She fidgeted with her napkin. “He said if I ever married, I would pass on my wickedness to my children.”
“Let’s not talk of your father anymore.” It only made him want to kill the man.
As they left his townhouse and strolled toward the bookstore, her eyes darted about, taking it all in. Had she never been into the city before? She pressed herself close. The knowledge that she took comfort in being near and trusted him to keep her safe, made his heart purr. She would probably feel differently if she knew he was going to take a man’s life when he left her tonight. But that didn’t change the fact that he would keep her safe.
Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she stepped through the door to the shop, a smile growing on her mouth as her gaze glided over all the book-lined shelves.
She pressed her palms together in front of her. “How will I ever choose one?”
“You won’t. You’ll choose two.” She glowed with happiness at his words. It was only sensible, though. What if she chose one she didn’t enjoy?
She spent the next hour looking at one book after another. She’d read many of them, pointing at their spines, giving him enthusiastic summaries, or reciting her favorite lines. Watching her was his own treat. It was the most animated he’d seen her. Books clearly delighted her. They left the shop, her newfound treasures in hand and a smile on her face.
As they walked past the flower stand on their way home, her gaze wandered over all the different blooms, so he stopped. “Take a moment to look at them all and decide which ones are your favorite. I’m going to step across the street for a moment to order some food to be delivered for you tonight.”
He walked quickly, not giving her a chance to argue, and only looked back once he was on the other side. She was bent down smelling some kind of purple flowers.
The landlady of the pub that kept him fed was outside, probably returning from making a delivery. He wasn’t the only man The Lion’s Head provided meals to.
“Good evening, Mr. Allister.”
“Good evening, Suzy. I have a guest staying at my house.” He pointed across the street. “Her name is Madelene. Will you please see that she’s fed tonight?”
“I’d be happy to. What about yourself?”
He shook his head. “I’ll be working, but I’ll probably stop in and grab a pasty to take with me.”
She nodded. “Don’t you worry. I’ll see that she has a nice hearty meal.”
“Thank you, Suzy.”
She raised a brow and tapped her cheek. Simon chuckled and brushed a quick kiss over it. She was sweet, and always treated him like a young lad, reminding him of his manners.
As he crossed back to Madelene, a large man sidled up beside her and his hand came to rest on her backside. Her face was terror-stricken as she looked up at him. Anger bristled through Simon, and he sprinted to her side.
“Why did you run off yesterday?” he heard the man say as he neared.
His rage burned hot as he gently moved Madelene behind him and inserted himself between them. The man smelled of liquor and rotten teeth.
“We was talk?—”
Before he could finish his statement, Simon grabbed his hand and wrenched his fingers backward. The man gave a startled shout of pain and dropped to his knees.
“If I ever see you anywhere near her again, I will end your life before you can draw your next breath. Do you understand me?”
The man nodded frantically. Simon pushed his fingers a bit further, demanding more than a nod.
“Yes, yes!” he yelled desperately.
“Good.” Simon grasped the man’s middle finger and jerked it sideways. The bone snapped and the man howled, pulling his hand in to cradle it against his chest.
He continued to wail on the ground behind him as Simon turned back to Madelene. Her face was white with fear. “Did he hurt you?”
She shook her head slightly, her brow dropping into a furrow.
“Did you find some you like?” He gestured to the flowers trying to get her attention onto something more pleasant.
After a moment, she slowly moved her gaze away from his face and pointed at some orange flowers.
