Making light of her comment, he replied, “And you, my lady, are going to make a terrible cateran.”
“Me, a cateran.”She flashed him a gleeful grin.A grin that ultimately melted into a yawn.Then a crease settled between her brows.“Y’ don’t thinkI’mthe monastery thief, do y’?”
So shedidremember their conversation from the wee hours.
He was about to reassure her that nay, he didn’t think she was the thief.Who could ever believe Carenza was a common outlaw?
On the other hand, she’d stolen her father’s coo, let the Boyle brothers take the blame, and deceived the abbot.She wasn’t exactly without sin.
Could she have stolen the church treasures?
There was only one way to find out.Ask her directly.
“Areyou the monastery thief?”he asked.
“Nay,” she replied.
She closed her eyes.He figured that was the end of it.
Then she opened them again and said, “But I’m goin’ t’ help y’ find him.”
Hew frowned.“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why?”
“’Tis too dangerous.”
“No more dang’rous than reivin’ coos.”
She had a point.But the last thing he needed was a lass getting in the way of his investigation, especially when it involved powerful members of the church.And if Carenza was anything like the last three women he’d courted, she’d be unable to resist sharing her clandestine mission with her maid.
Soon the whole clan would know what they were up to.
The abbot would find out Hew had been indiscreet.
And the gossip would reach the king’s ear.
Nay, it would be best if she forgot everything she’d heard about the monastery thief.
“I work better alone,” he told her.
“No one w’rks better ’lone.”As she grew sleepy, her voice trailed off.
But what she’d said was true.And it made him think.
“Wait.What did you say?”
She smiled.“About kissin’ y’?”
He couldn’t help but smile back.But this was important.“You said no one works better alone.”
“Did I?Mmm.”
He began to think aloud.
“Working with a partner does make things easier.Whether ’tis fighting in a clan battle or digging a cart out of the mud.”
“Or stealin’.”
