She’d received word from Creed that he wished to meet and could only assume he’d heard about the stabbing. Otherwise, it was unusual for him to reach out to her more than once a week. But, of course, there were other matters to discuss, like her engagement party and the success of it.
And she also wanted to tell him that he’d been right when he’d suggested she agree to Morgan’s marriage proposal. Mena couldn’t see herself with anyone else. She was in love and it had only been days. Morgan had been determined to have her once he’d known who she was, and it seemed he’d succeeded. Yet while she still had her concerns as to what he would do about her connection to Creed, she put that worry aside, certain Morgan would see to her happiness and understand that Creed was a part of that happiness.
And so, she was going to go see her uncle. However, she’d known when his message arrived that she couldn’t take anyone with her. Therefore, she’d had to lie to Ralph, claiming she would take a nap. The moment she’d heard his own door close down the hall, she’d slipped from her room and run from the house.
Creed’s escort, who looked capable of breaking most men in half, only slightly reassured her that she’d made the right decision. She was still protected, which was what Morgan wanted and while she felt terrible about lying, there was no other way if she wished to arrange her dinner party.
The man who occupied the bench across from her own said nothing, simply stared, and Mena sighed before placing her blindfold around her eyes.
The time seemed to pass quickly. Mena was moved from one carriage to another before they finally arrived at Creed’s.
She took off her blindfold when she stepped outside and rushed into the house once the door was opened.
Creed was in the sitting room just as he usually was, and his expression was grim. They hugged, and she found herself clinging to him longer than usual before he sat her down. He held her hand as they did. “I heard what happened. Are you all right?” He lifted a hand and summoned a maid to go and get tea.
There were moments in the day where she could pretend that she’d not seen her driver die, but the truth always came out when she was forced to talk about it. George’s funeral was set for later that day and Mena planned to attend.
“I’m all right.” She turned and watched the maid bring in tea. She reached for it, pouring Creed’s before taking her own. “It was a tragedy, but I’m very glad to see you, Uncle.”
Creed’s gray eyes went blank before he smiled again. “I’m glad to see you as well. Now, let’s talk about better news. Tell me about the engagement party.”
Mena told her uncle everything there was to know and was surprised at the flash of anger when she mentioned that Wardington would be walking her down the aisle. She leaned away.
He waved it off, and the heat slowly seeped from his eyes. “Don’t mind me, Mena. I’m only upset that I won’t have the honor to do it myself.”
Mena softened and smiled. “You’ll be with me in spirit.”
He smiled brightly, paused, and confessed, “In this dark hole that I’m to hide, you are light that casts away the shadows, my dear.”
Mena blinked back her tears and sipped her tea before resting it on her lap. “That’s a lovely thing to say.”
He cupped her shoulder lightly and took his armchair to stand. “I should be walking you myself, Mena.” His back was to her before he turned. “And I might have found a way to do it.”
Her eyes widened. “Is this the thing you mentioned on my last visit?”
He nodded and said, “Yes, and it was confirmed today that you have been invited to take tea with Princess Victoria next week.”
Mena stilled and felt her heart stop before it started again. She’d seen the princess before at one social gathering at Wardington’s residence, but she’d never spoken to the woman herself and to take tea… It was an honor. “I’m to have tea with the future queen?”
Creed frowned. “She’s only the princess.”
“But one day she will be queen.” When Mena’s smile was not returned, she let it fall away and took another sip of her tea. Her uncle was like that whenever the princess was mentioned.
“But let us not speak of George as though he is dead,” Creed said.
“Of course.” Mena sipped her tea again.
Creed smiled. “You’ve met royalty before. Prince George of Cumberland adored you. Now, if you impress the princess, you can express my innocence to her and perhaps get the rags to stop printing about me.”
Mena thought that a wonderful idea and smiled. “I will do my best.”
“I know you will.”
Heavy feet rushing down the hall made Mena turn just as a lean young man came into the room.
“We know what he looks like,” the young man said, holding out a sheet of paper.
Creed’s expression changed in a blink. The gentleman from before was gone, as he always seemed to do whenever he was conducting business. Creed took the paper and unrolled it. “This is the man in charge of all the stabbings?”
The young man nodded.
Mena gasped.
Creed looked at her then looked quickly away, color tinting his cheeks. “I’m sorry, my dear. In my excitement, I completely forgot you were in the room. We’ve been hunting this man down for months. If I find him then perhaps I’ll be able to change what is said about my name.”
Mena nodded in understanding. She knew how long the rags had been saying horrible things about him. She couldn’t imagine a life of hiding. If there was a way she could help, she would. “You know who’s behind it?”
Creed nodded and walked back over to her as the other man left. He sat down and sighed. “Apparently, his name is Miles Miash. This is what he looks like.” He handed the paper to Mena.
Mena put her tea down and unraveled the drawing. The painting of a man stared back at her, a face so clear and well defined that she’d not forget it. He had a square chin and bright blue eyes. He seemed too young to be in charge of anything. His hair was a soft blond, but that was the only thing soft about him. She could only see his face, but she thought him handsome.
A handsome criminal.
Miles Miash.
“If I see him, I will tell you,” she said as she handed the paper back.
Creed nodded. “Don’t let the man get to close to you, though. I was told he’s deadly with a knife.”
Images of stabbings flickered before her eyes. Silas stabbing Morgan. The stranger who killed George.
She would heed her uncle’s warnings and if it came to it, she would try to defend herself.
The clock announced the new hour and Creed helped her to her feet. “You’ve been here long enough. I’ll see you next week after your visit with the princess.”
Mena kissed his cheek and left.
When she returned home, she thought the house strangely quiet, though she didn’t know why.
She was surprised when she saw Morgan emerge from the top of the stairs and quickly make his way in her direction. She’d been ready to smile, but the look in his eyes made her back away until her back hit the door.
He was angry.
No, furious.
He grabbed her arms in a commanding grip and asked, “Where have you been?” The fury in his brown eyes was startling.