Her mouth was dry, and she couldn’t think with his warm hand on her face. “I forgive you.”
He was leaning closer, his intention clear. She closed her eyes, unable to avert her head. His breath whispered across her skin, light as goose down and so fragrant she would inhale him deep inside if she could. When his lips finally brushed across hers, something in her chest loosened as if she’d come home after a long trip. She clutched his shirt with both fists and pulled him closer in a most unladylike way.
He deepened the kiss and crushed her against his chest. She let her guard down, all the way down, and burrowed deep into the passion pouring from him in waves. The love welling in her heart overflowed into a kiss that held more passion than she’d ever dreamed. His hand went to the back of her head and pressed her tighter still. Then he let her go and stepped back, his breathing labored.
She stood staring at him in a tiny bit of light from the candle. She couldn’t deny how she felt anymore. She still loved him. What he did and said mattered to her and always would. Her farce of not caring fell off like a cocoon, and she felt alive, truly alive, for the first time in years. She’d follow Drew anywhere, suffer any kind of uncomfortable situation, just to be with him, to be able to go into his arms at the close of the day.
She felt quite wanton as she reached out and touched his roughened jaw. “Drew?” Had her passion put him off?
He caught her hand and held it away from his face. “Give me a moment to collect myself, Lily. I—I don’t want to compromise you in any way. Not ever again.”
Her touch had caused this. She wanted to kiss him again, to taste the power she had over him. It was exhilarating to know she could affect him so strongly. But she pulled her hand away and stepped back, away from the fire.
He shuddered, then took a deep breath. “I didn’t hurt you?”
She shook her head as shyness swept over her. She still loved him. The realization made her eyes burn. Loving him could lead to more hurt. She backed away. “I’d better go in.”
TWENTY-FIVE
The Vesters house was a pompous building looming over the passersby. The mansard-style roof hooded the attic windows in a frown. Drew scowled at it as he went up the brick walkway. He rang the doorbell with more assurance than he felt. Any moment he expected Vesters to figure out he was being investigated.
The butler ushered him to the parlor where Drew found Vesters perusing the newspaper. The man ignored Drew for a full minute before folding the paper and laying it on the table. Drew felt like a supplicant with his hat in his hands waiting to be invited to be seated.
He didn’t have to let Vesters intimidate him though, so he dropped into a seat by the door without waiting for an invitation. “You wanted to see me?”
Vesters frowned before masking his irritation. “Have you got your contacts in order? The first of the bigger orders of twenty-dollar bills is ready to roll off the presses.”
“Everything is prepared.” Drew leaned forward. “But I’m more interested in your plans for Marshall.”
The suspicion on Vesters’s face deepened. “It might be best if you forget what you saw. You seem too fond of Marshall.”
“We both hide our intentions very well. I’m your best ally. I want him out of the way too.” He smiled. “Have you checked your bank account today? That fifty thousand should be there. That should prove something to you.”
Vesters leaned back. “We’ll see. I’ll make a call.”
He stepped into the hall, and Drew heard him ring through on the telephone to the bank. He glanced around the parlor while he waited. Belle planned to come by this afternoon, and he needed to make sure Vesters was gone. Maybe a trip to the bank would be in order.
Footsteps sounded on the oak floors, then Vesters stepped back into the room. “They haven’t seen it yet.”
“It should be there by this afternoon. In fact, let me take you to lunch, and we’ll stop by the bank to check on the deposit. I’m certain it will be there.”
Vesters lifted a brow, then moved to the table and poured himself a Scotch. “Are you trying to avoid the subject? I’d like more details of your vendetta with Marshall.” He tossed back the drink with a grimace.
Drew had rehearsed this in his head, but it would take his best acting to pull off the lie. “I believe he lured my father into that building and set fire to it while blocking any escape. I want him to suffer the way my father suffered.”
“I never would have guessed Marshall could be so cold-blooded. You’re sure?”
