Nick followed him out of the room. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Nick walked to the door. “I think I’ll return to Conner Street to see if I can discover if anyone saw someone approach your carriage.”
Edward knew that was unlikely. “Even if someone did, it’s doubtful they’ll tell you. Unless you pay them. That might be an incentive.”
“Let’s hope so,” Nick said, then left.
Edward hoped so, too. He didn’t want to think of telling Her Majesty that Joshua Winslow was dead and they had no idea who was behind his murder.
Edward waited in his study until Doctor Fleming finished working on young Winslow. When Doctor Fleming finally came down, he looked tired and worn out. “He survived what I did to him, but I can’t make any promises. I’ll be back in the morning…if the poor fellow survives the night.”
After Edward ate a bite, he went upstairs to sit at Winslow’s bedside. It was probable that the worst would happen and he didn’t want the young man to die alone.
Edward studied the lad’s strong features and what would be a handsome face when the swelling went down, and thought of the nights he’d sat at his son’s bedside when he was in the midst of his seizures. Many were the times he’d thought Gideon might not survive, either. Watching this young man struggle against the pain and moan in agony was like reliving his darkest nightmares.
An hour or so later, Nick stopped by to tell him he didn’t have anything concrete to report, although there had been one young lass who he was sure knew something. Nick was going to return tomorrow to talk to her again. Edward sent a couple of gold coins with him to encourage her to talk.
When Nick left, Edward dozed while he sat at Joshua Winslow’s bedside. He prayed that when the sun rose in the morning, Joshua Winslow would still be alive.
Chapter Ten
He was still alive.
Doctor Fleming arrived in the morning as he promised and was encouraged by what he found. Joshua Winslow seemed a bit stronger. He wasn’t out of danger, but he hadn’t developed a fever, which was a good sign.
After the doctor left, Nick arrived. Edward was working in his study when his son-in-law entered the room.
“What did you find out?” Edward said, hoping he had good news.
“Not as much as I wanted, but more than we knew yesterday.” Nick poured himself a cup of coffee from the tray on Edward’s desk, then sat in the cushioned chair near him. “I found the woman who left the note in your carriage.”
Edward sat forward. “What did she have to say?”
“She said she works in one of the taverns near the docks, and one night several weeks ago she and a friend were on their way home. She lives in a shack down the street from the boarding house on Conner Street. She and her friend heard someone moaning, and they went to investigate. They found Winslow beneath a thicket. She didn’t know how he got there and took him home.”
“Who is this lady?”
“The only name she gave me was Maude.”
“Did she tell you anything else?”
Nick shook his head. “Nothing, other than she thinks she saw Winslow going in and out of the vacant building on Conner Street several times over the past few weeks.” Nick took a sip of his coffee. “She warned me to stay away. It used to be an old boarding house, and going there wasn’t safe.”
“Did she say why?”
“No. That was all she’d say.”
Edward rose. “Well, that’s more than we knew before.” He stepped to the window and looked out onto the street. “What should we do next?”
“I’m going to assign some men to watch the boarding house.”
“I think that’s wise,” Edward admitted.
“I’m also going to assign some men to watch you.”
Edward turned to face his son-in-law. “Me? Why on earth would you do that?”
“For the same reason that if Lord Lindleigh would have had men watching him, he might still be alive. If the boarding house is being used by smugglers and they’re not only bringing in French wines, but also stolen jewels, they’ll do whatever it takes to protect the place they’re using to unload and distribute their goods.”
“And you think I’ve threatened their organization?”
“Your plan to buy their warehouse did that and they’ll do whatever it takes to stop you. Even kill you.”
Edward returned to his chair and leaned his elbows on the desk. “I’ll be at the Portwood event tonight. Lady Lindleigh will be accompanying me.”
Nick nodded.
“If the choice were mine,” Edward said, “I’d cancel tonight’s engagement and stay home. But being accepted by Society is too important to Lady Lindleigh. I’m afraid she would go without me. I don’t want to force her to face Society’s dragons without me there to protect her.”
