Nicholas was almost surprised at how relieved he felt when the two gentlemen failed to make an argument as Claire asked them to leave. He found himself staring at his wife when she slipped her gloved hand from his and got up to the door, showing the officers the way out of the room. 

[i] “Excuse me gentlemen, I would like to be with my husband now. Our doorman will show you the way out. I do hope you find something, for my friend’s sake,”[/i] she said.

Detective Morse and his escort both turned to Nick, as if silently asking him to contain his wife. Nick, in turn, twisted in his seat to look at Claire who was imperiously holding out the door for their two visitors. She did give them answers and there seemed no more reason for the two to stay. Besides, he was having a headache and he didn’t really feel like dealing with the government if he could do something about it so he shrugged and let Claire shoo their guests.

Having nothing else to ask or do about the situation, Detective Morse declared, [i]”Thank you for being so cooperative, Mr. and Mrs. Rochford. I will be back if we have anything else to ask, anything you could help with.”[/i] 

Nick and his father got to their feet and shook hands with the officers. “We will be glad to be of your assistance, Detective Morse, Sergeant Browning,” he said.

Mr. Bennett added, “Please feel free to let us know how we can help solve this case.”

After a few minutes, Nick leaned against a window pane overlooking the driveway where the carriage of the officers had just driven by. He let the curtain fall and turned to the remaining occupants of the room. His father still occupied his winged chair, sipping on his cup of tea while Claire stood holding her hands together. [i] “Shall I order us something to eat? My lands, what time is it…Perhaps we should wait to see Lucy. I…I just want to stay home.”[/i]

“It is a rather pleasing weather outside, don’t you think? I suggest we go have a picnic,” Nick offered, crossing the room back to the sofa where the couple sat earlier. Although, based from experience, the brightness of the sun and the sound of hooves against the road would not do any good to his headache, he would rather be outside breathing fresh air than cooped inside their house. Besides, it would do them good to be as far away as possible to the house. He turned to his father, who nodded ever so slightly.

[i]”I just want to be with you,”[/i] Claire added, seemingly oblivious of the brief exchange that happened between father and son. Nick smiled and, in front of his father, closed his eyes and rested his head on his wife’s shoulder.

“As do I,” he murmured. “But I’ve been confined inside this place for two days. Another day without the sun will drive me mad.”

Mr. Bennett cleared his throat. “Surely my presence is not anymore required,” he announced. “I shall go back to the townhouse and deal with business, Nicholas. Should you need my assistance, you know how to reach me.”

Nick opened his eyes and started to get up. “Yes, father. I shall walk you to the door.”

Normally, Mr. Bennett would argue with Nick for moving around so much, but that afternoon, he didn’t. He allowed his agent to accompany him out the front parlor and into the hall. “Where do you plan to take her?” he asked in a voice barely above whisper. 

With a shrug, Nick answered, “Riding to Hyde Park? To the banks of Thames? I’m not so sure myself, but we will be out of the house until the sun is down. You can have the house to yourself until then.”

“Good.” He nodded, retrieving his hat and coat from the butler. “Then I shall be on my way for now, my son. Take care that you do not overexert yourself. It has only been two days.”

“I understand, father. Take care of your health.”

Nick watched him go up his carriage then he watched the horses led the carriage away. He sighed, thinking how big a liar he was.

“Hopkins,” he called to the butler. “Please inform Cook to prepare food for two. Claire and I are going on a picnic.”

The butler answered affirmation to his request then bowed. Nick, on the other hand, strode back to the room where he left Claire and sat by her side again. At first, he let the silence stretch for a few moments before turning to face his wife. “You did well, Claire,” he commented, touching her face with one hand. Not many had the courage to speak to detectives the way she did, he just knew that there was something very unique in his wife. He couldn’t help but smile as he recalled the look on both officers’ faces. Then his hand traveled to the back of her neck and he kissed her lightly on the forehead.

He didn’t like that her eyes looked so sad, that it was red and just a bit puffy because of tears. He would have stopped the inquisition if he could, but what happened that afternoon might be important to the future of his own investigation. Nigh hoped not, but it was a possibility. 

“Now, I would like us to enjoy the lovely weather,” he whispered as he pulled away just enough to look at her face. “I have asked the kitchen to prepare something for us, but if you don’t want to go, we can spend the rest of the afternoon in the bedroom.”