“I did, didn’t I?” Mrs. Kent chuckled.
“If it’s any consolation,” Cull said, “Master Bart would fit right in at the Nest.”
“I don’t know how you manage all those mudlarks on your own, Prince.” Mrs. Kent’s mien turned knowing. “Although from what I understand, you may be in the market for a princess?”
What the devil?Cull’s gut knotted.How does she know about Pippa?
While Tessa Kent was more friend than foe, he didn’t like anyone knowing about him and Pippa. Didn’t like exposing Pippa to the dangers of his life.
“You are not the only one with eyes and ears. The lady in question comes from a family with deep roots in our world. Her papa is not a man to cross…but you know that, of course.”
Cull acknowledged the advice with a terse nod.
“Good.” Mrs. Kent smiled. “As to your request, I will speak to Alfie. Await my word.”
26
Pippa giddily counted the minutes until Cull’s carriage arrived at noon the next day. Long Mikey brought the equipage discreetly into the lane behind her cottage, Matches hopping down with surprising grace to let down the steps. Pippa smiled at the mudlarks, trying not to seem overeager as she climbed into the cabin. Cull was waiting for her, and he’d forgone his mask. Seeing him as he was, with a hint of vulnerability in his expressive eyes, she abandoned all pretenses.
“I missed you,” she blurted.
His crooked smile made her heart thump faster, and then she was in his arms, his kiss rendering her light-headed. She didn’t know the carriage had started moving until they came up for air.
“We’d better stop,” Cull murmured, rubbing his thumb along her bottom lip. “Or I’ll be tempted to take you here and now.”
Daringly, she flicked her tongue at his thumb. “I wouldn’t mind.”
“Jesus wept, don’t tempt a man like that.” He looked so pained that she giggled. “Not when we’re with two nosy larks who are probably eavesdropping.”
Oops. She’d forgotten about Mikey and Matches.
With a regretful sigh, Cull tucked her firmly against his side. He laced their hands together and settled them on his lap. “Distract me, please.”
She started by filling him in on the visit to the New Cytherea.
“The night he died, Hastings showed up at the theatre, asking a lot of questions. That was why he had the portrait of his wife: to see if anyone recognized her. When no one did, he demanded to speak with those who’d been working there during the production ofThe Grove of Love. Apparently, he let slip that he’d found the program in his wife’s belongings.”
Cull lifted his brows. “What was Lady Hastings doing at a place like the New Cytherea?”
“It is becoming clear that she had a private life we knew nothing about.” Pippa chewed on her lip. “I happen to be acquainted with Marg, the theatre’s playwright; her companion used to model for Longmere. Marg said she would try to get me the addresses of the actresses who had parts inThe Grove of Love.”
“That’s progress. Louis Wood, in the meantime, hasn’t had a hair out of place. I think he knows he’s being watched,” Cull said.
“According to the other Angels, Vincent Ellis has more aliases than a cat has lives, but they are working on tracking him down. And perhaps you and I will uncover critical information when we interview Howard Morton. Will we head to his residence straight away?”
“Actually, I thought we could deal with him in the morning. There is something I want to show you tonight. Did you pack an outfit suitable for rambling?”
Yesterday, Cull had sent her a brief note, telling her he’d made all the arrangements for their trip. He’d told her to pack for two nights and bring an outfit suitable for exploring the outdoors. He’d given no further explanation.
Brimming with curiosity, she said, “Yes, but why do I need it? What are we doing?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“Will you at least give me a clue?”
“It is something I haven’t shared with anyone else.” He raised her hand, brushing his lips over her knuckles, swirling heat over her skin. “Something I want to share with you.”
Drat the man. Now shereallycouldn’t wait.
