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"Who to, m’lady?"

"Inspector Fellows," she answered "At Scotland Yard, in London"

Chapter Seventeen

Being alone no longer soothed hie, his bootsstreae with nothing but the wind, sky, and water would have seemed like perfection to him Today he felt drained and empty

He wasn’t strictly alone Old Geordie fished on a rock not far fro froo, Geordie had been a stable hand for lan’s father, but he’d retired and lived a reclusive existence up on the e was tiny and run-down, Geordie too unsocial even to hire so after lan’s release from the asylum, he’d stumbled upon Geordie’s retreat Back then, Ian had been volatile and restless, easily unnerved by the scrutiny of his family and servants He’d slipped away and wandered the wilds alone, ending up thirsty and footsore on the doorstep of a gray stone cottage Geordie had silently opened the door, eased lan’s thirst ater and whiskey, and let him stay

Geordie, the taciturn ht the boy Ian to fish, had not asked any questions Ian had helped Geordie repair a part of the roof that had peeled off, and Geordie had fed hiiven him a corner to sleep in Ian had stayed until he felt more able to cope with the world, then returned home

It had become habit for Ian to come up here when events became too much for him He’d help Geordie hat repairs needed to be done, and Geordie would co He’d stripped off his shirt and gone to work plastering the inside of Geordie’s cottage to keep the wind out during the co winter Geordie, too feeble now to do , as usual

After Ian had finished, he and Geordie shouldered fishing poles and silently e

Beth would like it there

The thought struck Ian from nowhere, but it was true She’d like the rush of the strea the rocks, the sweet smell of the air She’d smile and say she understood why Ian came here, and then she’d likely lanced at Geordie The oldpole negligently in one hand, and had the inevitable pipe stuck between his teeth "I’e He removed the pipe, said, "Oh, aye?" and shoved it back into his mouth "Aye" Ian fished in silence a runted He returned his attention to his line, the conversation finished Ian could tell that Geordie was interested, however He’d actually spoken

Ian fished awhile longer, but he found that the sounds of the gorge and the cal his scene with Beth, which had ended in his muddle with the pistols He’d bedded her into sweet oblivion after that, but woke still troubled

She knew the stains on his soul, the darkness in his eyes Ian reazed at hiht he’d ain Everything had changed Dahland su herself for supper, though if she were sensible, she’d take it alone in her cha table could ruin an appetite

Ian pictured her sitting at her dressing table, brushing her long, sleek hair He loved the satiny slide of it, like warainst hi his Suh the , and he’d breathe in its scent and hers Ian drew in his fishing line "I’ll be off home, then" Geordie’s head barely moved in a nod "Goin’ back t’ the rin, gathered up his gear, and strode off down the gorge

"He’s here," Katie whispered "In the drawing room" Beth rose, peered into the mirror, smoothed a strand of hair, and left her bedroo anywhere near the man" Katie plopped down on the one chair in Beth’s bedroorave Square house "I’ll wait"

Beth hastened out, her hands pressed to her skirts to keep theht, Beth having firton’s servants that she wanted to be able to see when she went up and down the stairs The old butler had chuckled, then wheezed, but saw that it was done

Inspector Fellows turned when she entered the drawing rooht of how she’d first itation and amazement as Fellows had told her all about Ian Mackenzie She determined to conduct this intervieith a little more composure Fellows looked much the same as he had in their first encounter His suit was made of cheap dark material but well-kept, his thick hair brushed back froarded Beth with an intensity coal," Beth said crisply, pulling the doors shut "So I ae to me, but you can address me as ‘your ladyship,’ if you wish"