“And you frighten them,” Ramsey cut him off. “Plus, you can’t bring Ellen along.”
“Even if she wanted to help me, which she likely doesn’t. She’s still injured.” His hand curled into a fist.
“You will find who did this to Leo and Ellen, Gray. I have faith in your abilities as a detective to see this done.”
“I will,” he vowed. “But now we have an interview to attend. You are my assistant.”
Ramsey beamed. “Wonderful.”
“Idiot. Let’s go.”
As the hackney took them toward the Nicholsons’, Gray wondered how Ellen was for perhaps the hundredth time that day. Were her injuries healing?
“I’m not sure what happened between you and the beautiful Miss Nightingale. However, as neither of you will mention the other, my guess is you became scared of your feelings for her and ran.”
“I told her I couldn’t watch her repeatedly plunging into danger.” Gray told his cousin the truth.
“But she is expected to cope with you doing that?” Ramsey asked him.
He hadn’t thought of it that way.
“Don’t be a fool, Gray. She’s not like the pampered daughter of society she once was anymore. She’s strong and spirited, and I’m sure if you use some of that intellect your colleagues say you have, I doubt you’d want her any other way.”
He wouldn’t.
“She’s fine, if you’re interested. I saw her yesterday. We did not discuss you, as two of her delightful younger siblings were there. So, I regaled them with stories that had them laughing, and we ate a rather superb treacle cake.”
“You visited Ellen?” Gray asked, trying not to shout at his cousin. “Is she all right?”
“Still sore, and the bruises are changing color, but she is well, as is Leo.”
“Why did you see her?”
“Because you may be an idiot, but I am not, and I knew you’d want to know she was well.” Ramsey was rarely stern, but he was that now. “She is your match, Gray. The one woman who can stand up to you and be your equal. Don’t ruin this because of rigid morals.”
“It is not wrong to want her safe.”
“And she will be with you. But without you, she has to rely only on her family. Surely having her at your side will ease your fears more than not having her there?”
Gray dropped his face into his hands.
“You have always avoided emotions because you find them messy, cousin. You were raised without them, like Ellen. But unlike you, she has learned to express what she feels. That house in Crabbett Close is full of love and happiness, and that could be yours. Don’t turn your back on all that.”
“I had decided to go and see her. I love her very much, Ram.”
“Then ensure you do not mess things up. Change is good, cousin. Embrace it and cast aside your moral compass.”
“Are you finished?” Gray glared at Ramsey.
“Absolutely not. But for now, tell me about this Olivia Nicholson and why you need my charm and wit to speak with her.”
“I’m having serious doubts.”
“Surely not.”
Twenty minutes later, they were once again inside the Nicholson town house.
“I can’t imagine what it’s like to lose your son,” Ramsey said as they were ushered inside to a parlor.
