Page 90 of Lord Ashley's Beautiful Alibi
“My wife has a skill with knives. He attacked us, but she got the better of him.”
Ram blew out a breath. “Good that these women have talents. Amber can handle a knife and pistol.”
“To your advantage.”
The hall door opened, and Gus stepped in.
Kane and Ram rose.
Kane stepped forward. “My darling, you may remember my friend, Lord Ramsey.”
She stepped toward Ram and thrust out her hand. “I do. We are so very happy to see you here, sir. Thank you for coming.”
They shook hands. Gus indicated they should sit down again, Gus to the settee, the men to chairs. “You are very welcome. I come with loving regards from Amber.”
Gus breathed deeply. “She is well?”
“She is. So has she always been these past weeks. I like to think it is I who have kept her well, though she would not tell you that.”
“I’m certain,” Gus said with a sympathetic smile. “I hope you will tell me all. We have been very worried about you both. So is Aunt Cecily. Have you been to see her? Will you? Will Amber?”
“That, I doubt.”
Gus shook her head. “But… May we tell her?”
“Do not. Amber has her reasons. Not all of them does she share with me.”
Gus sighed. “I know. That is her way. But then, she must have approved of your coming here.”
“She did not want you to worry any longer. She was certain you had. Especially when we heard rumors that the two of you had gone away on a lovers’ escapade. Amber saw through the ruse. She knew you would not go away with any man without excellent reason.”
Gus scoffed. “How good of her.”
“She is a very fine woman.”
Kane could have fallen off his chair. Ram, his surly friend who admired few people, had just praised Amber St. Antoine.
“She is indeed, Lord Ramsey,” Gus said. “Now, tell us why are you here tonight.”
“I was just informing Whit that we arrived in Paris only day before yesterday. We are getting settled.”
“In her house in Rue Dauphine?” Gus asked.
“No. We are in a small house on the left bank in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.”
Gus shook her head. “Why? Do you not wish to announce you are in the city?”
“Exactly.”
“Wise. But then why return here at all?”
“Amber insisted we return because she had lost the threads of her work.”
“She has been away from Paris since mid-March,” Gus said. “Of course she has not worked.”
“When we heard that you both were looking for us in Reims, Amber considered returning. But would do so only if she were still invisible to Vaillancourt.”
Kane looked at Gus. “The man is relentless in his pursuit.”
