She swung her head to look at him. “I agree.”
“I pray Father and the others had better luck with their endeavors today.”
“Me, too.” She nodded. “Umm...what were the others doing? I remember what Father was going to do, but I don’t recall hearing what Banks, Cartwright, and Phelps were assigned to do.”
Gordon rolled his eyes. “I swear, dear sister, but I think your head has been in the clouds lately. You forget many things lately, and I find you lollygagging quite a bit.”
She huffed. “Lollygag? You think I lollygag?”
“I think that way because you do. Sometimes I have to say your name three times before you notice I’m even talking.” He arched an eyebrow. “And, if I’m not mistaken—and I rarely am—you act as if you’re smitten.” He grinned. “Are you? Has my sister finally found a man to occupy her thoughts night and day?”
Nicole couldn’t stop the heat from climbing up her face, even if she really tried to stop it. Her brother had guessed correctly, but she certainly didn’t want to let him know the truth. Gasping loudly, she tapped him on the arm. “That’s utter nonsense! I fear, dear brother, your instincts are getting worse. In fact, I’m now worried about you.”
His mouth stretched wider as humor laced his gaze. “The woman doth protest too much, I think.”
“You are ridiculous.” She shook her head, trying to act as if his words didn’t bother her. The problem was that they bothered her too much because he was right. And he knew it, even though she tried denying it.
“Who is he?” Gordon continued, leaning closer as he lowered his voice. “Have I met him? Do you think Father will approve?”
“Oh, really, Gordon.” She bumped him with her elbow, hoping to move him further away. “You can’t be more wrong.”
“Right—you mean. I can’t be more right.”
Folding her arms, she moved her head away from her brother to scan the railcar once more. The man who had been watching her earlier was staring at her again, but his expression appeared harsher this time. Tense. Why did he look at her with such anger?
The beat of her heart thumped in a different rhythm as fear grew inside her. The man really didn’t appear to be mean. So, then why did he make her feel as though he was upset at something she had done?
Perhaps she should approach him and ask why he glared at her. Then again, she didn’t want her brother to turn into the overprotective guardian she had always loathed. And for sure, she didn’t want to cause a scene.
The railway finally came to a complete stop, and immediately, the passengers rose from their seats to collect their things and leave. All except for the strange man.
Nicole followed her brother out of the railcar, and as they stepped onto the ground, she glanced behind her. Just as she expected, the man was following but going at a slower pace. Unease twisted in her stomach as she focused ahead of her while her mind scrambled with what she could do or say to make him explain why he acted this way.
Gordon walked her to the carriage that waited for them, but she put her hand on his arm just as he tried to help her up into the vehicle.
“I forgot something on the railcar,” she said in a rush. “I shall be back momentarily.” Before hearing his answer, she turned and hurried toward the train.
The man stood with his back against the wall of the train, his arms down at his sides. In one of his hands, he clutched a newspaper. When he noticed her coming toward him, he quickly lifted the newspaper and pretended to read. He certainly wasn’t any good at this spying game.
As she approached him, she finally realized his clothes didn’t quite fit his frame very well. They hung on him as if they were three sizes larger. He didn’t tear his gaze away from the newspaper until she was right next to him. She grasped the rail and placed her foot on the first step and then turned and met his stare.
“I need to talk to you. Now. Come inside with me,” she said before climbing the other two steps and moving inside the empty railcar.
She stopped just inside the door of the car and waited for him, breathing a sigh of relief when she noticed him out of the nearest window, turning and coming in. As soon as he walked inside, he removed his hat. Immediately, she recognized his tousled hair and the dreamy hazel eyes that had filled her dreams every night.
She hitched a breath. “Oh, good heavens, it’s you.” She grasped his hands. “What are you doing in Liverpool? Why aren’t you still in Meols.”
The sensual smile she was used to seeing from him didn’t grace his face this time. As he studied her, he tilted his head slightly, appearing almost upset. “From what I have gathered, Miss Bastian, from last we had talked, you are supposed to be in Meols as well.”
It finally hit her that he didn’t look excited to see her at all—and he didn’t call her by her given name. Oh, dear... She must explain why she was here and on the railway, yet she couldn’t tell him the truth. Not yet. As much as it hurt her to lie to him again, she must, in order to protect her brother, father, and the rest of the detectives.
“Well, the last time we talked, I was in Meols. However, my father has returned from an extended visit out of state, so I went to see him and my brother, Gordon.” She motioned toward the window where her brother still waited for her. “My brother is who came with me on the railway.”
Slowly, the worried lines on his face smoothed out, yet his eyes still held a hint of distrust when he scanned the length of her body. Oh, no! She had forgotten about her disguise. What excuse could she give him for dressing like this?
“I didn’t recognize you at first.” His voice held no emotion. “I’m not used to seeing you attired so poorly.”
She released a light laugh. “I could say the same about you.” She reached over and touched his mustache. “I’m sure it didn’t take you a week to grow this bush over your lips and those long, furry caterpillars by your ears.”
