His thumb was making small circles against her skin, and Rosie was suddenly very glad the costume was outrageous enough not to require gloves. Her skin tingled where he touched it, and she found herself swaying toward him.
“Smart lass,” Bull rumbled, and she thought perhaps she might have swooned for just a moment before he tugged on her hand. “Come on, I’ll walk ye to Merida’s door.”
Oh. The carriage had stopped, had it?
Shaking her head, Rosie scooted to the opposite side of the hackney and waited for him to kick out the step. Once her feet were on the street, she heard him tell the cabbie to wait before he offered her his arm.
“Can ye be ready to leave by tomorrow?” Bull asked, heading for the stoop. “We cannae give our blackmailer time to get ahead of us.”
“Unless he is a higher rank than a marquess, I do not think Tittle-Tattle will give him access to his collection.”
“Ye’d be surprised what money can do to loosen a man’s snobbishness,” Bull muttered, leading her toward the steps. “But we’re wagering our blackmailer doesnae ken of the Tittle-Tattle collection—that is, unless Madam Desiree mentioned it through this agent who bought her painting.”
If this unknown man was targeting all of the ruby necklace paintings, it seemed likely. After all, he’d known of the one in Allie’s collection, and evenshehadn’t been aware of it.
But Rosie nodded firmly as they took the stairs up to Merida’s floor. “I will not take long to pack. You will arrange transportation?”
“There’s a noon train, and we can be in Alnwick by tomorrow.”
They had reached Merida’s door, and Rosie realized she was dragging her feet. Why?
Because you want him to kiss you goodnight!
The realization was a sudden clarity, and she tipped her head back, studying his jawline. “Thank you for the haircut, Bull,” she said softly.
He glanced down at her, then paused, as if he’d intended to look away and couldn’t. Slowly, his gaze caressed her cheeks, her brows, her mouth. She parted her lips, wondering if she should risk licking them, reminding him of their kiss.
He thought that kiss was part of the role, remember.
And he believed she thought the same thing.
So she wasn’t entirely surprised when Bull nodded. “Ye’re welcome,” he said curtly, before reaching up to knock on Merida’s door.
Rosie tried not to feel disappointed.
It didn’t work.
CHAPTER 8
Should’ve brought Merida.Should’ve brought Merida.
Bull needed a chaperone here. For his own sanity, because he couldn’t trust himself.
The cards flashed from one of his hands to the other as he frowned out of the window of the speeding train. He wasn’t particularly interested in the passing landscape, but it was better than watching Rosie.
Rosie’slipsin particular.
That kiss yesterday…
Christ, had it just been yesterday? Only yesterday his world had changed so suddenly?
Because that kiss…
He’d walked into that masquerade ball knowing exactly what was going on: he was a talented detective who’d been somehow persuaded into including a lass in his investigation. A lass he had been doing his best not to spend anytime with. But all it had taken was that one kiss, and he realized he was wrong. Abouteverything.
For one thing, it was clear this investigation was just as much Rosie’s as it was his. And for another…she was no longer a little girl. No, Lady Rose Hayle had grown into an incredibly desirablewomanwhile his back had been turned.
He remembered Hogmanay, only weeks ago, when he’d done his best to avoid her.This is nae news to ye. Ye saw how desirable she was then, and ye didnae like it.
