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“Did he say anything?”
The questions went on and on. Bella tried to answer as many as she could. Ian was at her side, but slightly behind her. He didn’t say a word. Though the hour was late, several cars had left their headlights on, illuminating the unfolding rescue scene. Both traditional cameras and smartphones flashed. Everyone wanted a record of the day’s events.
Suddenly, three men pushed forward from the fringes of the group. Bella recognized them instantly. They were the same annoying reporters who had showed up on her doorstep and later tried to ambush Ian at the restaurant.
Bella’s spine stiffened in outrage. This time there was no escape route.
The most aggressive of the trio shoved his way through the crowd and stopped right in front of her. “I want the name of the bloke who rescued the kid. It’s Larrimore, isn’t it? Ian Larrimore?”
Still, Ian said nothing. Bella frowned. “He would prefer to remain anonymous.”
The man shot a glance at Ian. For a moment, the reporter wavered as if abashed by his own persistence. Then he literally shouldered Bella aside and shoved a microphone in Ian’s face. “Tell us what it feels like to be one of Britain’s most eligible bachelors and a hero on top of that. Your adoring public wants to know.”
Short of turning his back and walking away, Ian had no choice but to respond. Bella’s fists clenched at her sides. She was fiercely protective of her houseguest and violently angry at the scurrilous quasi-newsman.
Ian’s body language was an amalgam of outrage, icy disdain, and utter distaste. But in the dark, and with the artificial glare of the headlights, Bella was likely the only one who read him correctly. He cleared his throat. “I’m not a h-h-hero. I’m just deeply glad the l-l-l-ad is safe.”
To the listening crowd, it seemed as if Ian was overcome with emotion. Only Bella knew the truth. She held up her hands. “Please give Hilda and Jack some space. It’s been a very difficult few hours. Thank you for your concern.”
The onlookers muttered and began dispersing. Bella turned around to speak to Ian, but he was gone.