“I’m positive.” Ballard’s features flashed through Drew’s mind. Ballard’s time would come, once this problem was put to rest.
“This changes things.”
“So what can I do? I want to be part of this.”
“As I said, I’ll talk to my partner. I can’t promise anything though. We’ll see.”
“Can you tell me a bit more about what is being planned? I’d like to look for any problems and be prepared.”
“You’re putting the cart before the horse, my friend.” Vesters dropped back onto the sofa with his drink in his hand. “Let’s concentrate on the money, shall we?”
Looking at the man’s disinterested face, Drew knew he didn’t have a chance of prying out more information. Maybe Belle would have more luck. “Congratulations on your engagement, by the way. Belle is a lovely woman.”
“Thank you. I agree.”
“And it’s a smart move on your part. No one would suspect you had anything to do with the assassination when you’re engaged to Marshall’s niece. You’ll seem the logical choice as well.”
Vesters grinned. “I’m glad you approve, but we’re not going to talk about this anymore.” He pulled out his pocket watch. “I believe it’s about lunchtime. I’ll take you up on your offer, and we’ll check on that money after we eat.” He put his empty glass on the table.
Drew had to give the man credit. He was cagey and knew how to handle himself. Drew rose and reached for his hat. “And we can stop by the factory and arrange for me to take shipment of that new money coming off the presses.”
He had most of the evidence he needed to arrest Vesters for counterfeiting, but he couldn’t do a thing until Marshall was safe. And he still had no proof to arrest Ballard for a thing. Could he be wrong about the man? He was a counterfeiter, but maybe he’d had nothing to do with the fire. And it didn’t appear he was the man who had attacked Lily.
And what was he going to do about Lily? She’d admitted she still loved him, but now that he was away from the temptation of her kisses, he saw all the obstacles clearly again. She could be killed like Ian’s wife. And what about children? His entire family would be in harm’s way. How could he live with himself if he put them in danger? He rubbed his chest. And he could drop dead at any moment himself.
Though walking away from his job was an option, it was something his soul cringed from. He’d found his calling. Justice ran in his blood. How did he reconcile the two loves of his life?
Belle’s pulse pounded in her ears as she stepped from the cab onto the walk in front of Stuart’s house. It was such an ugly place. If they’d married, she’d have convinced him to sell it and buy something more stylish. At least now she wouldn’t have to move into this monstrosity.
Her head high, she sailed to the front door and rang the bell. When his man opened it, she gave him her most superior smile. “Let Stuart know his fiancée has arrived.”
The man blinked. “He’s out, Miss Belle. I don’t expect him back for another couple of hours.”
“It’s no problem. I wanted to take a look at changes I plan to make before I move in. I can do that without him here.”
The servant shifted uneasily. “I’ve not been given permission for that.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake!” Belle pushed past him and drew off her gloves. She pulled paper and a pencil from her bag. “This will be my home. I have every right to inspect it. Go on about your duties. I can do this by myself.”
W
as her color too high? She turned her back on the servant and marched down the hall toward what she assumed was the kitchen. Three women leaped to their feet when she stepped into the room. A large wooden table held the makings of dinner. Flour spilled onto the floor, and there was a smudge of white on the older woman’s face. The scent of apple pie emanated from the wood cookstove.
“Can we help you, miss?” The older woman, presumably the cook, rubbed her soiled hands on her apron.
“I’m Belle Castle. I’ve come to inspect the house.” She glanced around the kitchen. “The stove is rather old, isn’t it? I’d like to get a new one with a proper oven. I’m particularly fond of pies.”
The cook bristled. “Wait until you taste my apple pie. You’ll have no reason to turn up your nose. But I wouldn’t say no to a new stove.”
“Any other needs here in the kitchen?” Belle jotted down stove on her list. There was unlikely to be any clues here, but she wanted to establish her presence and motive. The male servant hovered in the doorway behind her, and she hoped he’d leave her alone in a few minutes.
