Snatching the body armour from his fingers, she gave the thing a good shake then held it out, allowing him to slip his arms through the sleeve openings. Maybe she could find a compromise? “I promise to stay in the shadows, glued to Mr. Baggett’s side. No risk-taking unless it is absolutely necessary. I am sure Mr. Child has prepared quite the gauntlet for you to run through this evening.”
He stood deadly still. “We’ve been over this before, remember?”
Grabbing hold of the laces, she tugged hard, working out her frustration on the bindings. Since she’d begun this case with Coleman, it only seemed fair that she be there for the final arrest of the man responsible for it all…yet was it really worth forcing it? After all, forcing it was what landed her in this mess in the first place.
“Hey!” Jackson wheezed. “Not so tight.”
“Now you know how a woman feels.” She smirked as she knotted the laces, though her stomach knotted just as tightly. Admitting Jackson was right, giving this up, was monumentally difficult and yet…Bella’s babbling plucked her heart. Staying behind wouldn’t be as hard as it would be on Bella if something went wrong tonight and both she and her husband came under fire. “Jackson, about this meeting—”
He turned, his big hands grasping her shoulders and pulling her close. “I cannot do this if I am worried about your safety. Tonight, for once, your place is here with Bella.”
As if on cue, Bella clunked the stones together and laughed at the thwacking noise—the same laughter as the little ones Kit had heard at Leadenhall Market—and Martha’s words returned to her.“Nothing says ye must be the one trackin’ down evil, is there? T’aint that what yer husband, yer father, and even Mr. Baggett are around for?”Kit nibbled her lip, then sighed. “Very well. I promise I’ll not leave the house.”
Jackson tipped up her chin with his knuckle. “What are you scheming now?”
Kit offered him a smile, but it felt wobbly after such an internal battle. “Nothing but wrangling Bella to bed, then a hot bath and a good book to fall asleep with.”
He pressed his fingers to her forehead. “Are you ill?”
Frowning, she batted away his hand. “Is that any way to treat the woman who just agreed with you?”
His fingers flew to his own forehead. “Perhaps I’m the one who’s feverish. Am I hallucinating that you just consented to remain here while I go out and do my job unhindered?”
She rolled her eyes. “Such theatrics do not become you, Chief Inspector. Oh!” She swayed as the armadillo bumped rather forcefully into her ankle. “Off with you, Brooks.” Toeing the animal, she nudged it all the way to the dining room door, where it happily snuffled along the corridor baseboards.
“That creature is a menace, sure to knock over Bella once she starts toddling about. It is time to find a new home for the thing.” Jackson pulled the black silk sherwani over his head and settled it over the body armour, his broad chest all the thicker.
“I’ve already agreed to stay home. That’s enough progress for one evening, don’t you think? Brooks is a topic for another night.” Kit rolled the weapon apron into a tight bundle and tied it—or tried to. Jackson pulled her around and cupped her face before she finished.
“So will you truly stay here? Can I trust you this time?”
Her heart squeezed. She had no one to blame but herself for the suspicion creasing his brow. “I know in the past I have given you cause to believe otherwise, but yes, this time I vow it. I will stay here.” She grabbed hold of the golden hem of his sherwani and pulled him closer. “But listen well, Husband. If you do not come home alive, I will hunt you down in the afterlife for a thorough explanation.”
The left side of his mouth quirked, the naked skin above his lips still jarring to behold. “You fret like an old woman. Where is the carefree girl I married?”
“She’s older, wiser, and has hopefully learned a thing or two.” Stretching to tiptoes, she kissed him full on the mouth, then nuzzled her cheek in the crook of his neck. “Please come back to me,” she whispered. “I couldn’t bear it if you didn’t.”
He pressed his lips to the crown of her head. “Your father and Baggett shall be outside Child’s warehouse the entire time, keeping a sharp eye for trouble. And thanks to you”—he pulled away and swiped up the bundle of freshly sharpened weapons—“I shall manage the trouble from within.” He tucked the canvas under his arm. “Once the deal is done, this will all be over.”
“Ba-ba!” Bella cooed from the corner.
“Papa.” Jackson smiled at her, the fatherly love in his eyes so pure it hurt to witness.
Kit’s belly twisted. If anything went wrong tonight, these walls would never more ring with his deep voice. This man—father—lover—may not ever grace this room again once he strode from it.
Stifling a sob, Kit reached for his arm. “I love you more than you’ll ever know.”
“If that is only half as much as I love you, then yes, I do know.” The sultry gleam in his eyes added to the sinking feeling in her gut.
She trailed her finger to his upper lip, running over the softness where his trademark moustache used to be. Loss stole her breath. Loss of what was. Loss of what might be.
“Be careful,” she murmured.
Grabbing her hand, he kissed her finger, then gave her a sharp nod.
And was gone.
Kit dashed to the window and pulled aside the curtain, practically mashing her nose against the glass to catch a last glimpse of those strong shoulders, that warrior stride. He was a brawny, strapping fellow, capable of protecting himself and those around him; but even so, long after he climbed into the waiting carriage and drove off, she yet stood there.
