Her criticism irritated him. He knew she was intelligent, but that didn't mean she was right. His father had given him money because that was the way things were done in the ton. It said nothing of any tender feelings the man had toward his son.
They arrived at Merewether Shipping at that moment and Drake was saved from having to answer her accusation.
As he drew the curricle in front of a large brick building with a modest sign that proclaimed it to be Merewether Shipping, their argument ceased to exist for Thea. Each passing mile had eaten away at her confident assumption that she could unmask the thief. London was a vast city, entirely different from her small island home.
Even Merewether Shipping looked too large, too impressive, to be her little company. Until now, the size of her company had been limited to ledgers and bank drafts. Now that she was faced with the prospect of entering the huge brick building, finding the person responsible for the attacks on her life as well as the thefts seemed impossible.
She lowered her parasol and shifted her gaze to Drake. Gratitude for his solid presence beside her overwhelmed Thea.
"Thank you."
His eyes widened a small fraction. "Why?"
"For helping me."
Drake tossed a coin to a boy and told him to hold the horses, then turned to face her.
He placed his hands on either side of her cheeks. "We will find the culprit."
She put her hands over his, drawing on his assurance and his strength. "We must. Uncle Ashby's safety depends on it."
"So does yours."
"That's not as important."
He leaned his head down until their lips were almost touching. "It is to me."
Then he kissed her, just once and very softly, but Thea felt it right down to her toes. How could she even think of living her life without this man?
Ignorant of the shattering realization his small kiss had precipitated, Drake jumped blithely down from the carriage. He came around to help her down. She placed her hand in his, allowing the feeling of safety that always accompanied his touch to wash over her.
He kept her firmly tucked into his side as they walked toward the building. They stopped in front of the shipping office to get their bearings, as if by mutual consent, though neither said anything.
"I grow weak in the knees at the thought of you attempting this investigation alone."
She smiled at the image of Drake weak in the knees. Still, she understood his concern. The docks were teeming with tough-looking sailors and dirty children hawking everything from meat pies to penny press papers. Bawds dressed in garments that did not completely cover their rouged nipples leaned against the walls of warehouses on either side of Merewether Shipping. One woman's petticoats were dampened to show off the curves below her waist. Thea shivered in sympathy for her.
England's cold had not come as a complete surprise, but the way it seeped into her very bones did. And the smell. Thea wrinkled her nose at the odor emanating from the Thames. Garbage floated on the surface in places, but for all that, the river and docks were an impressive sight. Feelings of inadequacy and ignorance of the City's ways pressed in on her.
She shivered again, but this time at the thought of her own naiveté in believing she could have conducted the investigation alone. Uncle Ashby's life would be better served in someone else's more capable hands, but she was all he had.
Then she smiled. And Drake. Uncle Ashby had Drake on his side as well, though he didn't know it.
She pulled toward the building. "Let's go inside."
Drake gently restrained her. "What's the matter?"
She looked up into the brown depths of his eyes, and they glowed with concern.
"It's just that I realized how foolish I was to believe that someone raised on a small island, like me, could accomplish such a heavy task in this place." She waved her hand toward the brick building and the busy docks. "I had not realized the immensity of it all. Without your help I … I'm not sure what I would have done. It's just all so overwhelming."
"I have no doubt that you could do all that you set out to do."
She stared at him. "Truly?"
He nodded. "You are a resourceful and intelligent woman, Thea."
"Thank you." His confidence warmed her.