Chapter 12

Hannah felt like she'd been punched in the belly. As information went, this was inflammatory. Multiple women found in coffins. If they couldn't find the killer, the repercussions would shake London's very foundation. Fear would spread through the city like a virus. And more innocent girls would die.

Bloody hell!

‘I thought ladies didn't say words like "bloody hell".' Killian's lips twitched.

Hannah frowned. ‘I didn't. Did I?'

His green eyes sparkled in the sunlight. ‘You did.'

Shrugging, Hannah clucked her tongue and delighted in Starlight's quick response as the horse moved forward in a rocking trot. Once Hannah overcame her fear, she relished the thrill of asking a wild animal to follow her command. She couldn't help thinking of other wild animals who might do her bidding. One in particular. In the duke genus.

Killian caught up with her. ‘While your conjectures about Lord Cavendale are sound logic, surely you agree he isn't the kind of man who could kill multiple women.'

‘Men can be deceiving, Your Grace. How did you come by this information?'

Killian shrugged, ‘You hardly expect me to reveal my sources.'

‘Nor can you expect me to rule out a perfectly viable suspect.' She wasn't willing to cross Lord Cavendale off her list of potential murderers. Not yet. ‘We should head back. I wouldn't want the party to worry about us.'

‘I want to be clear about something.' Killian's eyes flashed dangerously.

‘What?' Hannah's belly clenched.

‘I'll ask a favour of you tonight, but I owe you one as well. Think on that.' He spurred his horse ahead of her.

Hannah took a shaky breath. What favour did she want to ask of Lieutenant General Killian? To share his heart with me. Impossible. She urged her mount to catch him.

The returning group of picnickers were gathered where the forest met the lane leading to Everly Manor.

Philippa galloped up to Hannah. ‘What happened to you?' Her eyes quickly shifted from fear to anger.

‘I am well, Philippa. I lost control of Starlight, but Lord Killian saved the day.'

Philippa didn't hide her scowl. ‘Did he?' She looked between Hannah and Killian.

Hannah tamped down her sudden anger. ‘Yes, he did.'

Killian's smile was deceptively easy. ‘By the time Starlight stopped her run, we were nearly to the village. Miss Simmons kept her seat remarkably well. She's a fast learner and could be a fine rider with more practice.' Killian looked at Hannah with a hooded gaze. Her belly fluttered, and heat pooled low. Delicate skin chafed against her saddle as sweat trickled down the small of her back. She wondered what favour he would ask at midnight. She wondered, and she ached.

‘Hannah excels at whatever she puts her mind to accomplish,' Philippa snapped.

Killian wisely reined his stallion back, allowing distance between himself, Hannah, and Philippa.

‘We shall make sure not to leave you again, Hannah.' Ivy rode next to them, bringing her horse alongside Hannah's left while Millie guided her Cleveland Bay to Hannah's right.

Safely flanked by her friends and patroness, they returned to the manor.

It had been a long, arduous, dangerous day. Hannah happily retired early after dinner. She wanted nothing more than a short nap and long bath before her intended interlude with Killian.

Unfortunately, Philippa had other plans.

She swept into Hannah's room without a knock. Hannah was chin-deep in hot water. The staff kindly brought a copper bath to her room, and Hannah was determined to enjoy the luxury regardless of unwanted visitors.

Betty had been bustling around the room but froze, bobbing her head at Philippa in a surprised half-curtsey. ‘Evening, Your Grace. You near scared the life out of me. I'll never get used to how you two move so silent like.'

Water slopped over the edge of the bath as Hannah twisted to watch the duchess.

Philippa walked past the tub and settled herself on the stuffed chair placed near a large window. She narrowed her gaze at Hannah. ‘Exactly what happened between you and Lieutenant General Killian today?'

Hannah sank back into the soapy water. ‘Several things. But not what you think.'

Philippa punched the pillow next to her in an unusual display of frustration. ‘Really? Well, do please enlighten me.'

Hannah tipped her head back against the rim of the tub. ‘I will tell you everything if you tell me one thing.' She kept her eyes closed but heard Philippa's exaggerated huff.

‘What?'

‘Why are you so angry about my interest in Killian?'

‘I already told you this. I don't want him to hurt you.'

Hannah opened her eyes, pulled her legs to her chest, and turned her head to face Philippa. ‘And I already told you, my heart is not involved, therefore he cannot hurt me.'

Philippa stood abruptly, throwing the abused pillow across the room. ‘You lied. You are lying. To yourself. To me. Probably to him. Anyone with eyes in their head can see you're falling in love with him.'

