Justin leaned forward with interest. “What did you find?”
“I hired a Bow Street Runner to see what he could find out about the man, and the results were astonishing.”
“Spill it,” Justin said impatiently.
“He is known by the name Granger. He worked as a cook on various ships when he could get hired on. His last job was aboard the same ship that Penroth sailed on seven months ago.”
“You mean Jillian’s husband?”
Case nodded. “Witnesses state that Granger signed on as the cook for that voyage.”
“I thought there were no survivors.”
“That’s what makes this so astonishing. There weren’t.”
“How sure are you that he was actually on that ship?”
“I checked the ship’s manifest that was filed the day she sailed. He was listed as the cook. I spoke with two eyewitnesses that place him on the ship at the time it left port.”
“I think now, more than ever, we need to have a detailed conversation with this fellow.”
“My thoughts, exactly,” Case agreed. “I haven’t mentioned it to Jillian, but I plan to leave tomorrow afternoon. I have a meeting with the runner day after tomorrow in London. If we are fortunate, he will have found Granger.”
“Jillian will miss you,” Justin said, his voice casual.
“And I will miss her.” Case looked sideways at Justin, studying his expression. “Want to tell me what is between you and Jillian?”
“No, I don’t.”
Case chuckled. “Getting under your skin, is she?”
Justin remained silent, refusing to react to Case’s goading, instead directing his attention to the fireplace where the last of the fading embers slowly died out.
“Just don’t toy with her,” Case said quietly, his voice carrying a hint of warning.
“Why are you so protective of her?” Justin turned back to face his brother.
“She’s been hurt enough.”
“By whom? Case, what went on with her husband? Why does she balk every time his name is mentioned?”
“That is a question you need to ask her. It isn’t something I am at liberty to divulge. But before you ask that of her, you should ask yourself why you care.”
###
He cared all right, more than he wanted to admit. Justin paced restlessly in his room. Sleep eluded him, thoughts of Jillian kept crowding his consciousness. It had suddenly become a pressing need with him to find out everything about her. Every nuance of her life he wanted to learn. He wanted to know what made her laugh, made her smile, and what made her cry. And what made her hurt. She was hurting, of that he was certain.
Something elusive and intangible inside him tightened and constricted his chest painfully. He wanted to take away her hurt, but he didn’t know how, yet. Perhaps Case was right. Maybe itwastime to ask her about her marriage.
###
Jillian woke before dawn the next morning and made haste to get out of bed and dress. She was careful to be as quiet as possible, not wanting to alert Greta to the fact she was awake. Once she fastened the buttons to her dress, she pulled a brush through the long locks of her hair, not taking the time to arrange it. She had to hurry before she lost her nerve.
Collecting a small wrapped package from underneath her bed, she eased out the door of her chambers. It hadn’t been easy to obtain a gift for Justin without his knowing, but she had managed to have Greta make the necessary purchase in the village.
She crept silently down the hall. At the walkway over the foyer, she paused to make sure no one was about then all but ran to the other side and down the opposite hallway leading to Justin’s bedroom. Justin was an early riser, like herself, and she hoped today of all days he remained true to form.
She paused just outside his doorway, nervously wiping her palm on her skirts. She lifted her hand to knock, but pulled it away just as quickly. Taking a deep breath, and mustering her courage, she knocked softly at the door. Relief poured over her when she heard his immediate response.
