“Those are for the children?”
He nodded.
“Find another way. You cannot enter the hospital on Christmas Eve.”
He wandered toward the fireplace, stoked the glowing kindling back into flame, then held the tool up between them. “Can’t look at one of these without thinking of you.” He chuckled and leaned the poker against the tile at the hearth. “How brave you are. I’m just as brave, Jane.”
“I’ve no doubt on that matter. But are you sensible?”
He waved his hand, dismissing her question.
“No, it’s important. There are five men with good aim stationed at the hospital, and there is naught you can do to avoid them. If you venture on the grounds on Christmas Eve, you will be harmed. You must promise to keep your distance.”
He didn’t answer, just looked away, ruffling his hand through his hair.
She marched right up to him, stabbed him in that hard chest of his with her forefinger. “Do not think of me as silly.”
“I do not.”
“You do!” She poked him again. “You think me hysterical. Overreacting.”
He caught her hand, soothed her knuckles, kissed them. “I think you the sweetest woman I’ve ever met. With the kindest, most patient heart.” He lowered his chin, catching her gaze. He was pure steel now. The man might have soft, malleable silver flowing through his blood, but there was nothing soft about him as he dared her. “It is you who is underestimating me.”
She backed away.
He followed. “You do not think me capable of handling a few guards.”
“Five.” She stood taller now, though she continued her retreat. “Do not underestimatethem.”
“I’m making my midnight visit, Jane.” He prowled toward her.
“You will risk your very life?”
“It’s a worthy risk to take. I won’t die, Jane,” he whispered. “But I might get shot. Not the same thing.” He winked. So damn merry. About gettingshot. She ducked out from under his arm. “No matter how strong your alchemist powers make you, you are just aman. And they are five trained soldiers. They will gun you down with no remorse. They have been paid to do so.”
“Would you grieve me, Jane?”
“I do not grieve fools.”
“But you kiss them?”
“No.” Not now that her wits had banished her lust. Where was the exit? She’d gone down a long hallway, taken a turn. Oh, yes, she remembered. She stepped in that direction.
But his hand on her upper arm stopped her as firmly as a chain would have. “Wait.” That hand disappeared, and then her mantle appeared around her shoulders. “Let me walk you back.”
She almost said no. But she was sensible. “Thank you.”
“Just a moment.”
Over her shoulder, she watched him straighten his clothes and shrug into a waistcoat. Felix, who had curled back up onto a pillow, didn’t flinch.
“That fox is spoiled,” she mumbled.
When he stepped into the hallway, she followed him through the house and out the door, and when he offered his elbow, she took it, happy to have such a furnace at her side, a strong arm at her disposal.
“I have a plan, you know,” he said, hunching into the upturned collar of his greatcoat. “I’m not a complete fool.”
“What is it?”
