“France?” Her eyes widened. “But Sir Percival is an idiot. He failed to keep watch on you at Grayswood. There’s little chance of him finding you in the metropolis.”
“Sir Percival will request Peel’s help.” It would take a constable an hour to discover his regular haunts. “Unless I can identify the killer today, I shall travel to France tonight.”
“No!” She bit down on her lip as tears filled her eyes.
“It’s time to face facts, Helen. I must protect you, and I’ve done a poor job so far.” He’d been more hopeful in the beginning. Now it felt like they had a mountain to climb.
She darted across the carriage and sat beside him. “Take me with you. Don’t leave me here alone.” She removed her gloves and slipped her trembling hands into his. “Nicholas, I would rather die with you than suffer a lengthy separation.”
He experienced the same sinking despair, but had to be strong for both of them. “You need to work with Sebastian and Aaron Chance to find more evidence.” He brushed tears from her cheeks. “I shall hide until there’s proof someone else killed Charles Holland.”
“But we might never find the villain.”
The thought proved disturbing.
He had begun to imagine a life with Helen. A perfect life filled with love and laughter. But like his father, was he destined for misery?
“We will discuss it on the journey home,” he said, trying to be pragmatic. “Mrs Russell might have information that’s pertinent to the case.”
She blinked away her tears. “Yes, she might be the answer to our prayers.” Though she tried to regain her composure, he could tell her nerves were still frayed.
“We will find a way to be together.” He interlaced his fingers with hers. “Nothing will keep us apart again.”
She nodded. “Now I know how happy we can be, I’ll not live without you, Nicholas.” She drew her hands from his and touched his thigh. “It seems Miss Ware was wrong about one thing.”
From the sibilant sound of her voice and the way she caressed him, he knew he would be inside her in minutes.
“I imagine Miss Ware is wrong about many things, though I am keen to hear another of her theories.”
Helen swallowed. “She said women rarely feel lust as deeply as men. That they are rarely overcome by carnal needs.”
“And you think she is wrong?” he said, his blood racing through his veins to pool low and heavy in his groin.
“I know she is.” Her breath quickened, and her fingers edged higher. “Since you mentioned leaving for France, I’ve thought of nothing but taking you deep into my body. It’s like the worst hunger I have ever known.”
He was hard now. “I find myself equally ravenous.”
They locked gazes, then tugged their respective blinds down.
“Nicholas, I cannot wait another second to feel close to you.” She was gathering her skirts to her thighs.
He fiddled with the opening of his trousers, his cock springing free and she moaned like she’d seen the King’s banquet.
“I assume this works in much the same way as before,” she said, quickly straddling his lap. “Except I am on top this time.”
“Yes, but I should touch you first.”
“Later. I need you now.”
He struggled to fight against his own rampant desire and thanked God she was already wet and could sheath him with relative ease.
Merciful Lord!
The minx took him inch by inch until he was buried to the hilt.
“Love, have I told you how damnably divine you are?” Hell, she was so warm and tight he wanted to remain joined forever.
“Nicholas.” She closed her eyes and moaned her pleasure. “Don’t leave me. I need you inside me every night.”