This was turning into a disaster.
“You’re going to regret this outing, Hall. And Miss Pelton?” Mr. Clemens stepped closer, and Abraham immediately thrust a distancing hand to his chest. “Don’t think you’re safe from Poe just because he declared his ardor. He’s a dangerous man, and regardless of your choices, I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
Mr. Clemens stormed out of the bank, leaving a wake of whispers and gawking.
Abraham spun toward the exit and hastened them out the door. Though her legs trembled, she followed him into the carriage. After what had happened inside, she didn’t want to walk anywhere. Being trapped with a man who smelled like a perfumed corpse was better than becoming one.
CHAPTER24
ABRAHAM WATCHEDLYDIA THROUGH Aside-glance. The ride between the bank and O’Dell Publishing was hardly sufficient for her to regain her composure. Even with the carriage’s curtains pulled back, she looked wan and frightened. The fact his name was about to appear in the papers as Poe’s competition for Lydia’s hand didn’t sit well with him either. Not that the idea of being Lydia’s beau wasn’t enticing, but the announcement could escalate Poe to violence toward him—or worse, toward Lydia. Though the desire to hold and comfort her ate at him, Abraham remained anchored in place. Friendship was all he could offer. That, and his protection and determination to find and arrest Billy Poe.
When he and Lydia arrived, picketers maintained their demands for accountability. Abraham instructed the driver to find an entrance at the back of the building. The alley was free of obstructions, and nothing that indicated a threat hid in the slanted afternoon shadows. Still, tension pulled at Abraham’s shoulders as he assisted Lydia from the carriage and ushered her to the door. Not surprisingly, it was locked.
“I’ll bang on Marcus’s office window and have him let us in.” Lydia took a few steps deeper into the alley but paused when he followed. “Wait here. I’m not sure how he’ll respond if he sees you with me.”
The placating smile she offered did little to comfort him, but it was only a dozen feet. He would still be close enough if trouble occurred.
Lydia peered through Monroe’s window, then rapped.
It opened in a rush. “What are you doing here? It isn’t safe.”
Even from this distance, Abraham could see the distress pinching her face. He took a few steps toward her, but she waved a hand below the view of the window to stop him.
“I must speak with Mr. O’Dell.”
“Climb in. I’ll take you to him.” The window lifted the full height, and Monroe’s arms stretched out.
Lydia stepped out of reach, and the reprimanding tone that accompanied her words would make any mother proud. “I am a lady, Marcus. I absolutely will not climb through that window. Come open the door like a gentleman.”
There was some mild grumbling before he closed the window.
She rejoined Abraham and folded her arms. “I swear, the man thinks I’m just like the characters in my books.”
“Not to defend him, but you did steal a goat from the circus while dressed as a clown.”
A mischievous smile softened her frustration. “And I’ve walked George Street in the dead of night, pretended to be a server at a gambling den, and shot a rifle, all for research. But have no fear; a target could be three feet in front of me, and I’d probably miss.”
“That’s more worrisome than knowing you could hit a man at twenty yards. If you’re going to shoot, you should do it right.” In fact, all of it was worrisome. George Street? She was lucky she hadn’t walked away ruined or ended up dead.
“Are you volunteering to teach me?” She fluttered her lashes and clasped her hands to her chest in dramatic fashion. “You are my beau, after all.”
The door flew open.
“He’s yourwhat?” Surprise and outright anger burst from Monroe.
Of all Egleston’s words for her to have chosen to proclaim at that moment.
“She was jesting,” Abraham said.
“Don’t be silly. He’ll read about it in the papers soon enough.” Lydia looped her arm around Abraham’s and smiled sweetly at Marcus. “Thank you for letting us in.”
She and Abraham passed Monroe, who struggled to subdue his temper into a mask of composure. Abraham stiffened. Giving his back to Monroe opened the chance for the man to stab him with a pen. Thankfully Monroe must have left it behind.
“Is Mr. O’Dell in his office?” Lydia’s voice feigned lightness, but underneath, Abraham discerned fear.
“You had better let me announce you. He was in a foul mood this morning.” Monroe cut between them with such force, Lydia was forced apart from Abraham.
After catching her balance on the wall, she glared at Monroe. “I know you’re upset, Marcus, but really? Was that necessary?”
