***
Reagan rolls over, and his arms wrap around her from behind. “Good morning, Wife,”
Edmund says and presses a kiss to her temple.
“Good morning, Husband,” she laughs and rolls over into his arms. Looking into his loving eyes, she asks, “How did we get so lucky?”
“I have no idea, but I plan on thanking the Lord for you every day for the rest of our lives,” he kisses her softly. “We need to be at the train station before ten if we want to be on time. As much as I’d like to stay in bed with you, we need to get up.”
Reagan sighs, “If I must.”
Over breakfast with the family, Reagan is chatting with his mother when Edmund gasps. “No!”
“What’s wrong?” Reagan gasps.
“Is that your mouse?” he asks, handing the paper over to her.
Reagan reads, and her mouth drops open. She starts laughing and laughs until tears are streaming down her face.
“Good for you!” Joy erupts at the thought of her friend, finding peace and happiness.
***
Matthew sips his coffee and glances at the newspaper. “What a night!” They look happy, he thinks. He prays that they have an open heart and gives the rest to the Lord.
“Sir, the Police are here to see you as requested.”
“Excellent, show them inside the sitting room, and bring coffee. We're going to need it.”
Later, after Matthew explains, the Investigator listens and sits back with a frown. “They could have set the whole city on fire!”
“I know. Two people were hurt, including the witness, I need to make sure they don’t attack us again. I will hire guards for the shop and store, but what will you do about Hubbard?”
“Things will fall apart quickly for Mr. George Hubbard once he realizes he doesn’t have access to the shares of Sheridan Furniture. Now we need to find the person he paid to set the fire and discover who his accomplices are. I won’t arrest him yet, let’s just give him enough rope to hang himself.”
Matthew sees the officer out and goes to the office. He sighs at the stack of correspondence and his eyes fly open wide. After calling for help, they move to a table with stack of letters. “What are we looking for?” the young man asks.
“We are looking for a telegram. Start by sorting the mail into piles, letters and telegrams should be separated. I will be back to go through them.” He leaves the young man to work, knowing that he can’t read but understanding that it should be simple enough to sort the two different types of correspondence.
“Now to go through Declan’s coats,” he stops a maid, “Show me to Declan’s coats.” Twenty minutes later he is holding the missing message and note she slipped into Declan’s coat. Not only does it give him proof that she was telling the truth, but it gives the first name of the person who set the fire! Time to hire a private investigator.
Chapter 18
“Lord Sheridan, we need to talk!” London says the moment Declan steps into the suite. He looks frazzled.
“We will, but not now. Are you packed?” he demands.
“Yes, they just took my trunks to the station, but…”
“London,” he grips her by her upper arms gently, “reporters are in the lobby asking questions. It's best if we exit through the back of the hotel using the servant's entrance.” Declan stops speaking and stares at her. “Unless you'd rather talk to them?”
“Absolutely not!” she wrinkles her nose in distaste, causing him to smile. “Lead the way, Lord Sheridan.”
“Excellent,” Declan nods his head in approval. “We will issue a statement through my lawyer in a few days.”
“I know the way, Declan. Follow me.” She grips his hand, forgetting about her injury and blanches.
“Are you okay?” he loops her arm through his as she nods and guides him towards the employee elevator.
“Yes, thank you. Why do they care? Surely there are more important things to discuss?” London drops his arm as they wait for the doors to open.
Declan stares at her and can't help but admire her take-charge attitude. She steps inside, and he is shocked by just how much smaller the employee elevator is. They stand together, and she stares up at him.
“Where are we going, Declan?” Nerves have her trembling slightly.
“To Connecticut, we have a summer home a few blocks from the beach. It’s very private. We will stay until you are properly healed. It’s usually closed for the winter, but Grandfather had it opened and stocked.” He takes her hand and lifts it looking at the damage on her palm. “Thank you, London, for saving him. I’ll never be able to repay you.” He traces a finger around the edges, memorizing the wound, so he’ll never forget what she did for them.
“I did what anyone would’ve done,” she shivers and attempts to pull her hand back.
“No,” his dark blue eyes flash with a determined glint. “I will have the whole story from you soon.” The door opens, and they hurry out, greeted by two bellmen.
“Lord Sheridan, your carriage is waiting.” They are led outside amongst curious stares, and London keeps her head down and follows him inside the carriage, thankful for the reprieve from prying eyes.
London sits across from Declan and sighs in relief when the carriage begins to move. “How long is the train ride to Connecticut?”
“Two hours with stops. Plenty of time to find out all there is to know about you,” he states.
London laughs softly and stares at him. “Lord Sheridan, you would be bored, I’m sure. I will tell you about the fire, and my part in it. That’s all you need to know.”
“I’ll take that for now,” he answers quietly.
Chapter 19
London follows Declan
