He opened it. A hint of shame bothered him after how he’d left her bed last night. “I was about to search for you.”
She craned her neck towards the captain and William. “You’re busy.”
“My lady.” William bowed.
“Come in.” Samuel waited for her to be seated. “William discovered your mother made generous donations to Dr. Tucker.”
“Donations?” Her delicate eyebrows drew together. “I don’t think so. Father and Mother discuss their donations together. Father has never approved of Dr. Tucker. He would never agreeto donate money to him. Even before knowing Dr. Tucker was a fraud, Father didn’t like him. He and Mother argued several times about him.”
“How can your mother get those sums then?” he asked.
“She’s always taken care of the expenses of the house. It would be easy for her to inflate the bills and set aside some pounds.”
“We’ll keep Dr. Tucker under surveillance,” the captain said. “Then, when we have enough evidence, we’ll strike.”
“So we have to wait?” Samuel said. “Hell, no. I’d rather go there and drag him out of his office.”
“And what will that prove? We need time and evidence.” The captain clapped his shoulder. “We can’t make mistakes caused by haste. William and I will take care of the doctor.” He smiled. “You spend some time with your new wife.”
Yes, but he was worried about that as well.
Vivienne glanced at him, and he tried to ignore the knot of anxiety in his belly.
When William and the captain left the room, he didn’t have any excuses not to face his fears.
“You’re nervous.” She took his hand, lacing her fingers through his. “We’re going to stop him. Don’t worry.”
He released her finger to sign. “I wish we could be quicker.”
“Some things require more time than others.”
He brushed a dark curl of hair from her forehead. “What would you like to do?”
“Can we take a walk in the garden? It’s a beautiful day.”
“Aren’t you tired?”
“I feel better. A few days without the poison, and I already feel stronger.” She straightened and jutted out her chin. “I could run a marathon.”
He laughed and offered her his arm. “Let’s go.”
He observed her as they went down the stairs. Her cheeks were a nice shade of pink. The dark circles around her eyes were almost gone, but above all, her eyes were a bright blue. Even her hair was less dull.
Again, bitter anger at Murdock poisoned his blood.
“We’ll have a proper honeymoon when you’re better.”
“The garden is lovely. I’m more than happy to take a walk there with you for now.” She rested her head on his arm, and energy rushed through him.
In the sunlight with her smile shining upon him, his nocturnal fears seemed silly, but his desire for justice grew stronger.
She paused to sit on the bench under the shadow of an oak tree. He perched on the edge next to her with his back straight and his hands on his knees. The collar of his shirt chafed his neck all of a sudden. So his fears were still there, after all.
“Why are you so nervous?” She touched his knuckles. “Is it because of last night?”
He shrugged, following the flight of a sparrow.
“You were used to telling me everything. Or do you stop talking to me because I’m your wife? Isn’t that a bit too early?”
