Sarah did exactly as Lord Thorndyke asked, taking a hackney instead of her carriage to his home and making sure to wear a bonnet that hid most of her features. The locket, too, was safely in her pocket. Mrs. Avis came with her, of course, but she was as unsure as to why they had been summoned to Lord Thorndyke’s home as Sarah was.

Sarah, who had now had two days with which to calm her heart and mind, looked out of the window for a moment, feeling suddenly nervous about seeing Lord Thorndyke again. He had given her some time to think, to take everything in, and she now felt a good deal better than when he had left her. The news that she had no parents to speak of still hurt her more than she could say, but she was glad to know that her brother still lived. She hoped desperately that, one day soon, she might be reunited with him.

“I should tell you that I am engaged to Lord Thorndyke,” Sarah said slowly, as the hackney made its way through the streets of London. “It is quite soon and very unexpected, but I think it for the best.”

Mrs. Avis nodded, her eyes darting to outside the hackney window, but not before Sarah had caught a small smile on her companion’s face, which appeared to now be awash with relief. Was Mrs. Avis glad that Sarah was to marry Lord Thorndyke then? She had never given her opinion, which was just as Sarah should expect from her companion, but now it seemed that Mrs. Avis was glad to know that her charge would soon become wife to Lord Thorndyke.

Perhaps she is glad that she will not have to remain in London and can instead return to her little country home, Sarah thought, as the hackney pulled up outside Lord Thorndyke’s townhouse. I shall have to make sure to pay her well for all that she has endured with me. I am sure I have not been what she expected.

“I am very glad for you, Sarah,” Mrs. Avis murmured, as they climbed the steps to Lord Thorndyke’s front door. “I think Lord Thorndyke will make you an excellent husband and will certainly be able to keep you safe from Lord Andrew.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Avis,” Sarah replied softly, her mind suddenly filled with thoughts of the man who was to be her husband. “I do hope that this has not been too difficult a placement for you. I know I am not what most companions expect.”

Mrs. Avis gave Sarah a broad smile, setting her mind at rest. “No, indeed, Sarah, you have not been. However, I have found my time with you to be most enjoyable. I will be sad to be parted with you.”

Sarah noticed the sadness creeping into Mrs. Avis’s expression but was not able to comment on it or ask her more before the butler opened the door and ushered them in at once, even before she had the chance to knock.

“The drawing room, Miss Weston,” the butler murmured quietly. “I think Lord Thorndyke said you would be leaving within a few minutes.”

Her hands stilled on her bonnet ribbons. “I see,” she said, fastening them again. “Very well. Thank you.”

Much to Sarah’s surprise, her stomach was flooded with butterflies as she walked towards the drawing room, her heart suddenly lifting with anticipation over something so simple as seeing Lord Thorndyke again. It was quite inexplicable, and even more so when she felt her cheeks burn with a blush as he bent over her hand and pressed his lips to it.

“Thank you for coming so quickly, Miss Weston,” he murmured, still keeping a hold of her hand as he looked up at her from under his dark brows. “I am sorry to rush you, but this is an urgent matter.”

Sarah swallowed hard and tried to smile, still feeling her heart thundering in her chest. “Thank you, Lord Thorndyke.”

“You know Lord Higgs,” he said, finally letting his hand drop hers. “He thinks he knows where your locket came from.”

Astonishment rippled through her, as Lord Higgs bowed and grinned at her surprised response.

“The pawn merchant in London—Smithson, and Sons, I think it is called—they had this locket last year.”

Behind her, Sarah heard Mrs. Avis gasp and felt her own breath hitch.

“I thought we should go together,” Lord Thorndyke said, smiling into Sarah’s eyes. “Perhaps we will be able to discover the truth about who put the locket under your pillow back in Little Mybster.”

“Oh, I do hope so,” Sarah said, suddenly filled with a wild hope as her fingers clung to Lord Thorndyke’s arm. “Shall we go now? This very moment?”

“This very moment,” Lord Thorndyke chuckled, walking her towards the door. “I did not think you would want to wait.”

“Ah, yes.”

Sarah’s fingers dug into Lord Thorndyke’s arm all the more as the pawn merchant looked over her locket carefully.

“Do you know this piece then?” Lord Thorndyke asked, patting Sarah’s hand surreptitiously in a gesture of support.

“I do,” he said slowly, his small narrow eyes jumping from Lord Thorndyke to Lord Higgs and then to Sarah. “Does it belong to one of you three?”

“If you are suggesting that one of us stole this item, then you are much mistaken,” Lord Higgs said at once, a deep frown settling between his brows. “This piece was given to the lady here by a mysterious benefactor, and we wish to find out all we can about it.”

Sarah’s mouth fell open. “It was stolen?”

