‘Well, let me tell you I’ve seen plenty of your type, my girl. Born with a silver spoon in your mouth and—’
‘That’s enough, Horace.’ One of the customers who had been sitting at a table by the window spoke, his voice deep and low as he stood up. ‘I fear you got what you asked for, old chap, and it’s really not the way to speak to a lady, is it? Let me explain, my dear,’ he added, looking straight at Sophy now. ‘Our friend here has been caught twice in the last six months by young ladies who take the wonderful job as a waitress in this prestigious establishment, only to leave without notice when they get the offer of work in the theatre. Can you imagine that? Leaving this oasis of delight and the engaging company of Horace? It’s hard to believe, I know.’
The other occupants of the restaurant were laughing openly now, and a man sitting a couple of tables away, called out, ‘You always were a miserable blighter, Horace. If it wasn’t for your wife’s superb cooking you’d close this place within the month just by the look on your face.’
Sophy was surprised to see that Horace himself was smiling, albeit sheepishly when she glanced at him, but then her attention was brought back to her rescuer, when he said quietly, ‘Please let me buy you a cup of coffee, my dear. It’s cold outside.’
The smell of the coffee was intoxicating but Sophy took a step backwards away from him, a thread of alarm in her voice when she said, exactly as Miss Bainbridge had taught her girls when it was necessary to refuse an invitation but without giving offence, ‘That’s most kind of you, but I have a prior engagement.’
Kane Gregory knew exactly what was going through this lovely – and plainly terrified – young woman’s mind, his voice quieter still when he said, ‘An engagement that won’t let you sit down for a few moments and warm yourself? You are quite safe, Miss . . .’
‘Hutton. Sophy Hutton.’
‘How do you do? My name is Kane Gregory.’
He was very smartly dressed, Sophy thought, hesitating. Obviously a gentleman. His frockcoat was of the best quality, and a gold watch gleamed on his waistcoat. And he had smiling eyes. They were smiling at her now as he murmured, ‘I hate to eat breakfast alone, Miss Hutton. You would be doing me a great favour if you joined me.’ He could see she was still on the verge of flying out of the door, and throwing caution to the wind he took her arm, leading her over to the small table by the window. There was a slight resistance at first but then she allowed him to pull out a chair for her, but she still sat perched on the edge of it as though poised for flight.
‘I am about to indulge in one of Horace’s wife’s superb breakfasts. May I order two?’
The colour which had begun to subside flooded Sophy’s face again. This was the sort of thing Dolly had warned her about; only bad girls allowed themselves to be picked up by strange gentlemen who always expected payment for anything they gave.
‘Miss Hutton?’ He had leaned forward, his voice so low no one else could hear. ‘Please don’t be frightened of me. I am sure you have encountered gentlemen who tried to take advantage of you, but I can promise you I am not one of them. I would simply like to share a meal with you, that is all.’
That wasn’t quite true, Kane Gregory acknowledged to himself as he watched the slender shoulders relax slightly. He wanted to know how this enchanting girl came to be in Horace’s restaurant looking for work. She spoke well, she held herself well and her clothes, although quite severely plain, were not inexpensive. He agreed with Horace, she clearly was the product of a middle-class upbringing.
‘Th-thank you.’ She had to swallow before she could speak, the smell of food was making her mouth water. Terrified at the way her money had drained away and desperate to keep a little by so she knew she could pay the rent, she had only eaten bread and dripping for the last week, and not much of that, filling up on hot water when the gnawing hunger pains became too uncomfortable. ‘You are very kind.’
When Horace appeared at their table in the next moment, Sophy didn’t dare to raise her eyes, sure she would read condemnation in the proprietor’s face. She could imagine what the other customers were thinking too. And then the spirit which had carried her out of her aunt’s house rose up. It didn’t matter what they thought. She knew she wasn’t bad. She listened to Mr Gregory ordering the food and when he said, ‘I trust that is to your liking?’ before Horace moved away, she looked at him and said politely. ‘It sounds lovely, thank you.’
Horace had poured them two coffees, and when they were alone again, Kane gestured at the milk and sugar. ‘I take mine black, but please help yourself.’
Again Sophy murmured, ‘Thank you.’