Page 76 of Solving Sophronia

“They are unharmed.”

Sophie felt supremely foolish, but she could not stop weeping. Her eyes and nose were dribbling, and she was making a hiccupping sound.

Jonathan pulled her against him, his arm tightening around her. “That was brilliant, you know,” he said. “Calling the dog.”

His voice rumbled in his chest beneath her ear. She nestled closer, wincing at the pain in her side but not wanting to pull away and see what caused it.

“Sir, the suspects are on their way to H Division. And the other ladies wait in the carriage.” Sergeant Lester’s voice sounded above Sophie’s head. “I thought perhaps Dr. Peabody should have a look at ’em before they return home.”

“Very good, Sergeant,” Jonathan said.

“And Lady Sophronia?” the sergeant said. “She is well?”

“She will be,” Jonathan said. “Tend to the other women, Sergeant.”

The sergeant’s footsteps grew fainter as he moved away.

“Come along, Sophie. It’s time to leave now,” Jonathan’s voice rumbled again.

Her weeping had finally stopped, but she did not feel fully settled. “Will you hold me just a bit longer?” she asked, feeling silly at the request.

Jonathan laid his head on hers, careful to avoid her wound, and drew her closer against him. “As long as you’d like.”

Chapter 23

Sir Dennington sat back inhis chair, a pleased smile on his face. Jonathan, Sophie, and Sergeant Lester had just finished delivering their report. The three sat across from the chief inspector, Sophie between the two men.

Two days had passed since they’d apprehended Lord Everleigh, Hans Hofman, and Duncan the carriage driver and charged them with the murders, but the business was far from finished.

The men would be granted a trial, and they would naturally hire the best barristers in the country to defend them. Jonathan didn’t believe it would do any good. Not when three members of Lord Mather’s household would give testimony. He frowned, not liking the idea of the ladies having to recount their experience in front of a magistrate. But all three of them had insisted, and if there was one thing he’d learned, it was that arguing with Sophie, Lady Priscilla, or the Dowager Lady Mather was a futile endeavor.

Jonathan glanced at Sophie. Though she claimed to be perfectly recovered, he knew her wounds still pained her. The puncture in her side from the broken corset bone in particular caused her to wince when she shifted, and her eyes still seemed a bit unfocused. Doctor Peabody had told her to expect headaches for at least a few weeks.

Seeing her in pain, Jonathan couldn’t help but feel glad the H Division holding cells had been so crowded the past days as they’d welcomed their newest occupants. The other prisoners hadn’t been impressed in the least with the men’s credentials, and Jonathan imagined sleepless nights as Lord Everleigh and Hans Hofman worried what might happen should they fall asleep. He hoped the pair of murderers, especially Lord Everleigh, had found his new cell at Newgate equally unforgiving.

“The commissioner was very pleased with your strategy,” Sir Dennington said. “Flushing out the killers through a newspaper article. He thought the idea ingenious.”

“And I hope you did not correct him,” Jonathan said.

“I did not.” Sir Dennington smiled. “I expect you’ll be promoted, Detective. And you as well, Sergeant.” He folded his hands across his belly, looking extremely pleased. “After my own advancement, of course.”

“That is wonderful,” Sophie said. She patted Sergeant Lester’s hand. “You are both very deserving of the recognition.” She turned to Jonathan, wincing when she twisted, and reached to pat his hand as well but pulled back, her cheeks going pink.

“And you, Lady Sophronia,” Sir Dennington continued. “Your help in this case was invaluable. And apprehending the murderers—”

“As I said, sir, my assistance was very minimal. You have an excellent police force.”

He nodded. “That we do, my lady.”

Once the interview was finished and Sophie had bid a fond farewell to Sergeant Lester, Jonathan accompanied her outside to the waiting

carriage.

The two hadn’t spoken since he’d brought her to the hospital two days earlier, and the air between them felt heavy with words unsaid. Words he didn’t know how to say. Feelings he couldn’t acknowledge. He felt a sick ache and a frustration at his own fears. Better just to let it end than risk being hurt. The investigation was over, and he had no reason to contact Lady Sophronia again. Was this goodbye?

Standing back as the carriage driver opened the door, Jonathan took Sophie’s hand to help her climb inside.

But Sophie paused before getting in. She turned, holding her other hand against her side as she did. “Detective, I wonder if we might walk for a moment.”

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