“So, after all that…are we really no closer to having any proof that Everley is the man behind so many crimes?”
Rupert sighed. “I’m afraid so.”
Tolston gave Delilah a sidelong look that Rupert could well interpret. Time is running out.
“We have plenty of circumstantial evidence,” Tolston said. “Perhaps with our testimony… I mean, having the Earl of Tolston and Lord—” He stopped himself when Rupert’s eyes narrowed. “Er, a distinguished fellow like yourself, Calloway.” Sitting back in his seat, Tolston crossed his arms over his chest. “Would that not be enough?”
“I’m afraid not,” he muttered. Rupert was still shifting uncomfortably at the use of the title. It had been an age since he’d gone by the honorary title, and it didn’t sit right. It never had. Unlike his father and elder brother, he’d never seemed meant for the peerage. He was too big, too unrefined, too uninterested in societal politics, and even less interested in learning how to charm and persuade.
He glanced over at Delilah to see if she had heard but she seemed to be lost in her own thoughts.
What would she think if she knew he was the second son of a marquess?
He felt his lips quirk with rueful humor. Would she still offer to pay him? He’d admit, that had stung.
Worse, would she offer to marry him like she was some commodity he might accept in lieu of coins?
He gave his head a little shake. Delilah’s safety was what was at stake and he had to focus.
Tolston heaved a weary sigh that echoed his sentiments exactly. “So then, what do we do next?”
He’d been pondering that all night—well, when he wasn’t reliving that kiss. He’d tossed and turned the night before, torn between concern for her safety and the desire to wake her just so he could relive that kiss.
“Unfortunately our best lead is at the docks, but we don’t have any specifics.” Rupert shook his head in irritation. “I still think our clues lie in his home somewhere—we know he conducts his business there. I had my chance to search and I failed.” He glanced over at Delilah. Not that he could call their first interaction a failure.
It had been monumental. Life changing…
But no help in the course of his investigation.
“If we knew he’d be out of the house, I could attempt to break into his office again, I suppose,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck as he thought. “But we’d need to know ahead of time that he’d be gone.”
He was about to suggest they send someone to bribe a servant when Delilah chimed in.
“Tomorrow evening.”
Both men turned to look at her.
“Pardon?” Tolston said.
She licked her lips. “He has an appointment tomorrow evening with someone named Albert on Rivington Street. I saw it in his diary.”
The gentlemen continued to stare at her in silence. Rupert’s brain clicked into gear for what felt like the first time since that kiss had addled him. Albert. Rivington. “What time?”
Her gaze shifted upward as she searched her memory. “Nine o’clock.”
He and Tolston exchanged a look.
“Why? What is it?” Delilah asked.
He couldn’t help it. He laughed. Tolston grinned as well. Rupert did not wish to put the cart before the horse, but his gut told him this was it.
This was precisely the bit of information he’d been trying to find.
“Why are you laughing?” Delilah demanded, her tone delightfully peevish. He turned to find her scowling at him and he laughed harder.
Oh yes, he much preferred this Delilah. She was much more fun to tease.
“I’m laughing at you, silly girl.”
Her frown deepened and he leaned toward her with a grin. “You are absolutely brilliant, did you know that?”
Her eyes widened in surprise, a smile tugging at her lips as she gave him a look of wary amusement. “Of course I know that,” she shot back. She folded her hands primly. “But why exactly do you know that?”
He and Tolston filled her in on the fact that Albert was the name of a dock and Rivington was a street near the wharf that was lined with warehouses for storage.
“You just asked if there was anything suspicious in his diary,” she muttered defensively. “How was I supposed to know any of this?”
“You weren’t,” he assured her. “But now that we know…”
“We can finally end this,” Tolston finished.
The very thought of finally bringing justice to the man who murdered his best friend just to inherit the title…it should have brought a world of relief. His best friend’s so-call accident and Rupert’s suspicions around it were why he’d chosen this life in the first place.
It had all begun with Everley, and Rupert’s inability to prove him responsible for murder.
And now it was within his grasp and…
He was worried.
Blast it all. He was too worried to truly enjoy this new turn. His mind was already on Delilah, and what this would mean for her future.
12
Delilah listened as the two men sketched out a plan for the following night.
She was to stay here at the school as they and their men descended on Everley, hoping to catch him in the midst of a dastardly act.
Mr. Calloway had assured her no less than ten times now that he’d have ample security posted at and around the school’s premises.
“We will ensure that all of you are safe,” Tolston added.
She had no doubt that Tolston would move heaven and hell to make sure that Addie was protected. Her gaze met Mr. Calloway’s and her breath caught in her throat when she realized…
He would do the same for her.
Annoying, uncalled for tears stung the back of her eyes.
Mercy, what was happening to her? She was never this emotional about anything.
She supposed nearly dying was a valid excuse.
She dropped her gaze, unable to hold it any longer because… He would see.
That was the thing about Mr. Calloway. He seemed to see everything. Too much. The way he’d been looking at her earlier, she’d wanted to get up out of her seat and
