“I liked you better as LaCroy, at least you listened to me.”
“As LaCroy I’d have to sneak out. I don’t want to do that. From now on, when I say something to you it has to be the truth.”
“Well, that is a good development between us, you not deceiving me.”
“No, I’ll save that for others.”
She smoothed her sleeves. A nervous response?
“I only did what I thought I had to, Repington. Know that keeping my identity hidden was one of the hardest things I’ve done.”
“You have to go, today?”
“The thought of leaving Lionel for a moment breaks me up inside. But you are a capable guardian. He’s safe in your hands. You must keep him safe.”
“I have guards again on the catacombs, if that will make you feel better.” He adjusted Lionel’s clean pinafore. “You will be back?”
“Of course.”
She smiled at him, definitelyatBusick. The first since their argument.
He rather liked her smiling at him. “I must insist that you tell me where you are going. What if something goes wrong for you? How will I come for you?”
She stood up with a palm shadowing her face. “There’s too much light. The way the sun reflects off the snow hurts my eyes. May I be excused?”
The woman did look uncomfortable.
Busick handed her the wiggling boy. “Let’s return to the house.”
He stood and held his free arm out to her.
She didn’t take it, but neither did she retreat.
They were in the house where less than a day ago everything turned topsy-turvy. “It’s safe here. Stay. Don’t leave Hamlin.”
She adjusted a blanket about Lionel. The boy looked so content in her arms. The flare of his nostrils—was that Patience’s nose?
“I wouldn’t leave Lionel if this was not important.”
“I’ll not stop you, but you should tell me what you are doing, Cousin.”
“You believe me?”
“Mostly. And mostly, I want you safe. Here under my protective arms.”
Another brief smile set on her lips. The lines of her neck tensed less. “You don’t have to be concerned. Lady Shrewsbury’s nephew, the man from last night, he will be going with me and Mrs. St. Maur. He’ll make sure we have safe travels. Your arms will have to find another occupation.”
“You trust a man you met last night?”
“He’s the barrister who rescued me from Bedlam and led me to Lady Shrewsbury. Yes, I trust him.”
“He’s sort of your hero. Any chances of you being taken in by that hero business?”
“No more than you. If you will excuse me.”
She took Lionel up the stairs and he watched her form glide up, tread by tread, step by step.
The thought of Patience being out of arms’ reach and leaving Hamlin wasn’t good.
