Gavin led Priscilla under the canopy branches of a tree. It was easier to spy on Jacob this way. Gavin didn’t care if tongues would wag because he was alone with his mother’s companion. They would be married soon, anyway.
It surprised him when he noticed the look of admiration on Jacob’s face when he stared at Lady Burns. Although the woman had been married all of her daughter’s life, Gavin had always wondered if she was truly in love with her husband, since he was much older. And now Gavin could see her tender expression of love as her gaze met Jacob.
“They are in love,” Gavin whispered to Priscilla.
“That still doesn’t explain why Mr. McGuire was stealing your family’s money.”
“My guess is that he felt sorry for his lady love because my father found a different mistress when he discovered she was pregnant. I think Jacob could have loved her even while she was my father’s mistress, and once she was discarded, he wanted to take care of her and her unborn child.”
“Then why didn’t she marry Mr. McGuire?”
Gavin shrugged. “Perhaps he didn’t think he could provide for them. But with Lady Burns being with child, she would have to find a husband quickly to prevent scandal. In that case, an older man seeking a wife was the one to search for. I’m quite certain Lord Burns didn’t even know he wasn’t Georgina’s father.”
“It’s quite sad, actually.”
He glanced at Priscilla. She had such a kind heart. “Why do you think it’s sad?”
“Because she couldn’t marry the man she truly loved.” Priscilla touched his face. “Eighteen months ago, I knew I was falling in love with you, but I feared you wouldn’t want me for a wife because of my lowly circumstances. Even now, I wonder why you want to marry me, considering I don’t have a dowry.”
“Oh, my lovely Cilla.” He covered her hand resting on his cheek. “Sometimes men fall in love whether they want to or not. If you recall, I hadn’t wanted to marry, but once I got to knowyou, I realized no other woman would make me as happy as you have made me.”
She smiled, and her blue eyes twinkled. “You say the sweetest words.”
“That is because I’m a man in love, and I don’t care if you are the king’s daughter or the child of an unmarried woman. You are the one for me.”
As much as he wanted nothing more than to hold her and shower her with passionate kisses, that would have to wait. Right now, he needed to watch Jacob closely.
Gavin switched his gaze back to his secretary and Mrs. Burns. As they chatted, they both looked happy. Unfortunately, the spoiled young woman beside them appeared to be quite bored, as she folded her arms and tapped a foot. Georgina’s scowl let him know Jacob hadn’t handed over the money yet. If so, the young woman would be rushing to the nearest dressmaker’s shop.
He exhaled slowly, trying to be patient. He had made it this far without punching the man in the face. He could wait a little longer.
Gavin glanced at the flower bush closest to them. Daisies were in full bloom, reminding him of that afternoon when Priscilla and Grams were in her garden by the flowers. He quickly picked a daisy and handed it to her.
“Thank you, my love, for helping me with this issue. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
Smiling, she lifted the daisy to her nose and sniffed. “I’m very happy to help in any way I can.”
He wanted to gaze into her eyes forever, but he glanced again at the threesome standing together. Finally, Jacob reached inside his waistcoat and pulled out a stack of banknotes. Georgina snatched them quickly and stuffed them in her wrist purse.
Gavin searched the area for the constable but couldn’t see him. Where was the man? This was the perfect time to make the arrests.
“Cilla, we might have to confront them,” he said.
“Why?”
“I don’t see the constable.” He scanned the park again as irritation built inside his chest.
Priscilla gasped. “Oh dear. Miss Georgina is leaving with her mother.”
Gavin switched his focus back to the two women. They were indeed leaving while Jacob walked in a different direction.
“Who should we follow?” Priscilla asked.
“Lady Burns and her self-centered daughter, since she is the one with the marked banknotes.”
“But what about Mr. McGuire?”
Gavin shook his head. “We cannot worry about him now. The staff at the bank will attest that he picked up the marked banknote. That will get him arrested.”
