The detective allowed his words to trail off, but the intent behind them was clear. He had been recommending Pippa leave London and put some distance between herself and Shaw’s criminal cohorts for some time now. If anything would force Pippa to heed the warnings, surely it was a slaying.
Everything within Roland froze. Pippa was still clinging to him, her face as pale as he had ever seen it. After the blow she had received to the head last night, this news, another attack in its own, was the last thing she needed.
“We appreciate your candor, Stone,” Roland managed, grateful he at least had a friend within Scotland Yard whom he could trust.
Chief Inspector Hudson Stone was incorruptible. And he was a man who was devoted to his cause, to justice, to fighting all manner of crime and saving innocents. There could not be a better man in charge of the case. If that man suggested the danger to Pippa was very real and clear, then it damned well was.
“Thank you for bringing this information to me yourself, Chief Inspector,” Pippa added.
Stone nodded, then bowed. “If you will excuse me, Northwich, Mrs. Shaw? I must return.”
“Of course.” He nodded his thanks once more to his friend.
The Chief Inspector took his leave with haste. When they were alone in the gardens again, Roland turned to Pippa, who was still clutching him as if he were a life raft on a doomed boat and she depended upon him for her survival. Her eyes were wide, brow furrowed. The fear in her countenance was undeniable.
“I am sorry,” he told her, hating the suffering she had already endured.
Loathing the unknown miscreants responsible for this.
“It is not your fault, Northwich.” She took a deep, hitched breath, then released it slowly. “It is George’s fault. If he had not associated himself with such dangerous criminals, and if he had not committed such despicable acts to satisfy his own greed, none of this would be happening now.”
“You heard what Stone said. It is imperative that you leave this home, and that you leave London. Whoever attacked you last night is likely to continue returning until they are assured they have what they are seeking.” He was careful to keep his voice gentle, concerned. He had no wish to force her into making a decision. However, the time had come.
“I suspect that is what I ought to do, then.” She blinked furiously, and there were tears studded on her lashes.
He hated the sight of them.
Roland pressed a lone, chaste kiss to her forehead. “Marry me, Pippa?”
“I…have questions for you.”
Still not ayes. Never mind. She had not pushed him away. And he was determined.
“Then I shall answer them.”
* * *
Pippa had questions.Of course she did, and he could hardly fault her for that.
Contrary to what he had told her, Roland was not certain he possessed answers to them all. At least, not every answer she sought. But he would do his damnedest to provide everything he could. It was only fair, he reasoned. He had asked her to marry him, to trust him. And she remained as hesitant as a kicked dog.
After their foray in the garden, he had arranged for his coachman and two burly groomsmen to station themselves at Pippa’s townhome lest the daring criminals attempt further mayhem. Then, he had briefly gone to his townhome for a shave and change of clothes. Now, he was back, determined not to waste a second.
Time was not on their side.
Her hands trembled as she poured tea. Yet again, she prepared it to his liking.
“You remember,” he commented lightly after the first sip.
Perhaps it was a poor attempt to break the surface of the tension in the room, which was thicker and cooler than winter’s ice on a pond. Because the moment he issued the observation, her lush lips firmed into a thin battle line and her shoulders stiffened.
“The manner in which one takes his tea is a trifling detail to recall,” she said.
And she was not wrong. More fool, he, for trying to read far more into her recollection than existed. Had she not proven to him on numerous occasions that his feelings for her were not returned?
Yes.
But also, how to explain the kisses at Haddon House? Her delicious response was still enough to force him to take himself in hand at night and likely would be for the foreseeable future.
