“I thought you’d left. Your sudden departure indicated that as the case,” Gus said as Harry questioned Cam on the horse. “I would have come to your ship had I known you were still in London… and had I known how to find it.”
“No. You can’t come there. There is too much danger now. I’m only here because Max and Cam made it impossible not to come.”
“Oh come now, we never laid a hand on you.” Cam was now swinging Merry, who had leapt at him, around by her hands.
“How did they find you?” Gus asked.
“He was at Will’s warehouse,” Max said. “We went to see Mr. Spriggot after.”
Dorrie’s chest felt tight, and her palms were sweaty. It was the oddest sensation. She’d been angry with Somer, but that often happened and did not unsettle her overly as they always made up. But, seeing Ash again after what they’d shared, she didn’t know how to feel.
She hadn’t even realized she’d lowered her notebook and stood, until Somer moved to her side and slipped an arm around her waist.
“I will always be there for you. Never forget that,” her twin whispered.
“I know.”
“Why did you go and see Mr. Spriggot?” Samantha asked. She was perched on the edge of Warwick’s blanket eating an apple.
“Is there anything we can help you with, as we have had a lot of success in our investigative inquiries thus far, Ash?” Warwick asked.
“No!” Ash, Harry, Max, and Cam said as one.
“Oh, for pity’s sake,” Dorrie said feeling her tongue unstick itself from the roof of her mouth, as anger took hold. “Stop treating us like we are still ten years old.”
“This is no business of yours. Stay out of it,” Ash snapped, looking at her.
“We run a successful investigative service and are exceptionally glad not all men are as thick-headed as you,” she said with a smile that was totally insincere. “Come, we will go and play with the children.” She took Somer’s hand. “I am in need of some intelligent conversation.”
Ignoring the howls of outrage, Dorrie dragged Somer with her away from the men. She hadn’t got far when Warwick reached them.
“You and I are going to have another chat soon about just how you saved Ashford Charlton.”
“No we are not!”
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
He’d allowed himself to be lured here because he’d wanted to see her. Ash knew this. Just as he’d wanted to see Gus.
Dorrie had been seated on a blanket when he arrived, writing in a book. She wore no bonnet or gloves, and the neckline of her rose pink dress showed him a square of soft skin. Skin that he’d touched and kissed.
Their eyes had met briefly when he arrived, then she’d turned away. But it had been long enough to see the flare of emotion in the green depths. He’d then seen her anger when he’d told her to stay out of his business. His words had been harsh, but fear had done that.
Fear that if she went anywhere near Radcliff, he’d hurt her to get at Ash.
“At least that is settled, or there would have been very little peace.” Warwick returned after following his sisters.
“That?” Cam asked.
“The twins have been arguing.”
“Really? They haven’t done that in a while,” Max said.
“What were they arguing about?” Gus asked.
“That is not for me to tell,” Warwick said. “Even though I heard the entire conversation.” He looked smug.
Eden, Warwick, and Alice have the heightened sense of hearing, Ash remembered Devon telling him.So if you wish to keep anything a secret, never speak of it in their company.
