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a dashing figure in his finely tailored outfit, and he had a carefree, fun-loving look about him, especially with his wind-tossed sandy brown hair.
    Nathaniel inspected the side of his phaeton, took out a handkerchief, and polished a spot. He nodded and smiled to three young ladies who flirted with him as they walked past. But his attention on them was only fleeting. Tom couldn’t fault Nathaniel for his devotion to Victoria. Even when other women vied for him, he had eyes only for his bride-to-be.
    As Nathaniel proceeded toward Madame Bisseau’s salon and opened the door, Tom surveyed outside the store to make sure nothing had changed since they’d arrived and that no one was lurking nearby. No strange carriages. No lingering passers-by. No oddities.
    He stepped back inside just as Victoria stood and smiled at Nathaniel. She held out her hands to him in a welcoming gesture. Although her eyes lit up at the sight of him, there was something missing from her expression. Tom couldn’t name what it was, but he’d noticed her reaction to Nathaniel before.
    And he’d noted Theresa’s too. Victoria’s friend was in love with the man. Although she kept her feelings hidden from Victoria, she couldn’t hide them from Tom. He’d noticed the sideway glances filled with longing, the rapt attention whenever Nathaniel spoke, the extra long laughter at Nathaniel’s jokes that weren’t funny.
    At least Theresa had the decency to make the best of the situation. Tom could tell she was sharp. She’d apparently realized early enough that Nathaniel was thoroughly enamored with Victoria. Half the time he was so busy fawning over Victoria that he forgot Theresa was even there. Victoria was kind enough to draw her friend in and keep her from being left out.
    “Are you ready for our lunch at Delmonico’s, darling?” Nathaniel had taken off his hat and was raking his fingers through his hair and tossing the wayward strands back.
    “I’m very ready.” Victoria cast a sideways glance at the box Madame Bisseau was now tying closed with a silk ribbon. Her eyes rounded with embarrassment, and she quickly grabbed Nathaniel’s hand and began to propel him toward the door.
    “You’ll be the first to ride in my new phaeton,” Nathaniel said with a grin.
    “She can’t ride in a phaeton,” Tom said.
    Nathaniel halted abruptly, which in turn forced Victoria to stop. The excitement that had been playing across his features dropped into disappointment.
    “With the open top, it’s too dangerous.” Tom offered the explanation before anyone could protest. The anonymous letter Mr. Cole had received yesterday might not mean anything. It had implied vague threats to the Cole family if Mr. Cole didn’t back out of a particular railroad deal he was negotiating. Even if the threats were empty and had no connection to Arch’s attack, Tom was trained to stay on high alert regardless.
    “Delmonico’s isn’t that far away.” Victoria proceeded to tug Nathaniel toward the door. “I daresay a little ride won’t compromise my safety.”
    “Maybe a little ride in Central Park after lunch.” Tom had learned to always be strict first. If he said “no” right away, then his charge was usually more open to his subsequent suggestion.
    Victoria paused as though considering what she believed to be his compromise but was actually his plan all along. “Very well.” She sniffed in her attempt to be arrogant toward him. “But I shall take the ride with Nathaniel alone.”
    He’d suspected as much. “We’ll see how busy the park is.”
    She hesitated, nodded curtly, and turned to Theresa, who was trailing after the couple. “Theresa, will you ride with Nathaniel to Delmonico’s? I hate for him to be alone with his fun new toy.”
    Nathaniel smiled down at Victoria. “You’re so sweet, darling. But I’ll be all right.”
    “I don’t mind,” Theresa said. She stepped forward and slipped her arm through Nathaniel’s boldly. “We can’t let