Henrietta slipped her hand into her pocket and wrapped her fingers around the pistol butt. “I think not. I came for a babe. If that is what you have with you.”
The man tossed the bundle up and down, and there was a weak cry. “It’s a lullaby cheat all right.”
They wanted her to panic. No, they were attempting to make her panic and reach out for the infant. “The child for the money. That’s the only deal on offer.” It was almost full dark now. “And it had best be immediately.”
The man with the infant stopped tossing it, but the other man reached out toward her.
“Miss, behind you!” Cullen snapped, and she heard a scuffle.
Henrietta put her back against a building and whipped out her pistol, drawing back the hammer as she did, and pointed it at the man approaching her. “I gave you a choice.”
“Here, take it.” The man holding the babe tossed it in her direction as the other man lunged at her.
She shot the man reaching for her, then tried to catch the child, but someone else was ahead of her.
“I’ve got it,” a man said.
She heard the satisfying sound of bones crunching. He couldn’t be Cullen, but who was he? The blackguard who’d tried to grab her was on the ground holding his stomach, crying. His accomplice had fled. When she turned, Cullen had knocked out a third criminal. Finally, Henrietta glanced at the gentleman—for he had not been disguising his voice—who held the babe and caught her breath. Even in the dim light, he was magnificent. He was taller than average. His legs were encased in pantaloons that appeared to have been sewn on him, and highly shined boots. His broad chest and shoulders were covered by a dark-colored jacket. His hair appeared to be black, but it could have been dark brown. And if she couldn’t make out his eye color, she could see the compassion in them.
She dropped the bag of coins next to the scoundrel Cullen had knocked out. “Thank you, sir.”
He stared at her for a few moments, then shook his head as if to clear his vision. “I am afraid I can’t stay and deal with the constable.” He glanced behind him. “In fact, I must go. There are others waiting for me. I am helping a neighbor recover his daughter.”
Henrietta could not imagine what Merton would say if she became involved with the law. Whatever it was, it would not be good. “I will only remain if one comes before I depart. Otherwise, my brother-in-law will take care of it.”
The gentleman seemed to think about that before saying, “I see your point.” He held out his arm. “Would you allow me to escort you to your coach? It’s on my way.”
“Yes. Thank you.” The tension that had coiled within her during the fight fled, and she smiled. “I would appreciate that.” Henrietta placed her hand on his arm, and immediately her fingers started to tingle, as if they had been cold before and were now being warmed. She glanced up at him as he was looking down at her. He smiled a bit shyly, and she returned his smile. He carried the baby tucked in his other arm as if he had a lot of experience carrying children.
Cullen followed behind them until they reached the larger street, then dashed ahead to open the carriage door. Henrietta was glad to see there was not a constable in sight. She’d put her pistol back in her pocket, but her hand still clutched the butt. She had never shot another person before, and she had no idea whether or not she’d killed the scoundrel. He deserved to be shot, but, eventually, all of it was bound to affect her somehow.
The gentleman stopped in front of the coach door. “I wish you a better evening than the one you have had thus far.”
“I hope you prosper in what you are doing.” In the coach lights, she could see that although he was dressed neatly, his clothes had not been made by any of the London tailors, nor were they in the latest fashion.
He glanced at the other coach and his lips tilted up. “I think that is going very well indeed.”
She dropped her hand from his arm. “Thank you again, and farewell.”
He started to turn and stopped. “I am glad I was able to help you.”
Henrietta’s heart started to beat harder. “As am I.”
He was staring at her again and opened his mouth, but closed it again, then said, “Perhaps we will meet again.”
What had he been going to say? She slid a glance at the large traveling carriage. He was probably returning to the country. The chances of them meeting again were slim. “I would like that.”
“I suppose you want the babe.”
“Yes, of course. That is the reason I am here.” Henrietta could not believe she had almost forgotten the child. The poor thing was so quiet.
“Please, allow me to assist you.” He handed her into the carriage and, once she was settled, gave her the baby.
“Thank you.”
“It was my pleasure.” He lingered while Henrietta wrapped the child in a flannel blanket. “I must go.”
“I as well.” He walked away, and she turned her attention to the child, wondering how badly off the infant was. If only there was something she could do before she arrived at Merton House, but there was nothing. The babe needed to be fed. Only then would she know if a doctor needed to be fetched. Fortunately, they had a good one they could call upon at any time. Another former military man.
The coach lights were lit on the traveling coach, and she could see an older man and a girl who looked to be about the same age as she was in the other coach, gazing out the window, waiting for the gentleman. He had said he was helping a neighbor. She hoped they did not have far to travel this evening.
The coach started forward and turned around to face the way they had come in. Henrietta looked back, but she was on the wrong side of the carriage to see him well. It was a shame he would not be one of the gentlemen she met this Season.
The baby began to whimper, and she hugged it close to her. He or she was too light and too cold, yet still it lived. “Not long now, sweetie, and you will be fed. From now on your life will be much better. I promise you that.”
Fortunately, it was the time of day where traffic had lightened and the drive home didn’t take as long. Once they arrived, Cullen opened the door, and she handed him the baby, then descended the steps by herself before taking the child again. “It needs to be fed immediately.”
The footman nodded, rushed up the steps, and had raised his hand to the door knocker when it opened. Parkin stood in the doorway. “The wet nurse is waiting.”
“Good. I will take the babe up straightaway.” Henrietta decided not to wait for Nurse’s assessment of the child. “Fetch the doctor.”
“Yes, miss.” Cullen strode down the steps.
Henrietta grabbed a fistful of her skirts and raced up the stairs to the nursery as quickly as possible with the child in her arms. Her heart pounded as she handed over the child. “I fear this one’s health is in danger.”
Mrs. Roberts, the wet nurse, took the babe. “If it’ll nurse, that’s half the battle.”
She slipped down the blanket, exposing a pale head with fine white hair, and set the babe to her breast. Henrietta closed her eyes and prayed the poor little thing would eat.
“There you go, precious,” Mrs. Roberts said. Thank God. Henrietta swiped at a tear that had somehow got into her eyes. “You can leave it with me now. We’ll find out what we have when I’m done.”