“No, miss. We’re quite happy here, aren’t we?” The cook nudged the woman beside her who nodded vigorously.
“Excellent.” Belle moved past her. “What’s this way?”
“Just the laundry room, miss.”
Belle peeked into the back room. “We must get one of the new wringer washers. They do a much better job than a washboard.”
She could see by their smiles that she’d made allies in the house. “Sorry for disturbing you. I’ll let you get back to dinner preparations.”
Mouths gaping, the women watched her go. She had to push past the male servant, still in the doorway. “You needn’t follow me around. What’s your name?”
“Jasper, miss.” His voice was colorless.
Could he be involved with Stuart? The man seemed a bit smarmy with eyes set too close together and a suspicious manner. “Jasper, go on about your business. I’ll be here awhile.”
“I don’t think I should, miss.”
“I’m giving you a direct order. Mr. Vesters would not like it if you disrespected me.”
He took a step back. “No, miss. Call me if you need anything.”
“You can bring me tea in about half an hour.”
“As you wish.” He bowed, then disappeared back into the kitchen.
Belle exhaled, then moved with determination to Stuart’s office. Heavy curtains blocked the sunlight from the room, so she shut the door behind her, then moved to the windows and pushed the curtains out of the way. Light filled the room so she could see. The large desk was clear of papers. Shelves filled with books covered one wall. She glanced at them. They were mostly law books.
She stepped to the desk and opened the first drawer on the left. More books were heaped inside. She lifted them out and examined them carefully but found nothing of interest. A clock on the desk chimed one o’clock. After going through the other drawers, she was forced to admit defeat. Maybe there would be something in his bedroom.
She opened the door and walked upstairs as though she had every right. After several false starts, she found the master bedroom. It was a large room at the back of the house. There was no private bath so she jotted that on her paper so it would be clear to Stuart of her purpose. Shutting the door behind her, she first made note of the colors and fabrics she would change, then she slid her hand under the mattress. Nothing. She went to the other side and did the same. Not a scrap of evidence. Had she risked the trip for nothing?
The only place she hadn’t looked was the chest of drawers. She opened the top drawer and shuddered at the male undergarments. She closed her eyes and forced herself to riffle through them without looking. Her fingers closed around a piece of paper tucked into the far back right corner. She pulled it out and unfolded it. When she scanned it, she realized it was from someone who called himself “L” and seemed to be a friend.
Meet me next Thursday at the river walk. Ten p.m. I’ll bring the gun. Ballard will be there too.
Ballard? Who was that and what role did he play in this? She thought she heard something and thrust the paper back into the drawer. She’d barely gotten it shut and had turned toward the door when it opened and Stuart stood staring at her with a troubled scowl on his face.
“What are you doing, Belle?”
She flashed him a brilliant smile and hurried to brush a kiss across his whiskered face. “I’ve been having a lovely time deciding on the changes to our bedroom. And some other changes as well. A wife’s duty, you know.”
His scowl eased and he flushed. “Excellent, my dear, but you should have waited until I could escort you.”
She showed him her notes. “What do you think of sky blue in this room? It’s so relaxing. I suspect we’ll be spending a great deal of time here, and it’s my favorite color.”
His eyes went a little glazed. “Whatever you like, Belle. Come kiss me again.”
She danced away as he reached for her. “We’re in your bedroom and quite unchaperoned, Stuart. Let’s go down for some tea. I’ll see about one more kiss.”
TWENTY-SIX
Mr. Marshall’s office was huge with a high, coffered ceiling. Lily put her fingers to her lips as she pulled Belle inside and shut the door.
“Why did you want to come in here?” Belle glanced around her uncle’s office.
“Drew wanted to make sure he wasn’t missing anything your uncle was working on that might impact the murder plot.” She watched Belle pacing back and forth across the thick carpet. “You’re quite tense, Miss Belle.”
