So he’d crept out, returned to his lodgings for a wash and change—and dug about to find his second-favorite pair of boots—before checking his post. He’d received notification from his superiors that the stolen canopic jarshadbeen traced, sold through legitimate channels in countries on the Continent to other collectors who believed they’d come directly from Egypt.
The counterfeiting ring not only knew how to hide their tracks, but how the world of antiquities worked. Kenneth had refolded the message carefully, his mind already skipping ahead to how Barbara could help him figure out this new riddle. One thing he was certain of: her mind was up to the challenge.
He would return to her home right away, pretending he hadn’t crept away from her bed mere hours ago, and lay this new riddle at her feet.
Except…when he stepped into the street, it was to see a lad hawking the latestRake Review.
Kenneth had barely begun to read before he’d taken off running again.
Beginning to huff and puff, he turned down Barbara’s street. He had to reach her before the news did. He had to explain to her…
She was more than a wager.
She’d been more than a wager since the first time he’d sat beside her, tried to flirt with her, and been impressed by her wit.
Aye, he loved the woman.
And that had nothing to do with Merevale, this case, or the stupid wager.
Gasping for breath, Kenneth reached the top step of the Fokette townhouse and slumped against the door. He was trying to muster the strength to knock when the door opened unexpectedly and he stumbled into the hall.
Luckily the tall, red-headed footman was there to catch him. “Sir Kenneth! I was just on my way to fetch you! You have been demanded!”
Damn damn fook shite damn!
Did that mean news of the blasted scandal sheet had already reached the Fokettes? Kenneth struggled to regulate his breathing as he straightened and brushed down his waistcoat. “Och aye?” Trying to maintain an air of nonchalance while huffing for breath, he managed, “Why?”
Elmo shrugged and pointed over his shoulder. “Master Alfred told me Miss Barbara needed to see you. She’s in her library waiting for you. I can take your hat?”
Distractedly, Kenneth handed over his hat, already heading for the stairs. Dear God, had she seen the Belle’s cursed announcement? Did Barbara think he’d been playing with her affections all because of awager?
Did she think last night had been meaningless?
From behind, Elmo called, “I’ll bring up some tea.”
Sweating from nerves as well as exertion, Kenneth called back, “Perhaps with some ice in it.”
“Iced tea?” the footman mumbled. “How peculiar. Whatwillthese Scots think of next?”
But Kenneth had put the encounter behind him; he needed to focus on Barbara. On finding the right words to convince her this—thisthisthey shared wasn’t because of the wager.
Unfortunately, inspiration had not struck by the time he reached her library, with its open door and the sound of her pacing. Aye, he’d even learned the sound of her steps, with a boot to support her left foot and the other in a comfortable slipper. He paused at the door to swallow down his fear that he would lose her.
Losethis.
Losethem.
But when he stepped inside, she whirled to him…beaming.
“Did you see?” She waved a scandal sheet that even from here he could see was theRake Review. “This was distributed this morning!”
Why did she look so happy?
“Aye, I saw,” he said dully, crossing the room to meet her, to take her in his arms. “Love, I’m sorry. I should have said something?—”
“Is it notwonderful?” she gushed, smiling up at him, blue eyes sparkling with what he now saw was excitement. “I knew I needed to speak with you, so we could plan!”
“Um,” Kenneth said.
