She parted her lips. “I would never do that.”
He was about to protest that his heart was already broken when a loud banging thudded from the front door.
“Hello? Anyone in the house? Open immediately. Police!”
“What?” he and Angeline said together.
“How did you get word to the police?” he whispered.
“How, when? I didn’t have time. I was too busy shooting you.”
“Yes, very funny.”
“Police.” Another loud knock caused the door to shake.
Royston nodded towards the door. “You’d better answer before they bring the door down.”
She exhaled and threw a hand up. “Bother.” She put the bow aside and snatched the arrow from the door. It took her a couple of attempts.
“Police!”
After hiding the bow and the arrow in a closet, she hurried down the corridor towards the front door. From the hook on the wall, she took an afternoon cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders.
“Police!” Another loud banging.
“Give me one moment,” she said, lighting a gas lamp in the entry hallway.
Royston slid inside the parlour, leaving the door ajar to keep an eye on the corridor. A mirror hanging on the opposite wall offered a clear view of the entrance hall.
If she wanted, she could have him arrested in a moment. He should have told her not to say anything. He’d implicitly trusted her although she might not be as trustworthy as he thought. Now he’d find out if it was a good or a bad assumption.
She inched the door open. “What is the meaning of this?”
“Madam.” The peeler removed his hat. “I’m Police Constable Davis, madam. I’m sorry to disturb you, but a man came to the police station, saying this house was being robbed. I came here to make sure everything was all right.”
Angeline let out a nervous chuckle. “Good gracious, there must be a mistake.”
Royston sagged in relief. A smile fought its way through his grimace of pain.
She waved a hand around. “There’s no robbery going on here.”
Police Constable Davis craned his neck to look past her. “Do you mind if I have a look around?”
“Actually, I do.”
So did Royston.
“Madam, it’s possible the thief is hiding in the house and you aren’t aware of that. The man who warned us saw a thief breaking through your front window. My presence might have alerted him, forcing him to hide.”
No, that wasn’t true or possible. No one could have seen Royston breaking in through the front window because he hadn’t. Besides, he would never use the front window. He stifled a groan as the wound pulsated.
“My window is intact.” Angeline held the door open. “Do you want to take a look?”
Police Constable Davis gripped his baton as he entered the house. Royston inched back into the shadows.
“Everything is in order in the sitting room.” Angeline lit more lamps; their warm glow flooded the entry hall. “Nothing amiss.”
The constable stuck his head into the sitting room. “I should check the other rooms.”
