“Hmm.” Her hands roamed as she explored his body. “There are other enticements too.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Lucas groaned a little as her hands touched sensitive places. “But, my sweet, we have things we must do today.”
“That’s a shame,” she sighed, laying her head on his stomach.
Rolling his eyes, and pulling on every bit of strength he had, Lucas slid from beneath her. “Remember where we were. We’ll pick it up again tonight.”
Verity sighed. “Promise?”
“By Saint Calibria.” He raised his hand and crossed his chest.
Flopping down on the pillow for a few moments, Verity groaned. Then her mind awoke and everything inside her tightened. “Lucas,” she said quietly. “I’m not sure about this. But is there any way you can trace theexacttimes some of these errors happened?”
He frowned, thinking. “Not all of them. But some...yes, some of them I could put a time to.”
“Can we do that, please?” She pulled a blanket around herself. “I had an unpleasant thought recently. And last nightadded to my concern. So, much as I’d like to spend all day here with you, I think we should focus on our problem first...”
“You’re right,” he sighed. “You take the bathroom, and I’ll go and roust Edgar into making some breakfast for us.”
She nodded. Then leaned over him, kissing him lightly. “Sorry. Helpless to resist.”
He laughed aloud as she whisked herself away.
The bathroom was incredible. Verity’s eyes widened as she took in the tub, large enough for a small family, and a smaller nook where he’d had a sort of shower arrangement installed. Everything was spotless, there were soaps and towels, and she gave a little sigh of delight as she sniffed a bar of soap shaped like a shell, clearly never used.
She sniffed. And sniffed again. The fragrance was familiar...roses. Roses, she’d said, and gardenias, elegant, refined...Verity turned over the soap to find the manufacturer.
A pattern was falling into place in her head. She grabbed a towel and wrapped it around herself as she walked back into the bedroom where Lucas was shrugging into a thick robe.
“I think I have it...” She frowned, her mind playing with numbers, and adding other ingredients to the mix.
He stared at her. “You have it? You have what?”
“I think I know who is behind all this.” She focussed on him. “Can we see Alastair this morning?”
“Of course,” Lucas nodded. “But unfortunately, you’ll have to wear something other than that towel.”
Chapter Twenty Two
Lucas had turned the problem over and over in his mind. Heknewhe couldn’t be far from a solution, because between himself, Verity, and Alastair, they’d harvested quite a lot of information about the way the thief operated. Now all they had to do was tie it together and use it to identify whoever was actually doing it. Also to find out where the money was.
He had contacted Alastair after breakfast, fortunately finding him at home. And yes, he was eager to hear what they’d come up with. Combined with the other information? They had to be closer than a gnat’s toe to the truth.
Verity walked quietly beside him, busy with her own thoughts. He glanced at her, and impulsively took her hand, drawing it through his arm. She returned the look with a warm smile.
And that, he realised later, was probably the moment heknew.
He wanted to walk beside her for the rest of his life. He couldn’t even imagine another woman with all the amazing talents she had, the gifted intellect, the generous heart, the tireless enthusiasm, and yes, all the other things he’d enjoyed discovering. Oruncovering.
He chuckled, attracting her attention. “Amused?” she asked, as they approached Alastair’s door.
“Diverted,” he said, walking up the steps and grabbing the large brass knocker.
“Diverted by what?” asked Verity as they waited.
“You,” he answered simply. “I’m going to marry you.”
“Hello, come on in.” Alastair swung the door wide. “I’m glad you’re here.”
