“You will not find anything in there,” he returned evenly. “I will go with you to your flat this morning to gather whatever you might need for the next few weeks.”
“Weeks?” She blinked, her heart speeding up, but she knew it wasn’t entirely due to alarm. “You made it seem as though it would be a few days. I cannot stay here for an extended length of time.”
“Even if your life might depend upon it?” he countered. “I would love to assure you that the killer could be captured in short order but that is not something I can guarantee. Although I do swear that I will do my utmost to see that he is caught.”
“Indeed.” Aislynn put a hand to her forehead. She wasn’t so concerned about being alone with Mr. Steele after the arrival of their unexpected guest but something told her that he would not be around that long. Then she would be back to sleeping under a solitary roof with a virile, enigmatic man that made her heart pound with awareness.
Desperate to put that out of her mind for now, she walked over and gathered her dress. “Very well. Let me change and I will join you shortly.”
She was glad when he didn’t argue or try to waylay her as she departed the study. It was bad enough that she was actually starting to dread stepping foot outside the townhouse and facing the scene of the crime where she had nearly lost her life.
As she returned to the foyer to find Mr. Steele waiting for her fully clothed, she felt a bit more at ease, until she noticed the pistol in the interior of his jacket. “I do not go anywhere unprepared for trouble,” he offered in the way of explanation.
She inclined her head as they headed down the steps and he hailed a passing hackney. As they traveled the short distance back to Covent Garden, she asked out of curiosity. “How come you do not have your own vehicle? I have the feeling you could afford it.”
“I could,” he agreed without any arrogance. “It is the same reason I do not employ any full-time servants. I prefer my privacy over all else. And, as you discovered last evening, a hackney is a much quicker means of escape than a personal carriage.”
Aislynn couldn’t keep her lips from twitching. “Touché, Mr. Steele. You are certainly right about that.”
Her attention was diverted to more serious topics as they drew closer to her apartments. A lump formed in the pit of her stomach but she refused to be cowed by it. For years she had pushed fear aside in favor of courage. She would do the same now.
They left the security of the hackney but Aislynn felt safe standing next to Mr. Steele as they made their way up the stairs. When they reached the top, she was surprised to find that the door was shut. She wouldn’t have thought that her attacker would be that considerate.
Mr. Steele held out an arm as he removed his pistol with the other hand. “Stay behind me.” His voice was soft but steady. Aislynn drew strength from that as they cautiously crept forward.
Cordell didn’t know what to expect when they arrived at Miss Sims’ residence but since he had always discovered that the element of surprise was most effective, he raised his leg and set it against the door with all of his might. The knob immediately gave way under the force of the kick and flew open to reveal—an empty interior. If there had been anyone there before, they had long since vacated the premises now.
He allowed a sigh of relief to escape as he walked inside and didn’t immediately have to grab Miss Sims and dive for cover. He didn’t even have the sense that something was off, so he slowly shut the door behind them and returned his pistol to his inner vest pocket. “There does not appear to be any threat now but I would not tarry overlong.”
“I do not intend to do so.” He noticed that she gave a visible shudder. “I find I am grateful for your hospitality, Mr. Steele, as the prospect of staying here alone tonight does not set well. I will be but a moment to gather a few things.”
As she disappeared into a back room, Cordell studied the modest surroundings. It was not much warmer than the frigid temperatures outside. He could see his breath standing in the middle of the room. He never thought he would be thankful for an attack in his life but in this regard, he was glad that Miss Sims had been put into the situation to stay with him. He didn’t like picturing her in such tight confines, such squalor where a mouse could come scampering out of one of the shadowed corners. He understood that there were many people in London who were suffering the same effects right now, and the situation was only growing worse. Overcrowding could be more of a threat to humankind than disease or famine. Without enough adequate shelter to house everyone, death was an eventuality, not just a possibility.
He clenched his fists, because that was not a problem that he could control. He offered temporary relief to those in tough situations, but no one was under the misconception that it would be permanent. Miss Sims was the first person he would actually consider taking on as a long-term tenant, and not because the prospect of her warming his bed was rather tantalizing. Even if they never became intimate, he would rest well knowing that she wasn’t continuing to sleep in such a miserable hovel. Such a talented actress who had a caring heart shouldn’t be forced to endure such conditions.
She came walking back toward him with a valise in her grasp. “That should be everything.” She held up the item in her grasp. “Everything that holds any value to me is in this bag. Since I do not know how long I am going to stay in Soho, I made sure I would not have to come back here for some time.”
“What if I offered you an alternative where you do not have to come back here at all?”
She immediately narrowed her eyes. “I do not accept charity, Mr. Steele, nor anything that would debase my reputation. I may not have much at my disposal when it comes to money but I have my pride and I can assure you it is fierce.”
He held up a hand. “We have already discussed this at length, Miss Sims. I think you know that I only wish to help you. But I also know that once the criminal who attacked you is no longer a threat, you will not wish to remain with me. I have a friend who runs a brothel?—”
Her mouth went slack. “Did you not hear what I just said?”
“If you would let me finish,” he added smoothly. “I was going to tell you that I am not the only one who finds honest employment and housing for those in London. Mary focuses on the plights of women who appear on her doorstep looking for help. Since it is apparent they would not be a good fit for her house, she directs them to other gainful means of income.”
Some of the fire left Miss Sims’ green gaze. “Oh. I do apologize for the misunderstanding, Mr. Steele. I would certainly entertain whatever Mary has to say.”
He inclined his head. “I will arrange a meeting with the two of you. Until then, we should get you to the theatre.”
Cordell made sure to keep a close eye on the closed doors around them and every slight movement that tried to trick his senses as they departed. Thankfully, they didn’t have any issue as they returned to the hackney and were soon deposited in front of the theatre. When Cordell made a move to follow Miss Sims, she looked at him curiously. “You do not have to feel as though you are suddenly my personal sentry who must keep watch over me to ensure I do not get into trouble.”
As his gaze swept over her form, from the tips of her shoes to the top of her light-colored hair, he murmured, “I am not certain it is the threat of a villain that concerns me at the moment but your decisive demeanor that you shall defeat anyone who dares to stand in your way.”
She lifted her chin a defiant notch. “On that, you would be correct, Mr. Steele. I refuse to be scared away from my dream on the stage.”
Cordell smiled as they moved about the theatre. She lit a lamp and went about what seemed to be her daily routine before she headed for her dressing room. He considered leaving then but the warning that had been lying dormant all this time abruptly came to roaring life.
