Page 66 of The Secret of the Dashing Detective
Matthew started at Juliana’s name, unsuccessfully attempting to hide his reaction from Owen.
“Lady Juliana and I became close while I was looking after her. When I left, she… wasn’t pleased.”
Owen looked at him closely, finally leaning down to stare right into Matthew’s eyes.
“Can you get out of my face?” Matthew asked him.
“You love her.”
“I do not.”
“You do!” Owen crowed. “And, let me guess, you told her that you couldn’t be together, that you are star-crossed lovers, and she’s too good for you?”
Defeated, Matthew heaved a sigh. “Something like that.”
“Oh, Matthew,” Owen said, shaking his head. “Sometimes I am not certain what to do with you.”
“There is nothing to do.”
“Why are you sitting here then, looking like the entire world is against you?”
“Well,” Matthew said, deciding the truth was the best policy, “Lady Juliana hates me now, as I’m sure does Dr. Lewis, who was becoming something of a friend. Let us just say that it has all put me in a mood that is not my best.”
“There might not be anything you can do about the lady at the moment,” Owen said thoughtfully, “but perhaps you can make things right with the doctor. He seems a reasonable man. Just explain your stance to him.”
Matthew looked up at Owen. Damn it, but he was right.
“I can, Owen,” he said, rising from his desk. “Come, he isn’t far.”
“I’m not going with you,” Owen said, shaking his head. “I’m just telling you that it’s a good idea.”
“Fine,” Matthew said with a sigh. “Don’t help me then.”
Matthew could hear Owen’s laugh as he continued out the door, likely home to his family.
But Matthew knew he was right – he had to talk to Lewis, to let him know that he, at least, believed in him. Lewis was a good man and was owed that.
Matthew locked the door behind him and continued the few blocks down to Lewis’ home. It was actually amazing that he hadn’t come to know him sooner, being that their lives were physically so close together.
He arrived just as another person did, and he waited while Lewis addressed the issue. The waiting gave him time to think of the situation with Juliana – not that he wanted to do so, but he couldn’t much help it. He figured she would be on his mind for some time. He had no idea how to rid it of her.
When Lewis finally appeared, he gave Matthew a measured nod before motioning him back to his study. Matthew could understand his reluctance and felt a bit like a child waiting to be chastised.
“I must offer you my apologies again, it seems,” Matthew said, taking a chair before Lewis could say anything. “I hadn’t given my men any new information to tell them not to detain you if they were to see you anywhere. Although I must tell you that I did everything in my power to convince the duke you had nothing to do with the entirety of the situation. It seems he doesn’t place much trust in what I say anymore, however, for he has told me that he is now finished with my services.”
“I see,” Lewis said, sitting back in his chair, the tight grip he held on the edges the only sign he was affected. “Well, I cannot say I am surprised. It is the way of the nobility, is it not?”
“I suppose it is,” Matthew responded. “I had thought some of them were different – including the Remington family – but then maybe I was foolish to expect it.”
“What of the Lady Juliana?” Lewis asked, obviously rather perceptive.
“We have parted ways as well,” Matthew said abruptly, not wishing to speak any further of her or what had happened between the two of them. Lewis seemed to understand as he simply nodded.
“Perhaps I am the one who will now be requiring your services.”
“How so?”
“If the duke decides to prosecute me, I am going to need some help. From a solicitor yes, but perhaps from an investigator as well should I need help proving my innocence.”
