“What do you think?” he asked Nate the moment they were clear of the guards.
“He’s telling the truth,” Nate said without a hint of uncertainty.
Stuart swallowed. Nate was an excellent judge of character. But even without Nate’s opinion, Stuart had to admit that it felt as if Jeremy was finally being truthful.
“He’s given us absolutely nothing to use to help him,” Stuart said as they crossed the street.
Nate lifted his eyebrows.
“You think I’m going to let him turn into a shadow of himself in that place when he didn’t commit that murder?”
“Not at all.” Nate grinned. “And I take it you aren’t keeping a word of this from Norah?”
“Of course not. She deserves to know the truth. All I promised was that I’d keep her safe, and I fully intend to do that.”
“Count me in if you need me,” Nate said when they arrived at his shop.
Stuart thanked him and began to make his way toward Norah’s home. He was just about to bound up the steps to the front door when he paused.
It was nearly supper time. And Mrs. Parker’s matchmaking skills would surely be back out in force. He ought to leave and come back tomorrow—sometime when Mrs. Parker was out visiting. Or perhaps he could wait for Norah to leave and happen to join her. Or maybe—
The door opened just then to reveal Mrs. Parker. With a radiant smile, she held out her hand in a gesture of welcome. “Stuart! What a pleasant surprise! Do come in. We’re just about to sit down for supper. You may sit right across from Norah.”
Stuart groaned inwardly and plastered a smile upon his face. “I’d be delighted to join you, Mrs. Parker. Thank you.”
And in he stepped for an evening of awkwardly avoiding looking at Norah—and even more futile attempts at trying not to think about her in ways that would find him in a world of trouble.
Chapter Nine
“DO STOP FIDGETING,”Mama whispered in Norah’s ear. “He’ll think you’re unable to sit through a meal.”
“I’ve known him since I was a child. I’m certain he knows whether or not I can remain still while seated by now,” Norah hissed back. She clamped her lips shut when Mama gave her a glare that could have melted candle wax.
She hadn’t meant to be so rude. But Mama’s obvious attempts at extolling Norah’s every virtue were bordering on the ridiculous. In fact, she’d caught Papa nearly choking on a bite of ham when Mama claimed Norah could create the sweetest melodies on the piano. Even Stuart had shown a difficult time keeping a straight face at that nonsense. Norah’s hands were clumsy on the keys at best, and Stuart had sat through more than one social occasion when Norah had been persuaded to show off her “talent.”
Of course, those occasions were merry anyway, and not the slightest bit awkward. They’d all had a good laugh at Norah’s lack of musical talent afterward, far out of the earshot of any mothers. In fact, Norah distinctly remembered Stuart saying that her piano playing reminded him of the annoying buzz of an insect in his ear.
