Miss Goodhue Lives for a Night by Kate Noble Read Free Book Online

surface he could tell that the giggles were still there. The breathlessness of her voice. The naïveté that made him wonder at how new eyes saw the world.
    Take her cousin, for instance. She had to hope for the best—because what else was there?
    Stop it , Theo , he told himself, shaking his head and stepping forward into the yard of the Horse Guards.
    â€œSo . . .” she asked, biting her lip, her eyes on the rigid lines of men in uniform. “Where do we start?”
    Biting her lip. She used to do that. When she was determined to do something, her top two teeth would peek out, as if leading the charge. When she’d been determined to kiss him that first time, under the oak tree.
    When she’d seen the bed, in the inn . . .
    â€œ I start by speaking to the ranking officer on site,” he replied. “Stay by the carriage.” He looked up at the carriage driver, who nodded down to him.
    He shouldn’t have even handed her down, he realized. But now that he had reached out and taken her hand, he could not stop the impulse to do so again, and took the opportunity in front of him.
    He was three steps away when he heard the soft steps on gravel behind him.
    â€œCee,” he warned, not turning.
    â€œFor the moment I think I should be Miss Goodhue, if you are to address me at all,” she said, stepping quickly to come by his side. He lengthened his stride; she moved into a trot to keep up. “Do you have any idea what to say to military men? I assume there is some kind of protocol, yes?”
    His choices were either to take her by the arm and pull her back to the carriage, or to let her stay by his side. Since he didn’t trust himself to touch her, he acquiesced and slowed—slightly.
    â€œI have no idea. But as always, one must just dive in.”
    â€œThat has always been your forte, if I recall.”
    Just diving in. It hadn’t been, actually. Not in a while.
    â€œApologies, sir,” the guard at the door said as they approached. “Officers only.”
    â€œIs Colonel Birmingham in?” Theo asked, and presented a card. “Mr. Hudson, of Henry, Smithson, and Rowe.”
    The young guard looked at him, utter uncertainty on his face. “Um, I . . . I will check. One moment, sir. Miss.”
    â€œWho is Colonel Birmingham?” Cecilia asked.
    â€œHe is an associate of Mr. Smithson, one of the founders of the law practice where I work.”
    â€œAnd you know him? Colonel Birmingham, that is?”
    â€œNever met him before in my life,” Theo replied. “But hopefully he will—”
    â€œSir?” the guard came back, slightly breathless. He must have been running. “Colonel Birmingham asks that you join him in his offices.”
    â€œThank you,” Theo said, and he gestured for Cecilia to go before him inside.
    As they walked through the cold stone hallways, Theo watched Cecilia take two steps for the guard’s every one, trying to keep up.
    â€œWhat is your name, young man?” she asked him.
    â€œJohnson, miss,” he replied.
    â€œI cannot help but notice you are wearing a blue coat. What faction of the army do you belong to, may I ask?”
    â€œI am a private in the Royal Horse Artillery, miss,” he said.
    â€œAnd you wear it very well,” she responded. “Is it a difficult unit to be assigned to?”
    â€œWe are the very best of the best, miss,” he said, his chest puffing out with pride. “We are the king’s own guard here. Only the most elite soldiers and gentlemen are assigned to us.”
    â€œOf course, you would have to be the very best of the best.” She beamed at him, which only set Theo’s teeth on edge.
    â€œThen why weren’t you on a horse with your unit in the yard?” Theo asked, before he could stop himself.
    â€œI was asked to stand guard today,” young Johnson said, his tone becoming