Clearly, he’d had too much to drink if he thought she would be.
Arriving at his lodgings late, he’d left the hackney and was nearing his front door when he’d heard her voice. He’d turned back and found a woman dressed in a black cloak, hood up, speaking to his driver. The slither of unease had Warwick shouting for her to stop.
The driver ignored him when the woman had thrust money his way and told him to make haste as she was in danger. He’d run to stop the hackney, but it was moving before Warwick could get the door open.
Perhaps he was losing his mind if he thought Samantha would be there at that time of night, alone. In the clear light of morning, he’d realized he’d been a fool for thinking she would be and dismissed it.
“Uncle Warwick!”
“I’m right beside you, Merry. There is no need to shriek.”
He wasn’t sure how it happened, but he had both Kat and Merry in his curricle, seated between him and Samantha as he drove to the park. Behind them stood Archie.
He’d wanted to ask Samantha about last night but felt foolish doing so. She had no reason to be there.
“How is it you are here?” he asked his niece.
She beamed up at him, flashing her little white teeth and dimples. The child would shatter many hearts along with her cousin when she was older. He felt sweat break out on his forehead at the prospect of trying to keep them safe.
They sat there looking sweet in their dresses and little gloves. Bonnets with satin ribbons tied under their chins. Anyone would be fooled into thinking they were well-behaved. Anyone would be wrong.
“Kat said I should come with her to keep her company as I’m her best friend.” She swung her little feet in white leather boots back and forth.
“Actually, you said that to me, Merry,” Kat added.
He’d picked the girls and Samantha up outside Dev’s house. They’d been chatting with Lilly when he arrived. Dev had been lurking in the open doorway watching. Everyone was still on alert with Samantha, that had not changed, even though there had been no other attempt at kidnapping. They would not forget, even if she wished them to.
“Do you like my dress, Aunty Sam?”
“I do. It’s lovely, Merry.”
“And mine, Aunty Sam?” Kat said.
“Also lovely and my only regret is that I didn’t get one of each made in my size. Pink and lemon are my favorite colors, after all.”
Samantha had greeted him this morning, cool and distant, and clearly still annoyed. Warwick shot her a look. She was lovely in a cream dress with a rose spencer. Her cheeks were flushed, a smile playing around her lips. There were also smudges under her eyes that told him she had not slept well.
Was she still worried about the kidnapping even though she said otherwise? He would reassure her that he would keep her safe but doubted she’d listen as there was still distance between them. Distance he’d put there by hurting her.
“Shall we stop at Mr. Perkins shop, and you can pick a present from Aunty Sam and me, Kat?”
The girls squealed, which he took as a yes. Soon, he was pulling over. Archie held the horses, and Warwick climbed down. He then lifted Samantha to the ground.
“Your hand would have done,” she said to his chin.
“It was quicker that way.” He then helped the little girls from the carriage.
“I’m just going into that shop first,” Samantha said. “I will join you soon.”
He looked at the sign above that saidWhitehall Locksmiths.
“Why are you going in there?”
“I want to show him the box we cannot open.”
It was then he noticed she was clutching something wrapped in leather.
“Mr. Whitehall is meant to be the best at opening locks no one else can,” Samantha added.
