Whirlwind Affair

'You're welcome,' Mr. Evers murmured. He watched her for several long seconds, and Allie forced herself to meet his sharp gaze. Finally he resumed bandaging her hands while Lord Robert bandaged her feet. To Allie, the silence felt thick and heavy with tension and she longed to break it. Yet, as she had no wish to initiate a conversation that might lead to more questions, she said nothing.

Several minutes later, Mr. Evers rose. 'Finished,' he said. 'You'll be sore for a few days, but fine.' He turned to Robert. 'Make sure those bandages are changed once a day. And now let's have a look at you.'

Despite Lord Robert's grumbling, Mr. Evers quickly cleaned and bandaged his wrists. 'You'll live,' he stated. Then, jerking his head toward the corridor, he said, 'Let's give Mrs. Brown a moment alone to collect herself. We'll see to transportation to get you home.'

Lord Robert and Mr. Evers quit the room, shutting the door softly behind them. Allie closed her eyes and exhaled a long breath. Her wrists hurt, as did her foot where she'd been stabbed by the splinter. And her head still ached, but not nearly as much as it had earlier. All in all, she felt quite well, considering the fact that she could just as well be seriously injured. Or dead.

There was no doubt in her mind that whoever had abducted her hadn't chosen her at random. Between the accidents she'd suffered on the ship and tonight's events, there was clearly someone who wished her harm. But who? The only logical explanation was that the person had to somehow be tied to David's unsavory past. But what did they want from her? She possessed nothing of value. Or did they simply want her dead? A cold chill rippled through her. They'd nearly succeeded tonight. Would they try again?

And tonight, Lord Robert's life had been threatened as well. Her circumstances could be placing him in danger. She should warn him… tell him…

But tell him what? That some unknown person from her husband's shady past might be after her for a reason she could not possibly guess at? Her insides cramped at the mere thought. She hadn't admitted David's criminal past to anyone. Not to her family, or to Elizabeth through their correspondence. The shame and humiliation, not to mention the scandal that would attach itself to her and her family… no, she couldn't tell Lord Robert. She barely knew him. Her life and mistakes with David were none of his or anyone else's business. Besides, she had no desire to become any more involved with Lord Robert than she already was. Sharing her most intimate secrets with him was not something she would even consider.

Intimate…

A shiver ran through her as she instantly, vividly recalled the feel of him surrounding her, his heat and strength as he held her against him, protecting her. At the time, her fright had prevented her from focusing on his disturbing nearness, but now…

A long sigh escaped her. The sort of breathy, feminine sigh she hadn't indulged in for years. Warmth swept through her, kindling a spark she'd ruthlessly extinguished when David died.

A sudden chill replaced the unbidden, unwanted heat, and her eyes popped open. God help her, she was losing her mind. How could she possibly, even for an instant, entertain such… unacceptable thoughts about Lord Robert? He possessed so many traits and characteristics she'd painfully learned to detest and distrust in a man… a friendly, teasing manner that could foster undeserved trust. A handsome face to mask inner dishonor. Warm eyes that hid secrets. Winning smiles to conceal lies. Intense looks and touches that inflamed the senses.

Yet tonight, with his heroic rescue of her, his concern for her injuries even though he himself was hurt, he'd shown a side of himself she hadn't anticipated. And it was a side she did not want to see. She did not want to think of him as possessing any admirable qualities. He was already too physically attractive by far. If she were to like him-

She cut off the thought. Like him? Impossible. So he'd done something admirable. Even the worst sort of person normally had one good aspect to their character. Surely he did not possess any others. Why, look at how he'd known his way around those disreputable sections of London. Surely no decent gentleman would be familiar with such surroundings.

And the company he kept! This Michael Evers was a suspicious character if she'd ever seen one. A fighter by trade, one who obviously mingled with persons of low society. No telling what manner of nefarious business Lord Robert conducted with such a man. Yes, their friendship merely confirmed her belief that there was darkness lurking behind Lord Robert's casual, fun-loving demeanor. Indeed, Lady Gaddlestone's words on board the ship, concerning the transgression in Lord Robert's past, verified as much-a fact she'd momentarily forgotten. But just like walking about in the garden at night, it was a mistake she would not make again.

******

Robert stood in the oak-paneled foyer watching Michael lean his head out the front door and emit a trio of piercing whistles. Closing the door, he said, 'A trusted man will be here within five minutes to take you home.'

'Thank you, Michael. I owe you a boon.'

'You damn well owe me several. And don't think I won't collect.'

'Since I'm already in your debt, I might as well add to my tally. I've another favor to ask you.' He paced across the parquet floor. 'I'm very concerned about tonight's happenings. I shudder to think what might have happened to Mrs. Brown. I'm afraid I find it difficult to credit that someone in Austin 's household was targeted, yet I'm not entirely convinced that this abduction was random.'

Michael crossed his arms over his broad chest and regarded him with an indecipherable expression. 'So you think Mrs. Brown was who they wanted, then? Why?'

He shook his head, blowing out a frustrated breath. 'I cannot say for certain. But there is something about her manner… I sense fear in her. And that she is hiding something. I felt it when I met her at the docks. Then, this afternoon, when any other lady would have been resting from her journey, she visited an antique shop.'

'Seems innocent enough.'

'Yes, yet she was decidedly evasive when I asked her about it. She claims she has business affairs to settle on behalf of her deceased husband, which is naturally none of my affair, but she was very secretive. Overly so.' He raked his hands through his hair, wincing when he encountered the bump on the back of his head. 'Of course, I might be imagining things. I'm so accustomed to Caroline and Elizabeth chattering away like magpies, I wouldn't recognize natural reticence and reserve if it slapped me in the face.'

'When did her husband die?'

'Three years ago.'

Michael cocked a single brow. 'Yet she still wears mourning.'

'Clearly she remains devoted to him.' For some reason, those words tasted bitter in Robert's mouth.

'Yet that hasn't curbed your interest in her. Indeed, I suspect all this vagueness and secrecy surrounding her has piqued your interest.'

He stopped pacing and fixed a glare on his friend. 'I'm not interested in her. I am concerned about her. She is my responsibility until I deliver her, safe and sound, to Bradford Hall. You can imagine the hue and cry should I allow harm to befall her.'

'Yes. I'm certain that is all there is to it. Now, what is this additional favor you wish to ask?'

'Just to keep your eyes and ears open. You've contacts all over town. If you should hear anything regarding tonight's abduction-'

'I'll inform you at once.'

Three shrill whistles pierced the air. 'Your transportation has arrived,' Michael said. 'Shall I carry the lovely Mrs. Brown out?'

Lovely? The thought of Michael's strong arms cradling the lovely Mrs. Brown tightened Robert's shoulders. He shot his friend a chilly look. 'Thank you, no. I can handle her.'

Amusement gleamed in Michael's eyes. 'I'm not certain I agree, but it will be interesting to watch you try.'

********

Allie spent the twenty-minute ride back to the Bradford town house looking out the carriage window in an attempt to ignore her companion.