***
Olivia never failed to impress Lucas.
She’d been articulate. Confident. And doggedly resolute. Even as she leaned to see out the office window, her golden eyes were wide and eagerly intent. “How do you think that went?”
Lucas stood next to her as they watched Wainbridge’s carriage disappear around the corner. “He’s agreed to help. That’s a start, isn’t it?”
Once the carriage was completely out of sight, she dropped the edge of the curtain and moved back to the center of the office. “He still doesn’t trust me. I can tell.”
“Well then, you’ll just have to prove yourself,” Lucas offered encouragingly. “Just as you have been. I only hope you proceed with caution.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning this entire situation could be very dangerous. These people aren’t the sort of people we usually interact with. You even said that Tabitha suggested Wakes could be violent.”
She drew a deep breath and folded her arms. “I know, but we can’t let them succeed. Especially Russell. They may have stolen from the Cloverton collection, but Russell also took something from my family. He betrayed my father’s legacy and took advantage of his good name. He must be held accountable for that.”
Lucas recognized the fire and need for justice in her words. He wanted to do something that would protect her and rectify the injustices she faced, but he also suspected that doing so would almost be an insult to her. She was composed and clever, and shepossessed more aplomb than anyone he knew. Her inquisitiveness and poise would be the envy of most men.
No, she did not need him.
But maybe—just perhaps—shewantedhim.
“This isn’t going to be easy. If you need my support, you have it.” He moved toward her. “And you will always have it.”
She noticed the small rendering of the Avery boys on the desk and lifted it to get a closer look at the drawing his brother had made all those years ago. “I wonder what our fathers would say if they knew we were working together like this.”
“My father would be relieved,” Lucas offered. “I know he always regretted the way things turned out between them.”
“I think my father would too. We have all seen how life is too short for holding on to grievances.”
He took another step in her direction until he was quite close.
Her curls sparkled in the afternoon sunlight. She lowered the drawing back to the desk and turned to face him.
Emboldened by the solidarity deepening between them, Lucas smoothed an errant lock of hair away from her face. He was close enough to see the golden flecks in her eyes that captivated him so, breathe the scent of rosewater that always wafted off her, and feel her warmth. “I don’t know about you, but I hope this is the first of many endeavors we undertake together.”
A playful smile curved her lips. “What else did you have in mind?”
He lowered his hand to her shoulder. She swayed subtly toward him, and it was all the encouragement he needed. He tookher in his arms, relishing her softness. She melted against him, and in that moment no more words were needed.
He lowered his lips to meet hers, and the tender passion he found there, the earnest return of his affection, confirmed that in the midst of searching for the success he’d thought would make him happy, he’d found thepersonwho would not only make him happy but make him complete.
Chapter41
“Laura. Laura.” Olivia touched her sister’s shoulder. “Wake up.”
Laura stirred under her covers, opened her eyes, and squinted in the faint light of dawn. “What time is it?”
“I need to talk to you.”
Confused, Laura pushed herself up on her elbows. “Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing’s wrong,” Olivia whispered. “But I am leaving for a few days.”
“What?” Suddenly fully awake, Laura sat upright. “What are you talking about?”
“Shh! I need to return to Cloverton Hall.”
