Asher's Dilemma by Coleen Kwan

the street?”
    “I came by your lodgings yesterday evening, but your landlady is something of a dragon.” He gestured towards her again. “Please come with me, Minerva. I will explain everything.”
    He seemed so stirred up she couldn’t find it in her to refuse him. Cursing her weakness, she climbed into the carriage beside him. At least she was out of the wind for a while. As the carriage moved on, he drew down the blinds so no passers-by could see them, and the dimness made the cramped interior even more intimate.
    Minerva gulped, suddenly reminded of another carriage they’d shared not long ago when they’d been in hot pursuit of the man who’d tried to kill both her and her father. On that occasion Asher had just rescued her, and their emotions had boiled over. Fervently they’d kissed and embraced, overwhelmed by rekindled passion sharpened by the tang of danger. But this time, though her feelings were roiling, Asher seemed more discomfited by her presence than aroused.
    He brooded over her, his eyes peridot-green and uneasy. “Who is this Mrs. Pettigrew you’ve just visited?” he asked eventually. She opened her mouth to ask how he knew the widow’s name, but he forestalled her by adding, “I had the cab driver make some enquiries while I was waiting.”
    While he was waiting? She frowned. “You’ve been following me?”
    “What is your business with Mrs. Pettigrew?”
    He’d almost pleaded for her company, but now he was treating her like a suspect in the witness box. “Mrs. Pettigrew is a client of mine,” she retorted.
    “Oh.” His shoulders relaxed a fraction. “So that’s why you’re in London.”
    “But I already explained all of this to you yesterday. Did you not believe that either?” she asked bitterly. “Is that why you’re following me?”
    He grew very still. The carriage jounced over a deep pothole as he continued to stare at her. “You explained all this to me yesterday,” he repeated in a stunned monotone. “You called round at my house?”
    “Yes!” What was wrong? Was he ailing from something which caused memory loss? Her distress mounted as the events of yesterday re-assaulted her. “And you have some explaining to do yourself, Mr. Asher Quigley. Because I know full well why you were so keen to get rid of me yesterday afternoon. Oh yes. I saw your mysterious visitor entering your house, and what’s more I waited for her to exit and I followed her home too!”
    Eyes flaring, Asher plunged his fingers through his hair. “Oh God.”
    “Yes, I am referring to Mrs. Nemo!” Minerva’s chest heaved. “You must know who she is in relation to me! What I do not know, and am very keen for you to elucidate upon, is what she is to you? ”
    As her chin started to quiver, she clamped her jaw tight. Asher lifted a hand towards her, but then dropped it. “Is that all you did, follow her home?”
    “I spoke to her, of course. And she introduced me to Herr Schick.”
    His face grew ashen. “Promise me you will not contact Mrs. Nemo or go near Schick’s house again.”
    She gaped at him. “I can’t do that. She’s my mother—”
    “I’m sorry, but she has a less than savory reputation. The same goes for Schick. You must avoid both of them.”
    “Don’t be ridiculous. I won’t—”
    “Minerva.” He grasped her by the arms, his entire being burning with a white-hot intensity. “I am about to tell you something that will sound extremely ridiculous. Something that will have you doubting my sanity. But you must listen and not interrupt until I’m finished. Will you promise me that at least?”
    The hairs on the back of her neck rose. She’d never seen Asher like this before. The compulsion gripping him seemed to flow through his hands into her, infecting her with his agitation. Numbly she nodded her agreement.
    He didn’t speak at once, instead releasing her to rub his face and neck. The tension emanating from him was palpable. As if to buy some time he flicked the