He lifted a hand to knock when Jacob suddenly appeared, leaning against the door, and I gave a little gasp of alarm.
George's fist hesitated. It was inches from the door and Jacob's face. "What is it?" he asked at the same time as Jacob said, "What are you doing here?"
"This is not Whitechapel," I said, answering Jacob.
George dropped his hand. "Pardon?"
"I'm speaking to Jacob."
"It's not exactly Belgrave Square either," Jacob said, referring to the exclusive area where his family kept a house. He jerked his head towards George. "What's your puppy doing here?"
"Protecting me. Aren't you George?"
George puffed out his chest and looked pleased with himself.
"Protecting you?" Jacob snorted and crossed his arms. "From what? The newspapers fluttering down the street? Because that's all he's capable of defending you against." He sounded annoyed. I couldn't think why.
"He's an effective deterrent against a thief thinking of taking advantage of me."
Jacob's nostrils flared. It was the only movement on his otherwise still person. "You're right. A visible deterrent works better than an invisible one."
My heart plunged into my stomach. "That's not what I meant." Stupid girl! It was precisely what I'd meant and now I'd made Jacob feel useless and less...human. "Jacob, I'm sorry."
"Forget it. Come on, knock."
"What's going on?" George asked. "What's he saying?"
"Well, he...uh...he thinks I should have brought some...more protection to walk though these streets. But he seems to be forgetting that this isn't Whitechapel."
Jacob gave me a lazy smile, my slight seemingly forgotten. "If this area is so safe then why do you need to bring him along for protection at all?"
Darn. Foiled by my own logic. "Stop being so...male!" "Male?" Jacob and George both said.
I lifted a hand and knocked.
Jacob leaned down so that his nose almost touched my cheek. "Well?" he said in a quiet, ominous voice that spread across my skin like warm sunshine.
My face heated. I adore sunshine. "You're being overbearing. It's a very irritating manly habit that...men have." I knocked again. Why wasn't someone answering the door?
"You're such an expert on men, are you?" Jacob asked, straightening. I looked at him out of the corner of my eye but I couldn't determine if he was teasing me or if it was a serious question.
"I know a few. Now, either be quiet so I can concentrate or go away."
"Yes," George said, fiddling with his necktie again. "Let us handle this."
"I'm not leaving you alone in this place," Jacob said. "And I'll not allow you to walk home alone either."