‘And what if I am?' Hannah spoke the truth before she realised it.

Oh, God. What if I am?

Philippa fell back into her seat. ‘He will hurt you.'

‘You don't know that.'

‘I know he is a man. A duke with no intentions to marry. A soldier with battle wounds that still bleed. The prime minister's detective bent on beating us to this killer. How could he not hurt you?'

‘I don't know.' Hannah felt the water cooling on her skin. ‘Maybe I will get hurt. Maybe it will be worth it.'

Philippa's eyes were haunted. Her lips trembled, and she hugged herself in a rare display of vulnerability. ‘It won't. Trust me.'

‘Was he that awful to you? Lord Winterbourne? I know he was my father, but was he also a monster?'

Philippa closed her eyes, a single tear tracking down her cheek. ‘He was no worse a monster than any other man. And yes, he was awful to me. But even if he had been wonderful, it would not have mattered. He was not the one I loved. He was not the one I wanted.'

Hannah wished she weren't naked in the cooling water. She wished she could offer her patroness comfort. Sanctuary from past grief. ‘I'm so sorry.' Hannah's words felt woefully inadequate in the quiet room.

‘So am I.' Philippa wiped her cheek.

Betty stood frozen by the closet. ‘I'm right glad he's dead then, madam. If you don't mind me saying so.' She crossed herself but thrust out her chin in a small act of defiance. ‘I don't think a man deserves to live if he hurts someone as kind and generous as you.' Her cheeks glowed pink as she turned to hang up the riding habit.

‘Well said, Betty.' Hannah knew Lord Winterbourne loved her, but he also hurt the woman who had been Hannah's family for ten years. For that, Hannah could never forgive him.

‘Get out of that water before you freeze, then tell me what happened today.' Philippa stood, retrieved the neatly folded towel sitting on the vanity table and held it out.

Hannah emerged dripping from the copper tub and dried herself before Betty helped her wiggle into her nightgown.

‘First, you should know I did lose control of my horse. But it was only because someone shot at us.' Hannah watched Philippa's face transition from haunted memories of the past to a raging fury for the present. It brought Hannah some relief because facing the truth of her father's duplicity was not easy, but seeing Philippa vulnerable and hurting was impossible. She much preferred the duchess angry and ominous.

‘Someone shot at you? Who? How? Tell me exactly what happened.'

Hannah sat in front of the vanity while Betty brushed out her hair. She retold the events of the morning, leaving out the deal she made with Killian to trade answers for favours later that night.

Betty plaited Hannah's copper curls into a long braid. ‘I'll take my leave, miss. Unless you need anything further?'

‘You seem in a bit of a hurry, Betty. Do you have evening plans?' Hannah couldn't stop the smile curving her lips.

Betty's blush flamed so brightly, her ears turned pink. ‘Of course not, miss. I can stay if you need me.'

Hannah laughed. ‘I'm teasing, Betty. I'm sure there's a handsome young stable lad waiting to eat his supper next to you. But I would heed Lady Philippa's warnings and guard your heart.'

Betty nodded vigorously. She bobbed a curtsey to Hannah and another for Philippa before she left.

Philippa leaned forward from her precarious perch on the edge of Hannah's bed. ‘Exactly what was that about?'

‘I think our Betty has a sweetheart.'

Philippa snorted. ‘What is it with the country air that turns women into complete ninnies?' She waved away Hannah's attempted reply. ‘Never mind. We have more important matters to discuss. Lord Killian told you they found other women? Dead in caskets?'

‘Yes,' Hannah answered.

‘Why would he share this information? It gives us an undue advantage, or at least puts us on the same level as the prime minister's investigators.'

Hannah shrugged, feeling uncomfortably conspicuous. ‘I couldn't presume to guess at his motivations.'

Because he cares. About me.She tamped down hope. Because he wants an upper hand in our game of flirtation. Far more likely.

‘Multiple victims. This changes things.' Philippa rubbed her finger against her thumb. ‘The Queen must hear about this. Unless she already knows.'

‘She wouldn't keep something so important from us. Would she?'

Philippa shook her head irritably. ‘When it comes to Queen Victoria, it's impossible to guess. I respect her immensely, but I don't claim to understand her. Regardless, she needs to hear this information. I must go back to London. Perhaps we should both return. We can leave tonight.'

‘No!' Hannah panicked. She couldn't leave. Not tonight. Who knew when she would get another opportunity to be unchaperoned with Killian?

