Page 25 of Murder in Matrimony
After the prayer, Amelia walked to one of the church exits. She had a plan, and it felt good. On Monday, she would enlist Kitty to attend the meeting with her, and she would talk to Mrs. Rothschild about her daughter’s accident. If the discussion supplied new leads, she would follow them. If not, she could put the incident behind her and focus on Cross’s murder instead.
The church bells rang out, and she thought the timing was fortuitous, a sign that the inquiry was moving in the right direction. She understood very little of Mr. Cross’s connection to the East End before today. Now she understood a good deal. With gratitude, she glanced up at the bells.
“Looking for the Almighty?”
The deep voice startled her out of her reverie, and she recognized it instantly. She scanned the area for Simon.
“I hope you were asking Him for safe passage home, because it’s taking all my wherewithal not to pick you up and toss you into my carriage.”
She turned around and saw him near the corner of the church. “Such words in front of God and everyone.”
He came toward her like a lion released from his cage. “I mean every one of them. You’re reckless, careless, hopeless—and irritating as hell. When I lost you on Petticoat Lane, I’d hoped you had returned home, which would have been the prudent thing to do. But I should have known better. I should have known you were capable of more mischief.”
“Mischief?” She did not appreciate that he used the same word that Tabitha had used to describe Madge. “You overstate the circumstances. You are standing in front of one of the oldest churches in London. It isn’t as if it’s a brothel or pub.”
“It might as well be. Parishioners riot and loot. They pummel their priests. What might they do to a young woman alone?”
“I am not alone.” She pointed across the courtyard to her carriage. “I have Bailey.”
“You are alone right now.”
Indeed, she suddenly felt quite alone. The bells had stopped,and the city noise faded to a distant clamor. It was only she and Simon in the empty church courtyard. The instant recalled their seclusion last evening in the portrait gallery. Warmth crept into her cheeks as she remembered his mouth upon hers and his hands in unspeakable places. She closed her eyes, willing the memory away, and when she opened them, he was staring at her.
“I see you remember just how dangerous a moment alone can be.”
She shook her head in frustration. “Withyou.”
“You are never in danger with me.” His eyes were sincere, and she regretted her cavalier comment. “I would never allow anything to happen to you, Amelia. It is the reason I want to be with you. Even here—especially here.” He pointed to the church. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
“Would have you said yes?” she asked.
“Of course I would have said yes.” A small laugh escaped his lips. “Don’t you know by now that I can deny you nothing? I would have thought last night proved it to you.”
The memory of their kiss by the portrait gallery stirred up mixed emotions. He granted her physical needs, but what of her emotional needs? Did he understand why she was willing to put herself in peril for information on Mr. Cross’s murder, and did he support her decision? “I thought you would try to dissuade me from coming. That is why I didn’t tell you.”
“Dissuade, perhaps. Deny—never.” He grasped her hands. “Don’t shut me out, Amelia. I know how important this is to you, and if it’s important to you, it’s important to me.”
The empathic tone of his voice testified to its truth, and she returned the pressure of his hands in promise. “Then come with me tonight to the Plate & Bottle after the house is asleep. Mr. Rothschild owns it and, according to Mr. James, bartends. His daughter Rose worked there until she gained employment at Baker Biscuits. We might be able to glean something important about her accident.”
“You cannot be seen in an East End tavern.” His eyes widened, and the light made them the color of limes. “Think of the gossipmongers. Think of Tabitha.”
No, she wouldn’t be thinking of Tabitha. Thinking of Tabitha would only dissuade her from her goal. “We won’t be dressed as ourselves. We’ll be in disguise.”
He tilted his head. “This isn’t a game of charades, Amelia. This is your life we’re talking about.”
“And Mr. Cross’s life was taken from him. He entrusted me with the information about Miss Rothschild, and you said if it’s important to me, it’s important to you.”
“Itisimportant,” he admitted. “But you already have the problem of the blackmailer, not to mention your sister’s wedding. Can’t this wait?”
“You know it can’t.” She shook her head. “Every moment wasted gives the killer a better chance of getting away with murder.”
He dipped his chin in acknowledgment, taking her arm as they crossed the road to her carriage. Bailey was waiting for her and opened the door. After assisting her up the stairs, Simon leaned in. “If you are determined to go, then so am I. Any place, any time. You must know I will be there.”
ELEVEN
Dear Lady Agony,
I was disappointed to read of your being blackmailed. For shame! Has the dreadful person desisted?
