Therewasstill hope. Bull nodded as he plucked the painting from Georgia’s hands. “So now we have corroboration thatthis woman is almost certainly a member of yer family. We might no’ ken the artist, but if we can learn the subject’s identity, it’ll help us learn the blackmailer’s motives.”
Rose’s face had lit with excitement at his reminder, and now she reached over to grab his hand. “You are right! We just need to search the family histories! With your knowledge of her gown, and the ruby necklace section in Lord Tittle-Tattle’s book, we should be able to narrow down her identity!”
Her fingers curled around his, and dammit if it didn’t feelright.
Perfect.
Bull’s voice was a little thick when he asked, “Do ye have a book of yer family’s history?”
Georgia huffed. “My father wasveryproud about that sort of thing, but I am less certain about my mother’s family.”
To Bull’s surprise, Demon grunted and inserted himself into the conversation. “If we have something like that, it’s with the rest of the history books in the library.”
That was…surprisingly helpful. Bull was still staring at the other man in shock when Rose tugged him toward the door.
“To the library!” she cried in excitement.
And as Bull hurried after her, he heard Demon bellow, “Dinnae let them be alone, for fook’s sake!”
CHAPTER 13
Rosie took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and tightened the belt of her robe around her waist, coveringmostof her nightrail. It was her coziest, warmest sleeping gown, although sadly not the most flattering. Still, she didn’t want her intentions to betooobvious. She supposed showing up at a man’s room in diaphanous blush colored silk would be a bit of a giveaway.
Not that sheownedany diaphanous silk. Rosie barely knew what thatmeant.
Bull would. She would have to ask.
Deciding she’d done everything she could to gird herself for the coming confrontation—and becoming increasingly concerned that Bruno or Mrs. Kettel might turn the corner and see her hovering outside Bull’s door—she knocked.
And waited.
She couldhearmovement on the other side of the door.Yes, that was definitely movement. And was that muttering?
Oh.
Had he not heard her?
After all the preparation she’d gone through, all the motivation…this was a bit of a letdown.
So she knocked again, more tentatively.
“Aye, aye, I’m coming,” came the grumble from the other side of the door. “Hold yer horses.”
Horses? She had horses? She was opening her mouth to ask what he’d meant, her fist still raised over his door…when he yanked the thing open and she completely forgot what she’d been planning on saying.
Because Bull Lindsay was wearing nothing but a towel.
His auburn hair was wet, there were little droplets of water on his shoulders, and did she mention the towel? There was a towel.
A tiny towel.
Calm down, lass. You saw him mostly naked in Alnwick, remember? You most definitelyfelthim naked.
Right.
Right.
She could be mature about this.
