hot against hers. “I’m not daft, love.”
“Do you really think I want Jack left to Nelson? What chance for fairness would he have then?” Though it was nothing more than a way to cover up her feelings, it was also true. “And what of those poor women? I’ll not stand around and do nothing while innocent women are being brutally hacked to bits.”
“Lilly…” Mason shook his head and linked his fingers with hers. “How long have we known each other?”
She sighed in frustration and inwardly cursed herself for not being a better liar. “Ten years, and that’s ten too many.”
“And I’d hope that in those ten years you’d trust me enough to speak your mind and tell me if something’s bothering you.” He cupped her cheek and kissed her forehead. “What has you looking so worried?”
“Are you saying I shouldn’t be worried with Nelson now in charge of this investigation? With holes being torn into the fabric of fate?”
“Come then. Let’s go find Jack if it’ll set your mind at ease.”
***
“ That’s your plan?” Lilly pulled away from him, as the carriage took them into London. Jack would be incensed. “We cannot go and see his family.”
“I don’t see why not. If he’s been there, he’ll have left his essence, and if not, I suspect he’ll know we’ve paid them a visit. Perhaps it’ll draw him out.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “Visiting Jack’s family will do more than draw him out, Mason. It’ll infuriate him. He’ll take it as a threat from you and the Elders.”
“As he should.” He pinned her with a stare, his hands clasping hers in a tight grip. “Lilly, the only reason any of us are here is because the Elders allow it. Forget that, and it’ll be your demise. I’d have thought that much was made clear this morning. Have you already forgotten?”
A cold shiver traveled down her spine as he spoke each word. “I’ve not forgotten, but visiting his family seems so extreme.”
“Less extreme measures have failed, my love. You wanted to go find him, and that’s what we’re doing.” He settled back in his seat, shaking his head. “I don’t understand you at times.”
“Perhaps that’s for the best.” She also sat back, but kept her distance. They rode the rest of the way in silence with her thoughts as her only companion—and a poor companion at that. When the carriage pulled to a stop, she reluctantly let Mason help her out onto the street.
“Try your best to not look like you despise me, love.” Before she could protest, he kissed her cheek and tucked her arm in the crook of his elbow.
Taking the stone steps to a large oak door, Lilly was impressed with the neighborhood and the home. She couldn’t help but wonder if Jack once lived here with his family, or if it belonged to the new husband.
When the footman answered the door, Mason gave him his calling card and cast a bit of glamour. “I’d like to speak with Mrs. Ana Chester.”
“Yes, sir. Please have a seat while I summon her.” The footman escorted them to the sitting room.
Typical of the day’s fashions, the décor was elaborate and busy. Cut crystal vases held a riot of summer flowers. The large mirror above the marble fireplace was gilded in gold, with the sofa and chairs covered in a butter yellow brocade. Pillows and figurines were present in abundance as were the paintings hung on every wall.
Mason wandered around the room, his head cocked to the side as if trying to sense something. “Do you feel it, Lilly? He’s been here.”
She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment to concentrate on the energies of the room. Mason was right, even if the energy was faint. “Visiting his wife doesn’t mean he murdered that woman, and I doubt we’ll find him hiding behind the curtains or under the bed.”
Mason let out a low laugh, but bit back his retort when the door opened and a woman in her
“Do you really think I want Jack left to Nelson? What chance for fairness would he have then?” Though it was nothing more than a way to cover up her feelings, it was also true. “And what of those poor women? I’ll not stand around and do nothing while innocent women are being brutally hacked to bits.”
“Lilly…” Mason shook his head and linked his fingers with hers. “How long have we known each other?”
She sighed in frustration and inwardly cursed herself for not being a better liar. “Ten years, and that’s ten too many.”
“And I’d hope that in those ten years you’d trust me enough to speak your mind and tell me if something’s bothering you.” He cupped her cheek and kissed her forehead. “What has you looking so worried?”
“Are you saying I shouldn’t be worried with Nelson now in charge of this investigation? With holes being torn into the fabric of fate?”
“Come then. Let’s go find Jack if it’ll set your mind at ease.”
***
“ That’s your plan?” Lilly pulled away from him, as the carriage took them into London. Jack would be incensed. “We cannot go and see his family.”
“I don’t see why not. If he’s been there, he’ll have left his essence, and if not, I suspect he’ll know we’ve paid them a visit. Perhaps it’ll draw him out.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “Visiting Jack’s family will do more than draw him out, Mason. It’ll infuriate him. He’ll take it as a threat from you and the Elders.”
“As he should.” He pinned her with a stare, his hands clasping hers in a tight grip. “Lilly, the only reason any of us are here is because the Elders allow it. Forget that, and it’ll be your demise. I’d have thought that much was made clear this morning. Have you already forgotten?”
A cold shiver traveled down her spine as he spoke each word. “I’ve not forgotten, but visiting his family seems so extreme.”
“Less extreme measures have failed, my love. You wanted to go find him, and that’s what we’re doing.” He settled back in his seat, shaking his head. “I don’t understand you at times.”
“Perhaps that’s for the best.” She also sat back, but kept her distance. They rode the rest of the way in silence with her thoughts as her only companion—and a poor companion at that. When the carriage pulled to a stop, she reluctantly let Mason help her out onto the street.
“Try your best to not look like you despise me, love.” Before she could protest, he kissed her cheek and tucked her arm in the crook of his elbow.
Taking the stone steps to a large oak door, Lilly was impressed with the neighborhood and the home. She couldn’t help but wonder if Jack once lived here with his family, or if it belonged to the new husband.
When the footman answered the door, Mason gave him his calling card and cast a bit of glamour. “I’d like to speak with Mrs. Ana Chester.”
“Yes, sir. Please have a seat while I summon her.” The footman escorted them to the sitting room.
Typical of the day’s fashions, the décor was elaborate and busy. Cut crystal vases held a riot of summer flowers. The large mirror above the marble fireplace was gilded in gold, with the sofa and chairs covered in a butter yellow brocade. Pillows and figurines were present in abundance as were the paintings hung on every wall.
Mason wandered around the room, his head cocked to the side as if trying to sense something. “Do you feel it, Lilly? He’s been here.”
She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment to concentrate on the energies of the room. Mason was right, even if the energy was faint. “Visiting his wife doesn’t mean he murdered that woman, and I doubt we’ll find him hiding behind the curtains or under the bed.”
Mason let out a low laugh, but bit back his retort when the door opened and a woman in her
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