“Aye,” he said gently, pulling her closer, “but that doesnae mean we cannae mourn it. I’m sorry that happened to ye, love, and I am grateful ye have told me.”
“Iam grateful you have given me the opportunity to have these adventures with you,” she sniffed. “To put my knowledge to good use? It makes me feel valid. Validated. My body may be broken, but my mind?—”
“Yer body is perfect—ye are perfect.” He crushed her to him, wrapping his arms around her, his lips finding hers.
She surged upward, meeting him with desperation and hope and fear and everything jumbled inside her for the last few weeks.
This kiss was over far too soon, with Kenneth being the one to press his forehead to hers, his breathing harsh. They stood like that for a long moment and Barbara took strength from him.
Finally he brushed a kiss over her nose and straightened. “And my superiors agree with our conclusions, ye ken. We’re dealing with an antiquities forgery ring here, and the misfortunes our marks are experiencing are no’ a coincidence.”
Barbara glanced about to make certain they were alone. “The question is, are the misfortunes what cause the forgers to target them, or are they a result? What came first?”
When his smile bloomed, his dimple was on full display. “I said ye were brilliant, aye? I have to report this afternoon, after our visit to Woodcock, and I’ll let ye ken what the rest of the team says.”
“How?” Her brow twitched teasingly. “I know you are not yet invited for dinner. My mother remarked that three times already this week was quite enough, even for…for an ardent suitor.”
Something wicked gleamed in his eyes as he winked, then bent down to kiss her once more. “Leave yer bedchamber window unlocked, love, and I’ll find a way to report to ye,” hewhispered against her lips, so lightly she wasn’t certain she’d heard it.
Before she could ask, she heard her father’s steps on the stairs. By the time he appeared, Kenneth was standing a respectable distance away, straightening his hat, and Barbara had schooled her expression into one of mild curiosity.
Not that they needed to have bothered; Papa was buried behind a newspaper, muttering to himself. She and Kenneth could have been making passionate love there on the tiled floor and he wouldn’t have noticed until he tripped over them.
The thought of making love to Kenneth—and the wicked promise he’d just made her—made her warm all over.
Leave yer bedchamber window unlocked.
Barbara had no idea what he intended, but she trusted him. She would absolutely be leaving her window unlocked, and knew she would spend the next eight hours in a heightened state of arousal.
It seemed that Papa finally noticed them. “Oh, right. Good morning.”
“Afternoon, Papa,” Barbara murmured.
“Good afternoon, milord.” Kenneth gave a respectful bow, which Papa completely missed. “The news is particularly engrossing today, is it?”
Papa made a noise which might have been agreement, might have been a chicken bone stuck in his throat, as he waved the paper about with one hand and reached for his hat with the other. “Damn fool lads, getting up to damn fool antics.”
“Oh?” Kenneth asked politely as he fetched Papa’s coat and held it open. Barbara liked how he had settled into the informality of their household. “Anyone I ken?”
Papa peered at him over the top of his spectacles. “I sincerely hope not, young man. It says here”—he smacked the paper against his thigh as he slid the other arm into the coat sleeve—”some theater owner swam naked in the Serpentine in the view of half the young ladies of the Ton.”
Kenneth’s expression lit. “Really? Remington Ives? Was theRake Reviewprinted in the gossip columns this month?”
Not terribly surprised he knew the reprobate in question, Barbara watched him take the paper as Papa buttoned himself, his eyes skimming over the newsprint.
“So youdoknow him?” she asked dryly.
“Just a friend—a little wager at the Standish Ball,” he murmured dismissively. “But this isnae theRake Reviewscandal sheet, so it likely doesnae count.” His shrug looked a little disappointed as he folded the newspaper and slid it under his arm before offering her his other arm. “Shall we go call on Sir Horatio Woodcock?”
“Yes, yes, lad!” Papa led the way out the door to wave to the waiting carriage. “I know how eager you are to learn about antiquities.”
As they followed, Barbara was struck with a sudden, small wave of disappointment. Kenneth was only doing this, only spending this time with her and her family, because of his case. What would it be like for him towantto learn about steles andushabtisand canopic jars with her? What would it be like to share her passions with someone like him?
No use bemoaning what might have been.
Right. There might not be a future for them, but for now, Sir Kenneth Fraser was eager to spend time with her, and she would luxuriate in that knowledge. And while she could, she would learn everything she could from him about the art of pleasure.
Leave yer bedchamber window unlocked.
