Page 65 of Redemption

Chapter 14

Rhea entered the foyer outside of Ashford’s office. The small entryway was dark, but light shimmered through the frosted glass of the private investigator’s office door. She knocked quietly to announce her arrival then entered the small office. Ashford was loading a pistol, while another one lay on the desktop. As he loaded bullets into the rotating chamber, he looked up to greet her with a nod.

It always unnerved her seeing the man load his weapon. Although he’d never had to use it, the thought of the man being hurt while helping her was a troubling one. Almost as if he could read her thoughts, he met her gaze and a small smile twisted his lips.

“It’s merely a precaution,” he said in a matter-of-fact voice. Rhea nodded her understanding. Before she could reply the office door opened, and Percy strode in with a grim look on his handsome features.

“Ashford, have you seen, Miss Bennett?” Percy’s voice held a sharp edge that covered a distinct note of concern.

“I’m right here,” she said as she realized the low light made it difficult for Percy to easily recognize her in her wig and male attire. At her quiet reply, he jerked his head in her direction. Eyes widening with surprise, he stared at her for a brief moment before his mouth thinned in disapproval.

“What the devil are you wearing?” he bit out.

“What I always wear when I go with Mr. Ashford.” She looked down at her coarsely made clothing then back up into the condemnation in Percy’s gaze. “If I were to dress as I do during the day, I’d draw attention to myself and others.”

Percy appeared ready to argue when Ashford cleared his throat.

“Miss Bennett is correct, Rockwood. It’s for her own safety.”

After a short hesitation, Percy nodded his head then was at her side in two quick steps. Her fingers gripping her elbow, he threw a quick glance in the direction of the private investigator.

“I need to speak with Miss Bennett for a moment,” he bit out in clipped tones. “We’ll wait for you in the entryway.”

Ashford raised his eyebrows but didn’t reply as Percy pulled her out of the office into the small foyer. Startled by his actions, Rhea had no time to protest as he shepherded her out of Ashford’s office. The door closed behind them, Rhea recovered from her surprise and pulled free of his grasp. Irritated by his behavior she scowled at him, but he didn’t give her the chance to say a word.

“You left in the middle of the night and according to Jenkins you left on foot without an escort,” he growled. “Not to mention the fact that you didn’t even say goodbye.”

Caught off guard by his fierce rebuke, she bit down on her lip. Although she’d expected him to be put out with her for not waking him, it was apparent he’d been worried about her. Guilt bit into her as she met his angry gaze.

“My past has taught me how to take care of myself, but I’m sorry that I worried you.”

“Worried?” he snarled. “Christ Jesus, when I couldn’t find you today, I expected the worst. What if something had happened to you walking home like that?”

“But it didn’t.” Her calm demeanor seemed to anger him even more as he glared at her.

“And your failure to say goodbye?” The question was issued with a silent demand for a reply.

“You were sleeping soundly,” she said quietly. “But this is neither the time nor place for this discussion.”

“I think it is,” he snarled. “I spent the entire morning trying to find you then repeated my efforts this afternoon.”

“I went to Green Hill.”

“What? Why?” he demanded fiercely.

The possessive note in his voice filled her with conflicting emotions. Resentment rose in her at his domineering manner, while another part of her experienced a rush of pleasure that he’d been worried enough to still be angry with her. It meant that he cared what happened to her. The thought sent an immediate jolt of apprehension through her. As he arched his eyebrows in a silent command for her to answer him, she sighed.

“I needed time to think. Last night… Last night was…” Words failed her as she remembered the pleasure she’d experienced in his arms.

“Incredible,” he said softly.

His anger vanished as he closed the distance between them. Rhea caught the scent of spice, and her heart skipped a beat as her gaze met his. Fire flared to life in his brown eyes as he bent his head toward her. Certain he was about to kiss her, she drew in a sharp breath at the anticipation streaking through her. Desire warmed her blood in a split second. The sudden sound of a door opening made Percy jerk upright and turn toward Ashford as the man emerged from his office. If the private investigator had witnessed anything his expression didn’t reveal it.

“Ready?” Ashford said quietly.

Rhea nodded as did Percy. In silence the three of them filed out of the office building and into the waiting carriage. Tension began to grow inside her as it always did at this stage of the rescue. Traffic was light as they headed toward the docks in the East End, and they reached the outer edge of their destination in less than thirty minutes. As the carriage came to a halt in an unfamiliar spot, Rhea frowned.

“This isn’t Southampton Street,” she observed as she looked out first one window and then the other.