The pawn merchant nodded, his tense stance relaxing a little. “Last summer. Someone managed to break the lock and came in during the early hours of the morning when the rest of the world was asleep. This was all that was taken.”

Astonished, Sarah’s eyes lingered on the locket in the pawn merchant’s hand. “But why?”

“I could not say,” the man replied with a shrug. “But I can tell you who gave it to me in the first place, if you would like to know.” He raised one eyebrow and directed his gaze towards Lord Thorndyke. “Although I would like it to be worth my time.”

Lord Thorndyke chuckled and pulled out a few coins from his pocket. “Very well.”

“Thank you kindly.” The man picked up the coins and placed them into his pocket before returning his attention to Lord Thorndyke. “Do excuse me for a few minutes. I will need to check my books.”

Sarah let out a long breath as the pawn merchant turned into a small doorway, hearing him mutter to himself.

“Do you think we will find out who it is?” she asked, looking up at Lord Thorndyke and seeing his gentle smile. “You do?”

“I hope so, for your sake,” he replied quietly. “If it will bring this part of the puzzle to an end, then I would be glad to know. Although the person who then put it under your pillow may be someone altogether different.”

Her hope faded for a moment, her smile faltering. “Yes, I suppose so.”

Lord Thorndyke pressed her hand with his, tugging her a little closer so that she could not help but return her gaze to his.

“Have courage, my dear,” he said so quietly that she had to strain to listen. “You are not alone in this anymore. You know that I will help you in whatever way I can.”

A surge of gratefulness shot through her. “Thank you,” she murmured, feeling a ripple of heat climb up her spine. “You are very good to me. I am blessed to have you by my side, steadfast and sure in all this.”

She could not look away, seeing his eyes darkening just a little as he looked back at her. Her mouth went dry, as his breath fluttered across her cheek, the rest of the world fading away.

A sudden crash made her jump, startled. Lord Higgs was standing by a smashed mirror, looking hugely embarrassed.

“I did not see it,” he muttered, as the pawn merchant came hurrying out of the back. “I am terribly sorry.”

“Careful now, Miss Weston,” Lord Thorndyke chuckled, taking her towards Mrs. Avis. “It appears Lord Higgs has held up proceedings once again.”

Sarah could not help but smile as Lord Higgs attempted to soothe the upset merchant, promising to pay whatever he wished for the mirror.

“Perhaps we might take a short stroll,” Lord Thorndyke said, looking over at Lord Higgs. “To give you a few minutes to clear all this up.”

Lord Higgs nodded, his face crimson, and Sarah hid her smile as Lord Thorndyke took her arm.

“Will you join us, Mrs. Avis?” Lord Thorndyke asked quietly, as they walked to the door. “Miss Weston has a decent bonnet on that should hide her from Lord Andrew, should he happen to be in town.”

Sarah’s stomach tightened with a sudden fear. “Do you think he will be?”

Lord Thorndyke looked a little uneasy as they stepped outside. “He may very well be, Miss Weston. It is the afternoon, and many of the ton like to be seen out at the shops or in the park. It is a shame that the pawn merchant is right in the heart of London, but there it is.” He looked down at her, his expression one of consideration. “Might you wish to return inside? I am sure we will be quite safe, but if you are uncomfortable then–”

Sarah shook her head. “I think a stroll will suit me. I trust you.”

Her simple words brought a broad smile to his face, his eyes lit with genuine warmth.

“Thank you for that trust,” he said, offering her his arm. “Shall we?”

Mrs. Avis smiled and shooed her away. “I will walk just behind you,” she said, with a knowing look. “I will alert you if I should see anything untoward.”

Sarah, beginning to walk alongside Lord Thorndyke, felt her heart suddenly fill with light and hope. This was how her life was to be now. She would always have Lord Thorndyke by her side. Her future as a married woman, which had seemed so heavy and oppressive only two days prior, now seemed to be a bright and hopeful future.

“I wrote to your brother this morning,” Lord Thorndyke murmured, as they dodged the other passersby. “I am sure we shall receive his return reply within a few days.”

Sarah looked up at him, suddenly excited. “Shall I get to meet him?”

“Soon enough,” Lord Thorndyke replied with a warm smile. “I know you are very keen to meet your brother, but we must continue to take things slowly, using great care and deliberation.” He smiled at her, and Sarah felt herself smile back without hesitation. “We shall marry first and then go to seek your brother out. The only reason we must remain in London is so that I can speak to the archbishop in order to secure a special license.”

“It seems you have everything in hand, Lord Thorndyke,” Sarah murmured, as they rounded a corner. “Thank you.”

He glanced down at her, made to speak, only to freeze in place. Without warning, he grasped Sarah’s arm with both hands and tugged her into a shadowy corner, away from the rest of the crowd.

Then, he stood directly in front of her, shielding her body with his as he fixed his gaze on her. Sarah could not breathe for a moment, fear stealing the air from her lungs as she looked up at him.

