He looked at her as if she’d gone stark raving mad. “I would rather you didn’t.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.” He took a drink of tea, ready to cease the bickering once and for all.
“Whoreson, beetle-headed, flap-eared knave!” she whispered.
Tea sprayed from his lips and she grinned.
“That was uncalled for.”
She shrugged and handed him a napkin. She was utterly pleased with her delivery. “It was perfectly timed.”
“For me to make a mess.”
“Yes, but that is what we do, isn’t it?”
He sighed, accepted defeat, and pretended not to adore the moment. “I’m just glad I didn’t drive you away.”
“I do appreciate you saving my life. At the time I didn’t, but I do now. I also appreciate that you made me face the truth.”
He searched her face. “Do you? Truly?”
Her smile this time held a touch of sadness. “Yes. I lost part of my heart that day, but it wasn’t because of your actions. William’s betrayal and brutality robbed me of a love that only existed in my mind.” Her gaze left him to stare out the window as her voice softened to a whisper. “Trusting my heart again will be difficult.”
“I understand that, but I also have faith in your ability to heal. You have come a long way.” He cleared his throat and shifted in his chair. “I need to walk. My leg will never loosen up if I don’t use it. Besides it’s high time I got some exercise.”
“That will all come in due time.”
“I don’t have time.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t. Please don’t ask me any more questions about my dealings with the War Office.”
“Would you let it rest if it was your father who had been murdered?”
“Yes.”
“Your mother, then.”
He stood and grabbed for his cane. “No, I would not.”
“Then we are more alike than you realize. I can’t let it go, Simon. I won’t.”
“Fine. I will talk to Sir Williamson, and I will find out what I can relay to you, but I will not agree to telling your sisters anything. I cannot keep your entire family safe from harm.”
“You believe the fire in your study wasn’t a random robbery?”
“No, it was not.”
“And that is why you had me and the children taken to my sister’s house the night of the fire.”
“Yes.”
“Does Ross know what happened with my father’s death?”
“No.”
