“Father said he very much doubted that that was his real name.”
“I am inclined tae agree with yer faither on that.” Arthur frowned in thought. “Where did ye last see this man?”
Henri pointed out toward the street. “He was out there watching Miss Wallace through the window.”
“The one you knocked on?” Cleo asked horrified.
Henri nodded his head. “Yes, Miss.”
Arthur stood and walked into the dining room. When he returned, he had Jacob Glickman and the Earl of Dustshore in tow. “Bolt the door behind us and dinnae let anyone in, lass. Mr. Glickman will remain here tae ensure that all within are safe.” Arthur bent his head to kiss her on the lips. “Nae matter what ye hear, dinnae open the door for anyone but us.”
Cleo nodded. “Please be careful, Arthur. I cannot bear the thought if anything were to happen to you.”
“I will return tae ye, lass, upon that ye may depend.” He kissed her one last time, then the three of them slipped out into the darkness.
Cleo barred the door behind them as instructed and stood waiting in the silence, fear tearing at her heart, not for herself, but for all of those that she held most dear. Henri stood solemnly at her side, holding the puppy firmly in his arms. Sighing, Cleo grabbed a handful of sweet biscuits from the pantry, then sat down in a chair at the table against the wall and motioned for Henri to join her. They sat together as Henri and the puppy gobbled up the sweet treats.
Time seemed to crawl in lethargic torture and yet the men did not return. When the knock finally came, Cleo nearly jumped out of her skin. “Cleo, darlin’,” Arthur’s voice sounded on the other side of the door.
“Arthur,” Cleo breathed in relief and rushed forward to unbar the door. Swinging it open, she launched herself into Arthur’s arms, kissing him. Arthur entered the room, pulling Cleo with him. The lantern’s light fell on his face and Cleo recoiled in horror. “Arthur?”
“The blood is nae mine, lass.”
“Then, who?” She turned toward the door searching for Jacob and Dustshore.
“Jacob and Dustshore are well, lass. The blood belongs tae Mr. John Smith.”
“What? Why?”
“We went looking for him tae ask him why he was watching ye and what it is that he wanted, when out o’ nae where he launched himself at us, knife drawn. Jacob and I managed tae get out o’ the way in time. Dustshore was nae so fortunate.”
“I thought you said that no one was hurt?”
“He is nae harmed, lass, but the two o’ them fell into the street rolling for control o’ the knife. Mr. Smith did nae win. The lads are with the constables now. I must return tae give my statement, but I wanted tae tell ye what had happened.”
“So, we do not know why he was watching us or for whom?”
“Nae, we dinnae ken. I can only assume that it had something tae do with yer faither.”
“Is he the man who killed my father and Mr. Standish?”
“I dinnae ken, but it is possible, even likely with his behavior what it was. We may ne’er ken the truth o’ it.”
“If it was him, and he did kill my father, then he has met his justice, but if it was not him, then…” her words hung in the air between them unfinished, just as the mystery of her father’s death might always be.
“Aye, lass. I love ye, but I must go. I will return as soon as I am able.” Kissing her firmly on the lips, he left the kitchen, cautioning her to bar the door once more in case the man had not been working alone.
“The bad man is dead?” Henri asked from behind Cleo.
“Yes, dear, the bad man cannot ever hurt anyone again.”
The boy nodded his head. “Can I go home now? My mother is going to be angry if she finds that I am not in my bed come morning.”
Cleo smiled at the boy and nodded. “Yes, you may go home, but someone should go with you.”
“Nay, Miss. If the bad man is dead, I have no reason to fear.” Henri handed Cleo her puppy, then opened the door. Turning, he looked back over his shoulder. “I told you that I could help,” he reminded her, then turned and scurried off into the darkness, a brave little soul defying the night.
Chapter 30