“Lord Andrew,” he whispered, his words barely audible. “Have no fear. Just keep looking at me.”

“Mrs. Avis,” Sarah whispered frantically.

“She will have hidden herself or returned to the shop,” he replied firmly. “Look at me, Sarah. Think of nothing else but me.”

Sarah focused all of her attention on Lord Thorndyke, taking in the steadiness in his brown eyes and allowing it to permeate her soul. All she could hear was the roaring in her ears, her heartbeat so fast that her breathing became ragged.

“What are you doing here?”

A harsh, angry voice flooded the alley, making her tense.

“Look at me,” Lord Thorndyke whispered, his hands now resting on her shoulders. “He is not speaking to you, trust me. Do not look past me; do not pull away. Just look at me, Sarah. Trust me.”

Drawing in a deep breath, Sarah continued to hold his gaze, her legs beginning to tremble.

“How dare you try to leave me!” she heard Lord Andrew shout, her skin crawling with fear. “I have been all over London looking for you.”

There was the sound of a slap, then a pleading voice begging for Lord Andrew to let go, only for there to come a blissful, calming silence.

“It is over,” Lord Thorndyke whispered, still remaining exactly where he was. “I think he is gone.”

Sarah swallowed hard, closing her eyes and resting her head back against the wall of the alleyway.

“Look over my shoulder,” Lord Thorndyke whispered, his hands running down her arms. “Can you see him?”

Standing on tiptoe, Sarah let her eyes peek over Lord Thorndyke’s broad shoulder, only to see that, apart from a stray cat, there was no one else about. Heaving a huge sigh of relief, she dropped to her heels and nodded.

“He is gone,” she whispered, realizing that she had no idea what Lord Andrew looked like. “Are you sure it was him?”

Lord Thorndyke nodded, his features grim. “Yes, it was him, no doubt about it.” He shook his head. “We should have remained in the shop.”

Seeing the regret and the guilt in his face, Sarah tentatively put one hand on Lord Thorndyke’s chest. His head sprang up at once, his eyes fixing on hers.

“It was not your fault,” she murmured quietly, feeling her fear slowly fading away and being replaced with an altogether different sensation. “It was not something you could have foreseen.”

He swallowed but said nothing, his body still close to hers. Sarah felt her very heart begin to tremble, as she let her hand slide around his neck, her whole body bursting into flame. This was not something she had ever experienced before, her eyes drawn to Lord Thorndyke’s gaze. She could not look away, seeing the intensity there that drew her into him.

“We should return to Lord Higgs,” he breathed, one finger gently running down the length of her cheek and curving around her chin. “He will be waiting for us.”

Unable to speak, Sarah remained exactly as she was, feeling as though her skin was being seared by his touch, as though she were being branded by Lord Thorndyke’s presence.

“Sarah,” he whispered, his head beginning to lower. “I–”

She did not know what he meant to say, seeing him stumble to a halt as his eyes flitted to her mouth. She realized that she wanted this; she wanted him to kiss her. She wanted to know what it felt like to be held in a tender embrace, to have a gentleman show his affection in such an intimate way.

When his lips touched hers, it was nothing like Sarah had expected. Her breath left her entirely, her hands making their own way around his neck as he settled his own hands around her waist. She melded to him, tipping her head up towards him.

It was gentle and sweet, and yet it sent fire into her veins. Her heart filled with some unspoken emotion as the sounds of the carriages from around the corner began to fade away. There was only Lord Thorndyke.

When he broke the kiss, Sarah felt it such a sweet agony that she wanted to cry; she wanted to hold onto him and remain exactly where they were. She did not want to return to the shop; she did not want to find out about the locket. For a few moments, she was filled with nothing but a desire for Lord Thorndyke and his kiss.

“Miss Weston,” Lord Thorndyke said quietly, stepping back as she let her hands fall from his neck. “I-I apologize. That was inappropriate.”

She stared at him, feeling as though she had been slapped hard across the face.

“Not that I mean I did not wish to do so,” he continued hastily, evidently seeing her horror-struck expression. “It is just that perhaps now is not the most appropriate time.”

That brought a smidgen of relief to Sarah’s tumultuous thoughts, even more so when he took her hand and brought it to his lips.

“I do not want to ever take advantage of you,” he said softly, his eyes telling her more than he could ever say. “I will confess that I find your nearness to be somewhat overwhelming. I do believe that, in time, we will have an affection in our marriage together.”

That made Sarah smile, her eyes looking up into his, as he looped her hand under his own. “I think so, too, Lord Thorndyke,” she replied quietly. “And perhaps, now that we have shared such an intimacy, you might think of calling me by my Christian name when we are in private.”

“It is an offer I cannot refuse,” he smiled, his fingers resting on her own. “Thank you, Sarah.”