A Secret in Her Kiss by Randol Anna

Author:Randol, Anna [Randol, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harper Collins, Inc.
Published: 2012-01-31T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Bennett had no need to place his note in the shutter. Candlelight flickered through the slats and striped the dark alley.

Now he just had to hope that Abington was alone. Given his reputation with the female population of London, it was questionable. Bennett rattled the shutter quietly enough to be mistaken for the wind and slipped back into the darkness.

A few seconds passed and the window opened. Abington’s head poked out and he scanned the darkness. “Prestwood? Where the devil are you? No one else in this country smells of milled English soap. Well, except your cousin, but he doesn’t know where I live.”

Bennett stepped into the light.

Abington frowned. “You look like hell. Come around front. I’ll let you in.”

His room consisted of a bed with a shredded, horse-hair mattress and a splintered table with three legs.

“Annoy the owner?” Bennett asked.

“Just the opposite, his wife was a little too fond.” Abington shrugged. “I’m not here enough to mind and I don’t have to worry about anyone bothering the room while I’m gone.” He retrieved a flask from a rucksack in the corner and offered it to Bennett. “Brandy?”

Bennett refused.

“Care to talk about it?” Abington asked.

“No.”

Abington sat on the edge of the bed. “Well then, what brings you to my windowsill?”

Bennett outlined the attempted robbery at the inn.

Abington swore. “Then the man following her the other day did know about her work for us. You cannot let her continue.”

Bennett wasn’t going to repeat this argument. Not tonight, when his emotions lingered one step from total chaos. “I need you to find out who sent the thief. I have no reason to demand to see him, but you, I think, could arrange it.”

Abington sipped from the flask. “I appreciate your confidence in my skills.”

“It’s not confidence in your skills. It’s certainty in your ability to be underhanded.”

Abington doffed an imaginary cap. “My only natural talent. I’ll see what I can find out.”

Bennett leaned against the wall to disguise his residual shakiness. He should have taken some of Abington’s brandy. “What do you know of Selim?”

“Mari’s butler?”

Bennett nodded.

“He’s been with the family for about ten years. Mari trusts him. Why?”

“Did you know her father had him thrown in prison a few months ago?”

Abington leaned back. “I’d heard.”

“It gives him reason to hate the family.”

“Mari was the one who freed him.” Abington tapped his chin. “Still, I can see how it could provide motivation. I wouldn’t peg him as the mastermind type, however, and he’d have no need to have her followed.”

That fit with Bennett’s assessment, but the butler was too obvious a suspect to dismiss. “He might have had knowledge of our location in Midia the other night, and he seems bright enough to have suspicions about Mari’s activities.”

“You think he’s an informant?”

“Perhaps. I intend to look into it.” Bennett paused. “Did you know Mari wanted to quit after Chorlu?”

Abington lowered his flask. “No. I tried to convince her to stop, but she refused.”

Bennett glared at him even though he knew the man was not at fault for Mari’s reasoning.

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