Except Annabel telling him everything he already knew but not sharing his relief in the knowing.

“Was it one of your highwaymen?”

“Possibly, but it was dark during the first attack, and this one was too fast.” He’d always thought he’d be better at details. “How are things in Cardiff?”

“Claudette has worked her magic. Gareth’s father is falling all over himself to make up for lost time.” Kit swallowed a gulp of coffee and grimaced at the burn. “And you know how the major gets when the bit’s between his teeth.”

In the months after Gareth’s death, his father had been ready to rouse a mob and storm Paris in a search for his son’s murderous bitch of a wife. “They’ve mended fences, then?”

“It’s delicate, but I think bringing Collins to justice will solidify it.”

Gareth would be pleased, and so was Kit, given the look on his face. “There’s progress?”

“Put a widow in a room full of women who waited for men to come home from war, or doting pensioners who see a pretty, sad young lady alone?” Kit snorted a laugh. “We should have done it earlier. They’re lining up to talk to her. Some of it has helped our investigation, but much of it has done wonders for her. They’ve given her a full sketch of the Gareth they knew before the war. She’s happier, and the major is putting pressure on the constable, who is drawing the circle tighter.”

“Why did you bring her back to London, then?”

“She needs a break from death and reminiscing, Jasper.” He cleaned his mouth and chin with a serviette. “And I’d like her away from Cardiff if Collins panics. I don’t want her alone.”

“She’ll have to stay here.” Jasper grinned at his newest cousin’s confused frown. “You’re an earl, Kit. And there are already rumors that Claudette is my mistress. A night in your house will have the ton spinning tales that we’re sharing her. You’d have to marry her.” He raised an eyebrow. “Do you want to marry her?”

“One forced marriage is enough.” Kit rolled his eyes. “It will look like a family epidemic.”

Which would reflect poorly on the girls. “You’re right. One of us is bad enough.”

“I’ll ask the maids to make up a room.”

Jasper twisted to the door—the one he hadn’t closed—and swore as his stitches caught and stretched. Wetness seeped over his skin. Annabel was standing there, but the light behind her made her a silhouette. A thin one.

He always forgot how slight she was.

She stood at the threshold as though she were waiting on an invitation she had never needed.

“Thank you.” He didn’t dare invite her closer. She would see the blood. He couldn’t stand for the same reason. “Would you put her across the hall, please? She has—”

“Of course.” She bowed to him. It was a mere dip of her chin as she clutched her skirts, but it was a bloody bow. His bandage was squishy and warm against his skin.

“Annabel, it isn’t—”

“My mother has sent a card, asking me to call on family business. Since you won’t be alone in the house, I’ll go now.” Her words were level, but her voice was lifeless.

There was no possibility of her listening to reason now.

“Take the coach and Frederick.” He didn’t say please. It wasn’t a request. If he couldn’t keep her safe, he’d make damn sure someone did.

“Lord Warwick?” she called without entering the room. “Will you stay until we return? I don’t want…the household unprotected.”

Kit arched an eyebrow, likely hearing the same hesitation in her statement. Her concern had become the people in the house, not just her husband. Perhaps not her husband at all. “As long as Lord Ramsbury doesn’t toss me out on my ear, my lady.”

“Thank you.” She stood for a moment. “Goodbye.”

Those words, in her flat voice, sent a chill through Jasper. Ignoring his wet bandages, he kept his eyes on her blank face. “I will see you when you come home, Annabel.”

He blinked and she was gone.

“Shall we play chess or poker?” Kit asked. “I can finally make the ante—”

“Get Travis.” The room began to tilt. “Now.”

He left without question and without a backward glance. Everyone in Jasper’s life seemed to do that. He pressed his hand to his side and gritted his teeth.

Don’t pity yourself. Only your wife ran away from you.

Quick, light steps in the hallway curved his lips into a smile. Annabel was worried about him after all.

“Jasper! Wait until you—” Claudette stuttered to a stop, her eyes widening, when she saw the state of him. “I don’t understand. Your wife said you were expecting me.”

Jasper’s disappointment doubled. Not only had Annabel misinterpreted his humor and ignored his attempts to explain, but she’d also fallen back to ton gossip over his connection to Claudette. Because a man would be expected to meet his mistress in his dressing gown.

“I am very happy to see you.” Jasper made himself smile, though sweat trickled down his spine. “But I’m sure you’re exhausted. Your room is across the hall.”

Travis hurried into the room with Kit on his heels.

“Leave us please, Claudette.” Jasper struggled to his feet. “We’ll visit—” His knees buckled without warning. “Damn.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

“Peter Drew has offered for me,” Rachel wailed as she opened the door.

Alarmed by the reaction, Annabel pushed her sister into the hall before sweeping her into a tight embrace. With no hands to spare, and no servants in sight, Annabel kicked the door closed as Rachel dissolved into sobs.

“Dearest, I don’t understand. Aren’t you fond of Peter?” The last time she’d visited, just the thought of dancing with Mr. Drew had sent her sister into wild blushes and giggles.

Rachel nodded, smearing tears across Annabel’s neck.

“And do you want to marry him?”

Another watery nod.

Then this was some overdone happy reaction, and Annabel was in no mood for histrionics—happy or otherwise. She lifted Rachel’s head and stepped away, prepared to lecture her on how a future countess should behave, but the grief on her sister’s face stopped her words.

Father said no? Annabel didn’t dare ask the words for fear of sending Rachel into a swoon. She didn’t need an answer anyway. “Where is he?”

“In the library,” Rebecca said as she joined them. Her red-rimmed eyes blazed with a familiar fire, but she cradled Rachel with a gentleness that put Annabel to shame. “I have her. Go.”

Annabel removed her hat to give her a full view of the room, but didn’t bother with her cloak. She wasn’t staying long, and she needed all the protection she could get—even if it was nothing more substantial than velvet.