Philippa's gaze swung to Hannah. ‘Excuse me?'

Hannah took a breath. ‘We still have work to do here. I don't want to abandon that when you could easily return to London for a night without me. You can speak with the Queen, and I can continue our investigation at Everly. Lord Cavendale is still a viable suspect. We know Sarah Bright was leaving her position with Lord Bradford to work for Cavendale. Even if he is not her killer, he may have important information about her last few days. Maybe he killed all of the girls, or maybe multiple killers are working together. I wouldn't put it past St George to commit such a heinous crime. I don't know. But I do know there are answers to be found here. I don't want to leave until we find them.'

‘If someone shot at you, someone knows you are investigating this case. You are in grave danger.'

‘We don't even know if the man was shooting at me.' Hannah stood, needing to expel some of her nervous energy. She paced from the vanity to the bed and back again. ‘Killian is investigating this case as well. Wouldn't it seem more likely the gunman was aiming for him?'

Philippa tapped a finger to her lip. ‘So, we're back to Lord Killian? Is solving this case the only reason you wish to stay? Sexual exploration isn't worth a broken heart, and it damn well isn't worth a bullet in your gut.'

Hannah paused near the little hearth of her fireplace. She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. ‘I've never lied to you,' she had omitted some ominous truths about the night her mother died, but she never outright lied. ‘I won't start now. I believe there are answers for Sarah Bright's case here. But I have other reasons for wanting to stay. You told me not to be ashamed of my desires, so I won't be. I want to spend more time with Killian. This house party gives us a chance to be together without worrying about society seeing us and judging. Without the lords and ladies of the beau monde spreading their insidious gossip. I want this opportunity.' It was an uncomfortable admission, especially when she was still coming to terms with it herself. Hannah's lips quivered with nerves. But she wasn't going to stop. Not now.

‘And you're willing to put your safety at risk for this?' Philippa's voice was steady, but her fingers tapped incessantly against the floral coverlet of Hannah's bed.

‘I put my safety at risk every time I go on the streets to investigate a case. Every time I sneak into some lord's study to look for evidence. Every time I strap on my weapons and confront the kind of men we hunt. How is this different?'

‘Because usually the fiends we are looking for aren't also looking for us,' Philippa snapped.

‘I'll be fine.' Hannah tried to keep her voice calm, but she wasn't sure what she would do if Philippa forced her to leave.

Philippa rose from the bed. ‘I should order you to come with me.'

Hannah's breath froze in her lungs.

‘I won't do it, but I very much want to.' Philippa pursed her lips. She looked like she just sipped pickle juice.

Air filled Hannah's chest, and she couldn't stop the smile of relief. ‘Thank you, Philippa. I know?—'

‘Don't thank me for letting you put yourself in danger. And don't tell me you know anything. Yes, you can handle yourself in a fight; however, I'm less confident you can keep your heart safe from someone like Lord Killian. But if I forced your hand, you would never forgive me. So here I am, powerless.'

Hannah took a step forward, but her patroness put up a hand, halting Hannah's momentum. The duchess let her arm fall to her side. ‘And because I hate this feeling, I would never subject you to such impotence. I won't take away your choice. Even if you are making a terrible one.'

Hannah was too grateful to be angry. ‘I'm sorry you feel powerless, but I want you to trust me.'

‘I trust you. It's Lord Killian and the killer intent on murdering you that I have some doubts about.'

Hannah took heart from Philippa's small smile. ‘Will you really leave tonight?'

Philippa raised a sculpted brow, black as a raven's wing. ‘Eager to be rid of me?'

‘No. Of course not, I just…' Hannah's voice trailed off.

‘With so much at risk, there's no time to waste. Don't fret. I'll take my leave now, so you won't have to find a polite way of kicking me out to make room for your dashing duke.'

‘That's not?—'

‘Stop before you break your promise and lie to me. I won't be gone long. Four days at most. Promise me you'll be careful.'

‘I promise.'

Philippa pulled Hannah into an abrupt and awkward hug before turning and walking to the door. ‘You'd better be.' She didn't look back as she shut the door behind her.

Hannah wished she could reassure Philippa that nothing terrible would happen, but both women had seen enough of life to know there were no guarantees, and Hannah promised she wouldn't lie. Bad things happened all the time, which was why it was so important she savoured the beautiful moments while they lasted. Another night with Killian lay ahead. Tomorrow's dangers were impossible to predict, but the pleasures waiting for her on this night were a sweet promise she intended to relish while she could.