Page 203 of Storm of Bells
‘Nobody would believe you, anyway!’
‘Indeed? The people in power might not. Butthe masses will. And, I gather, they don’t particularly like you,Your Lordship.’
A growl erupted from Dalgliesh’s throat.‘Where! Where did you get that information from?’
Mr Rikkard Ambrose’s face had never been morecold or unreadable. Without giving him another glance, he turnedhis back towards Dalgliesh, as if he were no more dangerous than afly now. ‘No need to concern yourself with that. All you need toknow is that if you dare take any serious steps against us…’
He snapped his fingers. At the snap, LordDalgliesh jerked backwards, staring at Mr Rikkard Ambrose as if hewere the devil incarnate. I might have to agree. Ahandsomedevil.
‘You…you…!’
‘Go,’ Mr Ambrose ordered. ‘Go, and don’t everlet me lay eyes on you again. If the two of us ever cross pathsagain…’
He let his sentence trail off, his meaningclearly hanging in the air. There was a long moment ofsilence—then, stumbling back again, Dalgliesh whirled around andscurried towards the door like a bug with a few legs missing.Pushing open the door, he stumbled outside. With a thud, the doorfell shut behind him, leaving only silence.
Silence and me.
‘Enfield?’ I demanded the instant the doorwas shut. I supposed I could have kissed him or hugged him orsomething, but between romance and nosiness, I’d pick nosiness anyday. ‘What were you talking about? Who…’
Realization struck.
‘You found something in the documents!Something big! What was it? Who the hell is Enfield?’
Reaching out, he gently cupped my cheek.Slowly, he leaned forward to whisper in my ear and, in a low,almost inaudible voice, said:
‘You don’t need to worry about that.’
‘What? What do you mean, I don’t needto worry about that? I was the one who snuck in there to get thosebloody documents! You’ll tell me right now who Enfield is, RikkardAmbrose, or I’ll—’
His lips cut me off in mid-sentence.
Oh…oh dear…
Perhaps romance was preferable to curiosityafter all.
‘Youwilltell me!’ I mumbled againsthis lips. ‘One way or another.’
‘We shall see.’
Silence fell once more, and we held eachother close. When, after long moments, we parted, I gazed up intohis eyes and asked in a whisper, ‘Did you really mean it? Would youreally make yourself into a laughing stock? For me?’
He looked straight into my eyes. ‘All mystores are known for being well stocked. I might as well lead byexample.’
‘You…!’
Unable to keep a straight face, I thumped myfist against his chest. Then I grabbed him by the ears and pulledhim down, kissing him fiercely. He kissed me back with equalferocity, whispering promises of safety and bliss against mylips.
Only the renewed ringing of church bells inthe distance reminded us where we were, and when.
‘So, the time is finally here, isn’t it?’ Iasked, slowly drawing back. For some reason, I was suddenly unableto meet his eyes.
‘Yes.’ Nudging up my chin, he forced me tolook straight at him. ‘I’ll await you at the altar.’ His fiercegaze speared into me, commanding my attention. ‘Don’t be late.’
A corner of my mouth quirked up. ‘I wouldn’tdare.’
He held my gaze for a moment longer—then letgo and turned on the spot. His coat tails fluttering behind himlike raven’s wings, he strode out of the door and down the stairs,towards the church.
I stood there for a moment, lips tingling.Reaching up, I touched my mouth, feeling the echo of his kiss. Icouldn’t help a blissful smile spreading across my face.
