“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.
She positioned herself in front of the empty bookcases that spanned one long wall, flanking the fireplace. “They look rather bleak.”
“They won’t after you have filled them,” Mr. Maitland said.
Miss Jameson barely nodded. She followed Mr. Maitland out to see the dining room and morning room. They went above to view the drawing room and gallery, and a large apartment. The next level held more bedchambers, and the top one the servants’ quarters.
“It is a handsome house,” Kevin said while they came down the stairs. “Large.” What could one woman need with all this space?
Miss Jameson slowed her steps so he came up behind her on the staircase. “This be a very good street, yes?” she asked quietly.
“An excellent street. This house will require at least three servants, however. More likely five or six. That does not include any grooms for horses or staff for a carriage if you have one.”
She stopped outside the library and allowed Mr. Maitland to pace farther away. “It be the sort of house a lady would live in, you mean.”
“Anyone could live in it who wanted to and could afford it. But, yes, a lady would be comfortable here.”
“I think so too.” She cocked her head. “Where do you live?”
“In my family home when I am in Town.”
“You be with your family still?”
“It is only my father, and it is a very large house. If I did not agree to dine with him on occasion, we would never see each other.”
“How interesting.” She walked toward Mr. Maitland, who waited patiently by the door leading down below.
When all was done, Mr. Maitland left them alone to walk through again if they chose, or, Kevin assumed, to discuss the suitability of the house for a man looking to keep a mistress contented. Miss Jameson returned to the library and again pondered those bookcases.
“I never thought about a library.” She glanced at him as if suddenly remembering he stood there. “I don’t own any books. These will look odd if they be empty.”
“You will simply purchase some books. Just buy what you like. Or, if you prefer, a bookseller will choose a selection for you.” He noticed she now frowned. “Do you know how to read?”
“I know well enough. Probably not so good as to read what a bookseller would choose.” She strolled past him, toward the entrance. “I think I’ll try to get better at it, so I’m sure to understand the details of any fancy documents that are put before me.”
He cursed himself for his question. He had actually watched her read the fancy document he had set before her. “Like many things, it comes easier with the doing of it. What do you enjoy reading?”
“Years ago I began reading a book that had pictures in it of knights and ladies. I did not get far before I couldn’t borrow it no more, but I did enjoy it. Perhaps I will see if a bookseller has a copy of that book.”
Mr. Maitland locked the door and took his leave. Miss Jameson bent back her head and looked up the height of the house, giving Kevin a view of her very fine profile. The word “lovely” came to his mind. Her face was more elegant than pretty, more classic than sweet. As for Chase’s description of her being luscious, that mostly pertained to her form beneath the neck. Even in her pelisse he could see evidence of full breasts and a narrow waist. His imagination had spent too much time during the last day disrobing her to discover just how luscious she might be.