Unable not to, Jamie’s gaze followed Hortense. A feeling of protectiveness surged inside him. He didn’t like that she’d experienced the lives she had—life in the workhouse, life as a thief, life as a spy. Or that they had forged the woman—tough, scrappy, and canny—he knew today. He didn’t like that she had to be so.
Nick cleared his throat. He’d joined Jamie at the hearth. “What do you have going with her?” It wasn’t necessary for Nick to clarify whoherwas.
Jamie followed his first instinct, which was to deny. He wasn’t ready to share this part of his life with his brother. “What gives you such a preposterous idea?”
“The eyes in my head.”
Further denial wouldn’t do. “I’ve hired her for an investigation.”
A hard glint shone in Nick’s gaze. “Plenty of people can do that work in London.”
“I wantedher,” Jamie said, lordly and implacable. Was he deliberately provoking his brother? Possibly. But every few years, Nick needed to be set in his place. This was one of those times.
Nick untensed his jaw long enough to say, “For the job only.”
“Of course.” The assurance slid out of Jamie as if the subject held not an ounce of interest. He felt the lie down to his gut.
Nick wasn’t finished. “Do you understand what that story says about her history?”
“I am certain you will tell me, little brother.” Jamie flicked a strand of lint off his sleeve. Nick would not rile him.
Nick pitched his voice low, ensuring it would carry no farther than the two of them. “She has no one. She’s alone in the world.” He shook his head. “Actually, that isn’t true. She has Mariana, the children, and me.”
“I can see that.”
“Know this: I will protect her from anyone, including—”
“Me?” Jamie finished for him.
Nick nodded, his gray eyes silver with intensity. “Aye, including you.”
An unexpected wave of anger surged inside Jamie. “Is that so? Andyounever put her in harm’s way?”
Nick’s mouth snapped shut. An emotion flickered in his eyes.Guilt.
“As I thought.” Jamie pushed off the mantelpiece. He needed to be gone from this room before he said something regrettable to his brother. “You will have your carriage return her to her lodgings?”
“Of course. As I do every Monday night.”
Jamie crossed the room and spoke his good-byes to his niece and nephew before thanking Mariana for the pleasant evening. She stood and took him in a sisterly embrace. Her brown eyes, warm and inquisitive, stared up at him. “It is good to see you, Jamie. You are always welcome in our home.”
Jamie wasn’t quite sure her husband felt the same. His gaze shifted and found Hortense. “Until tomorrow?”
The moment held longer than made him comfortable. Then she nodded, and he could draw breath again.
He turned on his heel and strode through the townhouse.Tomorrow.Tomorrow she would lead him to Mollie’s son.Hisson.Rafe.What sort of boy would he be? Only a day remained between him and the answer.
His feet struck slick cobblestones outside, and rain drops hit the back of his neck, heavy and refreshing. It was as well he hadn’t arrived by carriage. He needed the walk.
Nick certainly had some nerve. But, even so, Jamie couldn’t help feeling glad Hortense had picked Nick’s pocket, for it was apparent she had no family in this world other than Nick, Mariana, and the twins.
And him.
He understood it with a certainty, swift and sure. She had him.
Her parting glance gave him pause, for he’d detected a flicker of something at the mention of tomorrow.Fear.
Who would they encounter that had the power to spark such an emotion inside the most fearless woman he’d ever met?
