He could have easily instructed someone to do the dirty work for him, but she refused to believe that.
When she was ready and went downstairs, the house was quiet, but a tall stack of letters was piled on the sorting table in the entry hall, and the stuffy air pressed against her chest.
A sickening lump of worry crawled up her throat. Whoever was attacking her father had started slowly, only to unleash their full wrath now. But Tristan was innocent.
She didn’t bother with a cab or a carriage and hurried along the pavement, ruining all the work her maid had done with her hair, but she needed the walk to clear her head.
Harris wasn’t even surprised to see her again. He took her coat, beaming at her. “His Lordship is in his study.”
“Thank you, Harris.”
“My lady,” he said when she started walking. “Thank you for taking care of him. He looks tired, but his spirits are better than yesterday. I’m hopeful.”
“I do care about him very much.”
“So do I, my lady.” His happiness was palpable.
She knocked on the study door with a trembling hand.
Tristan stood up from his chair and flashed a bright smile that caused her to hitch a breath. He was pale with dark circles around his eyes, but aside from that, confidence radiated from him as usual with a sweetness that was new to him.
“What a surprise. I didn’t expect you so soon. You make my day perfect.” He opened his arms, and she ran to him, suddenly desperate for his comforting hug.
He hugged her and scattered kisses on her face. “Is something the matter?”
She inched away from him to see his face. “Papa. Someone is attacking him again. I don’t understand much of it, but he’s convinced it’s you.”
His arms stiffened around her. “No. I promised you I wouldn’t do it, and I kept my promise. Whoever is doing it isn’t me. Did you think it was me?”
“I trust you. No, I couldn’t believe it was you, but you might have an idea of who it is.”
“Does your father have enemies? His role in the Aldersgate bombing might have reached other ears.”
She stepped back from him, tired of the same argument. “He didn’t have any involvement. He isn’t a murderer.”
“You know what I mean.” He held up a hand.
She rubbed her forehead. “I don’t know what to think.”
“I’ve already started asking questions to understand who is behind the attack.”
“Have you?”
“Your father told me about his problem the last time we spoke. I want to find the culprit.” He took her chin gently. “What matters is that you believe me. I swear I don’t have anything to do with your father’s troubles.”
“I believe you.”
He took her face and gave her a soul-searching kiss that made her forget what she was doing. The kiss was an act of reclamation and gratitude for having believed him. She shivered as desire ignited so easily within her. The kiss became faster until they were running their hands over each other’s bodies.
The sound of footsteps made them stop with a jolt.
She laughed. “It’s easy to forget where I am when you kiss me.”
“It’s the same for me. I’ll bring news soon.” He kissed her lips again with a sweet, soft kiss that was a stark contrast to his previous one.
But that was Tristan. He could be both gentle and ruthless, and she loved both sides of him.