“And I don’t blame you,” Nick answered. “Winnie and I both think you’ve made a wise choice in your friendship with Lady Lindleigh. It’s obvious you’re happier than you’ve been in a long while.”
Edward looked at his son-in-law. “I have to admit that I am.”
Nick smiled, then finished his coffee and left Townsend House.
When Edward was alone, he sat at his desk and picked up his pen. He had two letters to write. One to Her Majesty to tell her he’d found Joshua Winslow, and he was hiding him at Townsend House until he recovered.
And the next letter to the solicitors at Elsberry and Son to inform them that he’d decided to purchase the property on Conner Street.
If he was right that Byron Elsberry was involved in the smuggling ring, his life would be in more danger than before. And so would everyone who associated with him, including Alyssa.
He wasn’t sure what he intended to do about that, except stay away from Alyssa, which was the last thing he wanted to do.
When he’d sent the letters, he went to check on the lad. That no one had come to tell him Winslow had taken a turn for the worse was a good sign. Perhaps the lad would survive after all.
Alyssa had enjoyed every minute of the Portwood ball so far. She’d been included in several groups of friends she and Kendrick had associated with before his death. She was also invited to a musicale Lady Shepherd was hosting later in the week, and most important, several women had asked if she would be home tomorrow morning. They wanted to call on her. That her friends were including her in their morning visits meant more to her than she could say.
Of course, the three harpies that used to be a part of the Duchess of Townsend’s manipulating group still gave her their backs. But Alyssa was becoming quite skilled at avoiding them. And if they were anywhere close to her, Edward magically appeared.
Without intending for it to happen, she’d become more reliant on him. She enjoyed his company more than she thought she’d ever enjoy a man’s company again, and looked forward to every moment she could spend with him.
Something was different tonight. She’d noticed it when he’d arrived to accompany her in his grand carriage, but thought it was her imagination. But by the time they’d arrived at the ball, she knew it wasn’t.
Edward seemed a bit more quiet than usual. And more than once she caught him glancing out the window.
That’s when she noticed that the carriage parked behind them had followed them. It parked behind them when they arrived at the Portwood ball, but no one dismounted from the carriage, or entered the Portwood town house.
Alyssa tried to ask Edward about it but he avoided answering her.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked as he approached her with a glass of champagne in his hand.
Alyssa took the champagne from his fingers and drank a sip of the tepid liquid. “Yes, I’m having a marvelous time.”
“Would you like to dance this next set, or would you rather take a stroll in the garden?”
“Oh, the garden, Your Grace. Definitely the garden. It’s terribly warm in here.”
Edward smiled and Alyssa’s heart swelled in her breast. He was such a handsome
man, and when she took his arm, every nerve in her body tingled.
She walked with him across the terrace, down the garden path, then deep into the maze of hedges and flowerbeds. When they reached an ornately designed wrought iron bench, they sat down beside each other. Edward wrapped his arm around her shoulder and held her close to him.
“Why are there men following us?” she asked.
The muscles in his arm across her shoulders flexed. “I’m not sure I know what you mean, Alyssa.”
“Yes you do. You know exactly what I mean. The men in the carriage that arrived at my townhouse when you did. That left my townhouse when we did. And is parked outside as we speak, ready to follow us home.”
Edward laughed. “Remind me never to try to put anything past you, my lady. You are far too perceptive. You are definitely a worthy adversary.”
Alyssa leaned her head against his shoulder. “Something for you to keep in mind should you ever think you can fool me.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“So, why are you being followed?”
“I’m not being followed,” Edward said, then rose from the bench. “We’re being protected.”
“We? As in you and I?”
“Yes.”
“Protected?”
“Yes.”
Alyssa rose to stand behind him. “Why?”
