Belmont knocked on the Fensworth's town house front door a minute before half ten.The stiff , disapproving butler held open the door and gave a self righteous sniff.Before he could say a thing , Missy pushed through and flashed him a grin.
"Good morning my lady"he bowed over her hand and kissed it.She raised a brow.He winked.As she stepped through the door , a golden haired woman stepped through.
"Thats Eunice .My chaperone.I'm far from being a debutante and yet they insist i go out with a chaperone"
"your virtue isn't safe with me"
"ha ha"
The chaperone rolled her eyes heaven ward .Belmont couldn't take his eyes off her.She didn't look a day over twenty , how could she be a chaperone.Oh and she was exquisite.Her hair was pulled back severely in a tight bun at the back of her neck .Her eyes were warm brown , her skin like smooth butter.Even in the dull grey walking dress she wore , he could still make out her full figure .
Belmont snapped his gaze away and found Missy looking at him knowingly.He gave her his arm and they began to walk "Don't you think she's beautiful?"
Belmont froze , then groaned .Missy was too observant for her own good."Is she?"
"yes.Really beautiful.And terribly smart"
"is she?"
She laughed "you are beginning to sound like a parrot Jon.I will leave you to sort out your feelings"
"How did you get home yesterday?"he steered the topic away
"I got into a wrong coach by accident .A kind lady's coach .She brought me home"
"I'm sorry about that"
"oh it wasn't any bother.I was terribly exhausted and really needed to go home and rest"she said "Are you coming to the Haversat soiree tonight?"
"no.I have an important business in my country seat"
"how long will you be gone?"
"Three days .Hopefully"
Missy frowned .She was about to protest his sudden travel when she saw an approaching phaeton.she squinted her eyes.The phaeton was being driven by the duke of Chadwick .Lady Rogers by his side.She scowled .
She wondered how Lady Rogers could bear such a company.He was a terrible , pompous, arrogant, bad mannered smut.She was about to turn away when she saw it .
There was a small puppy at the side of the road whimpering and trying to move.The phaeton was approaching fast and the creature seemed to be hurt.The Duke's gaze was so straight ahead he wouldn't notice the little puppy or probably won't care.She didn't think.She dove in.She heard Eunice scream .Missy dived in and grabbed the hurt puppy .She turned and watched the phaeton approach - then stop.The Duke jumped down and approached her .She could feel the anger pouring from him but his face was an impenetrable mask.Lady Rogers was shrieking.
Missy looked at the puppy.It was alright.It was still whimpering , but was now licking her in gratitude.
"You"Chadwick accused
"me?"she asked
"what is wrong with you?"
"you are the one who nearly killed a dog.Shame on you"
He looked amazed.No one had probably ever spoken back at him "first I see you in my carriage , now this.Do you have a death wish? Are you following me?"
"following you?"she laughed "why would I want to follow you? What do you have that I'd ever need?"
"Money ,a title , discipline"
She gasped "discipline?"
He was about to say something,then his eyes darkened.He leaned forward slightly then snapped back to his erect posture and walked away .He jumped back unto his phaeton and looked at her from underneath his nose"move"
She was thankful that Jon came and pulled her away .It was then she noticed the small crowd that had gathered .
"have you gone mad Sandie?"Eunice cried grabbing her shoulders "You can't go around doing stupid things"
"I'm fine"
"you are fine now? What about next time? If that phaeton ran into you , you'd die ! How dare you!"Eunice dashed her tears away with the back of her palm.She stepped away , her body shaking .Then she turned and ran .
Jon watched her go, wondering what sort of relationship the two had that she'd talk to her lady like that .
"She's like my secret godmother"Missy said
Jon turned to face her "I'm angry with you too"
"I know"she sighed "please take me home"
"no.you have to promise me first you'd stop doing things like that"
"I promise"
He looked surprised that she hadn't put up a fight
She giggled "I've never seen Eunice cry"
Jon never wanted to see her cry again.He had wanted to take her in his arms , comfort her and throttle Missy for making the beautiful woman cry.He had never been affected by any person as Eunice affected him.When Missy had run in to save the puppy and she had tried to follow.All he could think of was her being run down instead.He had held her back.She'd been his priority at that moment and he felt guilty as hell for it.He hadn't been thinking of his friend .He had only been thinking of the golden haired beauty who he had no rights to.
Missy was always doing stupid things.He hadn't cared either way until now.Now that he knew that someone was being hurt Everytime she put herself in danger.She really needed someone to take care of her.It was obvious her step mother cared not a whit for her.Her father was being controlled by the countess.Her brother had his own life and pursuits.Eunice , Eunice was powerless .
"what should I name him?"
He looked down at the brown haired puppy in her arms "Duke"
"oh that's a nice one"she smiled "hello Duke"then she looked up at him "you can write Eunice if you want.You can write as a secret admirerer.She likes classic books. She winked at him
"apology accepted"he laughed