“Calm yourself, Belle. I don’t sit in front of the window and spy all day like some.” She cast a gaze in the direction of Mrs. Price’s flat. But Belle knew that if Mr. Tipps was not at home that was exactly what Mrs. Tipps did.
“Surely you have other tasks to attend to,” Arundel said smoothly. “But you happened to pass by your window and saw the men enter the shop.”
“Exactly. I glanced out the window and saw the men enter the shop about a half hour after Mr. Howard went inside. I thought it strange since the sign on the door still read CLOSED and the shades were drawn.”
“Did you see them come out again?”
“I was quite busy,” Mrs. Tipps said, and Belle wanted to grab her by the shoulders and shake her. “But I didn’t notice anyone leaving. Of course, I only have a view of the front of the shop, not the back. Really, I didn’t think anything of it until Mrs. Price came knocking a few hours later and asked if I’d seen Mr. Howard. She was quite distraught. She’d gone into the shop and found it empty.”
“But by that time, Mr. Howard had been gone for some time—if we assume the men who went in after him took him out the back.”
“Well, as I said, I was very busy, so I have no idea how much time might have passed.”
“Yes, you do. You were—”
Arundel put his arm about Belle’s shoulders and pulled her face into his chest. “Miss Howard is quite distraught. We’re almost done, Miss Howard,” he said, his voice soothing as he patted her shoulder. But his grip was iron. She fought it, but he held steady.
“How much time would you estimate?” Arundel asked. Belle ceased struggling and turned her head. Arundel continued, “Just an approximation.”
“Two hours. Perhaps three.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Tipps. Might I ask you one more question?”
“Of course.” Mrs. Tipps glanced at Belle. She realized she was still pressed against Arundel’s uninjured side. She’d forgotten to try and free herself. He was warm and smelled like the tea they’d enjoyed at Mrs. Price’s. But underneath that scent was the scent of him. Something about that scent, something about his touch, seemed to have the effect of causing her to forget herself.
“Could you describe the men who went into the shop?” Arundel asked. Pressed against him, his voice sounded deep and resonant.
“I didn’t really see them...”
“Anything you might remember,” Arundel said. “Color of their hats or coats? Tall or short?”
“Let me think.” Mrs. Tipps closed her eyes and put her fingers to her temples. Belle looked up at Arundel who rolled his eyes. She smiled. He was not taken in by Mrs. Tipps’s act either. It felt good to know he saw through her too.
“They were both rather short and stocky. Broad shoulders. Thick about the waist. I’m no fashion critic. They wore black or brown coats and hats. Nothing fancy. They weren’t from London.”
“Why do you say that?” Arundel interrupted.
Mrs. Tipps paused. “I don’t know. I just...I had a sense of them being from somewhere else.”
“The countryside?”
“Yes. They looked as though they belonged on a farm. Perhaps it was the boots they wore. Mr. Tipps and I don’t travel often, but we once toured the Lake District. I remember men working the fields we passed wearing boots like that.” She waved her hand. “But that’s just an impression. I didn’t really see.”
“I understand,” Arundel said. “But I’m thankful you were at home and happened to glance out your window. Your observations have been most helpful.”
Belle realized suddenly that Arundel was no longer holding her against him. Yet, she was still leaning against him. She straightened and stepped away from him.
“Do you know where Mr. Howard has gone?” Mrs. Tipps asked.
“Not yet. But I’ll find him and bring him back.” He winked. “Preferably before your stock of tea runs out.”
Mrs. Tipps smiled, and Belle was loath to admit that Arundel did have a way with people. If he could charm Mrs. Tipps, he could charm anyone. “Good day,” Arundel said.
Belle echoed him and they moved away as Mrs. Tipps closed the door. A moment later, Belle saw her at the window.
“Did her spying really help you?” Belle asked when they’d moved down the street a bit.
“Yes. It’s exactly as I’d thought.”
