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have a project to complete, and for some time, I’ve not found a model that inspired me—until today.”
    “I-I am no model, sir!”
    “It’s honest work, Miss Beckett. I will pay you fifteen thousand pounds if you will sit for me. Just that—sit for me. Nothing more. I’ll even hire a chaperone, if it suits you, to guarantee that nothing questionable or improper occurs while we work.”
    She gasped. “Fifteen thousand pounds! You cannot be serious!”
    “I assure you, I’m very serious. It’s a small fortune, Miss Beckett, and the only reason I set such a price is that a woman of your character probably wouldn’t even consider such a wild proposition unless the amount was notable.”
    “Notable? It’s a heart-stopping amount and one that makes me question your sanity!”
    “You’d be out of harm’s way, Miss Beckett. With thatkind of money, you wouldn’t have to worry about the Madame Claremonts of the world. You could live comfortably and independently and do whatever you wished.”
    “Oh my!” She put her hand up to cover her heart, and the trembling blades of her fingertips arrested his attention for a second or two before she spoke. “You are serious.”
    “I want to paint you, Miss Beckett.”
    “Are hysterical women so appealing, Mr. Hastings?”
    He smiled. “I’ll keep my reasons to myself only because if I say anything about the appeal of your coloring or the shape of your eyes, you’ll misinterpret my intentions and I’ll not have you freezing to death on the streets for a misspoken compliment.”
    She smiled back at him, and Josiah felt the first small hint that he might win the day. “I’d always heard that artists were odd. You are proving it true, Mr. Hastings.”
    “Should I provide character references, Miss Beckett?”
    “Can you?” she asked, but there was a gentle teasing in her tone that made his blood warm.
    “As many as you wish,” he countered.
    “I shall want several, but can I—have time to consider it?”
    “As long as you need.” He opened the window, leaned out, and gave the driver new instructions. “But it’s getting dark, so let’s get you someplace safe and warm so that you can regroup and think more clearly.”
    “I haven’t enough money for a hotel, but perhaps—”
    He cut her off. “It’s unorthodox, but I have rooms to spare and a fierce housekeeper who—”
    “Absolutely not.”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “I am not about to spend the night under a strange man’s roof—even one who rescued me in a single afternoon from a lecherous man, a wicked dragon of an employer, and my horrible landlady. It wouldn’t be proper.”
    “I see.” Except he didn’t really, but there was no chance he was going to set her down where he didn’t have some connection to keep her safe.
    West’s is out. I can’t impose on the newlyweds. Ashe is out. Caroline must still be recovering from her illness the way Blackwell’s been behaving lately. Galen’s alone in London with Haley at his estates in Stamford Cross, so that’s no solution. Darius doesn’t even have a house in Town, or I’d borrow it while he’s in Scotland. Which leaves …
    “Well, I know of a good inn called the Grove, and the woman who runs it is extremely kind; I know you’ll be safe and the fare isn’t bad.”
Michael is going to give me a look and a lecture that would send a lesser man running, but I don’t care. He can help me keep an eye on her until things are settled.
    “Very well.” She smoothed out her skirts and rearranged her things. “If you think it suitable and reasonably priced, I will trust you to see to it, Mr. Hastings.”
    It wasn’t the endorsement I was hoping for, but I’ll take it, Miss Beckett. Every journey begins with a single step, and if my luck holds, you’ve just turned your toes in my direction.

Chapter
5

    “Here! You’ve taken the apartment next to mine for a
woman
? What are you up to?” Michael Rutherford was not the kind of man that