Hearts Through Time

TWENTY-ONE

Nick sprang out of bed the next morning and hurried to dress, knowing that not one moment could be wasted. He must find Abby's killer today! Time slipped by too fast, and he couldn't bear the thought of her life being taken away from him again.

Since he'd arrived in 1912, he wondered if he'd changed anything about her upcoming death. If he had changed the course of time and she wasn't murdered in her father's office, would the killer still seek her out until he or she accomplished the deed? Probably. Greed was the key element here, and Nick guessed the killer would stop at nothing.

He loved Abby with all of his heart, and she was slowly—but surely—falling in love with him. Last night after supper, she had allowed him to take her in his arms and kiss her passionately. Her soft sighs and moans nearly drove him mad with wanting much more. She must have known when he was close to the breaking point because she was the one who stopped their fiery and very intimate moment and bid him goodnight, leaving to retire to her room.

No matter what, he needed to make things right. He must stop her from being killed. He wanted to marry her, have kids with her, and be the happiest man on earth.

Nick rushed downstairs to the kitchen and saw two servants preparing breakfast. Lily stood chatting with them, but when she saw Nick, she closed her mouth. He had a sneaking suspicion they were talking about him.

He smiled at the maid. "Good morning."

"Good morning, Mr. Marshal. Is there something I can do for you?" Lily asked.

"Just breakfast." He motioned toward the two ladies at the stove. "I have an early day at the newspaper."

Lily nodded. "It'll be ready in a few minutes."

"Thank you." He turned to leave, changed his mind, and then stopped. "Actually, there is something else you can do for me, Lily."

"What's that, sir?"

"Would you permit me a few minutes to talk to you? In private, if we could?"

She glanced at the other two servants before giving Nick a nod. "As you wish."

Nick led the way into the dining area and then motioned for her to sit. When she did, he took the chair next to her. The older woman sat straight with her hands folded in her lap. Her silver-streaked brown hair was wound in a bun, and she wore the same brown uniform the other servants did, with a different-colored apron. Her gaze bore into Nick, and he suspected she thought the same thing Harry did—that Nick was only after Abby's money. It looked like he'd have to set her mind at ease, too.

"Has Abby—Miss Carlisle—told you anything about me?"

Lily nodded. "She mentioned you were a friend of her grandmother's."

"I am, but I sense you don't approve."

The older woman lifted her chin higher. "My opinion has nothing to do with it, Mr. Marshal."

"But it matters to me. Miss Carlisle thinks highly of you, Lily."

A pink hue colored the woman's cheeks. "That's good to know. I've been working for her father for many years now. She's like a daughter to me."

"And she thinks of you like a mother."

Tears pricked Lily's eyes as she stared at Nick.

"May I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"Is Lily a shortened version of your Christian name?" Her eyes widened, so he continued. "Is your real name Lillian Burnett?"