She sighed. “As well as can be expected, I think. She did not appear pleased, but then, she never does. I know parting with her is the correct decision.”
“It is the best decision for everyone,” he said, unable to keep from pressing a kiss to her brow. She was so beloved to him, and he still felt as if he were lost in a dream from which he would soon wake. “Croydon will find her place in another household, and you shall find a nursemaid more suited to Char-char’s temperament and your expectations.”
“Yes.” Pippa’s arms around his waist tightened, and she laid her head against his chest. “I do not want a nursemaid who will crush her spirit.”
Pippa’s trust in him had been hard fought and won, as had her love. Roland had no intention of taking a second of either for granted.
He rubbed the small of her back and kissed her crown. “I have some news from Chief Inspector Stone.”
Her head tipped back, hazel gaze searching his. “Oh?”
“Good news,” he reassured her, reaching into the pocket of his coat to extract the telegram he had received that morning. “There has been an arrest made. Stone feels confident he has found the man responsible for your attack.”
The relief on her countenance made his heart give a pang. “He has been arrested? Truly? Does that mean Charlotte and I shall be safe?”
Roland fervently hoped that wherever George Shaw had found himself, he was being made to pay for his sins not just against the myriad innocents he had harmed, but also against his own wife and child. He clenched his jaw, staving off a crushing wave of fury that threatened to dispel the relief of this moment.
“You shall be safe,” he confirmed. “Stone has asked that we return to London so you may answer some remaining questions pertaining to the investigation. Do you feel comfortable doing so, my love?”
“Yes,” she said instantly. “I will do anything I must. I want the man responsible to remain in prison where he belongs.”
For his part, Roland was not particularly enthused with the notion of returning to London so soon, but he understood from Stone’s telegram that an additional interview with Pippa was crucial to the investigation. And like Pippa, he was willing to do anything to ensure Shaw’s partner remained in gaol and that Pippa and Charlotte would never again have to fear for their safety.
“It is decided then. We will take the morning train back to London, that we may put this matter forever to rest and move on with our lives.”
“The rest of our lives,” Pippa repeated, her tone steeped in wonder. “I like the sound of that.”
“So do I.” Then, unable to resist, he lowered his mouth to hers for a kiss.
Chapter 19
London was just as they had left it. After the glorious idyll at Wylde Park, Pippa could not deny that a return to the bustle of the city gave her an unpleasant jolt. Perhaps because there were too many memories and ghosts inhabiting the landscape. In Yorkshire, she had made new memories, begun a new chapter of her life. She had been freed from the binds of the past for a glorious span of time.
And now, she had to face the lingering remnants of what George had done.
For what was likely the twentieth time—or more—she paced the length of the library. The walls were lined with books aplenty, though there were some notable and curious empty spaces amongst the shelves. Now that she was taking note of her surroundings, the windows were suspiciously bereft of curtains as well.
“You are pacing, Sunshine,” Roland observed behind her, his tone grim.
“I am worried,” she admitted, turning to face her husband.
He was her rock, her source of strength. He had reassured her repeatedly over the course of their journey back to London that he would see to everything. And he was about to make good on his promise. He had arranged to meet with Chief Inspector Stone first, so that he could better prepare her for whatever faced her.
“Do try not to fret,” he urged her now. “Stone is confident he has his man, and I will make certain you do not need to face the villain yourself.”
How she loved him.
He opened his arms to her, and she went, comforted by his strong embrace and the reassuring thump of his heartbeat beneath her ear. “Thank you for slaying all my demons for me.”
“I have scarcely slayed them all.” His hands traveled up and down the small of her back in soothing strokes. “You give me far too much credit.”
His warmth radiated into her, his scent enveloping her. She never wanted him to let her go. “When must you leave?”
“In one quarter hour,” he said.
Scarcely any time. Far too soon. She was reluctant to be parted from him.
“Where have your curtains gone?” she asked then, trying to distract herself.
