Frederick’s gaze became troubled and wary as his expression tensed with frustration. “If it’s not him, then what else could possibly be gained by such actions? And who else would have cause to instigate them?”
Katherine suddenly recalled the image of the tall man in the black greatcoat and top hat. How he’d seemed to be watching them only moments before they were set upon in their carriage. Had his interest been a simple coincidence or could the dark stranger be linked to the attacks?
When she’d seen him, she’d had a subtle sense of recognition, but he was far too young to be the marquess.
“If it’s not a play for the inheritance, then what could the motivation be?” Frederick asked quietly as though voicing his thoughts without realizing it. “I suppose we cannot ignore the possibility that you are the true target. They might have taken me to get to you for some reason.” He made a sound of frustrated disgust as he shoved a hand back through his tousled hair. “There are too many unknowns. Too much that doesn’t make sense.”
Katherine placed her hand on his shoulder to draw his focus back to her. “Listen to me. Whatever is behind this threat, we will sort it out together. Haven’t we always done that? No problem has ever been too great for the two of us.”
Her brother stared at her for a long moment, and she was reminded of the fact that, although he was more intelligent than anybody she’d ever met, he was still just a boy who had gone through a great deal over the last several months.
When he finally nodded, she smiled encouragingly. “One step at a time. The first of which is returning home.”
Frederick’s chin lifted stubbornly. “Whoever is behind this, they’ve tried twice now. They will try again. What’s to stop them from coming to the house?”
The thought of relocating flashed through her mind, but hiding would solve nothing. Until they discovered who was behind the abductions and what their ultimate motivation was, there would always be a threat. And Frederick deserved far better than that for his future. He was quickly becoming a man. A duke with responsibilities.
“Perhaps we should stay here for a while,” Frederick suggested as though hearing her thoughts aloud. “Just until we figure out what to do.”
“Frederick, you know that’s not possible.”
“Why not?”
She opened her mouth as she struggled for a proper argument in the face of her brother’s calm certainty. “For one thing, the décor is horrendous.”
As she’d hoped, the comment tugged a small smile from her brother’s lips as he cast an assessing glance about the room. “I thought you liked the color pink,” he said thoughtfully.
“For an occasional gown or in a bouquet of flowers. Not coating every surface of my surroundings.” She made a face of painful disgust. “Why on earth would Mr. Hale choose to live within such atrocity?”
Frederick shrugged. “It was all he could get on short notice after saving Claire and me. I don’t think he intends to stay here long. But you do make an excellent point. This place really is dreadful. Instead of staying here, it would probably be best if Mr. Hale came to stay with us.”
Katherine’s stomach flipped at the thought. “Frederick, why on earth would you suggest such a thing?”
“Because it’s the perfect solution.”
“Frederick...”
“Think about it, Kit. He is a trained fighter. Undefeated during his time in the ring and I’d suspect out of it, as well. We could hire him as a bodyguard.”
She sighed. It appeared her brother had developed a near-worshipful view of Hale. Following the loss of their parents and the trauma of his most recent experiences, Katherine could appreciate how he might be drawn to someone so strong and capable and fearless, but that didn’t mean they could invite the man into their household.
“I’m sure Mr. Hale is a very skilled fighter, but that doesn’t make him a suitable bodyguard.”
“He rescued me from the warehouse and kept me safe since.”
“It wouldn’t be proper.”
“No less proper than having our butler and footman residing with us.”
Placing Hale in the same category as a trained servant—someone skilled in appearing innocuous and unobtrusive—was seriously laughable.
“Just think on it, Kit. It really does make sense.”
Rising to his feet, Frederick gave her a steady gaze. Anyone else would have looked at him in that moment and seen a confident, sturdy young man, but Katherine knew him too well. His expression was neutral but tension hovered in the set of his shoulders and the way he clasped his hands behind his back. His eyes flickered with emotions he tried to conceal—fear, uncertainty, frustration. With a glance toward the door, he noted, “Claire’s nurse took her to the kitchen for some fresh-baked pastries. I just wanted to check on you before joining her. I’m sure I’ll still be there when you’re ready to leave.”
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left.
Katherine sighed. Her brother clearly hoped she would consider his wild suggestion. But he should know better. There was nothing to consider. Despite his obvious devotion to his daughter and his desire to repay the debt he felt he owed to Frederick, his involvement in illegal fights made Mason Hale no better than a criminal himself. Not at all the type of person she could entertain the thought of hiring to protect her brother—a duke, for goodness sake—while living in their home.
It was ludicrous, really.
Katherine carefully brought her feet to the floor and tried to stand. The throbbing in her ankle nearly had her sitting down again, but the leather of her boot provided some stability. Her shoulder ached as well, but the pain wasn’t nearly what it had been before Hale repositioned her shoulder.
Tentative steps brought her to a heavily filigreed mirror hung above a washstand. Her eyes widened at the sight that greeted her in the glass.
She hadn’t realized just how wretchedly tangled her hair had become during their flight. Without thinking,
