Page 13 of A Rogue to Forget

Henry closed the distance between them and drew her into his arms. She seemed to collapse against him, to draw strength from his embrace.

His eyes closed at her body flush against his. It was much too familiar of a thing to hold a woman who was no more than a friend. And yet he felt the need to touch her each time he was near.

“Did you find what you needed?” Evan stood at the doorway.

It surprised Henry that Hannah did not jump away from him. Instead, she turned to his friend and wiped a tear. “Henry is hungry,” she said by way of explanation. Then pushing the plate toward him, she went out toward the dining room.

“You made her cry?” Evan asked with an incredulous expression. “She does not need to be further distressed.”

Although it was good to see that he was not the only one protective of her, Henry did not care for it. “I did not make her cry. She is upset at the situation.”

“If you care for the lass, this would be the time to declare yourself. She needs someone by her side.”

“I have been supportive and done all I can.”

Evan gave him a knowing look. “It cannot continue, Henry. You cannot appear at her home at all hours unescorted. As much as I understand your feelings of responsibility after finding the lass’s father, it is not good to give her false hope at a time like this.”

“We are but friends…” he started.

“Not from where I’m standing,” Evan interrupted, and then motioning to his plate, gave him a pointed look. “Come, we have some interesting developments to discuss.”

Why did everyone think they could interfere in his life and give unwarranted advice?

“Bloody hell,” he murmured softly and took the plate to follow Evan to the dining room.

In the parlor, his father was holding court. Explaining what he knew about the Blackwell criminals, as he put it.

Henry sat at the opposite end of the table and ate while keeping an eye on Hannah to ensure she was not overly upset by what was being discussed.

To his amazement, she held up a hand and began to talk. “I do not believe Father would have given his life to keep this money from someone. He obviously did not have plans for it as he’d never seemed to touch it. From the dust on the box, it had not been handled in a very long time.” She looked to him as if seeking assurance and Henry gave a slight nod.

“What I think,” Hannah continued. “Whoever approached Marta knows the money was hidden in our house, and I will gladly return it to avoid further trouble.”

“Brilliant Idea,” Felicity exclaimed. “Do any of you know one of those people?”

Henry and his father exchanged knowing looks. “I may know someone,” Henry replied, and everyone turned to him with varied expressions of interest. He dared not meet Hannah’s gaze.

“When I lost money when gambling recklessly, I owed them a large sum. Someone approached me and offered to loan me the money to cover my debts. I do not know if they were linked to the Blackwells, but it could be.

“Did you accept the loan?” Hannah asked.

Henry nodded. “I was young and stupid. I did. I was not able to pay them back as quickly as they wished. Let’s just say that by the time the ordeal was over, I was beaten badly enough that my father paid the debt for fear I’d end up dead.”

“It may not be the Blackwells,” Evan said. “However, they may know if one of them remains in Glasgow.”

With reluctance, he looked up. There was no judgment in anyone’s gaze; instead, Grant slapped the tabletop. “Good, so we need you to go and speak to them.”

“Wait,” Hannah said, holding up both hands. “There is no need to put him or any of you in danger. If someone is to speak to them, it should be me. This is my family who is affected.”

“While I admire your bravery, lass…” his father started “there is absolutely no possible circumstance in which a woman should approach any of them. Therefore, it must be a group of men, or perhaps we can send a messenger.”

“Where?” Henry asked. “We cannot very well go to every gambling den and ask.”

Evan spoke next. “Perhaps they will approach Marta again about returning to the market. She owes them nothing; therefore, they will not harm her. We must know who exactly knows about the box and wants it.”

“The man who approached Marta did not specify a box,” Hannah said. “He asked that she snoop and get ledgers and look for money.”

Henry’s father cleared his throat. “If they murdered your father over this, then these people or person is very dangerous.”