Temptations of Anna Jacobs by Robyn DeHart Page B

Ripper tried to frame me.” Both of them were silent for several moments, and he felt tension crawl through his stomach. For a moment, he was sure they would disapprove. His own doubts raced through his mind, then finally Mia clapped her hands.
    “That’s so clever of Simon,” Mia said. “I think it’s perfect.”
    Alex didn’t look so convinced, though. A frown had furrowed his brow. “Is it safe? That is, if the killer was targeting you specifically, which it certainly appeared he was doing, then doesn’t this put you within his reach?”
    “Not exactly. Since the Yard isn’t announcing my association, I should be safe. Right now Simon is in Edinburgh, where he was supposedly sent to train investigators, but everyone knows it’s because the Commissioner is angry with how things were left unresolved with the case. In the meantime I’m working with Bernard Jeffries,” Drew said. “I won’t be speaking to the newspapers anytime soon.”
    Alex still didn’t appear convinced, but he nodded nonetheless. “Simon is a smart man; perhaps the most intelligent I’ve ever known. If he thinks you can bring something to the investigation, then he’s probably right.”
    “Of course he is, love,” Mia said. “Are you going to tell Drew about your mother?”
    Drew swallowed and the bite of quail he had just taken went down hard. “What about her?”
    “She’s back in London,” Alex said.
    “Here? With you and Mia?” That was surprising, considering Alex had sent the matriarch to the country because of her behavior toward Mia.
    “Of course not.” Alex jabbed his quail with his knife. “She will not be welcomed into this house again until she sees fit to apologize to Mia.”
    “Love, we’ve discussed this. That’s not necessary. I do not require she find me acceptable.” Mia shook her head and smiled gently. “We are married, you love me, that is enough.”
    Alex exhaled slowly, his anger hissing through his teeth. “It is not enough for me.” Then he looked back at Drew. “In any case, no, she is not here. But a friend of hers invited her to stay at her townhome for the rest of the Season.”
    “Splendid,” Drew said. “It is unlikely I shall run into her, but I do appreciate the warning.” His entire life he’d had a volatile relationship with his mother. It wasn’t until he’d overheard the conversation explaining the truth of his birth that he understood why she’d treated him so poorly when she doted on her other sons. Up until that point he’d merely assumed it was because she had her heir with Stephen and then Alex was second in line. Drew was unnecessary, at best.
    Drew picked at his food, his appetite thin. In a few hours he would sneak Anna into the morgue at Scotland Yard so that she could examine the body. He supposed it was the thought of being in the same room as that woman again, her lifeless body pleading with him to find her killer. But Anna could help; Drew felt certain about that.
    “Did you know Simon’s sister is studying to become a physician?” he asked suddenly.
    Alex’s brows rose. “It must be his younger sister, as his older sister would not dare touch an ill person.”
    “Indeed, I can not say that I’ve met his older sister. I meant his sister Annabelle,” Drew confirmed.
    “That Jacobs family is quite bold,” Alex said. “I do believe that all of the children have completed education of some sort.”
    “I think it’s splendid. We need more female doctors,” Mia said.
    Alex tilted his head. “Perhaps. But it will be a long time before the general public accepts women as physicians.” Alex was nothing if not practical. The one deviation from that was Mia, his lovely and blind duchess.
    “I met her recently, as I’ve been working at Simon’s residence studying his notes.” Drew swallowed. “I was hoping that perhaps you might have some of your notes from when you two were working on the investigation. I know Mia had some unique perspectives