The cook hurries to the kitchen, and Mary follows her to help her change her dress and freshen up from the day's activities. London changes into a pale blue dress with a white lace overlay.
“I love this dress, you look stunning, Lady Sheridan,” Mary says.
“Thank you, can you leave my hair down. Declan loves it down,” she replies.
“Of course, I can pull the sides up and use these,” she holds out a small box. London stares in shock. “Oh!” she gasps.
“Lord Sheridan said to surprise you.”
London opens the box and traces a finger over two identical hair combs. Silver filigree pattern covers a blue sapphire stone in each comb.
“They are stunning,” she sniffs back tears. “He’s too kind,” she whispers.
“No, he’s a man in love,” Mary replies.
London hides her shock as Mary fixes her hair. Stunned, she looks at herself in the mirror as the truth strikes home. She loves him! How did this happen? It's too fast, too soon, she thinks as she walks numbly to the sitting room.
When she enters, all three men rise to greet her, but London has eyes only for Declan. The truth of Mary's words is reflected in his gaze. His love is shining for her, and it almost causes her to run.
“London? Are you okay?” he asks, stepping to her side.
“Of course,” she replies and shoves down the emotions beating at her. She loops her arm through his and greets the guests. Declan can feel the tremors running through her body, but now is not the time to deal with it.
“London, we have much to talk about, please come sit with an old man and tell me, has my grandson been treating you well?”
London reluctantly steps away from Declan and sits beside Matthew.
“He spoils me endlessly,” she smiles up at Declan.
“Good, he gets that from me,” Matthew smiles while Declan snorts and sits down.
Jonathan watches the interaction and wonders how they will react to the news he’s bringing.
“Now, tell us why you’ve come,” Declan demands.
“First, I will start by telling you that George Hubbard has been arrested,” Matthew glances at Jonathan.
London listens quietly as Johnathan starts to explain.
“I've been watching his business practices for some time. Your grandfather gave me the name of the man who set the fire at your warehouse. I was able to find the perpetrator and arrest him. With his testimony, we will be able to bring charges on George for soliciting arson, and more judging by your wounds. Would you consider testifying against him.”
“No,” London and Declan speak together, causing Matthew to smile.
“I understand. No matter, we have him on blackmail, fraud and most recently, solicitation for murder,” Jonathan says.
“Murder? Explain!” Declan demands, turning to the U.S. Marshall.
“I went undercover, and the Hubbard's solicited a contract to murder your wife.”
Declan jerks in shock as London grips his hand. “What?”
He glances uneasily at Declan, “There’s more. They had certain stipulations.”
“What kind of stipulations?” Declan asks.
“It shouldn't be spoken of in front of Ladies,” Jonathan declares.
“I think I have a right to know, Marshall,” London snaps.
He glances at Declan, who nods slightly.
“They demanded that Lady Sheridan watch while you die before I took care of her.”
London gasps and sits in stunned silence, starring at Jonathan. “Why?” she asks hoarsely.
“That’s where things get strange,” Jonathan glances at Matthew and waits for him to explain.
Matthew pats her hand, “Tessa blames you for stealing Declan’s affection from her. As well as buying the shares in his business from under them.”
“It’s true,” London says softly.
“That's no reason to kill someone,” Declan glances at London, who is looking at him with a horrified glance. In her mind, she can see and hear him being tortured by Tessa and George while they laugh.
“Unfortunately, I could only arrest the husband, Tessa Hubbard has disappeared, for now. That woman is sick,” Jonathan explains. “We feel like she will come after you London and try at the very least to discredit you.”
London stands slowly, and all the noise fades from her ears. They begin to ring as panic strikes.
“Excuse me,” London runs from the room, up the stairs, and into her suite. Rattled, she grabs a bag and starts throwing clothes inside. “No,” she mumbles, and rips open a drawer to grab her travel papers. Trembling, she shoves them inside her case and whirls around at a sound behind her.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Declan says from the doorway.
London ignores him and continues packing. “Our contract is now void.”
Declan steps inside shutting and locking the door behind him, “I don’t think so, Lady Sheridan,” he states.
“Don't call me that!” Panicked, she whirls around and looks at him. “If I leave, you'll be safe,” she sobs out.
“If you leave, I'll be broken,” he grabs her and drags her against his chest. “London,” she covers his mouth with her hand, and she pleads through tears.
“Don’t say it!” He drags her hands away from his mouth and presses a kiss to her wounded hand.
“I love you, London Sheridan. I want this charade to end. I want to spend my life with you as my partner, friend, lover, and wife!”
London shakes her head sobbing openly now, “I can’t! I won’t survive if something happens to you,” she grabs his shirt in her hand and drops her forehead to his chest.
Declan feels the worry fade as he holds her. Her worry is for his safety. That tells him all he needs to know.
“It’s too late to let the fear win, London. The Bible says in Deuteronomy 31:6, ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified
