“I try never to hate anyone. Although, I admit, you sorely tempted me.”
“What can I say? People either love me or hate me these days.” Her light tone indicated she jested, but the evident weariness of her countenance and posture proved the truth of her statement had been keeping her up at night.
“Do you feel unsafe at Miss Plane’s?”
She gave a half chuckle, half snort. “More like a barely tolerated guest. Theresa is thrilled to have us, but her grandfather isn’t exactly a pleasant man. If it weren’t for the fact my father saved Colonel Plane’s life in the war, he probably would have turned us away. He runs his house like a military camp and treats us as his personal soldiers. But I do feel safe. If anyone tried to throw a brick through his window, Colonel Plane would have them captured and court-martialed before they could think to turn around. And if they tried to come inside, they’d have to get past the impervious Mrs. Hawking first. That woman could have scared Stonewall Jackson into surrendering if someone had given her the chance.”
“Even so, obey the rules and stay out of sight. I don’t want my key suspect ending up like her victims.”
She gaped at him, her horror at his statement clear.
What kind of fool was he to make such a jest? “Forgive me. That was in poor taste.”
She blinked and then a slow smile curved her lips. “I suppose a hero can’t be expected to say the right things all the time.”
“Oh no you don’t. You are not to make me a character, especially not a hero.”
“Well, I did consider making you a villain for a short time. But truly, you make a much better hero. Any woman would swoon over you.” She slapped a hand over her mouth as if doing so might stop the words that had already escaped.
Did she carry a torch for him? He almost laughed outright. Not with his abominable treatment of her. However, she might be discerning that he no longer considered her a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He still couldn’t quite call her an innocent lamb, but she’d found his thread of compassion and was wrapping it around her finger. It was dangerous, this discovery of how much they had in common and the easy banter that passed between them. It would be too easy to forget she was a criminal, not a potential wife. He’d best snap the thread loose before she unraveled the whole of him.
“Please refrain from swooning in my presence. I’m a dreadful catch and would likely drop you instead of sweep you off your feet.”
Her laughter was far from the sweet chimes described in her novels and more like a squeaky mouse. It was rather endearing in its own odd way. “You don’t have to worry about that. There isn’t a man on this planet who could physically sweep me off my feet and carry me away. But I suppose that makes me kidnap-proof.”
Abraham frowned at her self-deprecating humor. “That was by no means a reference to your size, Miss Pelton. You are a very beautiful woman and very much in danger of being kidnapped.” Whether by Billy Poe or the many other men who surely found Miss Pelton desirable.
“You don’t have to be so kind. I wasn’t fishing for a compliment. However, I do wonder … Do you think … Would it be possible for us to start over? I mean, I know we can’t start over literally, but I have a desperate desire to prove to you that I’m not the horrible creature you’ve met. Or, at least, I’m not going tostaythis horrible creature.”
Abraham thudded back in his chair. Was she proposing friendship or courtship? Neither was safe. She might desire to change now, but that was no guarantee. Allowing Miss Pelton any more space in his life than necessary was risky.
He’d already given her too much.
That ember of admiration he’d thought doused had reignited unnervingly fast in these last few minutes. Had she sensed that and decided to exploit it for her purposes? Her hopeful and earnest face suggested not, but friendship with her posed too many risks.
“It’s not wise to befriend a suspect.”
Instead of being put off by the reminder of her status, she grinned and leaned in. “But befriending the enemy allows you to know what they’re up to. Wouldn’t it be wiser for you to keep your enemy close? Perhaps even closer than you would a friend?”
It was difficult not to chuckle at her determination, which only proved how dangerous it was to let his guard down around her. “We’re not enemies, Miss Pelton.”
“Oh good; that means we’re friends.” Before he could deny it, she clasped his hands. “I know there is nothing I can say to dissuade you from believing I played a willing part in Billy Poe’s actions, but this Billy Poe is notmyBilly Poe.”
The desperation for him to understand played in the depths of her eyes and the creases that formed around her mouth. She was sincere in what she said. Either that or he was a fool. The former was possible but the latter definite. He should pull free of her grasp, but there was a sweetness to her touch that he couldn’t help but indulge in.
She continued on, passionate and pleading. “All I’ve ever wanted to do was to improve the world around me. To display God’s justice and love through a man who had the power to do right where I could not. This man who pretends to be Billy Poe is a monster. And like Frankenstein’s, the monster is one I regret creating and whose actions I do not condone. I want Billy Poe caught just as much as everyone else in Cincinnati. More so, even, because he has taken what was meant for good and used it for evil.”
This woman. Why did she have to be so convincing? However, if there were any truth to her words, he would only know through a closer acquaintance. He regarded her from the escaping curls to her contrite expression. A flutter of anticipation filled his midsection. It had to be gas. Men did not get butterflies in their stomachs—and certainly not over a potential friendship with a woman who had already proven to be trouble.
“All right, Miss Pelton. I’ll agree to a tentative friendship, but that doesn’t mean I trust you.”
“I’d expect nothing less. Thank you for giving me the chance to prove I am changing and that I do not belong on your suspect list.”
“That remains to be seen, but I look forward to finding out.” The edge of a smile sneaked out, heedless of his effort to keep it hidden.
She grinned. “Thank you. I have a feeling we’ll make much better friends than enemies, and as our first order of friendship, I insist on you calling me Lydia.”
“That is a bit much, considering I’m still investigating you.” He pulled his hands free.
