Page 42 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
“Will he... will he recover?” Amelia inquired gently.
“At this point, there’s no way to know,” Finn said. “They still have not identified him.”
“We’ll pay a visit to Inspector Bradley in the morning” Logan rested his hand on his wife’s shoulder, appearing to comfort her. “For tonight, Amelia and I would welcome ye as our guests.”
“An excellent idea,” she agreed readily, casting her husband a smiling glance. “We have ample room. I do hope you will join us tonight.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t think of imposing, much less at this late hour,” Macie said. “My friend Nell and I will be safe at home, locked behind stout doors.”
Amelia smiled graciously. “It would be no imposition.”
“Ye’re both welcome to stay with us. As is Finn,” Logan added.
Macie mulled their offer. “I truly appreciate your hospitality, but I cannot leave my housekeeper on her own tonight. Mrs. Tuttle will be worried as it is. If she has managed to fall asleep, I simply could not expect her to be awakened to travel to another residence, let alone at this time of night.”
“Mrs. Tuttle,” Finn repeated the name as if it were distasteful. He’d met her stern housekeeper years earlier, when he’d joined Jon for a holiday visit at her family’s country house. The perpetually cross woman was perhaps the only soul that Finn could not charm.
“You remember her, do you?” Macie said, if only to confirm what she already knew.
“How could anyone forget such a feisty old bag of bones. The woman possessed the ability to make a feather duster seem as threatening as a medieval mace.”
Macie shot him a small smile as he frowned. “She is a bit grouchy, I’ll give you that. But surely you understand my reluctance to leave her to fend for herself... or to rouse her from her bed at this hour of the night.”
“I must confess, this situation does make me a bit anxious. There are many questions left to be answered. You simply must be cautious.” Amelia’s concern showed on her taut features. “After the first incident in my library, I wanted to believe the threat was over after the attacker was jailed. But it wasn’t. The cur was not acting alone. Macie, that might be the case here. The threat may be quite real.”
“I do realize that,” Macie said. “Which is another reason why I cannot take refuge in your home. I cannot chance bringing danger to your doorstep. Much less with you expecting a child.”
“I do understand,” Amelia said while her husband lightly massaged her shoulders. “If something happens... if you experience a change of heart, our door will open to you and Nell any time of the day or night. Any friend of Finn’s is a dear friend of ours.”
Finn reached for his glass and took a drink. Macie could not recall ever seeing such a serious expression on his features. “I agree with ye, Macie. I would not think to expose Amelia to any risk, much less at this time. Until we can be certain ye will be safe, ye’ll be safe in my home. Even the old bag of bones.”
Good heavens, what was the man thinking? Finn had spoken with great confidence, uttering the words as though she would treat them as a command. Spend the night? At his residence? Even by her standards, that would be a scandal too far.
“Well, then,” Macie said, folding her hands together to form a little perch for her chin and met his eyes. “Have you perhaps experienced a temporary lapse in reason?”
The firm set of his jaw told her he was entirely serious. “I will not leave ye undefended, much less while you sleep.”
“It’s simply out of the question,” she said with a shake of her head. “Even if I had no concerns for myself, I cannot put Nell’s good name at risk.”
“Macie, I do understand your concerns. I believe I have a solution.” Amelia spoke up, gentle yet direct. She turned to Finn. “Unfortunately, I suspect you are not going to like it.”
*
As they madetheir way up the steps to the townhouse she shared with Nell, Macie bit back a giggle. Judging from Finn’s scowl, he was not looking forward to the night ahead. He’d pulled a knitted wool cap low to cover his hair and his forehead. With anyluck, nosy neighbors burning the midnight oil would think her brother had returned early from his trip.
As Macie turned the key in the lock and opened the door, her housekeeper emerged from the darkened corridor leading to the foyer. Puzzlement was etched on Mrs. Tuttle’s careworn face. Her brows knit together as her gaze fell upon Finn.
“Who’s that you’ve brought with you?” She squinted hard. “My eyes must be playing tricks on me.” She shot Macie a frown. “Phineas Caldwell? Under this roof?”
He shrugged. “Would ye believe me if I said I was on assignment for the Crown?”
“Should I?” She batted the question back to him.
At that, he grinned. The old woman was a spry one, wasn’t she? “Not a chance.”
Mrs. Tuttle’s eyes twinkled. “I must say, that’s a relief. I’d hate to think the fate of Her Majesty depends on the lot of you.” She turned to Macie, pinning her with her gaze. “I saw you coming up the steps. If ye’re thinking to pass him off as your brother, you’ll have to work harder than that.”
“It was not a well-thought plan,” Macie said. “But I can explain.”
