Aislynn hated this sudden awkwardness between them. She had believed that the attraction flowing between them had been distracting but somehow, this was so much worse. It wasn’t just that they had shared certain intimacies. It was all the things that were left unsaid. All of the scenarios where they discussed what would happen next and knowing that the answer was… nothing. Both of them were set on a path that did not include the other. These rules had been put into place long ago and neither of them were sure how to breach those walls, or if a compromise could even be suggested.
Rather than drudge up old memories or new emotions that were still too raw to be examined that closely, Aislynn joined Cordell in the hackney and they set into motion as though they were back to being merely acquaintances, as if they hadn’t just passed a night in misery after sharing a spectacular joining where innocence had been replaced by passion and desire.
She kept her attention focused out the window and her hands folded primly in her lap. She was determined not to engage unless absolutely necessary. Instead, she found a particular interest in the passing scenery. The cold winter chill was still present in the air but it was not as dreadful as it had been in recent days. The ice rushing through her veins was much worse.
It was rather depressing to see nothing but slushy, dirty snow on the ground where delicate white flakes had recently fallen. It was further proof that things were not always so pristine and pure. Should she allow herself to open her heart to Cordell, no doubt it would eventually become the same given enough time. She had noticed couples in the early throes of love turn sour when the passions cooled. She did not want to be one of those unfortunate women. And she was quite sure that Cordell did not want to subject himself to that sort of heartache either.
“How are you, Aislynn?”
She turned her head at the note of soft concern in Cordell’s smooth, deep voice. It was a sound she would miss more than the distant clang of church bells from her former flat. “I suppose I am merely wondering when this nightmare is going to come to an end.”
A muscle clenched in his jaw. “I am doing what I can to rid the city of this threat.”
“I know you are,” she relented slightly, her tone gentling.
His dark eyes focused on her and she suddenly found it difficult to glance away. “I am sorry if I hurt you. That was never my intention. I swear that to you.”
She swallowed hard over the lump wanting to form in her throat. She did not want to have this conversation because she didn’t want her newfound resolve to waver. “I know that too. I also know that what happened between us should have never happened. You made a vow and I understand if you can never forgive me for breaking it.”
His expression did not alter. “I do not blame you for any shared intimacies. I was a willing party last night. I hold no one accountable but myself for that moment of weakness.”
Aislynn wasn’t sure if she preferred Cordell to free her from any guilt or that he wished to harbor it all for himself. She took a deep breath but it did not lessen the tightness of her chest. “Let us both just agree that it was an affair that should have never occurred and will not happen again. It would be the best for both of our sakes.”
Those intense dark eyes flashed. “As you say.”
Aislynn should have been thankful for Cordell’s easy acquiescence. Instead, she was disheartened. Preferring not to dwell on the matter overlong, she was relieved when the hackney finally stopped and she was able to exit the vehicle. She could not get past the feeling of being restricted, as if her stays were laced entirely too tightly this morning when she was the only one who had secured her undergarments.
Cordell was at her side, silently escorting her through the backstage door of the Covent Garden establishment. He did not touch her but she was aware of his steady and strong presence with each step that she took. It was enough to keep her feet moving and her brain from faltering when she saw another red blood stain on the polished, wooden stage floor.
She was grateful that the manager who opened the door upon their arrival did not treat her as though she was unwelcome on the scene because she was a woman and too ‘delicate’ to deal with such terse matters. Instead, he muttered a few words and left them without much fuss. It was obvious he did not care about further investigation into the murder. He just wanted to ensure that he had things prepared for the next performance. The show must always go on.
Aislynn found her hands clenching at her sides. She forced herself to relax and headed for the door the man had gestured to as belonging to Miss Wilkes.
It was apparent after a thorough search that Aislynn was not going to be as fortunate in her search as she had previously been.
“Nothing?” Cordell asked grimly, his hands set on his hips as he glanced about the room, as though he might be able to find something she had not yet discovered.
“It does not appear so,” Aislynn sighed.
“Then we check her apartments next.”
As they entered the modest boarding house, they received a critical glare from the landlady before she reluctantly allowed them alone together in her tenant’s former room. Aislynn wanted to roll her eyes, because what did she think would happen while they were there? That Cordell would ravish her in the middle of a criminal investigation? No doubt the lady would look the other way if a guinea was tossed in her direction.
Nevertheless, their search proved to be fruitless and they left the building a bit more downtrodden than when they had entered. As they returned to the hackney, Cordell smacked his gloves against his thighs in apparent annoyance. “There has to be something that we are missing.”
“Unless her murder is not connected to the others.”
“It is,” he returned with a bite to his tone. “I am certain of it. The murder was committed in the same fashion. They must be related.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, and Aislynn’s heart burned for him. For both of them, and for the victims who were suffering the senseless brunt of this man’s criminal atrocities. Cordell muttered to himself as he paced back and forth, as if trying to sort out a sordid puzzle and was unable to find all the correct pieces. “I feel as if the bastard is watching from the shadows and laughing at me.”
When he paused, she reached out and laid a hand on his shoulder. “I know you will succeed. You have not earned your reputation by failure.”
He shrugged off her concern and she did not take the slight personally. It was obvious that he was expressing his annoyance at the situation and not attacking her, although his attention stung. “I have solved more difficult cases with less difficulty. I do not understand why this particular criminal keeps finding a way to elude me.”
“Perhaps it is because you are allowing yourself to become too involved. Perhaps it might be wise to allow the Runners to take over so you can reassess your approach.”
Rather than taking her suggestion as what it was meant to be, he seemed to take offense. “I refuse to accept defeat. I have not given up on a single pursuit and I will not do so now, especially with so much at stake—” He met her gaze but abruptly shifted his focus away.
“I know you are worried about my safety. You have expressed your concerns more than once.”
