“As ready as I can be,” he murmured.
“Bram.” Worry creased her brow. “I do not mean my words to be a harbinger of ill will, but I am wondering... what if your meeting tomorrow does not go well? What if Professor Grimwinkle does not believe you have enough proof of Caelum Academia? I mean, you did not find anything with the name engraved onto it.”
Ah, leave it to her to cut right to the heart of the matter. He flashed a smile and, striving for a bit more levity, bopped her lightly on the nose. “It’s nothing to worry about. Grimwinkle needs us until at least the end of the school year, and after that? Well”—he winked—“my uncle and I can always take on something more lucrative, like rat catching or sweeping chimneys.”
Her jaw dropped. “That is horrible!”
He laughed. “You know, your chin quivers quite adorably when you have swallowed a tall tale.”
“Then I take back what I said.” She poked him in the chest. “Youare horrible.”
“Yes, but you already knew that. And speaking of horrible, I forgot to tell you we spent every last minute on the dig, so I am afraid there was no time to fill in that sinkhole. I did, however, have one of the students rope it off. At least you will not have to worry about any more damage to the land, what with Trestwell behind bars for trespassing.”
“He has been arrested? When? Why?”
“Last night. As a parting gift to Trestwell, I visited the constable and told him all about the man’s trespassing and attempted harm when he cut the balloon tether. The constable agreed there likely was not enough evidence to convict him but thought a night in jail ought to put the fear of God into him. Besides, with me out of the picture, he will not try anything more, though I would dearly like to know who put him up tosuch skullduggery to begin with. At any rate”—he fiddled with his hat—“perhaps your farmhand could see to filling that hole, for I would hate to think of anyone getting hurt. Barker still complains of his ankle now and then.”
Blast! What was he doing talking about Trestwell and sinkholes and sore ankles? What happened to heartfelt words? He crushed the brim of his hat, forcing his hands to still.
Eva nodded. “I shall let Sinclair know, and I promise I will not go wandering around out there.”
“Your sister should not either.”
“I do not think that will be a concern.” She wrung her handkerchief so forcefully that were it a chicken, the poor creature would be lifeless on the floor by now.
And yet had he not been as merciless with his hat? He set the beat-up felt on the nearest chair. “Found a way to wrangle the girl into submission, have you?”
“Of a sort.”
“How cryptic.”
“Not so much.” Wadding up the fabric, Eva shoved the handkerchief into her pocket, apparently finished with her fiddling as well. “The truth is, if I do not pay those property taxes tomorrow, there will be no one here to fall into any sort of hole.”
“Do not give up hope yet. Finding out about the sale of your relics shall be my first order of business when I am back on campus. I shall wire word to you at once, so check with the telegraph office in the morning. And if the antiquities did sell, I will have the money sent straightaway, so you will have it in your hands before the revenue office closes.”
“Thank you.” She averted her gaze, eyes now shimmering. “That is very kind.”
His chest squeezed. Would that he could do more for her. Pay the revenue man. Fix the roof, the barn, the sadness creasing her brow. He took a step toward her. “Furthermore, I will do mybest to sell the rest of the relics we have loaded in the wagon, and I shall personally deliver those funds into your hands.”
She shook her head slightly, morning sunlight setting her hair aflame so beautifully his throat ached.
“You could simply send a courier, Professor. I am sure you will be busy with college business. You need not travel all this way on my account.”
“You credit yourself too much, milady. It is for selfish reasons alone I would do so.”
“Such as?”
“To see you again, of course.” He inhaled deeply as he crossed the rug, closing the distance between them. “I have enjoyed my stay very much, and I am loath to leave. You are good for me, I think.”
“It has been nice having you here.” She straightened one of his lapels that’d apparently gone rogue after such a violent maneuvering of his hat. “Inman Manor will be empty without all the comings and goings of your crew.”
“So it is the crew you shall pine for, hmm?”
A playful grin spread on her face. “You did not seriously think I would miss you, did you?”
“I had hoped.” He gathered one of her hands and pressed his lips to her finger. “For I shall dearly miss these bitten nails of yours.”
“Is that all you shall miss?” There were far deeper questions than that swimming in the blue pools of her eyes.
