Though he was desperate to find Valentina, he mustn’t appear too eager, particularly when that feline smile was curling about Delilah’s mouth.
“Shall we play our usual game?” she asked. “Or shall I get on with it and tell you now?”
“Now, if you wouldn’t mind too much.”
She shrugged one shoulder. “She’s gone to visit her family. It’s Sunday.”
“What’s the significance of Sunday?”
“Keep up, Archie.” Delilah rolled her eyes. “Valentina is visiting her family to assure them she’s alive and well. Juliet and I are caring for Miss Hiss today.”
As if she’d only been awaiting her cue, the kitten sauntered into the room with a haughty swish of her tail, hopped onto an empty chair, and began licking her fluffy gray fur with queenly dignity.
Archie returned his attention to Delilah. “In Hampstead, correct?”
“Indeed,” supplied Juliet.
“I thought Valentina told Delilah,” said Archie. Truly, these two could exasperate the feathers off a chicken.
“Well, I was standing right there.”
Archie didn’t have time for Delilah and Juliet’s games. He shot to his feet. “I’ve, erm, just remembered an appointment.”
Delilah pulled out her pocket watch. She was the only Windermere possessed of any association with time. Something to do with her chosen vocation of acting. “At eight in the morning?”
Was it that early? Still… “Yes.”
As one, Delilah and Juliet’s eyes narrowed on him. He wasn’t sure which would ask the question that had formed in both their minds. All he could do was brace himself. It was Juliet who spoke. “If you don’t mind me asking, what are your intentions toward dearest Valentina?”
Sudden heat flushed through Archie. “As a matter of fact, I do mind you asking.”
Two sets of eyebrows lifted.
Archie wasn’t known for being touchy. Quite the opposite, in fact. He should’ve given Delilah and Juliet a rakish smile and let them think what they liked. But he couldn’t.
Not when it concerned Valentina.
He walked from the room with a measured stride. But the instant he was out of sight, his feet picked up their pace until he’d struck into a flat-out run. He had a Valentina to find somewhere between here and Hampstead.
And not a second to lose.
Valentina let her legs dangle off the back of the donkey cart and inhaled early morning sunshine, all golden and fresh.
It felt good to get out of London for the day. To return to her real life. The life she’d been living at Casa Windermere certainly wasn’t real life. Or, at least, notherreal life.
She needed to see her family, to bring them reassurance that she was well. They hadn’t been thrilled with her idea to seek out Lord Nestor, but they hadn’t been able to stop her. She’d simply had to do something—anything—to help fix the situation.
Recently spoken words returned to her.
“You’re wilder than you think, you know.”
She hadn’t known.
But now she certainly did.
Last night, she’d been absolutely wild for the manwho had spoken those words.
And this morning?
