Hidden Passion by Carole Mortimer

Author:Carole Mortimer [Mortimer, Carole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781914336164
Publisher: Carole Mortimer

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Thank you.”

Wulf glanced across to where Billy was once again slumped in the armchair across from his own in the library.

The constable had departed a few minutes ago, with the warning he would be back to question Billy after he’d had time to speak to his superiors. Wulf had suggested he also investigate the incident further before he thought of returning here to make any further false accusations.

“For what?” Wulf now prompted.

“For standing by me, whether you believe me innocent or not. For refusing to allow the constable to take me from here and lock me up.” Billy added the last with a pained wince for what all knew were the terrible conditions within English prisons.

Wulf’s position in government meant he was trying to improve those conditions, but it was proving to be a slow business.

He scowled fiercely. “I told you that I would not allow anyone to take you away from here.”

“I know.” Billy sighed. “But this witness named me as the murderer, and wearing this jacket while I did it.” He looked down at the garish garment he still wore and which Wulf had so recently teased him about. “It sounds—what’s the word?—ah yes, it sounds damning.”

Wulf snorted. “It is only the statement of one person, and we have no idea how reliable their word is.” His eyes narrowed. “I will have their name by the end of the day, and then we will be able to question them ourselves,” he assured grimly.

He had already given Miller a note to be delivered to Stonyhurst after the constable left. In it he had asked the other man to call upon him. He did not trust asking his friend to look into the situation for him to pen and paper, preferring the two men discuss the situation in person.

He had asked Stonyhurst to come here because he was reluctant to leave the house himself until after he and Billy had at least talked about their earlier intimacy.

A Billy who now chose to stare morosely into the flames of the fire rather than look at Wulf.

Because he was upset at being accused of murder?

Or because Billy regretted the intimacies that had occurred between them earlier?

Wulf felt a heaviness in his chest at the thought of it being the latter. “Billy, I am not expecting you to make good on anything we said or did together earlier,” he assured gently.

Those green eyes quickly lifted to meet his. “Does that mean you’ve changed your mind about wanting me now that I’ve been accused of being a murderer?”

Wulf didn’t hesitate to shake his head. “I believed you when you told me you were not responsible. Nor will I ever change my mind about wanting you, no matter what you are accused of,” he admitted huskily. “My hesitation now is because I do not want you to ever feel obligated into performing any—any— What are you doing?” His eyes were wide as he watched Billy stand and cross the small distance between them before

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