She laughed, and the warmth of it wrapped around the table like a balm. After dinner, they moved to the drawing room. April eyed the pianoforte.
“Would you mind terribly if I played a bit?”
“Not at all. I’d rather like it. Though if you play as fiercely as you debate about poetry, I might fear for the keys.”
She narrowed her eyes playfully. “You’ll find I am rather delicate when necessary.”
“You appear to have forgotten that I have heard you play,” he murmured, tempted to reach for her and draw her close.
Her fine brows rose. Before she could respond, a small knock sounded on the doorframe. He turned to seeRedmond.
“Your Grace, a Runner is here to see you,” he informed. “He says it is important.”
Theo straightened at once. “Thank you. Show him to my study and inform him I’ll be there presently.”
Turning to April, he inclined his head. “Forgive me. I shall not be long.”
She nodded. “Of course, I shall amuse myself.”
Theo proceeded to the study and found the officer waiting.
“Your Grace,” the man said, removing his hat. “We’ve found no trace of a man by the name Michael Linwood. We believe it may be an alias.”
Theo crossed to his desk. “Yes, that is to be expected.”
“But we arrested a man this evening. He’s connected to a number of questionable dealings. He claims he may know your Linwood.”
“Where is he now?”
“At our station.”
Theo considered for a moment. “Keep him there. I’ll come in the morning.”
“As you say, Your Grace.”
When the officer departed, Theo remained as he was for a long while, breathing and collecting his thoughts. The day he solved this case would be one of the most profound days of his life, but before then, he would have remain as patient as possible.
Theo could not tell how much time had passed before his thoughts finally returned to the present. He sighed and ran a hand down his jaw. He should go back to the drawing room.
He found April had dozed off on the settee when he entered. Her head rested against the cushioned back, her hands folded loosely in her lap. The sight of her illuminated his chest.
How do you do this to me, little storm?
He approached slowly and bent to lift her into his arms. She stirred only slightly, a soft sigh against his chest.
He carried her up to his bedchamber—ourbedchamber now, he supposed—and laid her gently atop the coverlet. He removed her slippers and pulled a light throw over her.
Then, almost without thought, he leaned down and brushed a kiss to her temple.
I will protect you. I will not ruin what little peace we’ve found.
He settled himself on the settee across the room and retrievedthe Faerie Queenefrom his coat before discarding the garment. He opened the first page he found and read:
For love is a careless thing, And yet the bravest hearts are laid bare before it.
Theo let out a slow breath and closed his eyes.No. Not tonight.He dismissed whatever message the book was attempting to convey.
Twenty-Seven
