“What?” he asked in alarm. “Why didn’t you tell me that the moment I walked through the door?”
“I was a bit preoccupied receiving your kiss, that’s why,” she scolded with another playful swat. “Besides, Owen thinks I imagined him but I know what I saw. Dawkes is hardly someone I could forget given how forceful he was at the Lyon’s Den and his threats to you.”
“I think I saw him as well outside of the Boar’s Head in Bray but Icouldn’t swear my life on it,” he replied as he filled her in on what he saw. “Mr. Myer will send word if he learns of anything more but I’m even more suspicious of Dawkes than before. There’s no reason for him to tarry here in Bracknell or Bray unless he’s here to cause mischief.”
She caressed the fabric of his coat. “We could leave for London as soon as the wedding is over. If it was him, and I’m certain it was as clearly as I’m standing here with you now, he’d have a harder time trying to accomplish whatever evil mischief he’s up to there.”
Gideon caressed her cheek. “This is true but it would also be harder for us to catch him in a big city. No. I think our best course of action is to stay in Bracknell and lay a trap for him.”
“I just don’t want to put our family or friends in danger,” she replied. She worried not only for herself but for anyone involved in this whole fiasco.
“Asher and I talked about this at length and we might have a plan to catch Dawkes or whoever is behind the accidents that have been happening to you,” he said before taking her hand and ushering her to the back of the room. “It does, however, put you in the midst of the very danger that we’ve been trying to avoid and obviously that is of great concern to me.”
She all but fell into the chair while he pushed the vacant one next to her. “If it will settle this matter and catch whoever is doing this, then I’ll help in any way I can,” she declared firmly.
“I’m beside myself with worry that I’m putting you in danger when this is exactly what I’ve been hoping to avoid,” he grumbled while a frown formed on his brow. He rubbed at his temples and some instinct told her he was getting one of his headaches.
She stood and went behind her counter to open one of the drawers and pull out a small canister of a special cream she had made just for him. Going back over to Gideon, she opened the lid and applied some of the ointment to her fingers. She closed the lid, set it on a small tablethen stood before her handsome knight to rub the cream into his temples. She knew the concoction was working its magic when she heard a soft moan come from deep within his throat. She gave a slight smile before she finally answered him.
“If you haven’t already come to the conclusion, Gideon, I’m not some wallflower with no spine. I’m up to whatever task you and your brother came up with. I know you’ll protect me and if we can catch the culprit, then let’s move forward with your plan.” She wiped her hands on the apron at her waist before resuming her seat.
“Are you sure?” he asked reaching for her hand and kissing the inside of her wrist.
“I’m sure. Now tell me what you have come up with to catch our nasty villain.”
As Gideon began telling Violet of what he and his brother had discussed in London, she trembled at the thought of what her part in all this would entail. But instead of allowing fear to overrule the situation, she lifted her chin, determined she would not fail in performing what would be asked of her. Gideon would keep her safe. Now they just needed to put everything into motion.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Gideon sat ata table at the Raven with Asher, Leopold, and Owen. The mood of the group was grim and it was taking everything in Gideon’s power to calm Violet’s brother down. His temper flared, rightfully so, when the men explained the role Violet would play with their scheme to catch a would-be killer.
“You cannot put my sister in such a reckless situation just to prove who has been breaking into the apothecary or who might have burned her house down,” Owen declared, slamming his fist on the table.
Gideon pushed a tankard of ale in the man’s direction. “All of us will be close by but out of sight, including the constable. If my hunch is correct, then Major Dawkes won’t be able to resist interrupting our wedding and attempting to steal my bride away.”
Owen wagged a finger in Gideon’s direction. “You’re asking too much of her,” he fumed.
“She’s the one who came up with the idea of carrying out the plan on their wedding day,” Asher added, giving Gideon a knowing look. “That idea was smart even if it wasn’t what I originally came up with.”
A snort left Leopold. “What a way to ruin a perfectly nice wedding day,” he declared, raising his ale to his lips and shaking his head. “Losing your bride before you’ve even said your vows.”
Gideon nodded. “The actual wedding won’t actually occur until the next day at the local church. This plan is all for show and we think it will work. An outdoor wedding in the forest isn’t something most young women would want and we can only pray the weather holds or we’ll need to come up with some other alternative.”
“I still don’t like it,” Owen replied as he fidgeted in his seat. “What happens if he actually abducts her?”
Gideon leaned forward. “With all of us hiding in the woods including the constable? How would he ever manage such a feat?”
“Anything is possible if someone is desperate enough,” Owen grumbled before glancing around at the room. “Do you suppose the culprit has spies telling him of our every move?”
“We’re counting on it.” Gideon made a show of laughing loudly and raised his tankard toward the men. Asher and Leopold took his cue and began to chuckle with him.
“What the bloody hell is wrong with you London gents? This is hardly a situation that is laughable,” Owen grimaced.
Asher set down his mug but continued to smile as he whispered through his teeth. “Appearing like we’re having a grand time and drinking our fill, is what is most important at the moment. We need to show that we’re comfortable with the wedding moving forward tomorrow even if the whole situation is a fake scheme to catch our villain.”
“I swear this is right out of some novel my wife might read,” Owen mumbled even though he managed to put a smirk on his face. “I’m telling you this whole thing could backfire on us in a moment’s notice.”
Gideon laughed and slammed his tankard on the table calling out for a refill. He then grew somber as he gazed at the men before him. “We will account for every detail and, with all of us nearby, no harm will befall Violet.”
