“Then I shall escort you,” he replied, rather than taking the hint that she preferred to be left alone. Nose in the air, affecting a haughty demeanor, Josie nodded begrudgingly. They rode in silence, Elijah casting glances at her while she did her best to ignore him. He could only imagine what the groom behind them made of their interactions.
Part of him thought any gossip from his household about a rift between the two of them might be helpful to counteract anything Devon or Daisy might let slip. He had a private word with them this morning about not discussing his and Josie’s sleeping arrangements, and both swore, of course, they would not.
Elijah wanted to believe them, but he also knew it was possible the traitor had someone watching them from inside their own household. Paranoia? Perhaps. But after Josie had been set up by a letter from the false Joseph, Elijah felt it was justified.
Once they reached the stables, Elijah swiftly dismounted and came over to help Josie down. She pursed her lips in annoyance but did not protest. Both of them knew she did not need his help, even in her riding skirts while seated sidesaddle, but to make a fuss about something most ladies would require and enjoy would disturb the grooms. Josie would never do that.
Instead, she would hold it all inside until she could unload her ire... if it got to that.
The moment they exited the stables, leaving the grooms and horses behind, and Elijah could see there was a clear path with no one about to the house, he escorted Josie far enough they were between the two structures and away from prying ears, then halted.
Josie
Simmering with frustration and resentment over Elijah’s continued high-handedness, the last thing she expected when he brought them to a halt was for him to turn to her and apologize.
“I am sorry.”
There they were—the words she very much wanted to hear yet had not expected to. She blinked in surprise, taken aback, then frowned suspiciously.
“What are you sorry for?” For all she knew, he was apologizing for interrupting her ride. The little smile that curved his lips didnotmake her heart beat faster, ignoring that her pulse had sped up.
“I am sorry for not telling you about the danger I was in. I should have.”
Josie waited, but he did not add an addendum. It was nothing more than a simple apology, with no excuses, and it took her by surprise.
However, it did not contain everything she wanted, which was a reassurance she would not be so left out in the future. Only partly mollified, Josie crossed her arms, giving him her best gimlet stare. Not that she expected it to have much effect on his hardheadedness.
“And you will make sure you keep me fully informed in the future,” she said, prompting him.
Elijah hesitated, but only for a moment, before nodding.
“I will keep you fully informed in the future.”
“And will answer the questions I have right now.”
This time he laughed outright, but he nodded again, offering her his arm, and she took it. She could not help smiling as well, though the caution remained. He had already broken her trust once, and it would take some time to build it back up. She would be a fool to think it was this easy but would take advantage of what he was offering. Whether he could be trusted not to keep her out of things in the future, well… time would tell.
“Are you taking precautions for your safety?” If he was not, they were going to have another fight right now, and she would not hesitate to tell Uncle Oliver everything. Trust extended only so far as sensible behavior, and with a threat against his life and him wandering about the streets of London alone after dark… well, that was hardly sensible.
Elijah heaved a sigh.
“I can take care of myself, despite what you and my father think,” he said grumpily. Josie was relieved to hear she was not the only one so concerned. “Anthony and Nathan are supposed to serve as my guards most of the time, and my father was going to put a man on me whenever they were unavailable.”
“Then where were they last night?” The question came out a bit more sharply than intended, her hackles rising at Nathan’s name. If Lily’s correspondents were correct, and the Talbot estate was involved in some kind of nefarious activity, was the brother of the Earl of Talbot the best choice for a guard?
“I did not tell anyone I was leaving the house.” If he had, someone would have been sure to accompany him.
Josie pulled away, whirling to face him as he opened the side door to the house for her.
“That. Will. Not. Do.” She jabbed him in the chest with her finger, one jab for each word. She glared up at him when he grabbed her hand, keeping her from poking him again. “Next time you decide to go ‘thinking’ about the streets of London at night, you will inform me,andyou will take a guard with you, so I do not have to worry the whole time.”
Elijah lifted her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles, and Josie eyed him suspiciously.
“As you wish, my lady,” he said before turning to escort her indoors.
Elijah
There was something freeing about telling Josie everything, and he finally understood what his father had said about marriage being a partnership. Of course, he did not want Josie rushing into danger or joining him in his investigations, but he felt a great sense of relief at no longer having to hide anything from her. Hearing her worry over him warmed him from the inside out.