“We believe that Kendrick, because of his search for a home for unwanted children, accidentally stumbled upon a building being used by smugglers.”
“That’s why he was killed?”
Edward gathered her into his arms and held her close. Alyssa leaned in even closer and tucked her head beneath his shoulder.
“Yes.”
“Is this the property on Conner Street?”
“Yes.”
Alyssa lifted her gaze. “So why are you in danger?”
“I purchased that same property today.”
“Edward, no!”
“Sh,” he whispered. He held her to keep her from pushing away from him. “I’m safe. I have men watching me.”
“But why would you do something so foolish?”
“Because your husband was right. It’s an excellent property for an orphanage. And there’s no area of London more desperate for what it can provide.”
“But he was killed because of it.”
“That’s because he didn’t know what he’d stumbled into. I do.”
“It hardly matters if you know the reason you’ve been killed or if you don’t. You’re still dead.”
Her very frank observation seemed to startle him.
“Nothing will happen to me.”
“You can’t guarantee that.”
“The smuggling ring needs to be stopped, Alyssa.”
“Then let someone else stop it.”
“I can’t.”
“Can’t? Or won’t?”
“I won’t.”
Edward’s words clenched around her heart and squeezed until her chest hurt. Funeral processions and widow’s weeds flashed brutally across her memory. She couldn’t bear the thought of Edward dying. Not when she’d just found him.
Alyssa pulled out of Edward’s arms and walked away from him.
Chapter Eleven
Edward stood at the French windows and looked out onto the terrace. Joshua Winslow sat in a chair placed in the sunshine. He was gaining strength with each day and even some of the bruises had faded. Doctor Fleming thought it might do him some good to spend a little time out of doors, so they’d brought him down.
It had been a week since they’d rescued him in St. Bartholomew’s Churchyard. Since then, he’d shared what information he’d gained concerning the old boarding house. Yes, it was being used by smugglers. And yes, there was another shipment coming in soon, but he wasn’t sure when. Nick had men in gutter garb watching the place day and night. When the next shipment came in, they would know about it.
But now that Winslow was out of danger, Edward could concentrate on the other person he needed to be concerned over.
Alyssa.
He hadn’t seen her since the night she’d walked away from him in the garden. She’d prevailed upon someone to take her home before Edward had even re-entered the ballroom.
Nor had she answered his inquiries as to which events she would be attending so he might join her.
He tried to convince himself that her reason was that she didn’t want him to risk coming out any more than necessary. That she didn’t want him to chance that the person or persons who’d murdered her husband would do the same to him. But the voice of doubt inside him wasn’t sure that was the reason.
He understood her well enough to know a part of her was angry with him for purchasing the Conner Street property when he knew it would put his life in danger. But he’d had no choice. It would have been an act of cowardice to turn his back on the dangers the smugglers presented. And he’d never been a coward.
Edward kept his gaze focused on where Winslow sat, then turned when Bierly rapped on the door. “Yes?”
“Lady Lindleigh and Lady Elizabeth to see you, Your Grace.”
Edward experienced an excitement he hadn’t felt since he’d last seen her. “Show them in, Bierly. And bring in a tea tray.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Bierly stepped back and allowed their guests to enter. Alyssa and a young lady with features very similar to Alyssa’s flowed prettily into the room.”
“My lady,” Edward said, stepping around his desk and crossing the room. He took Alyssa’s hand and held it for a moment longer than he probably should have, but he couldn’t sever the connection. He was so relieved to see her that he wanted to take her in his arms. But he couldn’t with her daughter standing beside her.
“Your Grace. Allow me to present my daughter, Lady Elizabeth.”
“Your Grace,” the lass said, executing a perfect curtsy.
“Come in,” he said, leading Alyssa and her daughter to a nearby cluster of chairs. “Tea will be here shortly.”
“I hope you don’t mind our interruption.”
“Not at all, my lady. I couldn’t be more pleased.”
