Did Pippa dare?
If only her brother would answer her letter…
As if sensing the tumult and questions within her, he inclined his head. “I promise I am not the man you believe me to be.”
He sounded sincere. But then, so had the last man she had married.
All she could do for now was hold her daughter close and whisper into her ear, “I love you, poppet.”
“Char-char woves Mama,” Charlotte declared sweetly, still clinging tightly to her.
Whatever decision she made, she had to be certain it was the right one for the precious girl in her arms.
“I have obtained a special license,” Northwich said, shocking Pippa. “We could wed as soon as tomorrow morning. All I need from you is one word.”
Yes.
It was there, burning her tongue. Tickling the roof of her mouth. Trapped behind her teeth. But she did not dare say it.
Not yet.
Chapter 10
Roland suspected that the arrival of Chief Inspector Stone before their interlude in the gardens was at an end heralded more grim news. Pippa rang for Charlotte’s nurse and the three of them waited in tense silence as Croydon arrived and whisked the child away for her nap. But not without a sound scolding over the soiled state of her dress.
He bit his lip to suppress a reprimand of his own for the servant. She was far too harsh and disapproving. A lighthearted child such as Charlotte did not require such an oppressor as her guardian, and he wondered that Pippa did not see it. However, he also knew it was not yet his place to offer interjection. He was an interloper here in Pippa’s life, in her home.
He no more belonged here than the stoic Scotland Yard detective facing the both of them.
Roland waited for Croydon to return to the townhome, beyond earshot, before speaking. “Stone. What brings you here?”
The Chief Inspector was forbidding as ever. Roland had the impression the other man had witnessed little joy in his life.
“We have apprehended a suspect in the attack on Mrs. Shaw last night.”
Pippa clutched his arm, as if needing support. And whilst he was certain the gesture was instinctive, he could not deny the small surge of pleasure her nearness and touch elicited. But he must not be distracted.
“Excellent news,” Roland said, attempting to read Stone’s countenance, with little luck. “However, why do I sense there is more to the story?”
And further, that he would not like it.
“The man was found dead in his cell this morning,” Stone answered, confirming Roland’s greatest fears.
“Oh dear heavens.” Pippa reeled as if she had been dealt a physical blow. Her grip on Roland’s arm was tighter than ever.
He put a hand over hers in an attempt to offer comfort, though he was not certain any could be had. “Were you able to extract any information from him?”
“I interviewed him last night. I believe he has connections to a very dangerous criminal that Scotland Yard has been attempting to apprehend for some time,” Stone said. “Unfortunately, I will not be able to prove my suspicions with the man dead.”
“What happened to him?” Pippa asked softly.
Roland could not fault her for asking the question. She had a right to know. If the man had indeed been one of the two who had attacked her the night before, the information would potentially have a massive effect upon her.
Stone bowed his head, showing emotion for the first time since his appearance in the gardens. “He appears to have hanged himself, madam. However, there is also indication someone was in his cell with him. There was a sign of a scuffle within the cell. One of the guards was distracted by a commotion, and when he returned, the prisoner was dead. It is my belief that the distraction may have been intentional, and used for insidious purposes. Forgive my blunt speech, Mrs. Shaw. Ordinarily, I would never be so candid with a lady. However, given the nature of the danger facing you, I thought it pertinent to seek you out at once.”
“I am glad you did,” Roland said, thankful for his enigmatic friend. “Thank you for your honesty, Stone. Tell me, what do you think Mrs. Shaw ought to do?”
The Chief Inspector directed his attention to Pippa. “I recommend you remove yourself from this home, and if possible, from London, with all haste, madam. It is not safe for you here. If these criminals were willing to murder one of their own to silence him…”
