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William opened his mouth to speak but said nothing.
Pippa folded her hands carefully before her. “Please do come out with it. What are you struggling to say right now?”
“I hadn’t any idea that Lily and Roger were...well, I’m not certain Roger loves Lily either.” William grimaced. “He merely loves women, and he has little loyalty to Collacott.”
Anger pooled in Pippa’s stomach, and she clenched her teeth. “Does your cousin not intend to remain here for long? He will merely break her heart and leave?”
“He’s not my cousin, and no, he certainly does not intend to remain.”
“Not your cousin?”
“No. He is my...colleague. I once would have called him my friend. Though recent circumstances have forced me to question why I respected him in the first place.” William narrowed his eyes. “But Roger is not the reason you dragged me into the seclusion of the woods, is it?”
Seclusion. He was correct. They were utterly alone. Suddenly William appeared much taller, his shoulders broader and his icy blue eyes more striking.
Pippa fought the temptation to step away from him. She didn’t feel threatened by William, just concerned about them being found alone together.
She cleared her throat. She’d come here with a purpose. “No, I came to warn you. I spoke with Mr. Ainsworth earlier today, and he implied that he was pleased because his debt was soon to be repaid.”
William’s body seemed to still, his intent eyes fastened on her.
Pippa continued. “He mentioned that things were falling into place and...well, I’m having trouble recalling his exact wording, but he did say he was hopeful it would be resolved soon. He seemed rather confident, like he had been tipped off about something, and he was watching the cove.”
“Someone has told him, then.” William rubbed his chin, his eyes focused in the distance.
“Told him what, exactly? Do you have another smuggling evening planned already?”
William chuckled, dropping his hand. “What exactly is a smuggling evening, Pippa?”
“You know,” she said impatiently. “An evening where you smuggle things.”
He laughed harder, his eyes resting softly on her.
“I do not know your jargon, William. You know perfectly well what I mean.”
“I do, and I quite enjoy the way you phrased it.”
She pursed her lips. “Why does that make me wish to never speak in front of you again?”
“Because you are contradictory to a fault. Something I find usually amusing and sometimes frustrating.”
“And you, sir, are honest to a fault. Most of the time. So, what is it that Mr. Ainsworth believes he knows?”
His eyes lost some of the levity they’d previously possessed. “That a smuggling evening is coming, undoubtedly.”
“When?”
“I cannot tell you that, Pip.”
“Yes, you can. How can I help if I remain ignorant?”
His mouth firmed, and his voice hardened. “That is why you shall remain ignorant. I do not wish for your help. I would much prefer you stay safe at home.”
“Well, I wouldn’t.”
“Clearly.”
She put her fists on her hips. “William, I can help. Use me. You clearly don’t have enough men.”
