Alexander-Fyn-Sanguinarian

was not in the mood for getting to know anyone, it was rather nice to have a gentleman pay attention to her. Like herself, he could not be more than eighteen or nineteen. “I am.”
    “Perhaps I could walk with you a little way?”
    “Indeed, Mr. Harding, I should be glad of the company. Are you new in London?” They walked out into the busy street.
    “Yes, I’m from Dorset. I have secured a position as a bank clerk,”
    he said proudly.
    “How splendid,” Evangeline said brightly.
    “It will do very well for now. I have greater ambitions, I assure you.”
    “I’m sure you do.” She smiled.
    Evangeline began to feel very exposed and rather nervous now that she was out on the street. She wished she had stayed beside the fire with Mrs. Brackett. But no, surely she would be safe for a little while. Hodder could not have got back to the castle before eight last night, probably later—therefore Raven would not have left until daylight this morning in order to pursue her. He would be all morning on the road, then he would have to find her in London, assuming he Sanguinarian 85
    knew she was here and had not gone to Bath instead.
    “Are you new in London, Miss Rudge?”
    “Yes,” she lied. “We are visiting. I have relatives on whom I will be calling over the next week or two.”
    “Since we are both new to London we could explore it together a little. With your companion, of course,” he added quickly. “Would you like to go to the Zoological Gardens or the Museum?”
    Both were places Evangeline had spent any number of happy hours exploring. “I should love to see them,” she agreed innocently.
    “Then let’s do that.” He stopped on the corner. “Sadly I must turn this way to the bank.”
    Again they shook hands. “Have an industrious morning, Mr.
    Harding.”
    “Thank you. Will I see you at luncheon at the boarding house, Miss Rudge? I always go home for meals.”
    “You will indeed.”
    “Until then, Miss Rudge.” He sauntered off happily, turning once to wave.

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    Fyn Alexander

Chapter Six
    Miss Rudge, indeed! Raven sneered. It was difficult for a man such as Raven to remain inconspicuous, but he did his best as he followed her along the road.
    Last night he had had every intention of waiting until morning to pursue her, but after pacing the Great Hall for an hour, he knew he must leave at once or go mad. Quite literally dragging Hodder from his bed he had ordered the man to dress and harness two horses to the small carriage. The small carriage was far less noticeable than the large black one, being dark blue and bearing no family insignia.
    All morning he had watched Evangeline going in and out of shops. About midmorning she went into a dressmaker’s which sold ready-made items, some of which were displayed on manikins in the bay window. She came out wearing a new coat, a dark, serviceable piece of goods which made her look no more grown up than the last and decidedly frumpy as well. No doubt she thought it was a disguise!
    But it surprised Raven enormously how much he enjoyed watching her while she went about her activities unaware of him. There was a certain charm and grace to her walk, a dignity in the way she held her head. The cold air made her cheeks rosy, enhancing her fresh prettiness.
    He could have taken her at any time. It wasn’t enough, however, to just grab her off the street. He wanted to disorient her, to frighten her into obedience by showing himself, then blending back into the darkness. The widening of her eyes, the sudden indrawn breath, her hurried step on several occasions throughout the morning proved he had succeeded.

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    At a quarter to noon she looked at her pocket timepiece and began to walk back in the direction of the boarding house. The streets were busy with gentlemen hurrying home for their midday meal, maids with baskets over their arms coming from the market, and costermongers hawking their wares with loud voices. As they drew nearer to the boardinghouse, the streets grew quieter.
    Raven slipped down a narrow alley between the tall, terraced houses. He could snatch Evangeline right now as she walked by and bundle her into the carriage which had followed him all morning, never staying more than a few yards behind. Hodder was draped in his oil cloth for disguise, though no rain threatened.
    Lounging against the wall, he watched her approach. Now was the moment to move in. Taking several steps out of the shadows, he stood ready. Their