“But it was an accident?” Rose prodded.
Thomas studied her intently and, at her continued silence, said, “Tell us, Lisbeth.”
“Before I fell, I felt a push on my lower back. I’m not sure if it was intentional. There were so many people going up and down the steps, but it was a hard shove.”
Thomas’s eyes widened in alarm. “Why didn’t you mention this last night?”
“I didn’t want to worry you.”
“I will ask Benson to bring in more guards. Devons’s investigator still hasn’t been able to locate who C is.”
Rose frowned. “Is that your admirer who thinks she is your wife?”
Both Lisbeth and Thomas nodded. Rose said, “Please be careful.”
“I think it must be an accident. Pushing me seems extreme,” Lisbeth insisted.
“Still, we will hire more guards. Perhaps you should not attend the event for the epic.”
Lisbeth and Rose looked at each other, shocked. She would do no such thing. If there were some crazy admirer, Lisbeth wouldn’t let them chase her away from her work. She jutted out her chin and said, “No.”
Thomas pressed his lips together firmly, his displeasure evident. Lisbeth would not hide. Rose looked back and forth between the two of them. “Why don’t the two of you discuss this, and we can decide at our weekly meeting at Seely House tomorrow?”
Lisbeth looked at her husband and firmly said, “I’m fine.” She then said to both of them. “We can make a final decision tomorrow.”
Annoyance lingered on Thomas’s face, but Lisbeth wouldn’t hide because of one of his fans. She wasn’t even sure if someone pushed her. It was only a suspicion. Still, she shivered because she had a vivid memory of two dainty hands pressing against her back as hard as they could.
Rose headed to the door. “I will see you both tomorrow.”
After their friend left, Lisbeth turned to Thomas. “I refuse to hide because of one of your admirers. That is ridiculous.”
“This C person could be dangerous.”
“Thomas, I’m unsure if I even was pushed.”
He sat on the edge of the bed. “I will not lose you.”
The intensity and concern in his eyes softened her words. “Thank you for worrying about me, but I can’t miss the event.”
The conversation ended because Alice and Jeremy burst into the room. Alice said, “Miss Ashby said we could finally visit you. Are you hurt?”
Lisbeth called them up next to her. “I fell down some stairs, but I’m perfectly fine. Thomas was there to see me home.”
Alice smiled shyly at him. “Thank you, Thomas.”
Jeremy snuggled into her, and she grimaced. Thomas looked as if he was about to say something to him, so Lisbeth held a hand up in protest. He wasn’t in danger of damaging her or breaking anything. She would gladly take the cuddles.
Lisbeth listened to them explain their day, happy to be with her children even if she was sore. She glanced at Thomas, who was still frowning at her with concern. She mouthed, “It will all be fine.”
He lifted a skeptical brow.
*
Thomas sat withHarston, Martin, and Lord Hawley at the Den. He was there to meet with Devons about the letter, but had bumped into them while waiting.
Mr. Martin said, “Are you sure you won’t change your mind?”
He shook his head and explained, “I’m planning to host lectures at Seely House. I will have one for adults and one for children.”
