Val’s, however, contained his usual brusque annoyance, and she recalled the butler’s words about how he used to be. It was also the gruff man she’d come to know, and it was familiar to her. Strangely comforting, even.

“Of course I did,” she said, and some of the tension slipped from his shoulders. “After all, it is your townhouse.”

He frowned.

“I’m teasing, Val.”

He grunted. “I know.” He remained framed in the doorway, making no move to enter. “Do you need anything?” he asked. “Has Jenkins seen—”

“No, no.” She was swift to reassure him. “I’m quite fine.” He’d the lone servant who remained on at her beck and call. The greying, older fellow had fetched her blankets and brought a plate of food. A plate that remained untouched. He’d also remained stationed outside Val’s offices while Val had collected a constable and brought them to Myrtle’s home. “He’s provided me with everything I need.”

“I am glad.”

I am glad.

How very . . . formal they were.

So formal that she may as well have dreamed the closeness they’d shared these past days.

“They are gone,” he said.

“Gone?” she echoed.

“I waited while the constables escorted them from your home. They do not know, Myrtle.”

She stared blankly at him.

“They are unaware that you are here in London. I explained that I am a friend and close neighbor of your father’s and saw two men breaking into his household.”

When it came to protecting her from discovery, he’d thought of everything. She should be touched. But she proved a selfish creature once more . . . for it also revealed the great lengths he’d gone to be sure it wasn’t found out that she’d been alone with him, which would ruin her name and require him to do the right thing by her.

“Myrtle?”

“I am relieved they’ve been captured,” she said. Which wasn’t untrue. She forcibly shoved the pitiable musings to the side of her mind, saving them for a later date when she was alone.

“At some point when we made our escape, they awakened and attempted to leave, but apparently in their haste, they ran headlong into the table you had me place in the hall and tumbled over it, knocking themselves out for a second time.”

She should smile. She should be elated. She’d felled her family’s burglars twice this night. Instead, the dread that had gripped her the moment she’d realized they’d breached her home stirred to life, and Myrtle folded her arms around her middle.

Val was immediately across the room.

He reached her, setting down a leather satchel she’d not noted . . . until now.