Cursing, Gavin raked his fingers through his hair. “All this time? Jacob has been stealing from me since I took over as duke?”
“Actually, I wouldn’t doubt that he was stealing from your father as well.”
Gavin snorted a forced laugh. “And the weak man was probably too intoxicated to notice what his secretary was doing.” He looked up at her. “But why would he do that?”
“I don’t know for certain why, but Miss Georgina is definitely involved.”
He covered his face with his hands and leaned his elbows on the desk. “I trusted him, and I’m sure my father did as well.”
“There has to be a connection.” She rubbed his neck with both of her hands. “We just need to find out what.”
He sat up again, took her wrist, and led her around to sit on his lap. The moment was intimate, and her heartbeat raced. Now was certainly not the time to feel this way, but how could she not when they were in this position?
“Priscilla Hartwell? What would I do without you?”
She chuckled. “Do you really want me to answer that?”
“No, because I already know.” He cupped the side of her face. “I feel foolish for not noticing the discrepancy myself, but I suppose I didn’t want to suspect Jacob, so I put the doubt from my mind.”
“You are not a fool for thinking he was innocent. After all, he was your friend as well as your father’s.”
“Tell me, my love. How do I prove that he is the thief?”
“We can go to the bank. They will know if Mr. McGuire has taken out funds in your name.”
He chuckled again, but this time it wasn’t forced. “Once again, you are proving how intelligent you are. Indeed, you are one in a million. No other woman is like you.”
She grinned. “Flattery will get you anything you want.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Anything?”
“Of course, but may I suggest you not collect that here in your study?” She glanced around the room. “It doesn’t look too comfortable.”
His laughter warmed her heart as he hugged her tightly. “I think I grow to love you more and more each day.”
“And I you.” She bent and kissed his mouth, but when he tried to deepen the kiss, she withdrew. “May I suggest we take a ride to the bank and talk to someone there? I would hate to have anything distract us from our goal.”
“You are a wicked woman, aren’t you?”
“I love to tease, if that is what you’re asking. Then again, so do you.”
“I think my bad habits are rubbing off on you.” He winked.
“I welcome the rubbing… any way I can get it.”
Chapter Nineteen
Gavin tapped hishand nervously against his thigh as he sat at the table and stared out the window. Across the street was the bank his family had used for as long as he could remember. This was the place that had been designated to keep his money safe. But it wasn’t their fault they kept giving it to Jacob McGuire, the so-called trusted employee.
Inwardly, Gavin boiled with anger. How could he have been so blind? He understood how his father had looked past Jacob’s insubordination, since the intoxicated man never knew which way was up. If only Gavin could figure out why Jacob had been stealing from their coffers all these years.
Sitting next to him at the table, Priscilla slipped her hand over his and squeezed. He moved his focus from the bank and looked at her. She was absolutely the most perfect woman he had ever met, and so lovely to look upon.
“Things will work out,” she said. “I just know it.”
Smiling, he exhaled deeply, wondering if he had been breathing at all these past several minutes. The tension was thick in the air, and growing even thicker.
“My love, although you have opened my eyes to what McGuire has been doing, I don’t know what possessed me to bring you with me.”
