Page 38 of Thief Taker

The hair rose on the back of Elias’s neck. “Hyde Park? Who told you?”

“Heard it from Pike himself, last night in The King’s Arms. He was driving, poor bugger.” He shook his head. “Frightened him half to death.”

Elias filed the coachman’s name away for later. “Did he say whether—?”

“Cole!” Tobin appeared behind him, as if out of nowhere. “What are you doing, gossiping like a fishwife? Mr. Duvall is ringing for you.”

Elias sighed, thwarted. He’d have to get away later and speak to Pike. With a nod of thanks to Flannigan, he headed to the kitchen to prepare Duvall’s chocolate—no sugar, as always. Then he made his way upstairs. He and Duvall had left things on an uncertain note last night and he didn’t know how to play his hand this morning. To be more honest, he scarcely knew which cards he held.

He knocked lightly and entered. Luckily, Duvall was already half dressed, in breeches and shirt. He stood near the window, gazing out at the sunny morning, but turned as Elias entered. His hair, uncombed, caught the morning sun and gleamed chestnut in the light. He looked handsome and rumpled, and Elias felt an uncomfortable pang in his chest, part attraction, part guilt.

“How’s your hand?” Elias said, by way of greeting.

“Worse, I think.” Duvall grimaced, trying to move his swollen fingers.

“Best not punch anyone today, then.”

“No.” He gave a rueful smile and for a moment their eyes met and held. Much could have been said about last night, but none of it was advisable. At length, Duvall broke their gaze, his expression tight. “I’m going to see the solicitor this morning,” he said. “I want to understand what he knows about this business with the entail.”

“Good,” Elias said from where he still stood on the other side of the room. “I think there must be a remedy in law.”

“Maybe. But only if it can be done privately, without dragging my family into a public court room.” He ran a hand through his messy hair. “To expose our situation to the world would be intolerable.”

More intolerable than losing your entire estate on the turn of a playing card? Nobs had strange priorities. “You must do what’s best for your family,” Elias said. “That’s always a man’s first duty.”

Duvall met his eyes and for a moment there was a smile, in his eyes and on his lips. Something in Elias’s chest twisted, a sensation of sunshine peeking through clouds. “Do you really believe so, Cole? Greater, say, than his duty to the law?”

“There are few men who would choose the law over their family, I think. I can’t claim to be so virtuous. Or so law-abiding.”

As the look between them lingered again, Elias swallowed. Virtuous was the last thing he felt at that moment. Reckless, perhaps. Hungry.

With a curt nod, he beat a hasty retreat to the dressing room. There he retrieved a clean neckcloth, waistcoat and coat. Then he laid out the shaving equipment, poured the hot water the maid had already carried upstairs into the basin, and was about to leave Duvall to get ready when he appeared in the doorway looking sheepish.

“I, um,” he said, holding up his swollen left hand and not quite meeting Elias’s eyes. “I’m afraid I don’t think I’ll manage to shave or do the damn buttons this morning, Cole.”

It took a moment before Elias understood the implication. His eyes widened. “You want me to shave you?”

Kit raised an eyebrow. “Do you object…?”

“No,” Elias said abruptly. “Of course not.” Because you’re meant to be his valet, you bloody fool. All this intimacy was making him careless and the last thing he needed was Duvall developing suspicions.

Steeling himself, he drew a chair up in front of the dressing table. “Take a seat, then.”

It was easier not to think about what he was doing as he pressed the hot flannel over Duvall’s face and tipped his head back. Or as his fingertips ran over Duvall’s skin while he lathered his jaw, sliding the blade across his cheek and throat. It was easier not to think about the warm feel of his face, or how close he was standing—so close he could feel Duvall’s shallow breaths against his cheek. If he’d thought about any of it, his hands might have started to shake. He just focused on the movement of the blade against skin, taking care over every angle and plane of Duvall’s handsome face. Then he dabbed him dry with a clean towel and pressed Pearl Water onto his skin, holding both hands there for a moment.

Duvall watched him with those too-honest eyes and Elias had to bite his own lip to keep from leaning down and— “There,” he said, gruff-voiced, “all done.”

When he stepped back, Duvall inspected himself in the mirror, running a finger along his jaw. His shirt was damp around the collar, and a few beads of water clung to his collarbone.

Elias couldn’t tear his eyes away. “I got you a little wet,” he said and reached down with the towel to dab away the water.

Duvall seized his wrist, strong fingers holding him. In the mirror, their eyes met and Duvall’s throat bobbed as he swallowed. “Elias…”

The sound of his Christian name on those lips sent a jolt through him. Elias huffed out a stifled breath. Good Christ. “We can’t.”

“We could.”

Maybe, if Elias hadn’t been lying to him with every breath. If he hadn’t been hunting his brother. “We mustn’t.” He tugged his arm free and took a step back. “It would be unprofessional, sir.”