Charlotte stared at her with traces of amusement and disappointment around her lips. Lizette Whimsey didn’t know Michael already knew about her criminal activities. She turned to Michael, motioned to her mother and, with a mocking tone, said, “The woman who birthed me.”
“Seventeen hours you took to get out,” her mother sneered. “You have been nothing but trouble ever since.”
Charlotte smiled at her, but it was difficult, perhaps because of Michael’s nearness, to keep herself from crying.
“All right, that’s enough,” he said, stepping between them. “You’ve said enough, my lady. I think it best if you go wherever it was you were going.”
“Oh, look at the shining knight defending his lady’s honor!” Her mother laughed again.
“I can assure you,” he said in low voice, “I’m no knight.”
“You are positively terrifying, Investigator!” Her mother giggled at him.
He flicked his incredulous gaze to Charlotte. She was tempted to laugh. He had no idea what to do with her mother. Most men didn’t.
Charlotte watched the panic in his eyes when she took a step away. “Why do I not go get Father and let him know you are here? Investigator, I’m afraid you will have to accompany me as my father ordered you to do.”
“Charlotte, you go too far,” her mother scolded mildly, seemingly too tired to argue. “I know when I am defeated.”
She winked at Charlotte then spun around on her heel. Two more pins fell out of her hair. She came toe to toe with Michael. She looked up. He stepped back. “Look out, snake charmer.” She looked over her shoulder at her daughter. “Charlotte is a most dangerous serpent.”
Chapter Twelve
Michael knew heshould say something. But what? Oh, hey, your mother is a raging bitch? He blew out a short whistle instead. “She’s a real piece of work.”
“Piece of work?” Charlotte asked, eyes narrowed. “I have heard the term here and there but what does it mean?”
“Oh, sorry. She’s out there. Eccentric, you know?”
“You are kind.”
She returned to her room. He started to follow her, but she turned and held up her palm to stop him. “Unless you intend to marry me, do not come into my bedroom in the middle of the night.”
He stepped back. He certainly didn’t intend to marry her—or anyone. Still, he knew the things her mother had said hurt her. How deeply he had no idea, and no idea why he wanted to help if he could. Strange. He was not one to go to when one needed comforting. But it was different with her. He found that he liked talking to her. He’d told her more things about himself tonight than he’d told anyone in years. He didn’t want it to end.
“So then put some clothes on and come out here and talk to me.”
She shook her head, smiling as an almost automatic response. “I just want to go to bed.”
“Okay.” Was she telling him the truth? Did she just want to get rid of him? He gave her a reproachful gaze. “You’re not going to try to go out, are you, Charlotte? Your wall is fine to sit and talk against, but my back pleads for a bed to sleep.”
She gave him a faint, more genuine smile. “No, I’m not going out. You have my word.”
Did he trust her word? Was she a snake? She was beautiful but there was someone else behind her confident, unperturbed veil. Someone he started to get to know tonight.
“Michael,” she said as he turned to go. “She does not know me well enough to call me a snake, but you are free to make your own judgments.”
He pulled up his shirt, exposing his flat belly, tattooed with a large snake. “I like snakes.”
Her smile widened and she opened her mouth to speak.
“Michael!” one of his new hired men called out. Gerald, he believed was his name. He came into view hauling weak and woozy William under his arm. Michael ran to them and helped support him.
“We were attacked,” William groaned, cupping the back of his head.
“By who?” Michael asked him. “Did you see who did it?”
“He came out of nowhere,” William answered.
