Page 58 of A Shop Girl’s Christmas (Pennington’s Department Store #3)

Stephen gripped his hands between his knees as he sat on the sofa in Lawrence Culford’s parlour, while the master of the house paced back and forth in front of him, his wife watching her husband with worried eyes.

The guilt and inadequacy Stephen had felt over Walker, Hettie and Fay had been more than he’d thought he could bear, but suspecting Cornelia, Alfred and Francis had travelled alone to London came a close second.

Lawrence suddenly stopped, his blue eyes full of accusation as he glared at Stephen. ‘If anything has happened to her—’

‘You can kill me.’ Stephen wiped his hand over his face. ‘It would be no less than I deserve.’

‘You left her, Gower. Illustrated all too clearly that your work was more important than her. How the hell do you think that made her feel?’

‘I understand that now. I had no idea she would think of following me—’

‘Then you don’t know my sister at all.’

Stephen’s jaw clenched. He did know Cornelia. He knew her as well as he knew himself. ‘But I should’ve considered the possibility. All that matters is I find her and tell her I love her. I want to be with her.’

‘And your police work? What about that?’

‘I’ve secured a transfer to Oxfordshire. I assumed she would want to live at Culford, but it seems I was wrong.’

‘Of course, you were wrong. She belongs here. In Bath.’

‘And if that’s what she wants, I will live here, too. With her.’

‘Just like that? You think your superiors are going to put up with you transferring here, there and everywhere while you get your life in order?’ Lawrence’s gaze blazed with fury. ‘After everything Cornelia has been through, has survived, she deserves stability. Stability and to know where she belongs and be happy there.’

‘And that’s exactly what she will have.’

‘You’re a detective. You said yourself your work is in your blood. How am I supposed to believe—’

‘Maybe I am, but I am neither like the perpetrators nor the victims I have dealt with.’ Stephen pushed to his feet and stood in front of Culford, their similar heights meaning their eyes locked, Culford’s gleaming with a combativeness that Stephen didn’t doubt was reflected in his own. ‘My future is in my hands, in Cornelia’s and the children’s. You have my word.’

‘To hell with your word.’

‘Will you both stop?’ Esther glared at both of them, her hand protectively gripping her swollen stomach. ‘Having the two men she loves fighting will neither cheer Cornelia, nor sort out whatever it was that made her go to London without telling us. Both of you need to think of her and the children now, not yourselves.’

Stephen closed his eyes. She was right. Cornelia and the boys’ absence – their safety – was all that mattered. As soon as he saw them again, if he saw them again, he would take all three in his arms and vow to be there for them for the rest of his damn life.

The faint sound of a telephone ringing sounded in the hallway and Culford rushed from the room.

With his heart pounding, Stephen stared at Esther. Her hazel eyes were wide with anxiety, her face far too pale.

Hurried footsteps stomped along the hallway before Culford emerged in the doorway. ‘It’s an Inspector King. Cornelia came looking for you at Scotland Yard. She went to London alone, for crying out loud.’

Stephen curled his hand in a fist, tension rippling through him. ‘Is she with King now?’

‘I have no idea. He asked to speak to you.’

Stephen rushed past him and into the hallway.

He picked up the receiver. ‘Sir?’

‘For the love of God, Gower, why are you in Bath? I sent that young lady of yours to Oxfordshire yesterday and just called to make sure the pair of you were together. Her sister just told me that Miss Culford never arrived.’

Stephen gripped the phone. ‘Her family was adamant she would not go to London without talking to them first. Damnation. I’ve lost so much time sitting around here doing nothing—’

‘Then get yourself to Oxfordshire right away. She had two young lads with her. I know how you feel, but, I have to say, you are taking on a hell of a lot of responsibility when you’ve hardly known the woman five—’

‘I’ve known her long enough, sir. Thank you.’

Stephen replaced the receiver and stood stock-still, his heart thundering and his jaw tight as he looked at Culford. The wall clock ticked in unison with each beat of Stephen’s heart as he stared the other man down. ‘This is my fault. I’ll take care of it. Take care of them.’

‘I’m coming to the manor with you.’

What use would it be to fight Cornelia’s brother? She loved Lawrence and her loyalty to him was unshakeable. If Stephen were to make a wrong move now, he could lose her.

‘Do not do or say anything silly when you see her.’ Esther’s voice was firm. ‘She’s sensible and she’s strong. Cornelia will protect the boys with her life.’

‘That’s what worries me.’ Culford growled as he put on his hat. ‘We need to go.’

Esther pressed a firm kiss on his cheek before facing Stephen. ‘Bring her home to us, Mr Gower.’

He nodded and headed for the door, Culford close behind him, calling for his butler and demanding that his motor car be brought around to the front of the house.

Stephen stared along the street, shifting from one foot to the other as a cold wind whipped at his hair and face. Are you safe, Cornelia? Please God, let you and the boys be safe.

A hackney carriage rumbled over the cobblestones towards him and Stephen stepped back from the kerb, his impatience close to breaking as he and Culford waited for Charles and the car.

The carriage slowed down as it neared, and Stephen narrowed his eyes, as he slowly drew his hands from his coat pockets. ‘It’s her.’

The carriage drew to a halt and Francis waved from the window. Happiness mixed with relief and Stephen smiled.

‘Thank God.’

He barely heard Culford’s whispered exhalation as he continued to stare at Cornelia through the window, her face in shadow.

Stepping forward, he opened the door, exercising every ounce of self-control so as not to frighten the children with his need to pull their mother into his arms. Alfred and Francis took his offered hands and leapt onto the pavement into their uncle’s waiting arms.

Stephen put his hand inside the carriage again and Cornelia slipped her fingers into his.

Slowly, she alighted. ‘Well, what a nice welcoming committee.’

‘You’re back.’ He brushed a curl from her cheek, stared into her tired blue eyes. ‘I thought—’

‘That I was so madly in love with you I might be daft enough to take the boys to London to look for you?’ Her eyes glinted teasingly, her gaze gentle. ‘That I might have finally found my true home, a place of safety and security for my boys and the courage to bid David good riddance? Yes, all of those things are true, but the question is…’

He smiled. ‘Yes?’

‘Are you mad enough to love me back?’ Her eyes shone with what looked to be tears, a hint of insecurity lingering in her gaze. ‘Mad enough to accept me and my impetuous whims?’

He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her firmly, pulling her into his arms until he felt the sweet crush of her breasts against his chest. ‘I am,’ he murmured. ‘Will you marry me, Miss Culford?’

She pulled back and frowned, gazing at the sky in feigned contemplation. ‘Hmm…’ She met his gaze and laughed. ‘Yes, I think I will.’

Stephen bent his head and kissed her again, knowing he’d forever find peace in her arms and she would find security in his.

They were together and, by God, the future was bright.