“What are you reading?” she asked.
He looked at the paper in his hand. “I’ve hired an investigator in Portugal, and he finally has something to report. My ship has been found. One by one, members of my crew are sending word from ports around Spain and the North of Africa.”
Now he will go,she thought again. Before she could stop herself, the words were out of her mouth. “Now you will go.”
“Go...?” He looked confused.
Her heart was pounding. She hadn’t seen him for five days, and now he would go. “You will leave Belgravia.”
“That depends,” he said.
“On Dr. Cornwell’s assessment?”
“On whetheryou,” he said, walking to the stone bench, “can be compelled to curtail your dangerous sojourns around town, trailing after criminals.” His tone did not accuse so much as complain. He sounded weary and worried and impatient. He tossed his papers next to the hat.
“My what?” she asked.
“Where were you today?” And now he did accuse.
“Today? I went to Hampstead. To a charcoal kiln.”
“A kiln?”he said with emphasis, crossing his arms over his chest. “A kiln in Hampstead?”
“Yes, that’s right.” She took a step toward him. “You wouldn’t believe what I’ve discov—”
He cut her off. “Hampstead Heath is miles from the city, Sabine. A kiln is an ancient furnace, hot enough to—”
“I am well aware of the nature of a kiln.”
“I suppose you also know they are operated by rougher men than you’d find in a workhouse or the docks, and yet you went there alone?”
“I had Bridget—”
“Stop.” He glared at her.
“Forgive me if I’m surprised that my whereabouts are of any concern to—”
“Do you know why I haven’t gone?” he asked.
“To Hampstead?” She was lost.
“To my boat and my crew and the suite of rooms I keep across London?” he gritted out. “Why I impose on your home, and your time, and the Boyds’ staff?”
Sabine thought of Mary’s suggestion that he remained to be nearer to her, but he did not sound interested in nearness. He sounded frustrated and temperamental.
She ventured, “Because your health is still very much at risk?”
“Because,” he gritted out, “it scares the bloody hell out of me that you come and go to places like acharcoal kiln in Hampsteadand no one is the wiser.”
“Perry knew my plans for the day,” she countered. “I may have even mentioned it to the Boyds. I am not accustomed to reporting my location to—”
“I know you relish your freedom, and I understand why. But it’s one thing to visit tourist sites in London and sketch maps—”
“I give equal time to the investigationandthe guidebook maps, so please don’t deceive yourself that I’ve been plotting walks through Hyde Park until now. I was gathering clues in every corner of London well before I stumbled upon your weakened form. I might remind you that Ifound youbecause of the investigation. Next came Marylebone—”
“Forgive me for worrying when I learn that you are lurking around acharcoal kiln in Hampstead!”
She stared at him, trying to decide if his anger was rooted in concern or control. She said, “If you care where I’ve been these past few days, why didn’t you call for me?”
