Page 50 of Someone to Watch Over Me
“Vivien’s not that rarefied, thank God.”
“You’re right,” the doctor said equably, “but even so, she may have a few private fears and concerns that only you—or her next lover—can assuage.”
“There isn’t going to be a ‘next lover,’” Grant said automatically, outraged by the idea. “I’m the only man she’s going to have.”
“Well, for most women the second sexual experience is even more important than the first. It either confirms or disproves their worst fears. In my professional opinion, most of the women I see who claim to be inherently cold-natured have in reality been mishandled by husbands or lovers.”
Grant sent him a simmering glare. “I know how to please a woman, Linley. Or are you preparing to expound on your own vast experience with females?”
The doctor laughed suddenly. “No, I’ll leave the matter in your capable hands.”
They returned to the library, discovering Vivien beside a bookcase loaded with ham-sized medical and scientific tomes. Her gaze left the rows of ponderous volumes with Latin and Greek titles, and flew to Grant’s face. They exchanged a wary stare, while Vivien wondered what had been said between Grant and Linley. Grant wore a disgruntled expression, his black brows lowered over his eyes.
Busily Dr. Linley hunted through cabinets and drawers until he produced a thin sheaf of documents tied with string. “Ah, here it is,” he remarked, spreading a few papers across the library table. Grant was at his side immediately. “You see?” Linley continued, tracing one finger along a page of notes. “Nothing untoward, except…” He fumbled a bit with the pages, and suddenly a small square of paper slipped out and fluttered to the floor. Vivien went to retrieve it quickly. It was a letter, sealed with brown wax and addressed to “V. Devane, White Rose Cottage, Forest Crest in Surrey.”
“What is that?” Grant asked.
Vivien was silent, staring at the face of the letter. Something about the way the words were formed, the phrase “White Rose Cottage,” seemed to reach into her sleeping memories and jostle them. Her lips parted, and she read the address soundlessly, again and again.
“Well, Linley?” Grant demanded, interrupting Vivien’s concentration.
The doctor shrugged, actually seeming a touch sheepish. “Good God. I had forgotten about that.”
“Where did it come from?” Grant asked impatiently.
“Miss Duvall left it here on the day I confirmed her pregnancy. As I told you, she was quite distressed. In her haste to leave, she dropped her reticule. The contents spilled out, and she scooped them back inside. After she left my house, I discovered that she had overlooked this letter, which obviously she had intended to send to someone. I had intended to return it to her on her next visit. I placed it in the file for safekeeping.”
“Didn’t it cross your mind that the letter might be important?”
“I’m a busy man, Morgan,” the doctor said defensively, folding his lanky arms across his chest. “I have more important things to do than oversee my patients’ correspondence. Now, you can continue to berate me for a small oversight, or you can open the blasted thing and read it.”
Vivien had already broken the seal. Unfolding the neatly creased paper, she discovered a few lines written in flowery script. Some of the words had been dashed off hastily, a few letters left unfinished.
Dearest,
No, you must not come to town. There is trouble brewing here, but nothing I can’t manage. I’m off to settle a few minor matters, and then I’ll come to Surrey. Together soon, dear—
Vivien
Barely aware of Grant reading over her shoulder, Vivien continued to stare at the letter. “Did she mean to send this to a lover?” she murmured.
“Probably.”
“Do you think she could be there now? At this White Rose Cottage?”
“We’ll find out. I’m going there today,” Grant said. “Right after I report to Cannon at Bow Street.”
“I want to go with you.”
“We don’t know who will be there, or what to expect. You’ll be safer here.”
“But that’s not fair!” Vivien exclaimed. “If the real Vivien is in Surrey, I want to see her too. She might be able to explain how I came to be in her place. She might even know who I am. I must go with you!”
“No,” Grant said. “You’re staying in London in the protection of my own home. I’ll have one of the Runners assigned to watch you this evening, in the event that I need to stay away longer than expected.” Seeing her unhappy expression, he slid an arm around her waist and bent his head to speak softly. “I won’t risk a precious hair on your head. I don’t know what I might find in Surrey—and I’d prefer you to stay here and be safe and comfortable. Let me take care of this alone.”
Vivien nodded, feeling comforted by his concern for her. “You’ll hurry back as soon as possible?” she asked.
His lips pressed against her forehead, and she felt him smile against her skin. “Believe me…the only place in the world I want to be is wherever you are.”
