“Understood.”
“Now, as much as I enjoy our little chats, I suggest you head out through the rear entrance before anyone else sees you.”
Phoebe stood and headed for the door. Then she turned back. “Was the dukereallycross?”
Inspector Holland glanced up from the file in his hands and lifted an eyebrow. “Absolutely livid.”
As Phoebe returned home, the uneasy feeling lingered though she was fairly confident the earl couldn’t know the full truth about her dalliance with Will. But perhaps he had learned enough to hurt his marriage prospects. As much as she didn’t like the idea of Will marrying some fresh-faced debutante, she didn’t want to be responsible for any difficulties either.
Phoebe was so lost in thought as she entered the flat that she barely noticed Marion until she was standing right before her with an odd look on her face.
“Where have you been?” But before Phoebe could respond, she tugged her aside. “Thatmanis here,” she whispered. “The duke.”
“What?” Phoebe craned her neck but there was no sign of Will.
“He showed up an hour ago and insisted on waiting until you came back.” Marion rolled her eyes. “Then I thought he was going to put a hole in the floor with his pacing, so I finally told him to go in your room or else wait on the street.”
Despite the nerves fluttering inside her, Phoebe couldn’t help smiling at the thought of Marion banishing Will from her presence. “I see.”
Most women might look at least a little chagrinned at chastising a duke, but not Marion. “Do you knowwhyhe’s here?”
Phoebe let out a sigh. “There’s been a… a misunderstanding of sorts.” She didn’t know what else to call it. “I’ll speak to him.”
Her friend’s gaze turned wary. “Should I leave?”
“Not unless you want to. I don’t think this will take long,” she murmured.
“Is everything all right?” Marion asked gently.
Phoebe shook her head. “Not really. But it will be.”
I hope.
Marion gave her a comforting pat and left Phoebe to her task. Will was still pacing in the tiny space between her bed and wardrobe. His hands were clasped tightly behind his back and his head was bent down, as if he was deep in thought. She had never seen him look so agitated. Not even when he showed up at Bow Street. Her chest ached at the memory. How much had changed between them since that afternoon. How mucheverythinghad changed. Phoebe took a steadying breath but her racing heart would not heel. She had effectively lost all control the moment he entered Inspector Holland’s office. She was a fool to have ever thought otherwise.
And you won’t get it back this time.
As soon as Phoebe stepped into the room, his head immediately snapped up and he halted.
“Where thehellhave you been?” His scowl nailed her to the spot, but it could not hide the worry in his eyes.
Phoebe closed the door behind her. “I met with Maude,” she said calmly.
This appeared to only irritate him further. “Phoebe, you need to stay away from her—”
“She’s Alice’s sister.”
That caught him by surprise as his scowl softened, but only for a moment. “Then where is she?”
“Maude sent her away to keep her safe from Fairbanks,” Phoebe explained.
“You can’t just take her at her word,” Will countered. “A woman like that is used to manipulating people.”
“Perhaps, but Inspector Holland vouched for her. He’s known everything from the beginning.”
Will’s dark gaze flashed. “You’ve seen Holland?”
“Right after you, apparently.”
