Ruined by Ann Barker

looking as if he did not quite believe her. ‘And now, I believe I must be going. What may I desire Long to find for you?’
    ‘There is nothing in particular,’ replied Jessie. ‘I just came in to—’ She glanced through the window and saw that the man who had been watching her before was still outside. ‘Oh no,’ she exclaimed involuntarily.
    ‘What is it?’ Ashbourne asked, following her gaze. ‘Hmm. Now what did you do to attract the attention of Felix Wiley?’
    ‘Nothing at all,’ Jessie said quickly, stepping further back into the shop, since Wiley’s gaze seemed to be directed towards the window out of which they were looking. ‘I was simply walking into town.’
    ‘I’m surprised that Lusty has left you alone here. This part of London can be full of sad rogues, you know.’
    ‘Yes, I know,’ answered Jessie, looking directly at him.
    He laughed. ‘I’ve never attempted to deny it. Where is Lusty, by the way?’
    ‘With his bishop.’
    Ashbourne’s brows drew together. ‘Then who is accompanying you?’
    Jessie straightened, and drew her shoulders back. ‘I came alone. A lady of my years does not need a chaperon, surely.’
    ‘Believe me, a lady of any years needs a chaperon in this wicked city.’ He sighed. ‘I’ll find a sedan chair and escort you home.’
    ‘Raff, I don’t need a sedan chair to walk that little distance,’ Jessie protested. ‘I’m a countrywoman, remember.’ 
    ‘I’m not likely to forget it, my dear, when you conduct yourself with such appalling naïveté . To be blunt, respectable women don’t walk the city streets alone. Nor are they seen hanging on the arm of such as myself. Why isn’t your hostess accompanying you? What are you shopping for, anyway?’
    Jessie sighed. ‘My hostess is—’ She hesitated, not wanting to be disloyal to someone to whom she would soon be related. ‘She is very busy, so I am left a good deal to my own devices,’ she said eventually . ‘I was looking for writing paper. I must not neglect my correspondence.’
    ‘Long can supply you with what you need,’ the earl told her. ‘In the meantime, don’t come into town alone again. I’m sure Henry Lusty would not appreciate your destroying your reputation within days of your arrival in the capital.’
    Jessie lost some colour. ‘It cannot be as bad as you say,’ she began, before Ashbourne interrupted her.
    ‘My God, he’s coming in here,’ he exclaimed, his urgent tone far removed from his usual society drawl. ‘Long, take Miss Warburton into the back, and remember you’ve not seen her in here, particularly in my company. Jez, stay with Long until I come back with a sedan chair.’
    Jessie allowed the earl and the shopkeeper to hustle her into the back room. Moments later, they heard the door of the shop open, and then the voice of a newcomer saying, ‘Well met, Ashbourne. You’ve not seen a wench in here, have you? Nice looking piece, tall, elegant, all on her own, so I thought my luck was in.’
    ‘Wiley,’ the earl replied. ‘I take it you lost sight of her.’
    ‘Exactly so. Blasted cart came down the road, and then when it was gone, so was she. Thought she might have come in here.’
    Jessie could imagine Ashbourne shaking his head. ‘I’ve been here for some time with Long. I’d have seen if anyone had come in.’
    ‘Pity. She quite took my fancy. Good figure and pretty hair. Walk with me to Brooks’s. I’m told they’ve had a delivery of some rather palatable wine.’
    The door closed behind the two men, and Jessie heaved a sigh of relief. ‘Thank you, Mr Long,’ she said gratefully.
    ‘It was my pleasure, miss.’ He was a well-spoken, neatly dressed man in a brown wig. ‘What part of the country are you from, if I may be so bold as to ask? I may have some books that will interest you.’
    ‘I live in Derbyshire, not far from Ashbourne,’ Jessie replied.
    ‘Then if you’d like to take a seat here, I’ll see what I can find.’ He