Free The Daring Exploits of a Runaway Heiress by Victoria Alexander Page B

they stared at each other. Cam had absolutely no idea what it meant, but obviously these two had secrets Phineas had not shared with him.
    Her gaze softened. “Thank you for your concern, Mr. Chapman. I shall be fine.”
    â€œSee that you are.” Phineas shuffled through the debris on his desk. “Wouldn’t want to have to train someone else.”
    A slight smile played over her lips and she opened the door, then paused and looked back. “Oh, one more thing. Do either of you have any idea where I might be able to purchase a dog? And possibly a parrot?”

Chapter Four
    â€œClara.” Lucy leaned closer to the other woman and lowered her voice. She did so hate to sound like a frightened schoolgirl and in truth she wasn’t the least bit scared. On the contrary, it was most exciting. Still, she did think Clara should know. “I didn’t want to say anything before, but now I’m fairly certain there’s an extremely attractive gentleman who seems to be following us.”
    Clara pulled up short and scanned the street. “Where?”
    â€œI don’t see him now.” Lucy glanced around. There were a fair number of people passing by but no one she recognized. “I noticed him yesterday and the day before, but he’s very good. Every time I look in his direction, he ducks behind a carriage or steps into a doorway.”
    â€œThe next time you see him, let me know at once.” Clara’s tone was firm. She took Lucy’s arm and they started off, her pace a bit faster than before. “Come along, Lucy. It’s entirely too cold to linger.”
    It was indeed far colder than Lucy had thought when they’d set out from Channing House. But their destination was no more than a ten-minute walk and both women agreed a carriage wasn’t necessary. Lucy pushed her hands further into her fur muff, her small reticule dangling from her wrist.
    They’d spent the last three days deciding on a course of action for accomplishing as many of Great-aunt Lucinda’s adventures as possible. Except of course when they were busy making the acquaintance of Albert, the small Yorkshire terrier Clara had brought home. It was most thoughtful of her and something else that could be crossed off Lucinda’s list. Clara said she had run into an acquaintance and discovered, in the course of their conversation, that he knew of a well-trained dog in need of a new home. If given her choice, Lucy would have preferred a dog with a bit more substance to it. Albert was extremely small, less than ten pounds, and didn’t even come up to her knee. Nonetheless, it was love at first sight on all sides. He was indeed a clever little fellow and refused to leave Lucy’s side, as if he knew she was his new master. Albert had been quite indignant today when they had left him behind.
    â€œI don’t like that,” Clara said under her breath. “I don’t like that at all.”
    Lucy glanced at her in surprise. “Surely we’re in no real danger. It’s the middle of the day, after all, and we’re in Mayfair. What could possibly happen to us here?”
    â€œOne never knows,” Clara said darkly. Lucy was beginning to suspect Clara was far more worldly than she appeared. “Robbery, kidnapping, seduction, murder—”
    â€œThat’s enough.” Lucy laughed. “You have made your point. Still, he didn’t look like someone who was out to do us harm. Did I mention he was exceptionally attractive?”
    â€œGoodness, Lucy.” Clara shook her head. “A man doesn’t necessarily have to look like a brigand to be one. I would wager the very best of them don’t look like what they truly are. Life would be much easier if they did.”
    â€œIt is a shame though . . .”
    Clara slanted her a wry smile. “Because he was exceptionally attractive?”
    â€œWell . . .” Lucy grinned. “Yes.”
    Lucy