She chuckled. “You had no other choice. I wasn’t about to allow you to do this alone.”
He lifted her hand to his mouth and tenderly kissed her knuckles. “You are the only thing that will calm me right now. I thank you for believing in me the way you do.”
“Now you must believe in the constable and the bank. Because of their plan to capture Mr. McGuire and Miss Georgina, I trust that they will be arrested this morning.”
Although he found strength in Priscilla’s positive thinking, he still had doubts. Yesterday, when they went into the bank to inquire about Jacob’s frequent visits to withdraw banknotes, Gavin discovered that his secretary had been taking his money once a month. The bank’s staff hadn’t thought anything was amiss, since Jacob had been doing this since before Gavin became the duke.
After gathering that information, Gavin took Priscilla with him to visit the constable and report his findings. That was when they devised a plan. They would have the bank place a marking on one of the banknotes before handing it over to Jacob. Then, Gavin and Priscilla would sit across the street at the Tea Room shop and watch as Jacobs entered the bank. Once the man left, they would follow him until he gave Miss Georgina the money. The constable would also be on the lookout and make the arrests.
It seemed so easy, but Gavinknewsomething would happen to make the plan crumble. Misfortune wasn’t about to leave his life so easily.
He kissed her knuckles again. “If you believe, then I must.”
“Gavin,” she said in a whisper, “we will capture these thieves one way or another. Now that we know who they are and how Mr. McGuire is taking the money, they will soon be brought to justice.”
He nodded. “I think the wait will indeed kill me. I’m not a patient man.”
“Then may I suggest that you stare into my eyes as we discuss other things?”
He grinned. “What did you have in mind, my love?”
“Whatever your heart desires,” she said.
“Oh, there is only one thing I desire from you, but alas, we must wait until after we are married.” He winked. “But I wouldn’t mind practicing a little before that happy day arrives.”
She laughed. “You are impossible, but that is why I adore you.”
She glanced toward the bank, and he peered out the window again. When the familiar man walked up the street and into the bank, Gavin’s heartbeat quickened with anticipation and nervousness.
“There he is.” He nodded toward the bank without looking at Priscilla. “Do you know how difficult it is not to rush over there and punch the man in the face myself?”
“I can only imagine.” She patted his hand. “But we must be patient if we are going to capture both thieves.”
The minutes ticked by so slowly that Gavin wondered if the clock in the Tea Room had stopped. He pulled out his timepiece from his pocket to double-check. Finally, after ten very long and agonizing minutes, Jacob left the bank.
Gavin jumped up from his chair so fast it nearly toppled to the floor. He took Priscilla’s hand, and they left the shop. Trying to keep a considerable distance between them and Jacob, Gavin walked slowly, even if his heart was jumping.
The constable was up the street, and although Gavin couldn’t see him, he must have confidence that that man also had his eyes on Jacob. But even if the constable didn’t, Gavin was determined to make this right. He wanted his money back, even if he doubted they had it all. But stopping future transactions would be just as satisfying.
Jacob took a leisurely stroll as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Of course, why would the man suspect he was being followed? He hadn’t been caught stealing all this time, so why now?
“Where do you think he is heading?” Priscilla asked.
“I would think he is meeting Miss Georgina somewhere out in the open so as not to arouse suspicion with people seeing them together.”
“Do you think they are in love?”
Gavin snorted a laugh. “For as long as the man has been stealing from my family and giving it to Miss Georgina, I doubt they are in love. She was probably a child when McGuire first stole from my father.”
It surprised Gavin when Jacob slowed and walked into the park. He released Priscilla’s hand but hooked it around his elbow so that they appeared more natural. A handful of couples strolled along the green lawns and blossoming flower gardens. He tried to search for Miss Georgina, but he didn’t want to take his eyes off Jacob for very long.
“Do you see her?” he asked Priscilla.
“Not yet.”
A few times, Jacob stopped to visit with park patrons. Gavin and Priscilla also stopped and acted like they were enjoying the flowers, but he wouldn’t let Jacob out of his sight. He could see that Jacob searched for someone. Gavin was grateful the man didn’t notice him and Priscilla in the park—but even if he did, why would he suspect they were following him? Acting as if nothing was happening would be the key to capturing the man.
“There she is,” Priscilla whispered. “She is with her mother.”
