Page 72 of A Story of Love

“When can I leave?”

“I am worried about that man in the alley last night,” he countered with hardly a pause.

Lori opened her mouth to stubbornly repeat her question, but the glitter in his eyes stopped her. Instead, she said, “It won’t happen again as I won’t be going down there again.” It was a lie, but she didn’t owe him the truth.

“Did he give any indication who his employer was? What he wanted to talk to you about? Anything?”

“I’ve already told you no. You heard what he said.”

“Hmm.” He took another sip of tea.

Lori set down her untouched cup and saucer. “When can I leave… Fast?”

He looked amused by her use of his pet name and Lori cursed her clumsy effort at manipulation.

“Who do you think is feeding Parker all his information about me?” he asked.

“I don’t know—as I’ve said at least five times already. Even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you. What are you hiding, my lord? How about you answer that?”

“I’m sorry.” He gave her a look that was tinged with regret.

Lori blinked. “Sorry? What are you sorry about?” Dread slithered down her spine.

He ignored her question. “You had better make yourself comfortable.”

“What? Why?”

“Because you will be staying here as my guest until I decide otherwise.”

***

Fast knew it was childish, but he couldn’t help enjoying the way Lorelei’s mouth opened and closed just like that of a landed fish.

“What do you mean?” she managed after a moment.

“Just what I said. I’ll be keeping you here so I can make sure you don’t get into any trouble.”

“But”—she made a flustered huffing sound, like a broody hen, and shook her head, and then spluttered, “You can’t do that!”

“Yes, I can.”

“People know I am here. They will come looking for me if I don’t return.”

“People like Ella?”

She gaped. “How do you know about her?”

“You needn’t worry, my dear. I have already compensated Ella for her silence. She will not be going to Lady Sedgewick’s house.”

Her eyes threatened to start from their sockets. “There are others! She wasn’t the only one. I told—”

“You are a dreadful liar.”

Her already red face darkened even more at the accusation and her mouth worked, but no words came out. That was fine; Fast had plenty to say. “You are staying here until it is safe to let you out again.”

“Safe? What in the world do you mean?”

“Just what I said.”