Waiting For You (23 page)

“Oh, how lovely.
I’m certain you had many clients from Los Angeles.”

“Yes, I did, in fact.”

She nibbled on a roll. “Have you ever been married?”

Her question was spoken so softly he wasn’t sure he heard right, but when her cheeks turned a dark pink he knew he had.
“No, Abby.
I wasn’t looking for a wife and family. I worked hard at getting my career off the ground and didn’t have time to date…
er
, I mean, to court women.”

She laughed. “You may say ‘date,’ Nick. It’s a more modern word than courting. I prefer not to use ‘courting’ because it sounds so old-fashioned. Don’t you agree?”

He laughed. If she only knew how old-fashioned all of this was to him. “I never know what to say around you anymore.”

“Just be yourself.”

He nodded.
“If you wish.”

Abby took a bite of her mashed potatoes. “Tell me about your mother, Nick. I’m quite certain she’d be very proud of you.”

He stopped with his fork halfway to his mouth, wondering how much he should tell her about his mother. He guessed Abby would understand, since her grandmother was a little like his mother. “My father divorced my mother when I was young and took me to live with him. I missed out on a lot of things as a child. It wasn’t until just recently that I grew close to her.”

Sadness filled Abby’s eyes. She set her fork down and reached out to grab Nick’s hand. He squeezed her fingers softly.

“Nick, I’m amazed how much we have in common.” She shook her head. “I still don’t understand why you know some of the things you do, but I’m starting to think you were indeed sent here to comfort me during this time.”

He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles, noticing that her gaze dropped to his lips. “Honey, you can bet I’ll take on that responsibility the best I can.” He lowered his voice. “In fact, if you’ll allow me, I’d like to start tonight.”

She swallowed hard and nodded.

Chapter 21

Nick sprang out of bed the next morning and hurried to dress, knowing that not one moment could be wasted. He must find Abby’s killer today! Time slipped by too fast, and he couldn’t bear the thought of her life being taken away from him again.

Since he’d arrived in 1912, he wondered if he’d changed anything about her upcoming death. If he had changed the course of time and she wasn’t murdered in her father’s office, would the killer still seek her out until he or she accomplished the deed?
Probably.
Greed was the key element here, and Nick guessed the killer would stop at nothing.

He loved Abby with all of his heart, and she was slowly—but surely—falling in love with him. Last night after supper, she had allowed him to take her in his arms and kiss her passionately. Her soft sighs and moans nearly drove him mad with wanting much more. She must have known when he was close to the breaking point because she was the one who stopped their fiery and very intimate moment and bid him goodnight, leaving to retire to her room.

No matter what, he needed to make things right. He
must
stop her from being killed. He wanted to marry her, have kids with her, and be the happiest man on earth.

Nick rushed downstairs to the kitchen and saw two servants preparing breakfast. Lily stood chatting with them, but when she saw Nick, she closed her mouth. He had a sneaking suspicion they were talking about him.

He smiled at the maid. “Good morning.”

“Good morning, Mr. Marshal. Is there something I can do for you?” Lily asked.

“Just breakfast.”
He motioned toward the two ladies at the stove. “I have an early day at the newspaper.”

Lily nodded. “It’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

“Thank you.” He turned to leave, then changed his mind and stopped. “Actually, there is something else you can do for me, Lily.”

“What’s that, sir?”

“Would you permit me a few minutes to talk to you? In private, if we could?”

She glanced at the other two servants before giving Nick a nod.
“As you wish.”

Nick led the way into the dining area and then motioned for her to sit. When she did, he took the chair next to her. The older woman sat straight with her hands folded in her lap. Her silver-streaked brown hair was wound in a bun, and she wore the same brown uniform the other servants did, with a different-colored apron. Her gaze bore into Nick, and he suspected she thought the same thing Harry did—that Nick was only after Abby’s money. It looked like he’d have to set her mind at ease, too.

“Has Abby—Miss Carlisle—told you anything about me?”

Lily nodded. “She mentioned you were a friend of her grandmother’s.”

“I am, but I sense you don’t approve.”

The older woman lifted her chin higher. “My opinion has nothing to do with it, Mr. Marshal.”

“But it matters to me. Miss Carlisle thinks highly of you, Lily.”

