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protector.
    He was watching her face, his handsome face drawn in a frown. “We’re leaving,” he said abruptly.
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    Sophie gasped at the inside of the Duke of Caradon’s carriage. Velvet seats of dark crimson, a polished wood floor, silk on the walls, and brass lights. The ceiling was painted with all the delicate beauty of an Italian master—she’d been raised in a doctor’s house, and he had had a large library filled with books. One of Dr. Tucker’s prize possessions had been beautiful plates of famous paintings of the Renaissance. This was every bit as spectacular.
    Her heart drummed a song of hope. Caradon claimed he was taking her to a place to show her the error of her decision—to show her what happened to most hopeful courtesans. She had protested at first. She had to become a courtesan, no matter what.
    But once the carriage started off, she realized what this meant.
    He liked her!
    He must care for her; otherwise, surely, he would have given up on her.
    She knew he had not whisked her away from the ball because he had some nefarious intent. Why rescue her from Halwell if he had? And he’d stopped kissing her because he thought she was innocent. She would have to make him see she was not.
    He had deposited her on the seat, where she faced the way they were traveling. He sat opposite. The carriage lamps made his hair glow like it was gold spun by fairies. His eyes were so unusual. In the light, they were as pale as diamonds—almost silvery.
    She smiled at him, glowing with joy.
    He looked at her with suspicion. “Why do you look so happy?”
    She couldn’t announce what she had figured out—that he liked her. She must be careful. In the book, her mother had pointed out that a woman must be able to tell when a man is smitten, and she must use that knowledge carefully. Sophie was not quite sure what was meant by “carefully,” but she knew she had to heed the advice.
    â€œI am in a carriage with a handsome duke. It’s rather exciting.” Joy bubbled into her voice.
    â€œAnd you are hopelessly naïve. I haven’t told you where we are going—though if I did, it would sound no safer. I told you I intended to show you the error of your decision to become a courtesan. You know nothing about me. I could be a damned evil villain, I could be intending to hurt you, and you still came into my carriage with me, trusting as a lamb.”
    â€œI don’t think I am naïve. People did say I have always been hopeful and always look for the good in things.” Well, she had, until she had been thrown out when enceinte. “Anyway, I can tell you don’t want to hurt me.”
    â€œYou can’t tell anything of the sort,” Caradon said shortly. “Some of the most cruel and vicious people hide their violence and perversions behind kind smiles.”
    She shivered. “Are you warning me? I have known an evil man. See—I am not completely unknowing. I do know you are nothing like him, for example.”
    â€œI won’t hurt you, Sophie. But there are so-called gentlemen who will.”
    â€œYes, I do know that. They live in more places than London.” And one of them—Lord Devars—would have her in his clutches if she didn’t get settled in a role as courtesan, if she didn’t get money. “There is a solution. A way I know I won’t end up with a terrible, dangerous man. I just have to convince you to take me on truly as your mistress. Isn’t that why you were there? To find a mistress? I am more than willing to take on the role. And you would be perfect for me.”
    He looked worn-out and rather grim. “How would I be perfect?”
    â€œYou are rather wonderful,” she said bluntly. “You’re handsome. You came to my rescue. You are good and kind. And you are a duke. So you see, you are perfect.”
    â€œYou are the most remarkably ingenuous woman I’ve