Chapter Nine
Franny tapped on the door closest to the stairwell. When no one answered, she cracked it open and peered into the darkness.
“Harry,” she whispered.
A soft snore rippled.
Although she desperately desired to see him, she didn’t have the heart to wake a healing friend.
If only she had a candle, she could illuminate the room and watch him sleep.
A few moments with Harry and a soft flame were all she needed to calm her fretting.
Afterward, she would check on her gymnasium.
Hopefully it hadn’t burned to the ground while they’d been gone.
She’d rest on the sofa in her office, and if she awoke every few hours, she could patrol the perimeter of the building to ensure no one was skulking about the grounds.
Franny backed out of the room, her bum smacking into something or someone. “Shite,” she murmured as she whirled to face Edward Robinson. “What the bloody hell?” she grumbled.
His fingers clutched her waist as if steadying her, and for some strange reason, a spark of warm tingles shot to her belly.
“I didn’t mean to startle you,” he said.
“You did not startle me,” she lied. Her reaction to his touch had been a moment of surprise and nothing else. “Why are you following me?”
His arms dropped to his sides as he stepped back. “Miss Valentine, your father asked me to…” He cleared his throat. “Asked me to help you discover who is behind these violent acts.”
The light from the hallway sconces danced over Edward’s long lashes and dappled over the planes of his strong jawline.
The man was so exceedingly handsome that she ached when simply looking at him.
If it were not for his waistcoat and cravat, he might be mistaken for a long-ago Greek God come to life.
After she’d told him he needed to gain a stone, he must have spent the next five years lifting heavy objects.
“Miss Valentine, I am a skilled investigator and whoever targeted The Silk Knuckles Saloon is willing to kill to close your business down.” His voice was so gentle, it was as if he were afraid that she would skitter away like a terrified kitten if he spoke at a normal volume.
“Forgive me for saying so, but you are quite stubborn. I can see your intentions reflected in your eyes. You have the look of a woman ready to track down her enemy on her own.”
She winced. She hated that her emotions were always transparent.
“I know you can discover who the perpetrators are without me,” he said. “Hell, I think you could single-handedly stop an army. But why not take advantage of my talents and allow me to assist you?”
Was he trying to soften her with flattery or was he sincere?
She hoped the latter because she could use some help.
The truth was, she was somewhat lost without Papa, not that she would admit this to the officer.
However, even through her confusion, heartbreak, and exhaustion, she was aware that her family and business were more important than her hubris.
The truth was, not a day went by when she didn’t fight with her warring inner voice screaming, A woman must never be timid.
She must be bold. She must not hesitate.
She must never let a man get the upper hand.
Unfortunately, these thoughts often led to rash decisions, and this dashed impulsivity would be the death of her if she didn’t rein it in.
Franny exhaled, then compromised. “I accept your offer. But on one condition.”
His features twisted into a skeptical glare. “What is that?”
“I am in charge. ’Tis my business after all.”
“Of course,” he said with a slight bow. “I shall see you home tonight.”
She gnawed on her lip.
“You aren’t going home, are you?” he asked. “You did not tell your family and friends the truth because you didn’t want them to fret. You intend to patrol The Silk Knuckles tonight?”
It was eerie how precisely he read her mind. She should not be unnerved or flattered since he probably read minds in general. Intuition made one a valuable investigator, after all.
She expected him to argue and tell her that spending the night at The Silk Knuckles was foolish.
Interestingly, there would be a silver lining if he immediately broke their pact, because once he went back on his word, she could tell him to sod off and be rid of the befuddling man once and for all. That is what she wanted. Wasn’t it?
At least it was what she had wanted until Edward had saved Papa.
She’d still treated him with disdain in front of everyone, but perhaps she’d been protecting herself from the perplexing feelings the man evoked.
Whatever the case, deep in her heart she knew if Edward Robinson hadn’t stuck his nose in her business, Papa might be… she gasped.
“Are you well?” Edward asked.
“I was just thinking that if you had not come upon my father, he might be…” She couldn’t say the words out loud.
“The Davenports have a carriage waiting for us,” he said.
Being alone in a carriage with Edward after his warm, steadying hands had awoken a feminine longing deep inside her seemed like a very bad idea. She shivered.
He regarded her with compassionate eyes. “I shall ask the driver to take us to The Silk Knuckles.”
Since she was too exhausted to walk, a carriage sounded heavenly, and having someone help her guard the studio while Papa and Harry convalesced held appeal. Still, she hesitated.
“I promise not to behave like a cad,” he declared. “I am aware that the way I acted the first time we met was reprehensible.”
“Yes,” she agreed with one sharp chin bob. “If you ever look at me the way you did that day, I will knock your teeth out.” Which would be a shame since he had such lovely teeth. “I’d like to check on Harry before we leave,” she said.
“Of course. I will wait here for you.”
She stared at the closest candle. At her height, she would struggle to reach it, but Edward was tall enough to pluck it from the sconce. All she had to do was swallow her pride and ask.
He followed her gaze and removed it without her having to say a word. He handed it to her. “Then it is settled. Investigation partners.”
She might regret her decision in the morning, but for now it seemed like a good idea. “Partners, Robinson. But do not make me regret my decision.”
Because the second he acted like a reprobate, she would knock out those perfect teeth, or perhaps, God forgive her, run her fingertip over his lush lashes.