Page 47 of A Rogue to Watch Over Me
“This was not the first time I’d had to stay out of a dangerous man’s reach. I know how to disguise myself, how to hide in plain sight. That skill has aided my survival as much as my knowledge of the tarot.”
“How did you know to deliver the letters?” Amelia asked gently. “Why now?”
“I heard talk on the street that a man was looking for me.” The curtain shimmied from Helen’s hold. She turned to Amelia. “And for you.”
“Thank you for alerting Mr. MacLain.” Amelia clasped Helen’s hand in hers. “You may have saved my life.”
“Your brother meant the world to me. He regretted everything he’d done. It tore at his heart to think he’d put you in danger. I could not live with myself if something happened to you.” Helen’s eyes glistened with tears. “These days and nights since he’s been gone have been hell on earth. Soon, I will be away from this place.”
“Paul loved you, Helen. Tell us how we can help you.”
“Don’t worry about me. In the morning, I will be on a steamer sailing far away from here. Far from the bastard who wants me dead. And you—you must do what Paul would’ve wanted you to do. You must leave this city. You must go away, far out of Mr. Hawk’s reach. If you don’t, even a man like MacLain won’t be able to save you.”
*
As they madetheir way from the tavern to his carriage, Logan drew Amelia nearer, even as he held his senses on high alert. Detecting no sign of a threat on the hazy street, he led her to the carriage where Finn Caldwell awaited their return, lounging against the conveyance as if he didn’t have a bloody care in the world.
“I don’t understand.” Amelia’s voice was raw with fresh grief. “Not any of this. Why would Paul do such a thing?”
“Yer brother was a good man. But if the woman is telling the truth, desperation can drive a man to cast aside his principles.”
“If only he’d told me what he was going through.”
“He feared ye’d think less of him.”
An all-too-familiar tension clawed at his insides. God only knew he’d had a bitter taste of shame. He’d spent his youth looking for a quick path to riches. Until his arrogance in a cesspool of a pub nearly led him to an early grave.
Paul had saved his neck that night.
Bloody shame he had not been able to return the favor.
He’d never told his father what happened that night when Paul had taken the shot that saved his life. In Da’s eyes, Logan had been a wastrel. God only knew he hadn’t needed one more reason to be ashamed of his son.
Months after that bitter night, Logan had confided the truth to his older brother. Ewan had listened to the tale without judgment. He’d understood Logan’s hunger for a life beyond Da’s notion of a respectable existence.
Logan shoved the bitter memory to the back of his mind. Bugger it, he’d no cause to dwell on regrets best left buried. He had to focus on protecting the woman who walked at his side.
Her expression had turned pensive. “I would have stood by him,” she said. “I would not have looked upon my brother with scorn. But he wanted... I suppose he needed to shield me.”
“Paul would’ve done anything to protect ye, no matter the cost.”
“I don’t believe Helen was lying. But perhaps she’s got it wrong. At least some of it,” Amelia said. “The notion that Paul gave me a treasure to hide is pure folly. Surely he would not have wanted to put me in danger.”
As they neared the coach, Finn opened the door and let down the metal steps. With a tip of his hat to Amelia, he climbed onto the driver’s bench.
Logan assisted her into the carriage. How on earth was she able to navigate the narrow treads while her cumbersome skirts swayed about her legs? As she settled herself on the upholstered bench, Logan confirmed their destination with Finn, then joined her inside the compartment.
Resting his elbows on his knees, he leaned closer. “Amelia, did yer brother give ye anything before he was killed?”
“Nothing of great value. There was one thing, a gift I truly cherished.” Amelia’s eyes went wide, and her body tensed, as if every nerve in her body had fired at once. “Good heavens! The doll!”
Chapter Fourteen
As the carriagerumbled away from the decrepit pub Helen used as her hideaway, her words echoed through Amelia’s thoughts.
You see, Amelia—he entrusted the treasure to you.
Why would Helen have uttered such a blatant untruth? It did not feel as if she was lying. Her tone had not held even a trace of deception. It seemed Helen believed what she’d said.
