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Sophia’s hand shook when he gently kissed her fingers and rested their clasped hands on his chest. She didn’t quite know what to say to him. She felt she knew him quite well in a lot of ways but then not at all in others. Still, after what had happened today she was aware that life was a very precious commodity indeed, and it could be snatched at a moment’s notice. Not just by your own mistakes but by other people’s reckless acts of unconscionable cruelty. It was only the foolhardy who wasted a precious moment of happiness available to them, and she was no fool.
“I don’t want you to quit unless you want to. It is quite evident you enjoy your work and are good at it.”
“Are you sure?” he asked with a frown. He hadn’t expected her ready compliance.
“I am sure,” she replied.
“I can work for a l
ocal branch of the Star Elite. To begin with, my job here will involve tidying up and working on Bamber’s network of thieves, as I have told you. After that, the men who have married have all settled in the areas they want and work with local magistrates on county crime. You know; thefts and the like. There is no reason why I cannot do the same.”
“Like Delilah’s stealing, you mean?”
Jeb nodded. “Hopefully without the connection to Sayers, though.”
He slid down onto the bed until he lay facing her. “What on earth were you doing outside?”
“I got your note,” she replied.
“Note?” Jeb looked down at her. “What note?”
Sophia stared at him for a moment then dug into her pocket for the parchment.
Jeb read it. “This isn’t my writing, Sophia. I wouldn’t send you a note to meet me anywhere like this, not when I had already told you to remain inside. I would call upon you here, you should know that,” he chided softly. “It is my responsibility as a gentleman to keep you safe, and that means not asking you to compromise yourself in any way by venturing out alone.”
“When I saw your name, I just thought you wanted to see me again.” She felt a little foolish. “I had hoped.”
“I do want to see you again. All the time. But I would call by here to see you and not send that.” Jeb shook his head. “Does the writing look familiar to you?”
“It’s not Delilah’s.”
“Are you sure?”
Sophia nodded. “Yes. My aunt’s writing is a lot more curved than that. She also tends to splatter ink everywhere. This is far too neat and tidy to be from her. Whoever wrote this has a precise mind. Look how carefully these letters have been formed.”
Jeb studied the neat rows of writing and knew she was right.
“Who would want to send me on a merry chase like that?” Sophia continued. “I mean, Delilah was the one who attacked me, but she didn’t write the note. It just doesn’t make sense.”
Jeb thought about the threat that had been made against Sophia by Myers, and suspected that it had been Bamber who had shoved it under the door. Bamber was already in the area, Myers had said so, and was the one responsible for the Squire’s untimely death.
Had he also been trying to lure Sophia out of the house so he could kidnap her like Myers had said? Jeb suspected he had but had been pre-empted by her spiteful aunt.
He didn’t tell Sophia any of this for fear of frightening her even more. Instead, he knew he had to relocate her to Briggleberry, and place her under the watchful eyes of the staff while he went after Bamber.
“I know.” He briefly told her about Bamber’s intent to steal the Squire’s jewels. “He is the man who has killed the Squire this morning.”
“The Squire?” She turned to stare at him in disbelief. “The Squire has been killed?”
Jeb nodded. “By someone who is quite ruthless. He killed Mrs Banks and Tabitha as well.”
“I think this village has seen enough of death and destruction,” she whispered with a shiver.
“I know. It will be over soon, I promise.”
“Just stay safe,” she whispered.
She couldn’t help it. It was terribly wanton of her, but she captured his head in her hands and tugged him down. He was happy to accede to her demands, and set about proving to himself that she really was alright.