“You would have been tense too! I was nearly discovered in Stuart’s bedroom with the letter in my hand.”
“You found a letter?” She needed to get word to Drew. Her pulse still fluttered at his ardor last night—and her own.
“It was in his unmentionables drawer.” Belle wrinkled her nose. “He’s meeting this person and someone named Ballard too.”
Lily gasped. “Ballard? Are you sure?”
Belle sat on the stool and stared at her. “The name is familiar to you?”
Lily nodded. “He’s a neighbor from Larson. I—I’d heard he moved here to Austin.”
“Does Mr. Hawkes know him as well?”
Lily nodded. “He believes the man is responsible for the deaths of our fathers.”
“Both of them?”
“They were killed in a fire.” She bit her lip. “I must admit I’m not convinced. Drew is passionate about bringing him to justice, and I would be as well if I were sure he was guilty.”
“He seems to be involved in this messy business in some manner. We must tell Drew.”
Lily glanced away at Belle’s use of Drew’s name. And the proprietary way she’d said it.
Belle arched a brow. “What are you thinking, Lily? You want Drew for yourself, don’t you? Surely you don’t think he would settle for you.”
Belle’s words stabbed at Lily’s core. “I love him. I’ve loved him for most of my life.”
“Surely you want what’s best for him. With an infusion of money from an advantageous marriage, he could go anywhere, do anything.” Belle’s laugh tinkled out. “Passion fades, and then what do you have? Not much without money. He would resent you eventually. He’d know you kept him from his true destiny.”
“Why do you care?” Lily burst out. “You want him for yourself, don’t you?”
Belle shrugged and rose to face her. “I could bring him many advantages.”
“You don’t love him. You just like his looks and manner. You don’t really know him.”
“If you’d step out of the way, I could know him better.”
Belle’s tone was inflexible, and the determination in her eyes told Lily there would be a battle. But she wasn’t going to back away, not now that she knew how she felt about Drew. Not now that he’d kissed her with his soul unbarred.
“I’m not going to step out of the way.”
“I could discharge you.”
/> “But you won’t. We must save your uncle, and that will take all of us working together. Besides, if you put me out on the street, Drew would marry me at once.”
But would he? It might derail his investigation. Lily was suddenly unsure of how the future she envisioned would play out. She lifted her chin and stared at Belle as if showing determination would quell her misgivings.
How could Drew prefer her to this beauty before her? Belle was so lovely with her dark hair and flashing brown eyes, complemented by her lovely gowns. She had money and power to offer as well, while Lily had nothing but herself. What man with his full faculties would choose her over Belle? If Belle were a butterfly, Lily would be a moth.
“You’re very impertinent, Lily.”
“I’m sorry, Miss Belle, but you don’t understand how much Drew means to me. I won’t give him up. Not for you or anyone else.”
Belle’s chin tipped up. “Maybe I’ll take him from you, then.”
“Is that a declaration of war?” Lily smiled to try to defuse the tension. The last thing she wanted was to battle with her mistress.
Belle’s laugh was a derisive tinkling sound. “Oh, Lily, you are so funny. I’m only teasing you. You can have your precious Drew. I have many other men to choose from. And Drew has no interest in politics. I’m quite determined to be the wife of a senator or governor. Maybe I’ll even be the First Lady someday.”
“Y-You were joking?”
Belle nodded. “I wanted to see if I could rattle your devotion. It appears I can’t.” She stared at Lily. “I don’t even know what your kind of love is like. I’ve never seen it. My father was rather domineering and crushed my mother’s spirit because she loved him so much. I will never kowtow to a man like that. Love makes you vulnerable.”
“It also makes you strong, Miss Belle. Together you can do much.”
Belle moved to the desk and flipped through the papers there. “You’d have to find the right man, and how do you know when it’s the right one? I am never allowed to get to know the real man inside. Not with the chaperone sitting right there.”