“Yes,” he said simply.
“Is she someone special, then?”
He shook his head. “She’s just a visitor.”
“Well, if she’s encouraging you to relax and get some sunshine, that’s fine by me.”
“And when was the last time you enjoyed some sunshine, Suzy?”
She tutted and waved her hand. “I’ll put together a basket for you. Can it wait until after I get everyone fed their breakfast?”
“Of course. Do you happen to have some scones I can take with me now?”
She wrapped up a pair of scones and as she handed them over, she grasped his hand gently. “She’s a sweet lass, Simon.”
The statement made him chuckle. Suzy would be thrilled to see him wed. He pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”
Madelene was in the kitchen preparing tea when he returned home. He cleared his throat softly, trying to avoid startling her again.
She smiled as she turned around. “I have a firm hold on it this time,” she said, holding the teapot aloft.
“That’s good because my hands are occupied.” He held up the scones.
She set the table for two. Apparently, she’d already cleared away their forgotten dishes from last night. His mind hadn’t stopped replaying the activities they’d enjoyed. Even now, he could hardly believe he’d actually been naked in the kitchen. The warmth of a flush filled his cheeks and ears at the memory. She was right that he hadn’t been his usual self with her. Particular. He smiled remembering the word she’d used to describe him.
She filled both of their cups before sitting down. “What’s that smile for?”
“Nothing.” He sat down across from her, trying to ignore his lascivious thoughts as she spread jam on her scone.
“Is it your sister’s room that I’m staying in?” She probably knew exactly where his mind had gone and was graciously allowing him to not speak of it.
“It was for a time, yes.”
“Why no longer?”
“She’s living somewhere else right now.” He wasn’t sure what else to say. He didn’t want to admit that he’d left his sister at Auburn Ridge, just like Madelene’s father had her.
“What’s her name?”
“Samantha.”
“I hope you won’t mind that I looked through her things a bit.” She took a bite of her scone, her tongue darting out to collect the jam from her lips. “She’s a talented artist.”
“I don’t mind.” He forced himself to focus and chewed his own bite while considering. “I suppose you’re talking about her sketchbook?” She was right. Samantha was talented. But that sketchbook wasn’t beautiful. It was a book of horrors.
She nodded and sipped her tea. “Feel free to tell me it’s none of my business, but who is that man?”
He closed his eyes for a moment. This wasn’t something he’d talked about with anyone and wasn’t sure how much he should share. “Well, you’ll remember I mentioned the fraudulent marriage scheme?”
Her hand stopped with the scone halfway to her mouth.
“My sister was involved. That was the man she thought herself married to for five years.”
Madelene’s mouth slowly fell open and her brow dipped before she closed it again. She set the scone down on her plate. “She’s the reason you help them. The other women.”
“Well, she’s the reason I’ve made it my personal mission to see every last man involved is punished.”
She nodded slowly. “Do you kill them?”
