“My, you do present a most convincing argument,” she whispered when he eased away.
Releasing her, he framed her face in his hands. “I was hoping you’d see it that way. Fate has decided to bring us together again.”
A sliver of doubt pierced her heart. She longed to savor this close contact, but it all seemed to be happening so quickly. Danger had heightened their emotions. Was this little more than a tempting mirage? Could she be allowing herself to feel too much, too soon?
“I suppose the question is, Why are we here? What will come of this?”
An insistent knock upon the door interrupted her thoughts. Inspector Eddington’s muffled voice carried through the wood.
“Miss Quinn, you have a visitor,” he said. “Mr. Colton has arrived.”
“Colton? Are you certain?”
“I’ve no doubt,” the inspector said.
“Please, show him in,” she said, opening the door. Turning to Benedict, she lowered her voice, speaking for his ears rather than the inspector’s. “What in blazes has brought the man here at this hour?”
Benedict cocked a brow. “Perhaps he got wind of my late-night visit and has charged to the rescue. Guarding your virtue and all that rot.”
“I’d say he’s far more concerned with my life than my innocence. I am firmly on the shelf, in case, you’ve forgotten.” Alex managed a little smile. “In any case, this cannot be good news. Only dire news would tear him away from Jennie at this hour.”
Dressed in an overcoat and black Homburg hat, Colton marched inside her study. His eyes narrowed as his gaze lit on Benedict.
Benedict’s eyes flashed a scowl. “What the bloody hell is going on? Isn’t there some hoodlum you should be interrogating?”
“Eddington informed me of your presence upon my arrival. Believe me when I say I have more important concerns than following you about the city.” He slanted Alex a glance. “In any case, I am confident Alexandra knows better than to involve herself with scoundrels.”
Benedict’s gaze hardened. “Why, precisely, are you here?”
Alex settled her attention on Colton. “I am certain you would not take it upon yourself to spy on me, now would you?” she said. “There is no need to cast aspersions. Please, tell us what has brought you here. I am quite sure you’d rather be at home at this atrocious hour.”
“Indeed,” Matthew said. “As Marlsbrook is here, you’ve saved me the time and effort of proceeding to his residence with the notification. There has been a development—there has been another death.”
“Dear God— Who?”
“Alfred Rooney. The man hanged himself in his cell.”
Chapter Fifteen
Bloody hell. Rooney was dead, but the knowledge brought Benedict no sense of relief. Rather, it brought the menace he and Alex faced into sharper relief. Was a conspiracy at play? How had a killer gotten to the surly thug while he was under guard, jailed in an iron-barred cell?
Benedict reached for Alex, taking her hand in his. Matthew Colton’s harsh stare revealed his displeasure at the sight, but Benedict did not give a damn about the man’s opinion. Alex was shaken, her complexion paling, her mouth thinning with her distress. She desired reassurance, even if that consisted of little more than the touch of his skin to hers.
“He would not have killed himself,” Benedict said. “Rooney was murdered.”
“We cannot be certain,” Colton said, his tone grim. “But we suspect your theory is correct. Rooney had displayed no sign of remorse. No fear. Despite his remarks to you about the executioner, he’d boasted to his jailers that he’d soon be a free man.”
“Devil take it, Colton, how could this happen while the man was imprisoned?” Benedict demanded. “Obviously, one or more of the jailers is involved.”
“We are investigating that possibility.” Colton settled his attention on Alex. “I understand this must be upsetting to you. Trust me when I say you will be protected.”
“I have no doubt of that.” She held her chin firm despite the slight tremor in her voice. Benedict squeezed her hand, feeling her light response against his fingers.
“Come and stay with Jennie and me,” Colton said. “Jennie would be able to relax if she knew you were safe in our home.”
“You know I cannot do that.” Alex’s voice strengthened. “I would not dream of risking your safety. And are you forgetting the children? I cannot put Douglas and Sally in harm’s way.”
Colton nodded somberly. “I was afraid you would see it that way.”
