“More importantly,youdo. You take after me in that way. We both have excellent taste when it comes to spouses.”
Grinning, Cull said, “Grier’s ears must be burning.”
“The Scot knows how I feel about him.” Fanny gave him a pointed look. “Does your lady know how you feel?”
“She does. And she returns my feelings.” He heard the wonder in his voice; a part of him still couldn’t believe that Pippa loved him back. “She doesn’t care that she is a countess and I’m, well, me. Not only does she accept my duty to the mudlarks, but she also offered to help me with my role.”
“Did she now?”
Fanny sounded as impressed as Cull had felt while discussing mudlark business with Pippa. She turned out to be an excellent listener who gave thoughtful opinions. He had told her about the venture he’d started to improve the futures of his charges. The problem had always been that mudlarks preferred freedom and excitement over respectable drudgery, making them ill-suited for most occupations. What they needed was a job that was exhilarating, made use of their information-gathering abilities, and offered first-rate renumeration.
The idea had struck Cull: why not teach mudlarks to invest in the ’Change?
It might seem outlandish, but he’d seen plenty of men make fortunes from investments…and just as many lose their shirts. The trick, Cull thought, lay in the accurate collection of information and evaluation of risk. The larks had a leg up on the former, but they needed to work on the latter. Thus far, they were managing to break even with the stake Cull had provided. At least they found the work fascinating.
Pippa had come up with a suggestion: Cull should hire experts to train the larks. Given the snobbery Cull had encountered, however, he wasn’t sure anyone would apply for the position. No one he would trust, at any rate. Pippa had advised him to talk to her father, who’d had great success investing on the ’Change. She’d been confident that Hunt would be happy to share his counsel and winning strategies.
“Pippa has the strength of will and heart to be part of the larks,” Cull mused aloud. “And you saw how wonderful she was with the children.”
It was a miracle, but he could picture Pippa living at the Nest with him. Being happy with him. Larks, mayhem, and all.
“Your sweetheart is a rare one. You had better snatch her up before someone else does.”
“That is my plan. But I have a gauntlet to run first.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m having supper with her family tomorrow night.”
Fanny’s face split into a rare smile. “Meeting the in-laws, are you? No wonder you got a haircut and a set of dapper new clothes.”
“Actually, I’ve already met Pippa’s parents. They showed up at her cottage unexpectedly one morning while I was, er, still there.”
Fanny’s eyes bulged. “Gavin Hunt didn’t tear you from limb to limb?”
“He gave me a warning,” Cull said ruefully. “Not that I needed it. Iwantto treat Pippa right…to make a life with her. I just didn’t think it was possible for a man like me.”
“You’re a good man, Timothy Cullen.” Fanny braced her hands on her waist. “Why wouldn’t it be possible?”
He looked up at the sky, black as the mythical River Styx, no stars in sight. He drew his gaze back to Fanny, was about to share his mam’s words about fate and fortune, the way a man might a funny story…when a movement caught his attention.
Across the street, a shadow separated from a dark tree. The hairs rose on Cull’s nape, instinct driving his hand to his pistol. He whipped it out, twin shots booming in the night.
The assailant let out a groan, crumpling to the ground.
Heart thudding, Cull turned. For an instant, shock paralyzed him. “Fanny?”No, no, no…
He fell onto his knees beside her. Ripping off his neckcloth, he pressed it to the gaping taffeta at her side. Her blood ran over his hands as he shouted for help.
36
Her heart fluttering beneath the bodice of her new silver-grey gown, Pippa arrived at her parents’ house. She had come early, hoping to talk to her brothers before the guests arrived. Cull was making his way separately; strangely, she hadn’t heard from him all day…but he was likely just busy. She’d been as well, helping Charlie to formulate the plan for unearthing Julianna Hastings’s remains.
She and Charlie had spent the day surveilling the funeral grounds and making note of the obstacles. The place had a regular patrol to deter graverobbers. Moreover, digging up the grave would be a demanding physical task. To get the job done efficiently, the Angels would need Hawker’s help, but he wasn’t due back from an assignment for several days.
Pippa told herself to worry about the case tomorrow. Tonight, she had other concerns. She found Garrett and Hugh drinking whisky in the drawing room.
“I want your promise that you’ll be nice to Mr. Cullen,” she said.
Her brothers looked at one another.
Garrett, a tall blond Adonis who took after their mama, quirked a brow. “Our dear sister must be talking to you, Hugh. Since I don’t donice.”
