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Casey blushed. “Give him my best wishes. Were there any other casualties of the explosion and fire?”
Mr. Burton shook his head. “Nay, the men that set the explosion were aiming to just kill Sir Samuel. Bad luck that my Tommy was there, too.”
“Do you know who set the explosion?”
Mr. Norman nodded. “Once the police chief was notified, he brought in two men he’d been suspicious about. They’ve confessed. They were from the procurement department, Mr. Farrell and Mr. Broughton.”
The names stirred a vague memory of the voices she’d overheard. She frowned, sensing that there was more to the conspiracy.
Cameron’s hand came to rest lightly on her left shoulder. Her perceptions immediately sharpened. “They are not the only conspirators. Someone in London paid them to kill Sir Samuel.”
There was a gasp of shock from her visitors. “You’re sure of this?” Sir Samuel asked grimly.
Cam’s hand tightened a little on her shoulder. She was very aware of how his power strengthened her own abilities. “As sure as I was that you would be attacked today,” she replied. “I’m coming to terms with being gifted and knowing things I wouldn’t normally know.”
Sir Samuel swore under his breath. “I knew I had enemies, but there are more of them than I suspected.”
“I’ll report this to my superior and the Home Office,” Cameron said. “Perhaps we can find the man in London.”
“Do your best, Mr. Tremayne,” Sir Samuel said. “Again, I offer my thanks to you, Miss Harris.”
The three visitors bade them farewell and left. As the door closed, she realized she was shaking with nerves and fatigue.
Cameron also noticed and he drew her into his arms for a long, warm hug. “I’m glad they called on you. You deserved acknowledgment for what you did today. It was remarkable.”
She sighed into Cameron’s shoulder, appreciating the warmth and strength of his arms. She realized that she had been starved for human touch. There had been no one since Jamie had died. “It was a proper ending to my life here. But I can’t imagine what my new path might be.”
“You can take all the time you need,” he said in a soft voice. “You’ll meet other gifted people. You’ll learn more about your abilities. You’ll make friends who will accept you as you are.” He gave a low chuckle. “You’ll be able to attend the upcoming Tremayne Christmas ball if you wish.”
“It all sounds exciting, and more than a little alarming.” She realized that she didn’t want to leave his embrace, which was not only warm and comforting, but something more. A stirring of her blood that she was unfamiliar with.
With a silent shock, she realized that it must be desire, a craving for male closeness. She almost jerked out of his arms at the recognition. She didn’t feel ready for this! But she still didn’t want to move away from his embrace.
“Are you hungry?” he asked. “We should eat while the food from the cook shop is still warm.”
“That’s a good idea.” Reminding herself that Cameron was just being kind, not romantically pursuing her, made it possible for her to step away from him. “Then I … I’d like to rest for a while.” Her gaze swept over her familiar surroundings. “It won’t take long to pack. I don’t have many clothes, besides the ones that were ruined this morning. I’m wondering what to do about my cottage.”
“You can always return here if you want to,” Cameron said. “No life-changing decisions need to be made right away. For now, do you have a neighbor you can ask to keep an eye on this place?”
“I’ll ask the Smiths, two doors down. Mrs. Smith would look in on Jamie during his final illness when I had to be at work. They’re good people.”
She opened the bag Cameron had brought from the cook shop. It was easier to think of simple things than it was for her to try to imagine what her new life might be.
As they settled at the table to eat, her cat appeared, showing a clear interest in the food. She scratched his head and fed him another piece of cheese. “Can you find something that will be suitable as a carrier for Gentleman Jack? I don’t want him to run away.”
Cameron grinned. “I am experienced at transporting cats. We’ll all arrive safely in London tomorrow.”
And her new life would begin. She’d think about it tomorrow.
She covered a yawn, suddenly so tired that she could barely finish her meal. “I’m going to lie down for a bit.”
“That’s a good idea. You’ve had an exhausting day. I’ll clean up here.” He stood and began clearing the table. “Tomorrow should be an easier day.”
“I have my doubts,” she said as she got to her feet. Yawning, she made it to her small bedroom. She’d lie down for just a minute …
CHAPTER 8
The next morning the weather was cold but fair. While Cameron walked to the livery stable to collect his horse and the small carriage he’d hired for the trip to London, Casey took her perishable food supplies to the Smiths. The promise of food made it easy to catch Gentleman Jack, though he protested loudly when he was boxed.
