“Why the devil did you take such a risk when I told you I would take care of the matter?”
“Because I don’t need you—or anyone—to take care of me,” she rejoined. “I am an independent woman, andIwill decide the direction of my life.”
“You are steering yourself toward an early damned grave.”
“If so, it will bemychoice.” She lifted her chin. “And it won’t happen, because I am good at what I do, Cull. The Angels and I discovered things tonight—important things that alter our theory of Lady Hastings’s murder.”
“Such as the fact that Hastings had a financial motivation to keep his wife alive?”
She blinked. “How…how did you know?”
“The late Jonas Turner’s solicitor, Fanshawe, had a copy of his last will. While Hastings gained control of Julianna’s considerable dowry when he married her, her father was smarter when it came to the rest of his wealth. Before Turner died, he added a codicil.” Cull sounded as pedantic as a schoolmaster as he listed off the facts. “His personal fortune would go into a trust for his future grandchildren, with Julianna and Hastings as the trustees. If no children were to come of the union, then the bulk of his personal assets—some four hundred thousand pounds—would be split between two beneficiaries: Howard Morton, the son of a distant cousin and Louis Wood, his manservant of many years. In other words, you have two new suspects.”
Despite herself, Pippa was impressed. “You do have a knack for finding information.”
“And I manage to do it without risking my neck.”
“We have different approaches, each with their own merits,” she said judiciously.
“Indeed?”
Encouraged by his civility, she said, “The mudlarks cast a broad net; you have eyes and ears everywhere, catching information in the outside world. The Angels, on the other hand, work from the inside. We are less broad, but more specific, if you see what I mean.” She risked a smile. “The truth is, Cull, we should be joining forces. Working together to find whoever killed Lady Hastings and hurt Ollie.”
“You want to work with me,” Cull said neutrally.
The more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea. “It is the logical thing to do.”
“I agree.”
Delight bubbled through her. “I am glad. Of course, Charlie will need to be convinced—”
“I don’t give a damn what Lady Fayne thinks. I am done keeping my distance from you, Pippa.”
She swallowed at his blazing intensity. “Are we talking about the investigation or, um, personal matters?”
“Both.” He rose, steady despite the swaying carriage. He crossed over and planted his palms next to her shoulders, caging her. “I thought I was doing what was best for you by staying away. But if the only way to keep you safe is to stake my claim, then so be it.”
The truth hit Cull like a bolt of lightning. His strategy with Pippa—it had been all wrong.
She wasn’t going to stop investigating, no matter what he said. And he knew he had no right to dictate her actions. The only thing he could do was protect her as she went about her business. Staying away from her wasn’t helping her…and it sure as hell wasn’t helping him.
“Staking yourclaim?” The golden suns flared around her pupils, firing up her blue eyes. Her ringlets bristled with indignation. “Of all the troglodytic—”
“I am an uncouth bastard. A man born and raised in the rookery. A man who makes his living dealing in dark secrets, and I amstilla better man than that blighter you were with tonight.”
“Of course you are.” She frowned. “I never said you weren’t.”
A life on the water had taught Cull how to keep his balance, his body rocking with the carriage as he gazed at the woman he wanted more than his next breath. Her eyes were sparkling with defiance; they were not lost, lifeless, and grieving. Not cowed and afraid. Pippa had regained her spirit. Was she truly ready to move on from her marriage…to take him on as a lover?
“I want you,” he said. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that night at The Enchanted Rose.”
“Neither have I.”
Her breathy admission flooded his groin with heat.
“But we…we should talk first. And I can’t do it with you towering over me.”
She patted the cushion beside her, and he accepted the invitation. It had been a while since he’d seen her in something other than men’s clothing or somber mourning garb. She looked sensual and sophisticated in her purple gown, her exposed shoulders glowing like a pearl. The brush of her skirts against his thigh felt like foreplay. Her lily-and-Pippa scent teased his nostrils and made him instantly hard. A common state for him when she was near. Elation spilled through his veins because now he knew he wasn’t alone in his yearning.
