It was all rubbish of course, as I was not easily offended, particularly after that first case that had taken me into difficult and dangerous situations.
“Do you believe he will tell you the truth of what happened?”
“Perhaps, when I tell him what ye learned today from the vice chancellor of the university.”
I had my own thoughts regarding what we had learned. I closed my notebook.
“I believe a trip to Cambridge could be useful,” I announced. “The girl’s father was the vicar in the local parish. There shouldbe a name in the church records. It could be useful in our search for who is behind these attacks.
“It is not far by rail and worth the trip.” I then added something he was not likely to refuse considering recent conversations.
“Lily can go with me. We should be able to return by afternoon. And by then, you may have information from your meeting with His Highness.”
Brodie opened then closed his mouth, teeth clamped around the stem of the pipe.
It appeared that I had nipped any argument against it in the bud.
“I’ve not been to Cambridge yet,” Lily said with growing excitement and promptly removed her boots and stockings and set them before the coal stove to dry. “I hope the weather will not prevent it.”
“There was no need to include the lass on yer trip to Cambridge,” Brodie pointed out as we prepared for bed. “We might have made the trip together the day after, once I’ve met with His Highness.”
If, the Prince of Wales was willing to meet with him.
“I am aware of that,” I replied.
It was that hesitation at sending me off on my own that I had experienced before and resigned myself to. Yet, I would not be alone. Lily and I would be traveling and returning the same day.
“I did believe it necessary to rescue you,” I commented.
I stepped out of my skirt and laid it over the clothing rack and then unbuttoned my shirt, leaving me in my camisole and underslip.
That dark gaze narrowed on me.
“Rescue? Wot are ye blathering about?”
“From the situation you created by insisting that we include her in our inquiries.”
I was right and he knew it.
“As it is, we may learn something in the process.” I smiled. “You’re quite welcome.”
“Ye are a brazen chit,” he replied, reaching out and pulling me against him. “I should turn ye over my knee.”
As if that would ever happen.
“However…”
“However?”
“Not tonight…”
Lily was already dressed the next morning. She had put more coal on the fire and set the coffee pot to boil. A reminder that she had once performed those duties daily before coming to London.
“A bit late of the mornin’ are ye?” she commented as I followed Brodie from the adjoining room.
I caught the look Brodie gave me.
Yes, well, as for turning me over his knee…
