“Fenbridge will likely be in favor of this idea.”
Tess scoffed softly. “Based on how the Van Arsdales took control of Fenbridge Hall, they haven’t much respect for his lordship.”
“True.” Dom squeezed her hand where it rested on his arm. “But Fenbridge knows the right people. As do I. Nobles. Respected collectors. Some of them museum donors.”
“And they respect you. An antiquarian. A Prince of Princes of London.”
He gave her a rueful smile. “They like my father’s panache, perhaps.”
“And yours,” she insisted.
He let out a harsh breath. “Van Arsdale sees me as someone he’s bought and paid for.”
Tess turned his hand, laying her hand atop his and lacing their fingers. “Then we call on those collectors you know. Anyone particularly estimable?”
Dom studied their entwined fingers, then looked into Tess’s eyes. So bright and beautiful. Just like her. His chest filled as if it might burst with the love he felt for her.
“I have a few ideas,” he told her, then bent to steal a too-quick kiss.
“You know this is a great risk for you,” she said quietly. “Van Arsdale might withdraw his patronage.”
Dom nodded, shifting in his seat. “We’ll need to speak to Eve, though I have every reason to think she’ll agree. When she hears of how they’ve behaved...”
“I’m eager to meet her.”
“She’ll be pleased to meet you.”
“How can you be so sure?” She pushed at him playfully.
“My sister Allie said it best.” He reached out and cupped her cheek. “She said I look happy and haven’t in a long while.”
This time Tess leaned in, pressing her lips to his in a kiss that made him groan.
“If you don’t mind the risk, then I’m with you.” She drew her finger along his jawline, a stroke he felt wend through his body, making him ache for her and the next time they could be alone.
As the train carried them north, he tried to keep from pulling her into his lap and ravishing his bride-to-be in a public train carriage.
They talked about their plan and how best to approach Fenbridge. Their whole scheme took shape—one that might change everything.
“I suppose this is all my fault,” Eveline Prince said as she stood in the drawing room of Foxdene. “I’m the one who asked you to visit Lady Goddard’s that day.”
Dominic’s sister was not happy with the plan to persuade the Van Arsdales.
“Yes, and we’ll be sure to tell our children that Aunt Eve played a part in our first meeting,” Dom told her with a wink.
Miss Prince rolled her eyes. Then she looked over at Tess and her expression softened.
“I mean no offense to you at all, Miss Hawthorne. I’m thrilled for both of you.” She approached until they were almost toe-to-toe. “Thank you,” she said more quietly, “for being the reason my brother seems more himself than he has in a very long time.”
“He’s done the same for me.”
“Congratulations,” she said with a warm smile, “again. Please know none of my reservations are about you.”
“I understand.” And Tess did. The dig mattered to Eve Prince. She could see it in her eyes, the excitement in her voicewhen she spoke of what they’d found before her arrival and what had been discovered in the last two days.
A silver bowl in perfect condition had been recovered, along with silver spoons that indicated they may have been Byzantine in origin due to their design and inscriptions.
Miss Prince turned back to her brother, who sat on a settee next to Tristan.
