our life—back in London.”
“I’m afraid that’s impossible, poppet,” he said, taking the place beside her. “There are graver issues at stake than I had at first surmised. And to drive that point home, the factions have resorted to more threatening tactics. Mr. Slayter, please show her the letter.”
Malcolm held the letter out to Serena. She took it from his gloved hand and gave it a cursory glance.
“But clearly these people wish to convey their hostile intentions. Let us return to England. You can still serve our interests from home.”
Malcolm squinted at her. “Does this letter no’ frighten ye?”
Serena seemed to regard him for the first time. “Not in the least, Mr.—er—”
“Slayter,” he provided.
“Mr. Slayter. It does, however, make me wonder
why my father would wish to remain here, even under the threat of such antagonism.”
Earlington put a pale hand upon Serena’s. “I have my duty.”
“Your duty will not get done if you are dead,” she said, bolting off the settee.
“With all due respect, miss,” interrupted Malcolm, “the letter is not threatening him. It is threatening ye .”
Serena flashed him a haughty look. “I appreciate your concern, Mr.—er—”
His lips pursed. “Slayter.”
“Slayter, yes,” she repeated in annoyance. “But you clearly do not understand my father’s condition. He suffers from a weak heart. If any mischief befalls me, his heart will not be able to take the strain of it.”
“Then perhaps ye ought to take his advice and return to England, where he knows ye’ll be safe.”
Serena grew irritated at his familiarity. “As I have explained to my father, it is out of the question. I cannot in good conscience leave him alone.”
Earlington rose and stood beside the tall man. “Which is why Mr. Slayter is here. He will serve as your protector. He is skilled in battle, criminal detection, security, and high-risk fugitive pursuit, and he can properly defend you against anyone meaning to do you harm.”
Serena’s gaze dusted down the length of her presumed protector. His hardened expression proclaimed he had been in quite a few skirmishes already—and did not always emerge unscathed. His brow, cheek, and chin had tiny scars that contrasted whitely with his tanned complexion. The size and breadth of his imposing body made him look quite formidable, and she could only imagine the lethal skills he possessed. Certainly the type of figure that Serena would cross the road to avoid.
Her father continued. “He will be your constant companion, and will follow you wherever you go. Lord Askey assures me that Mr. Slayter is a man of honor and integrity, and can be trusted to accompany an unmarried lady. I don’t wish to risk injury to your reputation, but given the level of the threat, it’s imperative that he remain near you at all times.”
The tall man turned to her father. “I’ll speak to each of the servants of the kitchens, household, and stables to charge them with my new security measures. The doors to the house will be kept locked all along the day, and I’m to be informed immediately of any visitors. No servant will engage tradesmen without getting an aye from me first. If anyone from the outside is needed on the estate, I’m to know beforehand. I’ll also make certain that no one accepts food or articles from people they don’t know well, especially things meant for the family. Lord Askey tells me that the servants have been with the family for years, and they’ve shown themselves loyal, to a man. Dinna worry, Commissioner Marsh. In my care, yer daughter will be safe as mother’s milk.”
Serena swiped both hands down her face. “Father, this really isn’t necessary. You mustn’t take such petty threats to heart.” She turned to the black-haired man. “I’m sorry that you were bothered—”
“Mr. Slayter.”
Fire flashed in her eyes. “I was aware of that!”
A smirk touched his lips. “I believe in preparing
“I’m afraid that’s impossible, poppet,” he said, taking the place beside her. “There are graver issues at stake than I had at first surmised. And to drive that point home, the factions have resorted to more threatening tactics. Mr. Slayter, please show her the letter.”
Malcolm held the letter out to Serena. She took it from his gloved hand and gave it a cursory glance.
“But clearly these people wish to convey their hostile intentions. Let us return to England. You can still serve our interests from home.”
Malcolm squinted at her. “Does this letter no’ frighten ye?”
Serena seemed to regard him for the first time. “Not in the least, Mr.—er—”
“Slayter,” he provided.
“Mr. Slayter. It does, however, make me wonder
why my father would wish to remain here, even under the threat of such antagonism.”
Earlington put a pale hand upon Serena’s. “I have my duty.”
“Your duty will not get done if you are dead,” she said, bolting off the settee.
“With all due respect, miss,” interrupted Malcolm, “the letter is not threatening him. It is threatening ye .”
Serena flashed him a haughty look. “I appreciate your concern, Mr.—er—”
His lips pursed. “Slayter.”
“Slayter, yes,” she repeated in annoyance. “But you clearly do not understand my father’s condition. He suffers from a weak heart. If any mischief befalls me, his heart will not be able to take the strain of it.”
“Then perhaps ye ought to take his advice and return to England, where he knows ye’ll be safe.”
Serena grew irritated at his familiarity. “As I have explained to my father, it is out of the question. I cannot in good conscience leave him alone.”
Earlington rose and stood beside the tall man. “Which is why Mr. Slayter is here. He will serve as your protector. He is skilled in battle, criminal detection, security, and high-risk fugitive pursuit, and he can properly defend you against anyone meaning to do you harm.”
Serena’s gaze dusted down the length of her presumed protector. His hardened expression proclaimed he had been in quite a few skirmishes already—and did not always emerge unscathed. His brow, cheek, and chin had tiny scars that contrasted whitely with his tanned complexion. The size and breadth of his imposing body made him look quite formidable, and she could only imagine the lethal skills he possessed. Certainly the type of figure that Serena would cross the road to avoid.
Her father continued. “He will be your constant companion, and will follow you wherever you go. Lord Askey assures me that Mr. Slayter is a man of honor and integrity, and can be trusted to accompany an unmarried lady. I don’t wish to risk injury to your reputation, but given the level of the threat, it’s imperative that he remain near you at all times.”
The tall man turned to her father. “I’ll speak to each of the servants of the kitchens, household, and stables to charge them with my new security measures. The doors to the house will be kept locked all along the day, and I’m to be informed immediately of any visitors. No servant will engage tradesmen without getting an aye from me first. If anyone from the outside is needed on the estate, I’m to know beforehand. I’ll also make certain that no one accepts food or articles from people they don’t know well, especially things meant for the family. Lord Askey tells me that the servants have been with the family for years, and they’ve shown themselves loyal, to a man. Dinna worry, Commissioner Marsh. In my care, yer daughter will be safe as mother’s milk.”
Serena swiped both hands down her face. “Father, this really isn’t necessary. You mustn’t take such petty threats to heart.” She turned to the black-haired man. “I’m sorry that you were bothered—”
“Mr. Slayter.”
Fire flashed in her eyes. “I was aware of that!”
A smirk touched his lips. “I believe in preparing
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