Historical Romance – The Best Of The Year. Кэрол Мортимер

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       Chapter Ten

      Gideon uttered the words cheerfully as he came in and closed the door behind him. He had entered the room with every nerve-end tingling, prepared for a brawl, but when he had opened the door to see his wife brandishing a poker to keep her would-be seducer at bay his worst fears were alleviated. In fact, he had a strong inclination to laugh.

      ‘I think, my dear, you can dispense with the weapon now.’

      She lowered the poker.

      ‘How did you know where to find me?’

      ‘A simple deduction.’ He glanced at Lamotte, who was silently watching him, a guilty scowl darkening his countenance. ‘What inducement did you use to entice my wife here?’

      Nicky said quickly, ‘He told me he could help me find my father.’

      Gideon raised a brow. ‘And can you, monsieur? I thought not,’ he added drily as Lamotte shrugged. He picked up the fichu from the floor and handed it to Dominique. ‘Here, madam. Put this on and your coat, too. I shall escort you home.’

      She took the muslin scarf from him, but made no move to put it on. Instead she stood twisting it between her hands, her dark anxious gaze fixed on his face.

      ‘B-but I have been seen here. The landlord and the waiters who brought in the dinner—’

      ‘The landlord now believes you came here looking for me and as for the waiters, I think our friend here will be able to silence them.’ He turned to Lamotte, placing the tip of his cane against the Frenchman’s silk waistcoat. ‘Let me make myself very clear,’ he said icily. ‘If the slightest hint of scandal attaches to my wife’s being here, monsieur, then I shall take great pleasure in calling you out and despatching you. Do you understand me?’

      Lamotte shook his head.

      ‘Believe me, I never meant any harm to madame.’

      ‘No.’ Gideon’s eyes narrowed. ‘You were put up to this by another, were you not?’ The flash of fear that crossed the Frenchman’s face gave Gideon his answer. His lip curling, he gave the cane a little push, sending Lamotte staggering back.

      Dominique had put on her pelisse and was now watching them. Gideon opened the door, saying loudly,

      ‘I am very grateful to you, monsieur, for looking after my wife until I could join you. But we will not keep you any longer from your dinner. Adieu, sir!’

      He flourished a bow and held out his hand to Dominique. She picked up a sheet of paper from one of the armchairs and stuffed it into her reticule before crossing the room to join him.

      ‘It is the information about my father,’ she said in response to his enquiring gaze. ‘It will not be needed now.’

      She bent a look of burning reproach upon Lamotte, who had the grace to hang his head.

      ‘I beg your pardon, madame.’

      Gideon took her arm.

      ‘Come, my dear.’

      He escorted her down the stairs and out into the street. As they walked away from the lodging house Dominique gave a little sob.

      ‘I am so very sorry, Gideon. It was foolish of me to go there alone. I should have told you...’

      ‘And why did you not?’

      ‘B-because he said that success in finding out about Papa depended upon the utmost secrecy.’