To Have A Heart (A New Adventure Begins - Star Elite 7)

“You are going to set her up in a house of her own? But how do you expect her to live? Where?” Callum instinctively objected to her being left to fend for herself.

Sir Hugo smiled at him. “She has to have the ability to decide if she wants to try to return to her old life. She might feel as if she has left things open and needs to go back to lay ghosts to rest. What we are going to do is make sure that when Melrose is taken down, either through death or gaol, what he owns is used to compensate his victims. We can do nothing to help them recover from the memories of their ordeal, or replace the time they spent being slaves, but we can make sure that they have every means possible at their disposal to create a life of their own, wherever they choose to call home. Melrose is going to pay for it.”

“That sounds fair,” Callum grinned. “Does Melrose know?”

“He doesn’t get a say in the matter. His bank accounts have already been frozen. His funds have run dry. Work is ongoing now to ensure that doors are closing to him within ton. He is a felon at large the War Office are seeking to capture. Word is out that anybody who helps him is going to end up behind bars as well.”

“But Mann has helped him anyway,” Callum mused.

“Yes, but by helping him we can suspect that Mann has either done something Melrose can blackmail him for, or Mann has been involved in the scheme and is prepared to do everything possible to help Melrose.”

“Because they are partners in crime,” Callum said.

It wasn’t a question.

“Because he is with Melrose now.”

“Mann has made himself guilty. I doubt Mann has been conscripted to join his cause by Melrose. Mann has been friends with Melrose for years.”

“Do you think all of Melrose’s friends are involved?”

“I doubt it. Some doors have slammed shut with such swiftness that there can be no doubt the people responsible have nothing to do with the kidnaps. Others-” Sir Hugo shook his head.

“What about Mallory?”

“I will take the time to ask her what h

appened and maybe get her to try to describe some of the men she saw while she was at Melrose House, just in case any of them are ton. When she has told us everything, I will give her the time she needs to recover physically and decide where she wants to live. She will be helped to secure a house and given enough money to live off, so she only has to work if she wants to.”

Callum was pleased that Sir Hugo was prepared to go to such lengths to help Melrose’s victims. On the other hand, he wanted a say in where Mallory chose to live.

“You will need to return to the investigation. The men need all the help they can get now that they know how brutal Melrose is.”

Callum nodded, but he still hated the thought of having to be parted from Mallory.

“What I would advise is that you do nothing just yet. If you care about her then give it time. Those emotions will be there, just as strong, next week, next month, maybe even next year. If they are then you know you should act on them. If this is some sort of passing fancy because of your mission, your feelings will ease, and you will be warier the next time you are sent to look after someone.”

“What about the men who have already married the women they were sent to rescue? Did you send me after her because I was single, and you knew what might happen?”

“Yes.”

Callum lifted his brows and looked at his boss in astonishment. He hadn’t expected such a ready confession.

“I know from personal experience just how much your emotions can be drawn into your investigation. It is how I met my Harriett. I didn’t want to marry. It was the very last thing I wanted, and consequently she nearly died because I wasn’t around to protect her. Someone tried to kill her, and nearly succeeded. It was just a stroke of luck that she survived. It could have ended any chance of happiness I ever had. Thankfully, Harriett lived. I was not stupid enough to waste a moment and married her not long after.” Sir Hugo sighed.

“Others have happy marriages and some of them have barely known their wives before they met the vicar,” Callum mused.

“Danger can throw people together. In circumstances where people are forced to show their strengths and weaknesses, the rawness of human nature is evident. It can either be attractive or repulsive. You know what it is like; if you end up with someone who screams a lot and whines constantly you cannot wait for the second you can get rid of them. However, if you have someone who will work with you and supports you as much as they can then they do earn respect. You learn to work together in ways that other people don’t, especially couples. A house can be more divided than life within the Star Elite.”

“How?”

“The Star Elite all work together, do the same job, think the same way. In life, things are different. For most, men must be the breadwinners while women run the house. That is the way it has always been. However, life in a marriage should be more of a shared experience, don’t you think?”

“I don’t think the day will ever dawn when I will be happy to see Mallory go off to fight with the Star Elite,” Callum grumbled.

Sir Hugo grinned because he knew that Callum had no idea just how revealing that statement was. Already, Callum was starting to envisage himself in a marital home with her. It meant that he had contemplated the possibility despite their new acquaintance.

“No, but she will have to run the house – all of it – while you are gone for long periods of time. She is going to have to be stronger than most and be accepting of the dangers you face. It takes a special kind of person who will accept the independent lifestyle and uncertainty of your return. That is the key to the survival of the other men’s happy marriages. They know the women they married are strong enough to survive turmoil and uncertainty. Moreover, their wives understand the true nature and significance of the work they do.”