speak to him," Samuel said.

"No!" Sylvia and I cried.

"Jack's temper is not to be trifled with," I added.

"He's not angry," Sylvia said, blinking at me. "He's as relieved as I am to have you back safely."

"In that case, perhaps I should be the one to speak to him." But I didn't get the chance. He strode off and up the stairs, taking two at a time. I sighed. "Perhaps tomorrow."

"Where did you go?" Sylvia asked.

"For a walk with Samuel."

She lifted a brow. "Samuel? I see. Well. I admit I thought a man of your profession would have better manners than to go walking in the dark with a young lady. I must admit, I'm very disappointed in you, Mr. Gladstone."

"Don't blame him," I said. "It was all my fault. I insisted."

"But...why? Where did you go?"

"Nowhere in particular. I needed some fresh air."

"Fresh air? In London?" Her gaze flicked to Samuel then back to me again. "I see."

"I'd better be on my way." Samuel bowed to both of us. "Good night, ladies. I'm glad I could be of service, Lady Violet."

"You were. Thank you, Samuel, from the bottom of my heart. Good bye."

He grinned and walked out the door. I hooked my arm through Sylvia's, and we headed for the stairs.

"Are you quite sure Jack isn't angry?" I asked. "He looked rather tempestuous just now."

"If he were angry, he'd have sparks spitting from his fingertips."

"I suppose so. Then why did he storm off without speaking to me?"

"Can't you see? He was sick with worry, then you returned and it was obvious you'd spent the last little while walking with a man in the dark. A man that wasn't him."