Since Dorrie had found the box at Raven Castle months ago, the family had tried to find a way to open it. No one, as yet, had managed it. Which to Warwick’s mind was odd. It couldn’t be that hard, and they had people in the family who could pick locks.
“Very well, we will all go in there first. You are not setting foot inside that shop alone.”
“Don’t be silly.”
“I’m rarely silly. You were abducted. If you wish to go into that shop, it will be with me.”
The little girls were unusually quiet watching them.
“Oh, very well, but that’s foolish.”
“And yet it is the only way you are entering that establishment.” Warwick smiled, and she frowned.
She didn’t exactly flounce, but it was a near thing. She took Kat’s hand and walked away from him, skirts swishing.
“Come on, sweeting, we are going into a locksmith’s it seems,” he said, following with Merry.
The shop was small, and a man stood behind counter, looking at Samantha as Warwick and Merry approached.
“Good day to you, sir. I wondered if you would have any advice on opening this box. We have been unsuccessful so far,” she said, unwrapping it and lowering it to the counter before her. “It is old, and therefore we have no wish to destroy it.”
“Good day,” the man said as he pulled the box closer. “I shall examine it for you, madam.”
He took a magnifying glass from beneath the counter and raised it to his eye. He then inspected it thoroughly.
“His eye is huge when he does that,” Merry whispered loudly. “It looks odd.”
“I’m sure someone in the family has a magnifying glass you’ve seen them use,” Warwick said.
The girls thought about that. Kat had released Samantha’s hand and was now holding a handful of her skirt. Warwick had a sudden urge to be the one to do that. He’d then raise it slowly… and that needed to stop immediately. Since their return to London, he couldn’t seem to get this woman and visions of what he’d like to do with her out of his head. Which was odd, as he’d never had those thoughts before.
Not strictly speaking true, but not as constantly or as intimate. He’d imagined kissing her before but only because she had a lovely mouth, that to his mind was made for kissing.
“My lady?”
They turned as one and looked at the owner of that voice. Mr. Blanchet stood there with a besotted look on his face. Warwick thought seriously about telling the man she wasn’t interested in him, but he knew Samantha’s soft heart would not want him hurt.
“Mr. Blanchet? I thought you were returning to Ireland?”
“I received word that more supplies had arrived and so I turned around and came to London to collect them.” He was smiling so wide Warwick was sure he’d displace his jaw, which would mean he couldn’t talk, so that would be a good thing. “The store I seek is farther along this road. I saw you and had to say hello.”
“You have already met Mr. Warwickshire Sinclair,” Samantha said, remembering her manners, as she always did.
“Of course. Good day.” Mr. Blanchet bowed, and Warwick did the same, still holding his niece’s hand.
“This is Meredith and Katherine,” Samantha then added.
“Good day to you both.” Mr. Blanchet acknowledged the girls. “How lovely you look today.”
Merry and Kat preened at the compliment, which annoyed Warwick, as clearly the man was harmless and polite, and he had no reason to dislike him intensely other than Blanchet was in love with Samantha.
As the girls and Samantha talked to the man, Warwick moved back to where the locksmith was examining the box.
“I have tried several tools to open it, but I’m afraid the lock is not something I have ever seen before. It is quite unique, sir.”
“We understand it is old,” Warwick said.
“Very. I can open most locks presented to me, but I’m afraid this is not one of them.”
