“Don’t. I’m not looking for a confession of love or a kissing cousin, Wycliff. Promise me that this will not happen again.”
“That’s hard to do when this kiss has so much promise.”
“I was curious. It was wrong to use you.”
“Ruth, use me up. Burn me with your fire.”
“My son’s fake name has been made true. I can’t compromise you and ruin things again.”
“Maybe you should reconsider. I’m very willing to be compromised, and I have time for it. Seems Mr. Marks does not. He didn’t even attend you at church.”
She pulled at the strings of her bonnet. “He’s…he’s been busy, but you’ve been watching me.”
“I can’t help watching you. I was in the vestibule, making sure you were well, that you didn’t fidget too much. Your sister talks too much. Bexeley fell asleep. How, I’m not sure.”
“You’ve been very nosy.”
“I said you are under my protection.”
She gripped his cape as if she needed to hold on to him to stay upright. “Is my family in danger because of you?”
There was no danger, for he had the situation under control and he had taken every precaution. He flexed the muscles in his hand. “Have no concerns. I have everything secure.”
“Then they’re coming again, the men who killed Adam?”
The trembles in her limbs became more and more pronounced. “I need them gone for good.”
Ruth crumbled at his feet, a ball of gray silk. She swatted at his arms, fighting him like she did not know him.
“It’s me, Ruth. Let me take care of you. Let me protect you.”
Her hands slowed, and she nodded. “I’m grateful for food, for shelter, for family, for my son, for you, Wycliff.”
Her voice was low, but he heard her, her words. It patched up at least one hole that her honest disappointment in Adam had wrought.
Wycliff scooped her up into his arms. “I have you. I’ll never let go.”
He rushed, running at top speed down Fournier Street, cradling her to his bosom, speaking words of strength to her. He might have even said he loved her. Flying up the steps, he shouldered open the heavy door.
Then he held her in the empty hall. Waiting for her to strengthen, he kissed her brow. “You’re safe Ruth. You’re safe, back in the house.”
Clancy came. “Do we need to get the doctor to fix her?”
“No,” she said. “The fixing is for me to do. Put me down, Lord Wycliff.”
Her voice sounded stronger than she looked, but he complied.
Setting her feet to the ground, he kept her palm, bolstering her from swaying. Soon she patted away his arms. “I’m better. Thank you.”
With his fingers to her throat, he undid her bonnet strings, taking the same care he had with the ribbon of her stays, all those years ago. She needed to know how he longed to care for her. This time, he could be trusted with her love.
He kept her palm. “Adam failed to protect you from his enemies. I will never fail you.”
She pulled off her coat and gave it to Clancy.
“Mrs. Wilky,” Wycliff said, “I’m going to leave you now. I must see you tomorrow. Let’s take another walk.”
She wobbled to the stairwell. “Don’t you think we’ve had enough? I need to lie down.”
