Her stomach did a flip. “What of him?”
“You know the gentleman?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Are you aware he visited Archibald several weeks ago and enquired as to your whereabouts? Left his card, apparently.”
“Yes, fully aware.” Annie couldn’t help but smile. “I actually spent some time with Mr. Northcott today, at Myddleton House. Our meeting was coincidental. A complete surprise. That’s what Hattie was referring to just now.”
“Ah, I see. Yes, he’s Lord Hutton’s nephew, I understand.” Taggart rose to his feet and returned the smile. “I didn’t think he was a risk. Now, I must take my leave of you.”
“You’re very thorough, Inspector Taggart,” Annie said, rising also, “and I’m very grateful. I appreciate you coming all this way.”
“You’re very welcome, Miss Fairfax.”
“Are you heading back to London today, sir?” Annie asked, as they stepped out into the hallway. “I didn’t notice a horse or carriage outside.”
“No, I’m staying at the Black Horse Inn tonight. A nice little place. A half-hour walk, maybe. It’s nice to breathe some country air, to be honest. Heading back to the city first thing tomorrow.” He took his hat and umbrella from the hallstand, and then turned to her, his expression serious. “If you need to contact me for any reason, Miss Fairfax, do not hesitate. You can do so through Archibald or directly through Scotland Yard. In the meantime, to reiterate, though I do not actually fear for your safety, please remain vigilant.”
After the inspector left, Annie waited in the hall for a few minutes, seeking calm. The day, so far, had been an endless seesaw of emotions, from dismal to euphoric. She needed to think, to explore all that had happened that day, to put things in perspective or at least into some kind of order.
The creak of the kitchen door pulled her from her reflection.
“He’s gone then,” Hattie said.
“Yes, he has.” Annie moved past her into the kitchen. “And I’ve no doubt he’s wondering what all the shouting was about while we were trying to hold a conversation.”
Janet looked up from kneading some dough on the kitchen table. “If I want to raise my voice in this house, young lady, I will do so.”
Annie, weary of Janet’s persistent mood, opened her mouth to counter the remark, but stopped herself. Her subsequent apology, however, was not without a touch of resentment. “You’re quite right, Janet, this is your house,” she said, barely managing a smile, “and I apologize for bringing the chaos of my life into it. I assume Hattie has told you why the inspector was here?”
Janet heaved a sigh and looked contrite. “Yes, she has. Are you worried?”
“Not in the least, and neither is he,” Annie replied, and gestured to the kitchen door. “Hattie, may I speak with you in private please?”
“I know what this is about, Annie, love,” Hattie said, following her along the hallway and into the parlor. “Janet’s in a bit of a mood, but it’s nothing to worry about.”
“I’m more puzzled than worried,” Annie replied. “May I know what you and Janet were arguing about earlier?”
“We weren’t arguing. We were conversing loudly.”
“And I assume it had to do with me and Mr. Northcott.”
“Well, yes, actually, it did.” Hattie winced. “Janet was a little put out that I hadn’t mentioned your previous encounter with the fellow, but I explained I’d had no cause to mention it. I wasn’t aware of the Northcott connection to Myddleton House, so not for a moment did I think you’d bump into him there, or anywhere else, come to that. Could have knocked me down with a feather when she told me you’d met him today, not to mention his family. I mean, really, what are the odds?”
“But why is she so against it, Hattie? That is what I cannot understand. I’d have thought she’d be pleased for me, but it seems the opposite is true. She embarrassed me today, speaking to me the way she did in front of Mr. Northcott. I was shocked, frankly.”
“Oh, dear.” Hattie frowned. “Perhaps she is afraid you’re heading for heartbreak, that your Mr. Northcott is not being sincere in his dealings with you.”
Scowling, Annie folded her arms. “Well, I hope you told her.”
Hattie blinked. “Told her what?”
“That Julian Northcott is a respectable man. A true gentleman, by birth and by nature, and he is simply not capable of taking advantage of a woman.”
“Yes, of course I did! That is, I told her he seemed to be an honorable man, and I had no cause to believe otherwise. But she’s of the opinion that things are not always as they seem, especially since you’renot, it has to be said, the kind of woman who moves in the same circles as he does.”
There was some truth in that. Annie had even alluded to it herself in conversation with Julian Northcott, but he’d brushed her concerns aside, and more than once. Annie drew a deep breath and took a moment to search for any remaining doubts of her own, traces of trepidation she might have chosen to ignore. But they no longer existed, if they ever really had.
