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“That was a sincere compliment, Pippa.”
“You take such liberties with my name,” she said, challenging him.
A wide, gleaming grin spread over his lips. “I’m afraid it is no longer intentional.”
She liked to know that he thought of her in that way. She had thought of him as William since first meeting him. But to give him her express permission now was making an exclamation about their relationship that she was not ready for, not until she’d spoken with Lily.
He looked at her with a questioning gaze, and she ignored it.
Light rain fell on her unadorned nose. “I really must be on my way home.”
“Of course.” William seemed reluctant to release her, and she tugged her hand free from his. Cold air swept in and chilled the skin that William had warmed.
“Good evening, then.”
“Yes,” she agreed, stepping away. “Good—oh! I forgot.” Pippa halted and turned back to face him, slightly surprised that he had not moved away at all. He remained standing where she’d parted from him, his feet firmly planted and hands clasped lightly in front of him. He seemed heedless of the rain dampening his shirt and falling over his hair. “I met a man today in Collacott who was asking about your father’s fishing. Or, at least I think—”
William stepped toward her swiftly. “Who was it?”
She paused only briefly before answering, surprised by his reaction. “He told me his name was Mr. Ainsworth, and he was with the law. He did not tell me in what capacity he served, however. And he wore no uniform.”
“Blast.” William glanced up, and she detected what appeared to be fear in his eyes. “What did he wish to know?”
Unease gripped her. “He was hoping to question Mr. Burke, but no one was home. He asked if I knew anything about your father, that was all.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I told him that I know nothing. It is the truth.” She searched his worried eyes. “William, are you in some sort of trouble?”
He glanced up quickly. “Me, no. But...I really should not say more than that. It is better if you are ignorant.”
“Better for whom?”
A smile ticked up his lips.
Pippa did not relent. “If you are in trouble, Mac can help. He knows a lot of people and is generally well-liked and respected.”
William’s smile tightened. “I will keep that in mind.”
Rain fell in earnest now, wetting William’s sleeves until they clung to his defined arms. She struggled to tear her gaze away. Why had she offered her brother-in-law’s assistance when she did not know the first thing about the nature of the Blakemores’ trouble? Did not the past prove that the Blakemore men cared little for the law? Black Heart Blakemore himself had moved into the cottage out of the blue with little explanation after two decades’ absence.
But how could she judge this man and his family for smuggling when her own father purchased smuggled goods?
Uncertainty nipped at her heels like a poorly trained hound; she looked into William’s light blue gaze and found the anchor she’d been searching for over the last hour. There, nestled deep within the chocolate irises and concern, was a steadiness that held her feet securely to the ground and sustained her. Pippa knew not why William had that effect on her. She only knew of the power that swam through her limbs and straight into her heart. Reason aside, she trusted this man.
But she wasn’t certain she should.
“Did he happen to say anything else?” William asked.
“Only that he is staying at the White Swan.”
William rubbed his chin, his eyes thoughtful. “Will you tell me if you see him again? If you hear anything else?”
Pippa nodded. “I can do more than that if you will but trust me, though. I—”
“No.” His voice was as solid as the rocks which sat stalwart in the middle of the rising tide, immovable and strong. “It is not for lack of trust, Pippa. Your safety is important to me, and I will not be responsible for embroiling you in this.”
“Surely nothing can come of my knowing exactly what sort of trouble this is.”
