Page 92 of If Not for the Duke

Never mind that his heart ached that she hadn’t stopped when he’d called out to her. What would he have said if she had? Would he have told her that he loved her? He blew out a breath at the thought.

He told himself that he didn’t have time to consider Lena’s claim of intuition. He had Bernie’s welfare to see to, answering the questions the police were sure to have, and Winslow to catch.

Yet what Lena told him never left his thoughts. Nor would he forget the moment she’d had the premonition or whatever she called it. The glazed look that had come over her eyes. The way she had seemed to briefly lose awareness of everything around her.

Something odd had happened in those few seconds. He didn’t understand it and wasn’t certain if he wanted to.

There was no doubt she had saved Bernie. But the fact that Lena had been telling him about Ludham’s true intent only to suddenly have a premonition about Bernie struck him as too much of a coincidence. His mind had difficulty understanding that she simply had a “feeling” that his sister was in danger. Believing someone meant trusting them.

Did he trust Lena?

He had thought he did until that moment. It was difficult to overcome his suspicious nature when his father had drilled it into him for as long as he could remember. His mind insisted he keep his distance, but his heart ached for her. Telling himself that his focus needed to remain on Bernie didn’t change that. However, he needed to be practical. Sorting out his feelings for Lena would have to wait until he ended the danger Winslow presented.

When Foster advised him the police had arrived, he left Bernie with her maid and Aunt Edith for company and went downstairs.

“Thank you for coming so quickly,” he said as the same two men who’d come last time entered his study and bowed. He wasn’t certain whether to be relieved or pleased they were familiar.

“Of course, Your Grace,” Detective Inspector Stephens said. “How unfortunate that another incident occurred.”

“We understand your sister was threatened at gunpoint?” Captain Thomason asked, seeming anxious to get down to the business at hand.

Sterling gestured for the men to sit and then explained the events.

Once again, the inspector took notes, asking Sterling to repeat a few points. He seemed very interested in the description Sterling provided of Winslow and the places he thought the man could be found.

“There’s one thing I don’t understand, Your Grace.” Inspector Stephens glanced at his notes before looking back at Sterling. “You mentioned you didn’t accompany your sister on the ride in Hyde Park, yet you managed to save her. What made you decide to look for her?”

Sterling paused, uncertain how to respond when he had no intention of mentioning Lena’s involvement. How did she answer questions like this? She couldn’t tell the truth, or some might think her mad. The realization was a sobering one. The protectiveness he felt toward her didn’t surprise him given the depth of his feelings for her. “I simply changed my mind.”

“How interesting that you arrived just in time.” The inspector’s tone remained respectful, but the question in his eyes was undeniable and had Sterling shifting in his seat as the urge to offer more took hold.

“I had a bad feeling. Something told me I should go after her.” His empathy for Lena increased even more.

Both the captain and the inspector nodded.

“A bit of intuition, eh?” the inspector suggested. “I’ve experienced that as well. Always pays to follow your gut.” He closed his notebook and stood, as did the captain. “We will keep you apprised of our progress.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m certain it goes without saying, but I’d advise you and Lady Bernice to take care. Since Winslow didn’t get what he wanted, he might try again.”

“The same concern crossed my mind,” Sterling said. Hearing the inspector state it only made him more worried.

The two men left, and Sterling turned to stare out the window. He would make the staff aware of the danger and put extra footmen on duty until Winslow was caught. Surely, Bernie wouldn’t mind remaining home for the next few days. It shouldn’t take longer than that for the police to locate and arrest Winslow.

Once more, Sterling was filled with gratitude that Lena had told him Bernie was in danger. He didn’t understand her ability, but it must be difficult to manage without giving away her gift. Warning others of potential danger meant sharing why. Stating you had a feeling wouldn’t always be enough. His conversation with the police made that clear.

The fact that Lena had trusted him enough to reveal her ability was something he didn’t take lightly. But his reaction to it had been less than ideal.

He realized he was being a coward by ignoring his need to speak to her. He wanted to thank her again and ask her to explain more. He wanted to better understand her ability, and he wanted to see the light of affection return to her lovely eyes when she looked at him.

One thing Sterling knew for certain—regardless of her gift, he loved her and wanted her in his life. Did he dare hope she might feel the same?

*

Pretending all waswell when it wasn’t took a toll on Lena as the day passed slowly into the next. For one of the few times since her sisters had married, she was glad they no longer lived at Rothwood House.

It was difficult enough to mask her emotions during her brief visits with Ella. Her sister thought Lena’s quiet mood was due to the danger Winslow presented, and Lena let her. After all, that was certainly part of her upset. Ella didn’t ask how Sterling had reacted to her telling him about her gift as if sensing it wasn’t anything Lena wanted to talk about.

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