Page 40 of A Rogue to Watch Over Me
He relished her determination, the courage and spirit that had led her to insist she would seek out Helen Tanner on her own. She’d forced his hand in the hunt for the fortune teller.
By hellfire, he had been a fool to give in. He was sworn to protect her. But he did not doubt she would rush headlong into trouble, caution be damned, if he’d tried to exclude her from the search. She was desperate to talk to Helen Tanner—not only to warn her of the danger, but to glean whatever information the charlatan might have that would answer the questions that tore at her. At least this way, she’d have the protection he could offer.
For some reason he didn’t understand, Amelia had faith in him. Faith that he could lead her to Helen. Faith that he would defend her, no matter the odds. By thunder, he would justify her trust.
At the moment, Amelia was at his home, safe behind stout, bolted doors not even Goliath could break. In his mind’s eye, he pictured her pacing a trail over the carpet as she waited to put their hastily cobbled-together scheme into play.
Finn had gone into the night to make the rounds of his contacts, searching for some clue to Helen Tanner’s hideaway. Bloody good thing his cousin knew how to blend in with the high society types who flocked to midnight séances as readily as he could slide into the city’s underbelly. Someone knew where the fortune teller had gone. It was a matter of time before Finn convinced some bloke to reveal her secret.
A muffled noise just beyond the front door tore him from his thoughts.
A bark, of all the blasted things.
He would’ve described the sound as grumpy if it had come from a human being.
Bollocks.
“MacLain, are you in there?” Amelia called.
He threw open the door. The perceptive gaze of the woman who’d consumed his thoughts met his eyes.
“I take it this is not a pleasant surprise,” she said before he could get a word out of his mouth.
“Ye are a clever lass, aren’t ye?” Forcing a bland tone, he motioned her and the dog into the room.
“I realize I’d agreed to occupy myself at your home tonight. But unfortunately, fate had other notions.”
“Fate, is it?” He pinned her with what was meant to be a steely gaze, but she merely hiked her chin as if to counter his expression.
“Mrs. Langford offered to take out the carriage. She’s downstairs, chatting with Mr. Murray.”
“Somehow, that does not surprise me.”
“She does seem to be rather fond of him,” Amelia said. “Sadly, I do not sense the feeling is mutual.”
“Now, that is an understatement,” Logan said. “I see ye brought yer guard dog.”
“Of course. After all, there is no way of knowing what sort of brute we might encounter.” Her coral lips curved into a smile. “Heathy did enjoy the outing. I do believe he finds the night air quite refreshing.”
The dog stared up at him, as if uncertain whether to give a little growl or to plead for a treat. The poor wee beast wore a blue bow on his ridiculously ornate silver collar.
As if on cue, her pet began to sniff about. Good God. Was the dog looking for a place to relieve himself in his office?
“Heathy, naughty.” She curled the end of the dog’s pale blue leash around her hand and brought him closer to her skirts. “I am quite confident he would deter an attacker.”
“If the villain is concerned about a dog piddling on his trousers, he might think twice.”
“I’ll have you know Heathy is well trained. He doesnothave accidents.”
As the last syllable passed her lips, the dog sank his pointy teeth into the edge of the carpet, a costly rug Logan had acquired on his last voyage as lieutenant on a merchant ship.
“I take it he has not been as well-schooled on the matter of property destruction.”
“Oh goodness, Heathy,” she scolded gently.
Seemingly chastised, the dog released a mouthful of carpet and regarded Amelia with mischief-filled eyes. Was the spoiled little beast actually grinning?
Forcing his attention back to the matter at hand, Logan shot Amelia a look he’d intended to be commanding. “Do ye care to explain what compelled ye to venture out tonight?”