A pink hue colored the woman’s cheeks. “That’s good to know. I’ve been working for her father for many years now. She’s like a daughter to me.”

“And she thinks of you like a mother.”

Tears pricked Lily’s eyes as she stared at Nick.

“May I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

“Is Lily a shortened version of your Christian name?” Her eyes widened, so he continued. “Is your real
name
Lillian Burnett?”

“Yes, of course.”

His heartbeat quickened. This was the woman who tried to get the Carlisle money after Abby had died—the very woman who claimed to be Edward’s mistress for ten years. She was obviously money hungry or she wouldn’t have said what she did in the newspaper.

“I thought so.” Nick smiled. “Such a pretty name, if I might say.”

Lily’s cheeks darkened again. “Thank you.”

He leaned forward on the table, resting his forearms on the top. “Lily, I want to let you know…” Nick hesitated, wondering how to say it. “I know about you and Edward.”

She hitched a breath, and panic showed in her eyes. “I—I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He lowered his voice. “I know about the affair.”

She forced a laugh and rolled her eyes. “There is no affair, Mr. Marshal.”

“But there was at one time, correct?”

“What does it matter? He’s gone now.” Lily’s voice broke.

“May I ask how long you had loved him?”

Silence stretched between them, and the clanking of dishes echoed from the back kitchen. Lily’s lips quivered slightly. “Since Abigail’s mother died.”

Nick knew Abigail was five when her mother passed away. Yet, Lily has only worked for the family for the past ten years. Why didn’t this make sense?

“Edward turned to me for comfort in his mourning and grief, and I allowed it.” She bit her lip. “After a few months, Edward broke it off. Several years later, I needed a job, and he gave me one working here.”

“I’m assuming you were still in love with him when he died?”

Lily nodded. “Edward was the only man I’ve ever loved.”

“What about your first husband?”

Her brows drew together. “What first husband? I’ve never been married.”

Very interesting.
Lily had an illegitimate daughter. Women like Lily were shunned in 1912 society, from what he understood. Was this the reason Edward didn’t want anything to do with her?

“Mr. Marshal, I really don’t know what this has to do with anything.”

“Yes, you’re right of course. I just wanted to let you know that you don’t have anything to fear from me. I’m here to protect Abigail.”

“Protect her from what, may I ask?”

“From anything—and everything.
Do you know much about her grandmother?”

“Why of course.”

“Well, Abigail’s grandmother told her granddaughter about me on her eighteenth birthday. She had a dream that a man would come into Abigail’s life and protect her.”

Lily’s eyes widened. “How do you know you’re this man?”

He grinned.
“Because my mother made the same kind of prediction about my future.”

Lily gasped.

“When Abigail and I first met, we felt the connection between us, like sparks of fire igniting our minds and souls.” Nick shook his head. “Lily, please believe I’m here to help her. I’m not here to cause harm. I care very deeply for her.”

“Mr. Westland warned Abigail that there would be men who would lie to her just to get her inheritance.”

“Yes, I know. I had a talk with Harry yesterday and he’s now on my side. He’ll help me protect her.”

Lily narrowed her gaze, her lips thin and pulled tight. “I still don’t understand why you think she needs protection. Is she in danger?”

“Perhaps,” Nick replied. “She has an uncle who I think will stop at nothing to get what he feels is rightfully his. He visited her yesterday at the office and threatened her.”

Lily’s face whitened and she lifted a shaky hand to her mouth. “No.”

“Yes. I was there and kicked him out. Abigail does need protecting, I assure you.”

Lily stood and paced the floor. “He wouldn’t stoop to that level, would he?”

“I don’t know the man, so I couldn’t tell you,” Nick said. “Do you think he’s capable of harming Abigail for her inheritance?”

Lily shook her head. “Alexander never had a mean bone in his body, at least during the time I knew him.”

“When was that?”

“Before he and Edward parted ways several years ago.”

“Maybe he’s changed in the past few years.”

Lily nodded. “That is possible.”

“What do you know of Anthony, Alexander’s son?”

Lily’s face lost color, and her gaze darted around the room. “I—I don’t know anything,” she mumbled.

Nick knew she was lying. He stood and walked toward her. “What do you know about Cassandra Brown?”

