Roland had not known Pippa had found incriminating correspondence from Shaw, or that she had provided the evidence to Scotland Yard. The knowledge certainly served to explain the slight thawing of her ice where he was concerned. But despite the promising fact that Pippa was beginning to understand her husband had been a lying, swindling scoundrel, he could not help but to see the note of caution in Stone’s voice in a new light.
Roland’s stomach curdled. “You believe that whomever trespassed at Mrs. Shaw’s home last night was looking for something that Shaw left behind?”
Once more, Stone did not hesitate or seek to lessen the sting of the blow. “I do.”
“Why?” Pippa’s question had Roland glancing back in her direction to find her hands laced so tightly, her knuckles were white. “I do not understand, Chief Inspector. My husband’s study has been left untouched for the last year. Why would this man not come looking for whatever it is he seeks before now?”
For the first time, Stone hesitated, his jaw tensing. “It is too early in the stages of our investigation to confirm the reason. However, and I do not offer this explanation with pride, Mrs. Shaw, the likeliest reason for the sudden interest in your husband’s study is the letters you provided to Scotland Yard.”
“But no one else knows of them,” Pippa protested. “No one but myself, Mrs. Hastings, and your investigators.”
“It is possible there is someone within Scotland Yard who inadvertently spread the news of the letters’ arrival,” Stone said.
But there was so much more the inspector was not saying. Roland was no fool.
He was even more worried on Pippa’s behalf than he had been before. “Or someone at Scotland Yard is complicit with these villains. How is Mrs. Shaw to have the expectation of remaining safe?”
This would not be the first time there had been corruption within the ranks of Scotland Yard. He had no doubt it would not be the last, either. Still, these new revelations begged the question…just how deep had George Shaw’s connections run? And to whom?
Moreover, what was the full extent of the crimes he had committed in the name of filling his coffers, and who had aided him?
“I cannot make any promises concerning Mrs. Shaw’s safety,” Stone said. “I can arrange for more patrols around the perimeter of her residence. Aside from that, a trip to the countryside would likely be beneficial, just as I suggested previously.”
Or a husband, Roland thought grimly.
One who was not a scoundrel.
One who would protect her and her daughter, keep them as safe as he could.
Me.
His flippant words to her earlier had not been a jest. He would marry Pippa tomorrow. Tonight. In the next bloody minute if she wished it and the proper license could be procured in miraculous fashion. But after realizing the extent to which George Shaw had deceived and manipulated her, how could he ask her to wed again in haste? No woman still in possession of her sanity would, regardless of any promises he could make concerning his devotion to her welfare.
“Have you any notion of who might have been responsible for trespassing at my home last night?” she asked Stone now, her face a study in worry.
And beauty.
Even looking pale, wan, and devastated, Pippa was damned lovely.
“I have some suspicions, but nothing I am at liberty to share just yet, Mrs. Shaw,” Stone said. “Rest assured that I will do everything in my power to make certain these criminals are caught with as much haste as possible.”
As much haste as possiblewas not damned well soon enough for Roland’s liking. Nor was it an answer.
“Is there anything else we should be aware of, Stone?” he asked curtly, for although the inspector was a friend of his, Roland could not deny his displeasure with this development.
Suspecting corruption from within Scotland Yard was damning indeed. And if Stone could not guarantee that the existence of the evidence Pippa had provided remained secret, how could he possibly know whether or not additional details on the streets surrounding her home would be trustworthy?
“I do have some concerns regarding your continued safety, Mrs. Shaw,” Stone admitted to Pippa, and yet his countenance remained cool.
Harsh.
Concern coming from Chief Inspector Hudson Stone was cold comfort indeed. But if Stone feared Pippa was in danger, that meant she damned well was.
“I understand, Chief Inspector,” Pippa said quietly. “Thank you for your candor. If there is any way I can offer help to your investigation, please let me know.”
Stone inclined his head. “The opportunity to conduct a thorough search of your husband’s study would be appreciated.”
“Whenever you wish,” Pippa agreed readily.
