He moved closer and whispered, “I do not want to leave you here with Juliette and her brother. I do not trust them.”
“I can handle them,” Simone assured him.
“I know you can, but be sure to lock your door at night,” Caleb said. “I think they would just as easily kill you as continue this ruse.”
Simone nodded. “I agree. I will be vigilant.”
Caleb looked as if he had more to say, but instead, he took a step back, albeit reluctantly. “I shall see you tonight.”
“I will be waiting.”
With indecisiveness in his eyes, he said, “Promise me that you will be safe.”
“I promise,” Simone said. “You need not worry about me.”
“But that is where you are wrong,” he started. “I will always worry about you, Simone. That is the job of any dutiful husband.”
Simone didn’t dare admit that she found his concern about her to be endearing. Before, it would have irritated her to no end, but now she was different. Because of him.
Caleb leaned closer and kissed her cheek. “Until later, my dear,” he said before he departed the townhouse.
Simone brought her hand up to her cheek and closed her eyes. That one simple, quick kiss shouldn’t have changed anything, but it did. It changed everything.
Caleb held a drink in his hand as he watched the fire in the hearth. He was biding his time until he could retrieve Simone and search Mr. Frickle’s office. He felt rather anxious at leaving Simone alone with Juliette and Victor. He knew that she could take care of herself, but that didn’t mean it stopped him from worrying, especially if she was to be his wife.
He still couldn’t quite believe that he had managed to convince her to marry him. Although, he was in disbelief that he had even offered for her in the first place. Not that he didn’t want to marry her. He did. It was the perfect cover, for both of them. At least that is what he kept telling himself. This marriage was practical, and in name only. Nothing more.
So why had he kissed her on the cheek, he wondered. And why had it felt so right to do so?
Botheration.
The feelings that he felt for Simone were discombobulated, but one thing was for certain, he did care for her. Greatly. He had never felt this way about a young woman before, and that is what scared him the most.
He was a spy, and falling in love was the last thing he could afford to do. Feelings were weaknesses.
A knock came at the door, breaking him out of his musings. He turned his head and saw Fredrick standing in the doorway.
“What brings you by at this late hour?” Caleb asked.
Fredrick walked further into the room. “Kendrick sent me,” he replied.
“You are Kendrick’s messenger now?”
As Fredrick sat down on the settee, he replied, “I was meeting with him on another matter, and he asked me to relay a message to you.”
“It must have been important if he had sent you.”
“Not really,” Fredrick said. “He just wanted to inform you that he has placed two agents to guard Miss Delacourt’s townhouse, per your request.”
Caleb took a sip of his drink before saying, “Not that it matters much. The real threat is inside of Simone’s townhouse.”
“Kendrick is aware, but he doesn’t want to make a move until he knows what they are planning,” Fredrick said.
“I figured as much,” Caleb muttered. “I just do not like the thought of Simone being alone with them. I wish I was there to protect her.”
“I daresay that Simone doesn’t need- or want- your protection,” Fredrick reasoned.
“That is what she keeps saying, as well.”
