Turning, he drew her into his arms and gently kissed her. “I’ve wanted to do that since I rescued you on the street. A beautiful young woman with flowers and fruit. You were my fantasy.”
“An almost dead one.” She stepped away from him. They were alone but other people were nearby. “Want to see the courtyard?” She felt a bit awkward leading him past her bath and bedroom. She was glad she’d made up her bed.
Outside, the night was silvery dark and there were little lights on the fountain.
The girl dancing in the rain was beautiful.
“I am in awe,” Alastair said. “This was part of the house where my mother never went. The maid’s room was there and she hung out the laundry here where it couldn’t be seen.”
“That leads to Jack’s room.”
“I tend to forget that he lives with you.”
“With us.”
Alastair took both her hands in his. “Kate, I’m worried about you.”
“Jack and I aren’t—”
“No, not that. This afternoon Sheriff Flynn asked me if I could help persuade you to stop your very unprofessional investigation. He’s worried about all of you. And so am I.”
She dropped his hands. “It’s not fair that Roy is assumed to be a killer.”
“Then youarecontinuing to investigate!”
Kate clamped her mouth shut. She was doing exactly what Jack had feared: she was accidentally giving away information.
“I understand your feelings,” he said. “From what I remember of Cheryl, she was a sweet girl. I’m like everyone else and want to know who really killed her, but the sheriff told us what may have happened to Mrs. Ellerbee. No one is sure if her death was an accident or intentional. Kate, the murderer may still be at large. And if he thinks you’re onto him, he may need to commit more murders.” His eyes were begging her to listen to him.
“We have stopped,” Kate said. “Aunt Sara just wants to use the facts for a book. She’s thinking of moving from romance to murder mysteries. She’s really bored doing nothing all day. Jack and I plan to help her with the research. When we aren’t working at our own jobs, that is. My mother wants to—to, uh, come here and...”
She trailed off. It looked like she hadn’t inherited her aunt’s ability to lie. From Alastair’s expression, he didn’t believe a word she was saying.
“You aren’t going to stop until you dig up the truth, are you?”
She wasn’t going to answer that.
“Okay, I understand. All I ask is that you please, please be careful. I don’t want you to be hurt.” He was quiet as he looked at her. “This is a waste of moonlight, but I think we should leave here. If we take too much time, Jack may show his true Wyatt nature. Think he’d use a sledgehammer to come through the wall?”
She knew he was trying to lighten the mood, but he had scared her. Therewasdanger in what they were doing. And he didn’t even know that the crash that killed Evan wasn’t an accident.
He held out his arm for her to take. “Shall we?”
She slipped her arm through his and he put his hand over hers.
“If there is anything I can do, please let me know. Information you need, help in research, whatever, I’ll do it. And Mother has a circle of friends who have nothing whatever to do. The sooner this is over, the sooner I know you’ll be safe.”
“Thank you,” she said. “That’s very kind of you.”
The double bedroom doors had stayed open and they walked through them. Sara and Jack were in the kitchen, pretending to be interested in whatever they weren’t doing, but they sprang to life when Kate and Alastair appeared.
At the front door, they exchanged good-nights, with many thanks from Alastair. He and Jack spoke of meeting with Mrs. Stewart to discuss the new plans that would have to be drawn up.
Alastair started to kiss Kate on the lips but she turned her head sideways so he reached her cheek.
After he was gone, Sara and Jack went back to the family room. Kate followed them. “Well? You two aren’t going to say anything?”
“I’ll be glad to sell all the houses,” Jack said, but he didn’t look at her.
