Chapter 15 #2
He gave her a tight smile as they walked the short distance to the door of the inn. He had no doubt what her version of exploring included. “I suppose there is no way to convince you to spend a relaxing day at the inn?”
“Do you truly wish me to answer that?”
“I believe I already know the answer but thought it worthwhile to ask. I will escort you through town. Does an hour sound agreeable?”
“Yes, quite. I look forward to it.” She offered him a small smile before disappearing with Tess inside.
James let out a long sigh. He was more eager than he ought to have Kate on his arm, but he had no wish to bring her within sight of a company that might be run by traitors and murderers.
He told himself he would be able to convince Kate to keep to the more genteel parts of town, but he knew her better than that.
The hour passed quickly. After leaving his belongings in his quarters, he settled in the common room to scrutinize the other occupants while he enjoyed a cup of tea with honey, one of several reasons this inn was a favorite.
Movement near the back passageway caught his eye, and his pulse stirred at the sight of Kate entering the room.
His jaw tightened as he noticed other men turning their heads as she passed, though he could not blame them.
She was undeniably beautiful. What the men could not see was the intelligence and courage that were nearly his undoing.
He rose as she walked toward him, warmth pooling in his chest at her nearness until she spoke.
“Lord Brenton.”
Blast. What did he have to do to convince this woman to call him James again?
“Lady Katherine.” He gave a quick bow and extended his arm. “Shall we?” Tess followed discreetly, close enough to serve as chaperone but far enough away not to intrude.
Under the guise of exploring the town, he had learned the general location of the company’s warehouse from the innkeeper. James led Kate outside and turned them toward the docks. They strolled through busy streets, the bustle of residents and travelers all around them.
Kate’s quiet voice reached him beneath the noise. “May I ask what the magistrate discovered?” She cast a quick glance to the crowds around them.
He did not answer right away, and the delay was long enough to irritate her.
“I deserve to know.”
She was right. He lowered his voice. “Mr. Ashcombe was apparently polite and friendly and raised no suspicions from anyone who met him during the few days he was at the inn.”
She gave him a tight smile. “I could have informed you of that.”
Someone collided with him from behind, and he reached instinctively for Kate.
He turned, placing her behind him, only to find a drunken sailor who could hardly walk in a straight line.
Ignoring the man, he tightened his arm beneath Kate’s grip, searching for danger.
If his suspicions were correct, then Kate had not only stumbled on a body, she had uncovered someone’s secret.
He led them toward the waterfront, where the crowds were thinner. “We are alone here,” he said softly, slowing his pace, the noise of the crowd fading. “We can speak freely.”
Kate tensed, leaning closer until their shoulders brushed, stealing his concentration. “Then you did discover something about Mr. Ashcombe?”
He exhaled. “I have. And I am afraid it does not make matters any clearer.”
“Tell me.”
“First, you were correct. Mr. Ashcombe was murdered.”
Kate shivered. He longed to hold her as he had at the inn, to shield her from the worst of it, but if she were going to involve herself in this, she needed to understand the threat before her.
He continued. “However, no one seems to have seen or heard anything. The magistrate and I questioned guests at the inn, but we learned nothing that would help us identify his killer.”
Her mouth pressed into a thin line.
“But I did learn a few things of interest. It seems Mr. Ashcombe was headed to Dover.” He maneuvered them around a pile of cargo, careful to avoid the ropes strewn about as they neared the docks.
“Then it would seem someone made sure he would never arrive,” she observed.
The implication of that settled like lead in his chest. “He was a retired merchant captain, just as you said. His former employer, however, is of particular interest.”
They turned a final corner. Ahead, a large warehouse wall proclaimed in black paint that it belonged to The Great Dover Shipping Company.
The scene was a bustle of activity. Sailors hauled crates, clerks rushed about with papers in hand, foremen barked orders, wagons rolled in and out, and the air was a pungent mix of salt, sweat, and spices.
“You mean,” she whispered, gripping his arm, “that this building may have been Mr. Ashcombe’s destination?”
“I believe so. There are too many coincidences to ignore.”
They stood in silence while James studied the building for exits and timed the guard’s movements. If the company was involved in traitorous activities, he would get no direct answers by questioning anyone openly. There were also far too many people about for a proper search.
“We cannot go in there. Not now,” Kate said.
Had she read his mind? She had assessed the risk as quickly as he had. He was loath to admit it, but she had the instincts of a spy.
“No,” he agreed, “but I can return after dark.”
Kate’s expression cooled. “You mean to leave me behind?”
He drew her aside, away from the activity. “I mean to keep you from a place where men like Ashcombe’s killer may be waiting.”
Her mouth tightened, but she glanced at the warehouse and seemed to think better of arguing with him in public.
They had caught the attention of a few men working around the warehouse, one in particular watching Kate with too much interest. Unease prickled up James’s spine.
He pulled Kate closer, standing between her and the man. It was time to leave.
They adopted a brisk pace back toward the inn, the brittle silence between them tightening with every step. He could live with her anger. He would rather risk her feelings than her life. Tonight, he would return to the docks and whatever secrets waited there. Kate would remain safely behind.