“Can you suggest anyone who can?” Warwick asked.
“I will do some research for you.”
Warwick handed over his card, then wrapped the box up once again.
“We are finished, Samantha,” Warwick said when he reached her and Blanchet, who was falling all over himself like a puppy to compliment her. It made him want to grab the man’s necktie and tighten it.
“Of course.” She smiled at the girls. “Good day to you, Mr. Blanchet.”
“My lady.” He bowed deeply.
“Could he open it?” Samantha asked Warwick after they’d left the shop.
“No. He said it was incredibly old and he’d never seen a lock like it before.”
“How vexing. I fear we will never see what is inside.” She was talking to his left shoulder.
“Extremely, but if we do get it open, that does not mean it holds the secrets we seek.”
“I understand that.” The words were cool. She then walked ahead of him and into the next shop with the girls.
Warwick followed slowly, knowing she deserved an apology from him. He needed to stop dragging his feet and tender it. He hated apologizing.
Crammed full of cabinets and shelves, the shop he entered was a veritable wonderland for two little nieces. Warwick knew he would not be leaving anytime soon.
“Hello, look at these two sweet little girls.”
“Nathan.” Warwick held out his hand to the tall man whose brother was his best friend. “Merry, Kat, do you remember Mr. Deville?” He looked around for Samantha, but she was nowhere to be seen.
“Yes,” they both said, like all the children in his family that had a fiendishly good memory.
“What has you in a shop like this, Nathan?” He saw Samantha then, well her skirts, as she was crouched behind a cabinet, inspecting it closely.
“I was purchasing my wife a gift, Sinclair.”
Zach looked like Nathan. In fact, all the Deville brothers had the same coloring with a few subtle differences.
“And has your wastrel brother risen yet?”
“Doubtful. He rarely sees a morning,” Nathan said.
“Clearly he does not have a niece who wishes to buy a birthday gift.”
“It’s my birthday,” Kat said.
“Happy birthday, sweet Katherine.” Nathan bowed. “Make sure you select the biggest and most expensive gift in the shop.”
“Yes, thank you for that,” Warwick drawled. “She needs none of your encouragement.”
Nathan wandered off, and Warwick and his nieces inspected cabinets. Samantha was still kneeling, engrossed in whatever held her attention.
“We want these, Uncle Warwick.”
“We?” He looked at Merry.
“I’m not sure you should get anything, Merry. After all, it is Kat’s birthday, not yours,” Warwick said.
“I will take her shopping when it is my birthday so she can get a present then too.”
