He smiled. “I know. Even if I was followed from the shipyard, no one knows I live here. Except you. Still ...,” he trailed off.
“Is there something more?”
Finn nodded. “Last night, I was heading home, just a block away on Temple when two men tried to grab me.” He gestured toward the window which faced the street. “They were trying to pull me toward a carriage.”
“To rob you?” Rose asked.
He locked his gaze upon hers. “No. I think to kill me. I can’t explain why I think that.”
Inexplicably, she wanted to wrap her arms around him and comfort him. Instead, she curled her fingers tightly in her lap to stop herself.
“You didn’t want me to tell Mr. Woodsom in case that put him in danger. Is that right?”
“And you, too, of course. If you tell someone, then it will be apparent that you know about me. At this moment, no one knows we were ever married so I believe you’re safe.”
“Except for meeting you on the docks and here at the restaurant in broad daylight, with the entire restaurant staff watching. Oh, and having you throw a ball at my head.” She tried to lighten her tone since he seemed so grim.
It worked. He smiled ruefully. “What else could I do? Shout out to you, Hey, Rose!” Pausing, he sighed. “You haven’t told anyone about my return, have you?”
She wrinkled her nose.
“Rose?” he prompted.
“I did tell Claire,” she admitted. “I had to talk to someone.”
He groaned again. “Will she tell anyone?”
Rose thought of Robert and Franklin. Most likely Claire wouldn’t tell her twin brother, but what if she confided in her beau?
“I don’t think so,” she said. “I’ll go see her later and tell her absolutely not to. She never told anyone about our marriage,” she added to reassure him.
He nodded. “That’s good.”
She might as well let him know the worst. “I did speak to one other person.”
Frowning, Finn waited for her to tell him.
“I have spoken with my brother.” Which meant that Charlotte might already know, as well, though Rose decided not to assume anything.
Finn uncrossed his legs and stood straight, and the room instantly shrunk in size. “You told Reed that I’m alive?”
“Yes,” she said quietly, “and that we’re married.”
When his eyes widened, she reminded him quickly, “It had to be done for us to obtain a divorce.” She shrugged. “Actually, I’m surprised he hasn’t already paid you a visit, except he is most likely getting the paperwork in order first. Reed is very thorough.”
“What did he say?”
That you’re a scoundrel. The words floated through her mind, and she knew the petty wish to hurt Finn for how he’d hurt her.
“He was disappointed in both of us. Naturally.”
“As any big brother would be. I’m sure he had choice words for your husband.”
She flinched at the word, as now their marriage seemed nothing but sordid and duplicitous.
“What shall I do? Should I tell him about this threat to you?” Rose knew that Reed would shout the alarm from every corner if he thought her to be in danger. She would lose all her hard-earned freedom to boot, and any restrictions or odd behavior would ensure that William would have to know immediately.
“You know his character. I don’t.”
