Perfect Bride by Samantha James Page B

once more. “You certainly went to great lengths to conceal your form.”
    “Not for the reason you believe!”
    He raised his brows. “I should like to hear that reason,” he said calmly.
    Her eyes were smoldering. He strongly suspected that had she possessed the strength, she’d have cheerfully fastened her fingers around his neck.
    “I rent a room from a man named Phillips, in a house near Shelton Street. It’s very late when I make my way home. If you must know, it—it’s my way of protecting myself.”
    Sebastian and Justin looked at each other. Both men were clearly confused.
    Their guest looked at them both as if they were dolts. “Men seldom look twice at a woman heavy with child. At least that was my experience until last night.” She paused. “I didn’t mean to kill Freddie,” she said quaveringly. “I only meant to stop him.”
    A plausible explanation. Perhaps the better ques tion was if it was a truthful one. Carefully Sebastian regarded her, gauging the way those soft pink lips had begun to tremble. Or was it but a trick of the eve ning light? Perhaps her defiance was nothing but sheer bravado.
    She looked at Sebastian. “You should have left me there,” she said, her voice very low. “It would have been better—”
    “Nonsense!” His tone was sharp.
    “It’s true,” she said bitterly. “The constable will never believe me, nor will the magistrate. I’m poor. I’m from St. Giles. That’s all the reason they need to hang me. And Harry . . .” A shiver ran through her. “He’s mean. Cruel. I could see it in his eyes. And I-I killed his brother. If he ever finds me, he’ll make me wish I had died.”
    This time it was Justin who spoke sharply. “See here now, there’s no need for such talk! And there’s no need to be afraid. You’ll come to no harm here in this house, Sebastian and I will see to it. Indeed, you may stay as long as you wish.” He rose and strode to the door. His hand was already on the gleaming brass handle. “But come. You should be resting. Therefore, we bid you good night.”
    There was little doubt Justin possessed the Ster ling arrogance. Sebastian had no choice but to follow him into the corridor. Justin was leaning against the wall when Sebastian closed the door.
    “Was it only last night you said something about me taking a fancy to the chit?” Sebastian gave him a long, considering look. “I do wonder if it isn’t you who’s been taken in by her ...how shall I put this . . . considerable charms.”
    “Rubbish.” The word was a bald dismissal. “De spite appearances, I’m not so shallow as all that. She’s in trouble. We can’t turn her out. And we can’t turn her in.” Justin arched a brow when Sebastian said nothing. “Oh, come. Surely you don’t think she’s a murderer?”
    Sebastian hesitated, aware of a tug-of-war churn ing inside him. “No,” he admitted. “But can we ig nore the fact she’s from St. Giles? Home to beggars. Thieves. Prostitutes—”
    “Oh, I see. You think she’s a woman of easy virtue?”
    Sebastian’s mouth compressed. “More likely a woman of no virtue.”
    “The streets of St. Giles are a mean, dirty place, Se bastian. One can hardly remain innocent living there.”
    “Precisely the point. Just because she claims she’s not a thief doesn’t mean she isn’t.”
    “She’s in dire straits, Sebastian. If we go to the po lice, it’s quite likely they won’t listen to her. From her own admission, she killed Freddie. She comes from a place where her background alone is a crime. What if the police are more interested in securing a convic tion than meting out justice? It won’t matter that she was trying to defend herself. Thief or no, she doesn’t deserve to hang.”
    It was a disturbing observation. “I’m aware of that,” Sebastian said quietly. “It’s entirely possible they’ll take the view that there will be one less un desirable on the street.” But now that undesirable was in his home,