Lily inhaled sharply, but this time she met his stare. “Sir, I need to return to my duties. Please excuse me.”

Nick leaned against the table and watched her leave. Obviously, she knew more about Anthony and Cassandra than she was willing to share.

* * * *

Nick didn’t get to say goodbye to Abby before he left for work. He wished he could have kissed her this morning—or anytime, for that matter.

Today he worked in the main printing room. Many large machines were in action, making it almost impossible to hear, so trying to talk to the other employees was utterly impossible. Then again, what would he achieve by asking to the staff questions? They were all devoted to Edward, and they probably didn’t know much about Alexander and his family.

Nick desperately needed information. He finally decided that perhaps Abby’s grandmother could help. When he met her tonight, he’d have many questions for her. He wanted to enlist the older woman’s help in protecting Abby, but he didn’t want to let Abby know her life was in danger. Therefore, he would have to talk to Abby’s grandmother while Abby wasn’t there.

Nick wiped his sleeve across his sweaty brow and wished air conditioners had existed in 1912. From the corner of the room, a movement drew his attention. A young man darted behind one of the machines that
wasn’t
in use. Nick motioned to one of the other men running the machine that he needed to take a break. The man nodded and communicated to the others the same way. Nick walked toward the spot where he’d seen the intruder. Just as he neared, the person dashed away. Nick chased after him, darting around machines and through doorways until the young man led him outside and onto the grass. Reaching out, Nick grabbed the guy’s collar, stopping him.

When big brown eyes met his, Nick knew he’d come face to face with another one of his suspects.

“Let me go.”

Anthony squirmed and tried to peel Nick’s fingers off his shirt.

“What were you doing in the building?” Nick demanded.

“It’s none of your business!”

Nick gave him a
hard
shake. “Oh, it is, believe me.”

“Let me go or I’ll call for the police.”

“Go right ahead.” Nick grinned. “I could get you arrested for trespassing.”

Anthony’s eyes widened. “No you can’t.”

“Watch me. I’m quite certain that with Miss Carlisle’s backing, we could get you locked behind bars.”

“She wouldn’t do that.” Anthony snickered. “My
dear cousin
is too weak minded. She has never thought for herself as long as I’ve known her.”

Nick tightened his hold on the young man, whose face went red. “Actually, it’s you who are weak minded,” Nick said, giving him one more shake before relaxing his hold. “I’m warning you right now that if you show your face around here again, I will call the police. I
will
have you arrested. And if you doubt me, then try it and see if I won’t do it.”

Anthony stumbled back then righted himself. He adjusted his wrinkled jacket and glared at Nick.

“I’m not afraid of you. Soon this newspaper is going to be my father’s, just as it should have been before Edward died. And there’s nothing you or Abigail can do about it. We have the law on our side.”

Nick raised his eyebrows. “So your father tells you, but I can assure you, he doesn’t have a leg to stand on. I’m a lawyer, and I will tell you now that if your father even tries to get his hands on the Carlisle fortune, he’ll be wasting what little money he has on court fees, because I’ll make certain Abby fights your father every step of the way.”

From up the sidewalk, the clicking sound of a woman’s narrow-heeled shoes grew closer. Nick glanced over Anthony’s shoulder and saw Abby coming their way. From her expression, Nick could tell she was surprised and upset to see Anthony.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded of her cousin. “Are you trying to persuade me to give into your father’s wishes?”

Anthony glared at her. “If you were smart, you’d do what my father asks.”

“And if you were smart, you’d stay far away from here.” Abby folded her arms across her chest and lifted her chin. “Go home and tell your father I will not bend.”

Nick grinned at Abby.

“You’ll be sorry,” Anthony spat before running away from them, then down the street as fast as his lanky legs would carry him.

Abby turned to Nick and smiled. “Thank you for taking care of my cousin.”

“It looked like you were the one to chase him away, not me.”

“He’s so bothersome, just like his father.”

Nick stepped closer. “Is it proper to take you in my arms and kiss you right now?”

A blush spread across her cheeks.
“Perhaps not now.
Nobody knows about us yet.”

He nodded. “Then I’ll not shock anyone by devouring your lips in public.”

“I missed you this morning.”

“I missed you, as well. I hoped you would be up when I was eating breakfast, but I didn’t dare ask Lily to wake you.”