Page 27 of Grace in Glasgow (Seduced in Scotland #3)

“Now, who do you think you saw? A Mr. Roberts?”

“I don’t think I saw him; I did see him.

Right outside that building, Rabbit House Boarding.

There were two men, one was bald with a beard and the other was long in the face, with sunken in cheeks and both were dressed in dirty old suits, more rag-like than proper clothing.

Mr. Roberts was handing them banknotes, or what appeared to be banknotes.

He was mouthing numbers as he counted them into one of their hands. ”

James shook his head.

“Why would one of Dr. Cameron’s students be in Gallowgate?”

“I’m not sure. He recognized me, however, and so I called out to him, but the moment I did, he turned and left. The other two men went straight into Rabbit House and closed the door. I tried knocking, but well, you saw. They didn’t answer.”

For a long moment, James’s face was scrunched up, as if trying to figure out a math problem. But after a while, he shook his head again.

“There must be some sort of mistake. I know the majority of Dr. Cameron’s students are from well to do families, and almost all of them are English. There wouldn’t be any reason for them to be in Gallowgate except for administering medicine, but without a license it would be unethical.”

“He wasn’t giving them medicine, though. He was paying them.”

“For what?”

Grace sat back, surprised that James couldn’t figure it out.

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“No, I’m afraid not.”

“I think that there’s a possibility that Mr. Roberts was paying them to, well, you know .”

He frowned.

“I’m afraid I don’t.”

“Do you not read the papers? This morning’s paper in particular?” He stared at her, obviously unaware, and she sighed. “There was a break in at the Glasgow Necropolis last night. Two graves have been dug up; the bodies removed.”

The realization dawned on him at the exact same time injustice shone in his eyes.

“Grave robbing?” he spoke, his tone harsh. “Have you lost your mind?”

Grace blinked, confused.

“Excuse me?”

“Do you have any idea the stigma that the medical community has had to deal with when it comes to such accusations? The absolute panic that would set in if it was said in public?”

“I don’t think it’s an accusation. I think it’s what’s happened.”

“What evidence do you have to accuse someone like that?” he asked, visibly annoyed. “That is a tremendous allegation.”

“And not one that I make lightly, but what else could it be?”

“Even still, what was your plan if it were true? Confront him on the spot?” he asked, his hand going through his short hair, as if trying to calm himself.

“I wanted to see where he was going.”

“You can’t go gallivanting around Glasgow, particularly Gallowgate. It’s dangerous. Filled with ruthless thugs, murderers, women of ill repute—”

“Your patients,” she interrupted, cutting him off. “And I was not gallivanting. I was merely trying to discover why Mr. Roberts was paying two men who happen to be covered in dirt.”

“It was irresponsible.”

“It was fine.”

James’s nostrils flared as he glared at her as the carriage swayed from left to right before turning one last time before coming to a stop.

Grace was quick to exit the vehicle without so much as a “good day” as the rain came down in sheets, heavier than before, as she trudged up the stone steps to the front door.

To her surprise, however, James’s form cut in front of her, and upon opening the door for her, all but pushed her inside.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m not finished speaking with you,” he snapped, before glaring up at the ceiling above. “Lady Belle! Where are you?”

“What are you going to do? Tell on me?”

“Exactly that. It seems no one can get through to you except that woman and if I must use her as a speaking point to get it through to you just how grievous your accusations are, then I will.” He stalked about the foyer. “Belle!”

“She isn’t here,” Grace said with a great amount of satisfaction.

“Where is she?”

“Visiting the baroness with Arabella.”

He turned.

“And your staff?”

“She gave them the day off, as no one was here and they had plans not to return tonight.”

“She left you all alone? In this city without even a skeleton staff?”

“I’m perfectly capable of—”

“For the love of Christ, what is wrong with you women?” he bellowed suddenly, causing Grace to close her mouth. He took a step toward her and instinctively, Grace stepped back. “Are you all mad? Is it some inheritable trait?”

“Now see here—”

“I will not. You are stubborn and capable and brilliant, Grace Sharpe, but you are also willfully ignorant and double foolish,” he snapped, glowering down at her.

“Thank whatever deity you’d like that I saw you in front of that building before something happened.

You could have been snatched up in a moment and no one would have seen you. ”

“I’m not a child, James. There’s no use in trying to frighten me with tales of bad men in dark alleys—”

But in the next moment she found herself locked in his strong arms.

“I’m not trying to scare you; I’m trying to make you see the facts. Have you any idea what one of those men might have done to you if they decided to take you?”

Grace’s eyes were wide, frozen partially by the fact that his mouth was mere inches away from hers. His gaze dropped for a moment; his lips parted as he watched her. The beating of her heart was so loud that she was sure he could hear it as she waited for what, she did not know.

She barely shook her head.

“No.”

“No,” he repeated, his forceful tone now raspy. “No, you don’t. How can you? You barely understand your own urges, let alone those of men.”

Insulted, she tried to pull away from him.

“Let me go.”

“This,” he said softly, coming closer still, his mouth once more finding her ear, which caused her eyelids to flutter shut. “They’d take you, against your will, ignoring all your pleas.”

“James, please.”

He brushed his face against the side of her cheeks, his beard sending all sorts of sparks against her skin.

She let out a pathetic sigh as her wrists twisted, but not out of his grasp.

Instead, her fingers found the fabric of his overcoat, and she moved her hands to his sides, gripping the wet wool as tightly as she could.

Everything stilled in that moment as they held one another in a half urgent, half desperate embrace.

Even the thunderous storm outside seemed to quiet as all the world seemed to become immobile, save their shared erratic breathing.

Her eyes searched his and in an instant, she knew what was going to happen and silently, she urged him on.

For what felt like ages, James seemed to weigh his next move, but Grace knew what would happen if he thought too much, and so she leaned forward, just enough so that her mouth pressed against his chin and kissed him in the most chaste way possible.

Days might have passed before he spoke, and fearing his rejection, Grace tried to steel her emotions when he did.

“Do you,” he began, tone rough and raw. He cleared his throat. “Do you know the consequence of this, Grace? What would happen if—”

“I understand.”

“But—”

“Please, James. Please,” she whispered. “Kiss me.”

The good doctor’s resolve finally broke and with one last moment of hesitation, he did just that.