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Every part of her was wound up with indignation. No, she had not wanted to marry him, but she did not want to be a widow, either. She could not imagine a world without Elijah in it, and she did not want to. Right now, he was far safer here at the brunch, though he clearly did not appreciate that.
“Stop grinding your teeth, Elijah,” she murmured as they walked away from the Spencers. “People will think you are unhappy to be married to me.”
Rolling his shoulders back, some of the tension in his body dissipated, and a blander social mask settled over his expression. Josie was fascinated to watch the transformation as though now that he had been reminded of his role, he could slip it on like a second skin.
“My apologies.” His voice was still tight with tension, though she doubted anyone who did not know him as well as she did would realize. “I am not used to being left behind while others take action for me.”
“Hmm.” She had absolutely no sympathy for him. “Perhaps you can compare feelings with Evie about what it’s like when you see her again.”
The dark look he shot down at her made her cackle inside.
Elijah
The wedding brunch was interminable, though he understood Father’s reasoning. He had known he would eventually need to take on a more similar role to his father, standing back while others did the dangerous work, but he had not expected it to happen now. Although he could not deny it was the wiser course of action.
Seeing him and Josie walking around, her hand on his arm, the guests seemed to think nothing was amiss. If anyone noticed Joseph’s absence, they said nothing—not to him and Josie nor in earshot of his father’s men. Ending the brunch early or him leaving would have caused a flurry of unwanted gossip.
Joseph, Anthony, and Nathan returned by the end of the brunch to the notice of absolutely no one. From across the room, Joseph met Elijah’s gaze and shook his head. They had been unable to find the delivery boy. Elijah cursed inwardly. Though he knew the result would have likely been the same if he had been the one to go, he still felt as if it was his fault they had missed another chance at the traitor.
Saying farewell to their guests, Elijah passed Josie over to the housekeeper, Mrs. Brandon’s, care. She would show Josie the house while he met with the others to find out what happened.
“I see you still have no sympathy for those left out,” Josie said, making a face at him. He almost expected her to stick out her tongue.
“You are the one who insisted we keep up appearances.” He smiled benignly.
“I already know this house like the back of my hand.”
Which was very likely true. She had been a regular visitor all Season, which had been both amusing and frustrating every time she had eavesdropped on him and Father. Knowing she was in contact with Evie, they had made a point to only talk about how worried they were about Evie in hopes Josie would pass the message on. However, her penchant for listening at keyholes had hindered some of the discussions they needed to have. Father had chosen to allow it to continue, though now that Josie was Elijah’s wife, he was determined to put a stop to it.
“But only as a guest, not as its mistress. You are now the lady of the house.” The words gave him a pang as he realized how true they were. With his mother gone and Evie having disappeared—again—Josie was the only lady of the house. Her expression softened to one of sympathy. As his neighbor, she would remember his mother’s death and funeral as well as he, though she had only been a young child when it happened.
“Well, as the lady of the house, I will expect to be kept informed. Eventually, you will have to tell me what was in that note.” The tartness in her voice did not have the edge it might have. She turned to follow Mrs. Brandon without further protest. The housekeeper would show her their wing of Stuart House. Odd to think of it as ‘their’ wing, no longer ‘his’ wing.
Elijah kept his face blank. They would have time enough later to talk about what her duties as lady of the house would entail. They wouldnotinclude hunting traitors or putting herself in any danger. He rubbed his hand over his chest, imagining himself in Rex’s position a few weeks ago when Mary was kidnapped.
Of course, he was not in love with Josie, the way Rex was with Mary, but he cared about her greatly. He had grown up watching over her. It was nothing more than that.
“Elijah? Are you coming?” Jolted out of his reverie by Adam’s question and realizing he’d been watching Josie’s swishing skirts as she walked away, Elijah gave himself a little shake.
“Yes. I was… thinking.” Turning on his heel, Elijah made a face when he caught sight of Adam’s expression. He knew what his brother was thinking, but there was no way he would admit to Adam how attracted he now realized he was to Josie. He did not need to give his brother another reason to gloat.
Besides, his attraction to her had nothing to do with how she felt about him, which was a lowering thought.
“Come think with us. Though I am sure Josie’s skirts are very… thought-provoking,” Adam smirked. Ignoring him, Elijah strode into Father’s study.
Joseph was sitting in one of the chairs in front of Father’s desk, Nathan in the other, while Anthony paced by the window, occasionally glancing outside. Looking up when Elijah came in, Joseph grimaced in apology.
“The boy disappeared into the wind.” He sounded as weary and frustrated as Elijah felt. “We even asked some of the street boys if they knew who had delivered the letter, but none of them had any idea.”
Damn.
Coming up beside the chair, Elijah clapped Joseph on the shoulder.
“It was a slim chance you would find him. Thank you for trying.” Elijah turned his gaze to their father, who was watching them with fondness. “Now, what do we do?” Father’s countenance shifted to a more serious mien.
“We must take the threat seriously, although it is possible it is another distraction. I will set a man to watch you at all times.”
Elijah growled under his breath.