Edward was anxious to hear why Alyssa had come, but Bierly entered the room. A maid followed him with a tea tray in her hands. She set it on the table in the center of the cluster of chairs, then left the room.
“Would you pour, my lady?”
“Of course.”
Alyssa poured tea and handed him a cup and saucer. Edward noticed that her hands trembled slightly as if she were nervous. He wanted to reach for her hands and tell her there was nothing to be nervous about. But he could hardly show such familiarity with her daughter less than an arm’s length away.
After she’d poured tea, Alyssa sat in the chair and took a small sip from her cup. She held her cup and saucer daintily and lifted her head until her gaze locked with his. “I owe you an apology, Your Grace.”
“You do not, my lady. In order for you to issue an apology, your words would have been meant to insult me. They were the opposite. They indicated your concern for my welfare. How could I be offended when your intent was so commendable?”
Alyssa’s gaze didn’t leave his. She remained fixed on him while her eyes misted. Edward had never been so tempted to take her in his arms as he was now, chaperone or no chaperone.
Is that why Alyssa had brought her daughter? Edward wanted to laugh. He couldn’t recall hearing of a time when a lass of eighteen or nineteen had acted as chaperone for her mother.
Edward turned his attention to Alyssa’s daughter. She was truly a lovely young girl. Her hair bore the same golden hues as Alyssa’s. Her eyes were the same vibrant blue.
“I do have someone I’d like you to meet, however.”
Alyssa cocked her head to the side and lifted her eyebrows.
Edward stepped out onto the terrace, and returned with Joshua Winslow at his side.
The lad walked slowly, but made it into the room unassisted.
“Lady Lind
leigh. Lady Elizabeth. May I introduce Mr. Joshua Winslow? Mr. Winslow has met with an injury and is recuperating here at Townsend House.”
“Lady Lindleigh. Lady Elizabeth,” Winslow said as he nodded respectfully.
“Mr. Winslow,” Alyssa greeted. Lady Elizabeth made her greeting and Edward couldn’t help but notice the pink hue to her cheeks. Or the length her gaze remained fixed on Winslow’s handsome face made rugged by fading bruises.
“Please sit down, Joshua. Doctor Fleming won’t be pleased if he discovers I let you stand overly long.”
“Elizabeth,” Alyssa said, “please pour Mr. Winslow a cup of tea.”
“Yes, Mama.” Elizabeth turned to Joshua. “How do you take your tea, sir?”
“Simple, my lady.”
When Elizabeth had given Winslow his tea, she sat back down, but Edward noticed that her gaze returned to Joshua more than once. Even more interesting was how often Joshua Winslow cast a lingering glance in Lady Elizabeth’s direction.
The four of them carried on a conversation only long enough for Winslow to finish his tea, then Edward called for Bierly to help him back to his room. He’d been upright long enough that Edward noticed the pained look in his eyes.
“It was a pleasure to meet you, Lady Lindleigh,” Winslow said when he rose to leave. Then, he turned to Lady Elizabeth and with a smile, said the same.
“I bid you a speedy recovery, Mr. Winslow.”
“Thank you, Lady Elizabeth. Spending such an enjoyable afternoon has helped more than you know.”
Alyssa’s daughter demurely lowered her gaze.
When Joshua Winslow left the room, Alyssa turned her gaze to Edward. “We should be going, too. I have plans to attend the Relmen ball tonight.”
Edward smiled. “Perhaps I shall see you then.”
“Perhaps,” Alyssa said.
Edward walked his guests to the door and when they left he returned to his study. He walked past a beveled mirror on the wall and glanced at the smile on his face. He thought of Alyssa and his smile broadened.
Edward held her in his arms as they twirled around the Relmen dance floor. The orchestra was playing a waltz, and Edward was an excellent dancer. Alyssa was as flushed as a schoolgirl at her first dance. She was vibrant and alive, as if Edward and she were the only two dancers on the floor. As if the orchestra had been hired just for them.
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