inny slipped into the chair next to Lorelei in the dining room and ordered tea from the nearest servant. “What’s with all the commotion?”
Lorelei leaned in, speaking softly. “Well, you and Brock for one. Disappearing like that. Someone said he tossed you over his shoulder like a Neanderthal.”
“That’s ridiculous—” she started.
Lorelei’s knowing look sent a rush of heat up Ginny’s neck to her cheeks. “Not to worry. Talk of you was usurped when word came of a body found outside Colchester. A woman,” she finished grimly.
Ginny’s tea arrived. “I hate to break it to you, my dear. Women die just like men.”
“Yes, but they aren’t usually strangled and tossed in a ditch like so much refuse.”
“Strangled! Do they know who she is?”
Brockway and Kimpton entered and took the seats across from the ladies. A shared look passed between them. “Someone was strangled?” This came from Kimpton.
Maeve sat two chairs over. “A nurse. Apparently, she was employed at the Tranquil Waters Asylum.” A shudder wracked her willowy frame. “One never hears much regarding asylums, does one?” Her question didn’t seem to address anyone in the uncomfortable silence that filled the dining hall.
Ginny cut her glance to Lorelei. She was frowning down at her plate of eggs. Ginny surveyed the others. Tension flowed off Brock like the onslaught of driving rain, complete with a charge of lightning and rigorous thunder. He was so still he could have been carved stone. “Any notion who she was?” he asked.
“No one mentioned a name,” Maeve whispered.
Ginny couldn’t swallow a thing. Both Kimpton and Brock filled their plates and ate without another word. Others drifted in and out, but when Kimpton and Brock stood, Lorelei and Ginny did as well. Ginny had every intention of learning what brilliant plan Brock and Kimpton had silently agreed upon. She knew one thing. It would be interesting.
She trailed Brock up the stairs and down the long hallway to his assigned chamber. How convenient to be out from under so many watchful eyes. She pushed on the door as he entered his room and followed him in. He turned, shoving the door with an abrupt slam, and drew her into his arms, kissing her with a passion that mirrored their early morning. “You fell asleep on me last night.”
She blushed to her roots, wondering if he meant literally.
“You’re adorable, you know.”
His attempts at distraction almost worked. She pushed at his shoulders. An ineffectual effort. “What’s going on?”
His hands fell away, and he pushed one through his hair. “Kimpton and I have been searching for Lady Kimpton’s brother, Harlowe.”
Her apprehension turned palpable. It turned her stomach. She gasped. “You found him?”
“Nothing quite so simple. We learned a man fitting his description was hurt. He’d lost his memory, and the doctor caring for him has since died.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Said patient has vanished with no trace. The only reason we know,or feel, it’s Harlowe is that we saw two paintings in Goldhanger that strongly suggest his style. The doctor’s daughter, Evelyn Holks, has disappeared as well. She was the one who’d nursed him to health. We found the doctor’s sister. She told us that Evelyn—that’s her niece—was in love with him. We didn’t find Evelyn either.” He paced to the window and stared out. “It’s too coincidental that a woman was found dead. Anurse.” He turned, piercing her with his fierce gaze. “Kimpton and I will need to track down the identity of the dead woman. It’s entirely feasible that Harlowe was stashed in that very asylum. It’s the perfect place, in fact.”
“And you suspect that this… de-de… the woman is Evelyn?”
“Sadly, it would simplify our search.”
Ginny moved away and fell into one of the winged chairs flanking the hearth. “Has Thorne shared any of this with Lorelei?”
“You would know that better than I. As I understand it, she doesn’t tend to pepper him questions.”
Her gaze shot to him. “Unlike me, you mean?”
He sauntered over, crouched before her. “You are quite unique, my love.” She lifted her brows. “Not in a bad way. You bear scars”—his fingers brushed her tingling scalp—“like no other. And I, more than anyone, respect your need for answers.” He leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. “I want you home with your girls. I wish to assist you in your scandalous plans in teaching them to defend themselves.” A long pause ensued. “I must go for a bit. I’ll be back later tonight.”
Heartened by his warmth, and his trust at disclosing his and Kimpton’s intentions, she could only nod.
Rising to his feet, he pulled her up with him and into his chest, his hands on her arms a source of comfort she both craved and begrudged. “Stay away from Griston, darling. I have it on good authority that he is untrustworthy. Stay away from Maudsley too,” he added on a scowl. Of course he’d had to go and ruin it with his typical arrogance.
Ginny flat-palmed his chest and shoved, opening her mouth prepared to peal a ring over his head. “Why, you—”
