“I know you did,” Drake said gently. “Perhaps your sister is right.” He frowned, trying to remember if anything had happened or changed in Leonora’s life recently. “Perhaps something has changed, something that prompted him to send you the notebook, to let you know that he is nearby.” That he is displeased, Drake thought, but did not say.
“But what? I cannot think of anything.”
Drake thought back to the day of Lord Sedgwick’s visit, wishing he had seen the young lord’s face when Leonora had refused his kiss. “Has Lord Sedgwick called on you as of late?”
Leonora frowned, then shook her head. “No, not since the day he—” Her eyes widened, and another shiver snaked down her back. “Do you think it could be him?” She exhaled a sharp breath. “But why? He always seemed so…kind and…”
Utter disbelief lingered in her gaze, reminding Drake of how he had felt the day he had found his mother dead in her chambers. He had stood there for a small eternity, staring at her lifeless body, unable to believe the truth right in front of his eyes.
“It’s a possibility,” Drake grudgingly admitted, hating to put new fear into her eyes. When she looked up at him, though, he was surprised to see her gaze clear and contemplative.
“How can we be certain?” she mumbled, and he could feel her hands below his tense once more. “Did your investigator find out anything about the masquerade? About the guests attending that night?”
Drake wished he could give her better news. “I’m afraid nothing of importance. As expected, it has been most difficult acquiring names with certainty. Of those that he provided me with, none appeared to be the one we seek. I’ve had them followed for weeks, and so far, nothing out of the ordinary, nothing suspicious has been reported back to me.” A sharp breath rushed from his lungs. “I’m sorry.”
A soft smile came to Leonora’s face. “Thank you so much for everything you have done, for everything you are doing.” Her hands released their tight grip on her arms, and she moved them away, letting them slide out from underneath his.
Drake instantly regretted the loss of her touch. He made to step away but stopped when Leonora suddenly reached out a hand and tentatively cupped his face, smiling up at him. “Thank you.”
Countless heartbeats passed as they stood, simply looking at one another, things unspoken lingering in the air around them. Drake wanted to ask a thousand questions. He wanted to pull her into his arms. He wanted to know if she had truly kissed him back earlier that day. He wanted…
…her.
In that moment, it was as clear as a bright summer’s day. He wanted her. He wanted Leonora.
Forever.
Not only for those few stolen moments every other day. He wanted her in his life every day, every moment. He wanted to walk outside with her on his arm. He wanted to dance with her. He wanted to kiss her again.
Yet, he did not dare. He could not be certain how she felt. If indeed her heart had warmed toward him or if all she felt was gratitude because he offered her protection.
Now, was not the moment to ask. Now, was a time to act. Once and for all, they needed to find out who had attacked her, who was quite obviously watching her, following her. This had to stop. Drake needed to ensure that she would be safe from now on.
Gently, he placed his hand upon hers still resting upon his face. “I will have Sedgwick followed,” he told her, needing her to know that she was not alone in this, that he would be by her side. Always. “We will find out if it was him.” His hand pressed closer to hers. “You cannot go anywhere by yourself, do you hear me? Always remain close to your family and know that I will never be far away. I promise, I will watch over you. No one will hurt you ever again.”
Drake hoped with every fiber of his being that this time he would not be too late. That this time he would be able to ensure her safety.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Among Family
Darkness had already fallen when Leonora returned home. The moment she stepped inside, loud voices echoed to her ears from the drawing room, jarring her from her thoughts.
Frowning, she closed the door behind her and quickly slipped the cloak off her shoulders. Then she walked toward the commotion, wondering what on earth was happening that had her family in such an uproar. Agitation lingered in the air, and she heard people moving about, quick footsteps carrying them through the room.
Squawk. “Pretty bird. Pretty bird.” Squawk.
Leonora paused at the sound of what could only be another one of Harry’s pets. Truth be told, Leonora could not remember her sister having a parrot. However, Leonora had been gone most of the afternoon, and judging from experience, that was plenty of time for Harriet to acquire a new pet.
Suppressing a laugh, Leonora moved forward and pushed open the door. Inside, she found more or less what she had expected.
Almost her entire family was assembled there, talking, even arguing. Only her grandmother sat in an armchair in the corner by the fireplace, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes and utter amusement painted all over her face as she watched the scene. Jules stood near the door with Louisa and Phineas, who still wore their coats, just like Harriet, who was currently locked in a bit of an argument with Christina.
Leonora guessed that the three of them had been out for the afternoon and somehow encountered a mostly red-feathered parrot, presently seated on the armrest of the settee. It seemed to be watching the commotion with a keen eye and almost as much interest as Grandma Edie. Occasionally, it would rake one of its long talons through the feathers on the back of its head, making it look as though it was scratching its head in thought.
Squawk. “Pretty bird. Pretty bird.” Squawk.
“You cannot be serious, Harry!” Christina exclaimed full of indignation as she stared at her sister in disbelief. “A parrot? Truly? Don’t you think you have enough pets by now?”
Shrugging out of her coat, Harriet all but tossed it onto the settee. “What is it to you, Chris? You—”
“What is it to me?” Christina demanded, hands on her hips now as she leaned forward and all but glared at her sister. “For a reason I will never understand, somehow your pets always end up in my chamber, sometimes even in my bed. Do you even know where that toad of yours is at present? Do you?” Harriet opened her mouth to reply, but Christina would not allow her. “I will tell you where! Your precious Prince Charming is currently trapped in the left-hand drawer of my vanity.” She threw up her hands. “Don’t ask me how it got in there!”
Harriet gawked at her sister. “You trapped him in a drawer? How could you?” Then she spun on her heel and rushed out the door, Christina following on her heels. The argument continued on as they hurried across the foyer and then up the stairs, heading toward Christina’s bedchamber.
“I’ll see to them,” Jules mumbled and then excused herself.
Turning back toward the rest of her family, Leonora smiled, heaving a deep breath of relief to find herself distracted from her own troubles. “Where did she find the parrot?” she asked looking at Louisa and Phineas.
Phineas merely chuckled, exchanging a meaningful glance with his wife.
“We went to Hyde Park,” Louisa began to explain, an amused smile tugging on her lips as she spoke. “Harriet had decided that it was time to release Sir Lancelot into the wild and—”