His concerned expression left no doubt he meant specifically had she gone back into her bedroom, where the disturbing scene with her clothes was laid out.
“I haven’t.”She grimaced.Focusing on what needed to be finished for Friday’s edition had been easier than thinking about her house being invaded by a stranger.Despite the fact that she didn’t need Matthew’s help, it was nice to know she, Robert, and Mrs.Todd would be safe at the Blue Angel.She glanced over at the door where the workman was fitting the new latch to the doorframe.It was also nice that she wouldn’t have to track down and pay for the repairs.It wasn’t so much that she minded having help.It was just that it had been a long time since she’d had anyone offer.
“Would you like me to come up with you?”Matthew asked.
“It wouldn’t be proper.”
“Since when do I care about proper?Since when do you?”His smirk was a clear challenge.
“Oh, all right.Yes, I would like you to come with me.I have been avoiding it all morning.”She turned on her heel and strode back across the small garden, but didn’t miss his low chuckle.
Upstairs, in her room, she ripped the dress off the bed.The green gown was old, a relic from her one season in society.A dress that was entirely impractical in her current life and decidedly out of fashion.She grabbed a hanger from the wardrobe and hung it in the back where it belonged.Her burgeoning anger burned away the fear she had felt last night.
“How dare he come into my house and touch my things?Threaten the safety of my child?”She grabbed up the shift and folded it neatly, then rolled the stockings into a neat ball.Finally, she picked up the corset and turned to put the items in the chest of drawers only to find Matthew standing in front of it, folding her undergarments that had been rifled through.She gaped at him.
He held out a hand for the items she had.“What?Have you mistaken me for a fine gentleman all of a sudden?You don’t think I know how to fold clothes?”
She passed him the chemise and corset.“You are a man, after all.I don’t think my surprise is so unfounded.”Then she moved to open the small cabinet door she kept her stockings in.She sent him a glance as he continued to carefully put the things in the drawers back to rights.
“When you don’t have a lot, you learn to take care of what you do have.”
They made quick work of putting everything away properly.Then she pulled out a few dresses and other things she would need.She paused with indecision.How long would she hide at Matthew’s club?A few days?A week?She turned to him, clothing grasped in her hands.“We have to figure out a way to stop him.”
Matthew nodded, his dark eyes serious.“We will.And until then, I will keep you safe.I promise.”
She sent Matthew to the third-floor closet to fetch a small valise.Once her things were packed, they went upstairs to pack bags for Mrs.Todd and Robert.Matthew took a small cinch-top sack and gathered at least half of Robert’s army off the floor.Again, he surprised her with his thoughtfulness.“Who are you, Matthew Reeves?”she muttered under her breath as she added Robert’s favorite stuffed bear to the bag.
Matthew’s strong arms wound around her waist from behind.Bending down, he pressed a kiss to her neck.“Maybe you should take a risk and find out?”His voice was sultry in her ear.“I can think of a dozen ways we could get better acquainted.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Elizabeth had convincedMatthew to leave her at the print shop and take the carriage with the bags back to the Angel.Being in the shop with George and the ladies had helped settle her nerves.The hum and clang of the press and the smell of ink all worked to spread the sense of familiar purpose through her chest.She had a paper to run.Stories to tell.ThePiccadilly Presswas her father’s legacy, and she was proud to be the caretaker of it.She liked to think her paper had a unique perspective.
Hmm…perhaps that was how they could lure Griffen into revealing himself.
She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at the printer as it spit out newsprint.Matthew said that perhaps his brother liked seeing his transgressions in the paper.Could they challenge him somehow in print and then trail him to catch him in the act?No, too dangerous.What if he eluded them and another woman was killed?However, if anyone could handle a dangerous situation, it would be Matthew and his partner, Rhys—bloody—Seaton.Hartwick seemed to trust Seaton, but she knew that the man was probably involved in all sorts of criminal activity.It wasn’t as though he even tried to hide it.
“Ms.Harper, could you come look at this?”Ella called out from the tile table.
Elizabeth walked over to where the ladies were furiously finishing setting the tile for the last section.“What is it that I am looking at?”
“Here.Shouldn’t this be an apostrophe?This is the store’s sale, not that ‘Harrisons’ is plural, right?”
“That’s a good catch, Ella.You are correct.”
Ella grinned.She turned back to her work and muttered softly, “I knew it.”
Elizabeth smiled.Ella was a quick learner.Though she hadn’t had much schooling, the young woman was like a sponge with information.Elizabeth would have to send her home with a good book on grammar if Ella was interested.With her sharp mind, she may make a good reporter someday.When the last edition had been printed and ready to post, Elizabeth gathered her jacket and hat.She looked outside.The sun was low, but she should make it back to the Angel by suppertime.“Goodbye, George; you’ll set those out in the front for the morning?”
“Yes, Lizzie.Be careful walking home now,” George Norton replied.
She hadn’t told him about the break-in at her house.She didn’t want to worry him.Or explain about where she was staying.She pinned her hat into place and walked out into the warm summer evening.A young man, maybe twenty, if that, lounged against the outside of the building.He straightened and stepped in front of her with a tip of his cap.
“Evening, ma’am.Are you Miss Harper?”
“Yes, I am.”She looked him over warily.Lanky, dressed in black trousers, a jacket, and a jaunty blue neck scarf, he appeared non-threatening.“Who are you?”
“Name’s Harry.I’m here to walk you to the Angel.Boss’s orders.”
