Eli stood and collected the papers, then returned his notebook to his pocket. “You have all been very helpful. Now I must ask all of you not to say a word of this. If the comte and his sister find out we’re on to them, they will run out of London faster than a fox chased by a pack of hounds.”
They all agreed to stay quiet, but Clara hoped Elijah finished the case quickly. It would be hard to keep still for long.
Outside on the steps, Elijah wrapped his arms around her waist, his leather satchel smacking her bum. He bent his head and brushed his lips across hers. “Thank you,” he whispered in her ear.
She shivered as his warm breath tickled her neck. He had such an effect on her. “That wasn’t a very enthusiastic thank you,” she said, peeking up at him through her lashes. “It seemed more like a that-was-a-nice-cup-of-tea thank you.”
He pulled her closer against his hard length, and she slid her arms around his neck. This time, his kiss was soft but demanding, his tongue begging entrance. Her mind went blank, only Eli and his touch, his lips, his hands mattered.
She was breathless when he ended the kiss, and she looked up at him, dazed. “Much better,” she croaked.
“I aim to please,” he said with a wink. “Your help has been essential in breaking this case. Now, I must decide how to proceed. There is no proof they were at the different jewelry shops. This is why I need your friends to stay quiet. There will be no case for the magistrate if I don’t have the proof to back up the claim. They could insist they bought those pieces from someone else.”
“I have something to ask you,” he said, his knuckle trailing down her cheek.
Clara leaned into his hand, appreciating the tumult in her belly now that she understood what it was. “When will I see you again?”
“That depends. I’d like to take you to the O’Briens’ house for Sunday dinner next week. But I may see you sooner because of the investigation.”
The O’Briens? For the monthly Sunday dinner? Panic slapped her in the face. If the O’Briens didn’t like her, where would that leave her and Eli?
Breathe, just breathe.
Why wouldn’t they like her? Because it was so very, very important to her that they do. Eli might not continue to see her if his family took a dislike to her.
Stop it!
He leaned back, eyes narrowed as his gaze locked with hers. “Is it too soon?”
Her heart lurched. “No! I mean, I just…”
He tipped her chin up with a finger and thumb. “Are you nervous?”
Clara nodded. “What if I make a bad impression? What if they don’t like me?”
He laughed, a deep sensual sound. “Of course they will love you. If you make me happy, they will be happy. A more welcoming family you’ll never meet. I should warn you, however, the O’Brien clan can be… overwhelming.”
“Because there are so many of them?” she asked, wondering what such a hectic household would be like.
“And loud. We tend to talk over each other, and when we are all together, it’s a sweet, wonderful chaos.” Elijah kissed her nose, then her eyes, then her mouth. “This may be too soon, but since I’m already in up to my knees…” He kissed her again, then touched his forehead to hers. “I think I love you, Ruby.”
Her pulse roared in her ears, her mouth went dry, and her heart soared. “Me?”
He nodded. “I hope you are fond of me too.”
When Eli grinned at her, she thought her knees would buckle. His hazel eyes, so dark in the shadows of the stairwell, glittered as he kissed her just under one earlobe, then the other. “I-I think we may both be in the same boat.”
He kissed her mouth again. “I promise not to let it sink.”
CHAPTER 12
The next few days, Elijah followed the Comte du Aveculót and his sister. He sketched their faces. Then he sketched the comte with a beard, a mustache, and both in different shades. When he was satisfied, he took them to the jewelers. Success!
He reported to Ruthven, who arranged for their arrest. “You will be in charge of their detainment,” his superior said, slapping Elijah on the back. “Well done, Norton.”
On Thursday morning, after canceling his weekly sitting with Lord Tamber, he and three Runners knocked on the front door of the Comte du Aveculót. Mr. Smalley answered with a rare smile.
“This way, gentlemen,” he said, leading them up the stairs to a dining room.
