told him about Marchmont’s theatre, and Dr Barnard’s register, hidden inside The Myths of Apollodorus. He listened intently.
‘I’ll make enquiries, as well,’ he said.
She gasped. ‘You will?’
‘Put it this way—someone dangerous is after you and I’d rather like to find out who. No promises, but my men are useful at unearthing secrets.’ He looked at his watch and gave her a smile that sent her spirits plummeting, because it was a sad smile, a regretful smile. ‘Time to get back to Two Crows Castle, Rosalie. Though there is just one more thing. You’ve already understood, I think, that you must place yourself in my care, under my protection. In return, I’ll make a promise to you. From now on, I’ll ensure that you can trust me. In absolutely every way. Do I make myself clear?’
Oh, yes. She knew exactly what he meant. In other words, he wouldn’t lay a finger on her again. She got to her feet slowly and an ache of sheer loss swept through her at the memory of those burning caresses to which she’d so rapturously surrendered. ‘I don’t think you should take any blame for what happened just now,’ she whispered.
Something of her inner misery must have shown, because he touched her hand gently. ‘Nor yourself, Rosalie. We’ll find the man who seduced your sister, never fear—and I suspect we’ll find he’s the same man who is threatening you.’ His hand was gone, leaving her cold. ‘In the meantime,’ he went on, ‘my men deserve a pleasant surprise. Don’t you think?’ He’d carelessly pulled on his fine coat again, then picked up some empty sacks she’d not noticed before and began to load food from the table into them. Hams, pies, whole cheeses, loaves of bread—in they went, until the sacks were bulging.
She gasped. ‘What are you doing?’
He grinned, white teeth flashing. ‘Taking this lot back to Two Crows Castle. Jarvis brought me these sacks while you were upstairs. I rather think this food is needed there more than here, don’t you?’
She thought of the hungry, ragged soldiers. ‘Oh, indeed! But—won’t it be missed?’
‘I told you my father’s gone to the country and won’t be wanting any of this. So I’m helping myself. How does that rate on your journalist’s scale of crimes?’
‘I think it’s an excellent idea! But, Alec …’
‘Hmm?’ He was still packing the things, but he swung round to look at her.
‘Alec,’ she said impulsively, ‘there’s always a cluster of beggars at the corner of Lothbury. We passed them on our way. There’s so much food here—will you give a little of it to them, on our way back?’
‘Willingly. If you’ll also take a sack and put in some of those pies that are on the sideboard, I’ll tell Jarvis we’re leaving. And I’ve got something for him.’ He flourished the list he’d made of the counterfeit paintings.
‘The paintings! I’d almost forgotten. Oh, what are you going to do about them?’
‘Make sure the originals all mysteriously find their way back here,’ he assured her. ‘Now, if you look outside, I think you’ll find Garrett’s arrived with transport.’ He strode to the door. ‘Jarvis!’
The elderly steward quickly appeared. ‘Sir?’ Alec gave him his list and had a quiet word before heading for the door. Indeed, out in the street were Garrett and big red-bearded Sergeant McGrath with a shabby old carriage.
‘Some supplies, lads, for Two Crows Castle,’ Alec announced cheerfully, pointing towards the sacks of food assembled in the hall.
‘Yes, sir!’ Eagerly the men began to load the carriage. Alec helped, too, and when they were finished he guided Rosalie out to the vehicle.
‘That’s about it,’ Alec said to Garrett. He looked around. ‘Oh, and by the way—we’re going to drop a sack of food off at the corner of Lothbury.’
‘Right you are, Captain.’ Garrett nodded. He turned with an awkward smile to Rosalie. ‘All right, ma’am? Your little ‘un, she’s fine, but she’ll be glad to see you back!’ Then he scrambled up on to the driver’s box next to McGrath, who was already holding the reins.
Alec shot Rosalie a look of complete astonishment. ‘My God. Garrett smiled at you. What magic have you worked on him?’
‘I don’t know really. Perhaps it’s because I was kind to his dog?’
Alec lifted his eyebrows. ‘You’re a witch, Mrs Rowland,’ he said softly, ‘and in another few days you’ll have us all eating out of the palm of your hand.’
Rosalie froze again. Mrs Rowland—oh, God. She’d told him about Linette, but she hadn’t confessed to the rest of her lies—for example, her fictitious widowhood. But if she told him she was not married, he would perhaps start to doubt every single thing she’d ever said and might refuse to let her stay at Two Crows Castle. Might refuse flatly to help her any further.
He was watching her quizzically. ‘Something wrong?’
‘No!’ She shook her head, forcing a smile. ‘And, Alec—thank you. For offering me your help.’
‘Think nothing of it.’ He was about to hand her up into the carriage, but then he hesitated. ‘Although one thing worries me. Even though we know—you and I—that you are quite safe with me, staying at Two Crows Castle, your reputation will be shot to pieces, to put it politely.’
She almost laughed. That was the least of her problems. ‘Oh, goodness! And there was I, hoping for a top-lofty proposal or two at the start of the next Season! I’m afraid, Captain Stewart, that my hopes for a respectable future are already pretty low. And appearing at the Temple of Beauty most definitely did nothing to improve my chances!’
‘You had no dreams of getting married again?’ he asked quietly.
‘Lord, no.’
‘You feel that no one could replace your husband?’
She shrugged. ‘If you wish to put it like that, yes.’
He was watching her carefully. ‘Mrs Rowland—Rosalie—I hope we can at least be friends.’
She nodded mutely as he handed her in and followed behind. Out on the driver’s box, Garrett and Sergeant McGrath were singing heartily as the horses pulled the laden coach briskly eastwards into darker, narrower streets. Alec joined in, his voice a melodious baritone that she instantly adored.
‘Some talk of Alexander, and some of Hercules,
Of Hector and Lysander, and such great names as these.
But of all the world’s great heroes, there’s none that can compare
With a tow, row, row, row, row, row
To the British Grenadiers …’
He smiled at her. She smiled back, even joining in the chorus. But her heart was heavy. She had mistrusted him and lied to him. Yes, she now had him on her side in her struggle to find Linette’s seducer. But he had also promised her that he would
