Page 28 of A Rogue to Forget

Despite knowing it wasn’t true, Henry convinced himself that the only reason for his visit was to be sure there were no new occurrences.

Marta was at the door, and after giving him a soft look, she opened it wider for him to pass.

“Mister Campbell. Miss Hannah is somewhere amongst the furniture.” The woman walked away, weaving past chairs, tables, and other miscellaneous items.

“I must say. It does look much better,” Hannah said from somewhere past the furniture. He made his way into the dining room that had been turned into some sort of shop. Silas polished a table as Hannah looked on holding a rag.

Her face brightened upon seeing him. “Good morning, Henry. As you can see, we are preparing the furniture for when the man you spoke about can come by.”

It seemed Hannah had chosen to pretend the kiss between them had not happened. He steadied himself to ensure a neutral expression.

Walking into the space, he noted furniture had been separated and lined on opposite walls.

“You have certainly been busy the last couple of days,” Henry said, astonished that she’d decided to take on the task amidst the current circumstances. Then again, it was probably a good way to keep her mind occupied.

She neared and accepted his kiss to her cheek. “When do you think the man can come?”

“I will seek him out today,” he assured her, wishing Silas was not there so that he could hug her.

“Is something wrong?” Hannah asked, studying him. “You seem a bit preoccupied.”

“I…um,” he cleared his throat. “I am fine.” Was it possible that he was in love? It couldn’t be. Especially not now when he had so much to do.

Hannah tugged a chair closer to where Silas was. “What do you think? Keep or sell?”

The young man poked a finger into a hole in the upholstery. “Depends.”

“Pooh! I did not notice that,” Hannah said, inspecting the chair closer. “Sell.”

After announcing it was enough for the moment and instructing Silas to finish polishing the table and another, she walked with him out of the room.

“What brings you?” She looked up to him, her eyes filled with curiosity. “Any news?”

“I will not know until after speaking with Evan. I spent the night at Miles’ home and am just now out and about.” They went into the parlor where a tray of tea awaited. Hannah lowered to sit and poured for them.

Her gaze moved to the French doors. “I had a fright last night.”

Immediately, he sat forward. “What happened?”

“Marta and Silas had gone so that she could visit her sister. The housekeeper was here. I was busy for hours searching for things in my father’s study when I heard footsteps. I called out, but there was no answer. I practically fainted when I walked into the study and a man stood in the doorway. It was a constable who’d thought to have seen someone leaving the house and found the door open.”

“Do you think someone was here?”

Hannah shook her head. “In all probability, it was the housekeeper leaving. I will have words with her about it. Especially if she left the side doors open after cleaning them.”

“You definitely must speak to her about safety issues.” Henry had an uneasy feeling. “Did the constable think it was a man or woman leaving your house?”

“He was too far to see. By the time he hurried closer, the person had turned the corner and he did not pursue them, wanting to come and ensure nothing was amiss here.” She met his gaze. “Do not give me that look. I will not move in with Felicity or the Murrays.”

“Someone inside your house while you were here alone is quite serious,” Henry insisted. “Something has to be done.”

Hannah stood and looked down at him. “It could have been Eileen that he saw. I refuse to live in fear. For all we know, this person is working on a supposition that the box is still here. Something perhaps said to him by a man on his death bed.”

“He must believe it enough to take drastic steps. Otherwise, why would whoever it is hire McBean?”

“It doesn’t matter. If not for it being lost all these years, for all he knows the money is spent. Whoever he is, the man is a fool.”

Unable to keep from it, Henry stood. It was proving impossible not to keep from wishing to protect her above all things. It mattered not to him what his parents or anyone thought. If anything happened to Hannah, he would not forgive himself.