Page 6

The rain finally eased up as she lay beside James in her narrow bed, head resting on his shoulder, knee resting on his thigh, while he slowly stroked her back with a big hand.

She’d heard Jerome return home half an hour earlier, and wondered where he’d been, because for sure Mr. Rodney had not been out that late.

“You didn’t tell me if you heard any news about your father.” James voice was a pleasant rumble in her ear.

“Not yet. I was waiting for Ben to set up a meeting with his boss. He let me know it’s set for Friday in his chambers.” She hadn’t met Monty Havelock, QC, yet, and she was slightly nervous after everything Ben had told her about him. Ben was grateful for the opportunity Mr. Havelock had given him, allowing him to work under him at Inner Temple Chambers. It was all Ben’s legal dreams come true, but he was under no illusions that his senior came with quirks.

“I asked Dr. Jandicott if he’d heard of him,” James said. “He said he’s had to give evidence in a few of his trials and that he’s quite brilliant.”

“Ben did say he’s the best.” Gabriella was glad of it, but she was aware it wasn’t the only consideration.

Still, he was working for free, and Ben said he had some progress to report, so things were finally moving forward.

“What will you do when everything is settled?” James asked.

Gabriella had pondered that question herself.

“I don’t know. It could take years. I’ve decided to take things as they come.”

“I selfishly want you to say that you’re going to stay, no matter what.” James gripped the curve of her waist.

“No matter what, I don’t want what we have between us to end. Can that be enough for now?” she asked.

“It can.” He pushed her onto her back and shifted until he was above her. “For now.”

As he bent his head to kiss her, someone started shouting from the street.

James ignored it, moving his lips down her neck, gripping her hips with his hands, but the sound of wood cracking jerked him back.

He swore and rolled off her, shoving his legs into his trousers and pulling his shirt on as he made his way to the window.

Gabriella grabbed her robe and was belting it as she joined him.

Down below someone ran away down the street, and a second person stood watching them go, and then shook their fist at the retreating man’s back.

“Who is it?” James asked.

“Mr. Vincent,” Gabriella said, pressing closer to the glass for a better look. “His flat’s below Jerome’s.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever even seen anyone from the middle floor. Is Mr. Rodney the only one on the ground floor?” James leaned a shoulder against the wall as they watched Mr. Vincent finally move back down the garden path toward the front door.

“Yes, his flat is bigger than everyone else’s and there is also the laundry room and the entry hall, so the ground floor only has one flat. There are two on the first floor, and then Jerome and I tucked into the eaves.”

“Did you recognize the man who ran?” James asked.

“I thought it looked like the man you pointed out earlier.” She couldn’t be sure, though.

James sighed. “So did I.”

“Do you think it’s Whetford?” She realized she sounded like she had a one track mind, but Whetford had tried to have James and DC Hartridge beaten up a few months ago, and he ran in very dangerous circles. Gabriella was afraid of what he might try next.

“I really don’t. Maybe for once it’s nothing to do with us.” James began drawing her back to bed.

“Maybe. After all, we’re not the center of the universe.”

“You might be the center of my universe,” James said, tumbling her back on the sheets.

“Ooh. Very smooth.” She slid her arms around him as he came back down on top of her. “Very charming.”