Page 59 of A Story of Love

“I live down here.”

Lori blinked. Well, that was true.

“I’ve answered your question; now it is your turn, Lorelei.”

She decided to ignore his use of her name. “I am still curious about the mutineer or mutineers you picked up.”

“And I’m still curious about who told you such a thing?”

Lori considered reminding him that she couldn’t expose her sources but decided—with his offer of a few moments before still on the table—that maybe sharing a bit of information might show good faith on her part. “I honestly do not know who it was, my lord. All I do know is that Mr. Parker received a letter on the subject. And—and I believe the sender was anonymous, although I would not swear as to that last part.”

“Is that all it takes to make something newsworthy? A letter—and an anonymous one, at that? Perhaps I should send a letter claiming that I saw Parker abetting mutineers?”

Lori didn’t blame him for his bitterness. She, too, thought David was chasing his tail with this story. But she also needed this job, so…

“I agree that some of the information my employer chooses to act upon is… vague. But you must admit that this accusation is rather specific. And it seems bizarre that it has arisen from nothing. It brings to mind that old adage about smoke and fire.”

Instead of the hot denial that she had anticipated, he turned and stared out the widow, his profile carved from stone.

Lori felt a flutter of excitement. “There is something to it, isn’t there?”

“I think all this prying you’re doing on Parker’s behalf is putting you in danger.”

She’d begun to suspect the very same thing back in that alleyway. “How funny you should say so. I was thinking the same thing.”

He turned and fixed her with a look of disgust. “You think I am the one who sent that brute to—”

“I don’t think that,” she hastily assured him, realizing as she said it that it was true. When he merely stared moodily, she smiled and added, “If you wanted to abduct somebody, you would do it yourself, not send a minion.”

There was a slight thawing in his eyes at her words, but he did not speak.

“You must understand that I can’t stop investigating this story? Especially not now that I know I must be close to something.” Even though it scared her. “Until tonight, I’d not believed that Parker’s source could possibly be correct. That man back in the alley makes me believe I must be on to something. You mentioned talking to me earlier—was that all a jest?”

Lord Severn heaved a sigh. “No, it was not. I’ll talk to you, but I want you to give me your word that Parker doesn’t know I’m the one who gave you the information.”

Lori’s pulse sped. “I promise.”

His eyebrows rose. “You didn’t give that much thought. Are you sure?”

Could she write a story and withhold the name of her source from her employer?

Before she could answer, the carriage rolled to a stop.

“We’re here,” Lord Severn said, opening the door, hopping out, and flipping down the steps before offering her his hand. When she hesitated, he said, “I thought you wanted to talk to me?”

Lori eyed the brothel and recalled her last humiliating visit. “I do. It’s just that I thought we might have this discussion… elsewhere.”

“Like where? Back at the Virgin Queen?”

“No, of course not. Just—”

“Do you want your story or not?”

Her gaze slid to the building looming behind him.

He laughed at her hesitation. “Has the intrepid Miss Fontenot suddenly turned craven?”

“Quit trying to manipulate me,” she snapped. “Do you give me your word that you will tell me the truth?”