26. Chapter 26
“Miss Whittingham, if I may say so, you are quite distracted this afternoon. Is something troubling you?” Ethan Davenport took one of Lucy’s hands and gave it a squeeze. It was a bright, sunny afternoon, and the two of them were seated outside on the veranda.
“Oh dear, I’m sorry. My mind is tumbling over all the tasks I must handle while my sister is out of town. I do apologize.”
“Your sister is out of town? I hadn’t realized. Perhaps I should not be here when you are unchaperoned.” He stood up to take his leave, but Lucy tugged on the sleeve of his jacket.
“Lord Davenport, I doubt you have any nefarious intentions here in the garden with a house full of children behind us. Stay. I could use some pleasant adult conversation this afternoon.”
Davenport looked down at her beautiful face.
She had no idea how easily he could picture himself ravishing her right here in the garden.
He would lay her down in the grass and kiss every soft inch of her graceful neck.
Nibble on those delectable earlobes while he unfastened each of the buttons on her dress one at a time.
He would unwrap her carefully, like a special gift at Christmas.
Lucy hadn’t any idea how alluring she was; it was one of the things he liked best about her.
She was entirely unaware of her beauty. He was not though… which was exactly why he should leave.
But when she gave another tug on his sleeve, he let himself be pulled back down next to her on the bench. She bestowed another sunny smile upon him. He reached out a hand and ran the back of his knuckles down her cheek. “Do you not know how tempting you are?”
Her eyes went wide, the cornflower blue depths pulling him in.
He leaned in to touch his lips to hers. Just a small taste…
but one taste was not enough. Her lips, like a sweet wine, were intoxicating, and he dipped closer for another kiss.
She sighed. Her hand came up to rest against his heart.
Everything around them blurred as the warmth of her lips drew him in.
He cupped the other side of her face, changing the angle and deepening the kiss.
Finally, he broke away, leaning his forehead against hers. “I should go.”
Lucy’s smile disappeared, and she stood abruptly. Walking a few steps away, she looked out at the roses that climbed the wrought iron bars of the fence.
“Don’t you ever get tired of being proper and good? Of always doing the right thing?” Her voice was clipped and angry.
Davenport frowned. “I am not sure what you mean. Would you like me to be wicked, to be hiding some deep, dark sin?”
Lucy whirled around, her eyes wide. “No! I guess I was speaking more about myself.” She sighed and wrapped her arms around her waist. “My sister is the bold one. She is head of our household, and she does whatever she wants without worrying about breaking the rules. I’m quite angry with her right now.
Once again, here I am, making my lists, supervising the staff, and taking care of the details while she is…
she is missing.” Lucy caught her bottom lip between her teeth.
He reached out, and she put her hand in his once again. This time, it was he who tugged her down onto the bench. He chose his words carefully.
“I admire your ability to run the household in her absence. And I don’t think there is anything wrong in being responsible, in taking care of the details. In fact, I have often been accused of those things myself.” He gave a self-deprecating smile, which Lucy returned.
“Miss Lucy.”
They both looked up. Mrs. Fenway stood a few yards away. “Your uncle is here. I have put him in the library.”
“That’s odd. I was not expecting him. Do you mind waiting here for a few moments? I will just see what he wants, and then perhaps we can all have some tea together.” He nodded his agreement. Lucy disappeared through a set of French doors at the other end of the patio.
Lucy shut the glass doors behind her, and squaring her shoulders, she walked across the room.
Her uncle stood near the fireplace, examining the ornaments hung with red ribbon from the mantel.
There was one enamel ornament for each of the six siblings.
Her mother had painted them herself. Lucy held her breath as her uncle flicked at one carelessly, and it swung wildly back and forth for a moment.
She was just as angry with Charles as she was with her sister. “Uncle Charles, I was not expecting you today.”
“Lucy.” He walked over to give her a kiss on the cheek. “I am looking for Emma. The housekeeper said she is not home.”
“No, she is not here. She was injured last weekend while attempting to steal a diamond necklace.” She gained some satisfaction at his shocked expression. “Sound familiar? The necklace you told her about at the opera.”
“What happened? How badly was she injured?” Charles, to his credit, looked concerned.
“She was shot in the arm while escaping the house. Shot!” Taking a breath in through her nose, she lowered her voice. “I told you she promised me she was going to quit, but you still encouraged her to do another job. I am furious with you both.”
His eyebrows drew down, and his eyes narrowed. “Where is she now? Where is the necklace?”
“Where is the necklace? Is that all you can say? Emma could have been killed!”
“But she was not. Burglary is inherently dangerous. Emma understands this. Where is your sister?” Charles’ expression darkened.
Lucy couldn’t believe his cavalier attitude about Emma’s well-being.
She realized if her sister was ever to have a chance at a fresh start, their uncle needed to exit their lives.
She crossed her arms across her chest. “She is recuperating somewhere safe. The necklace has been returned anonymously to the owner.”
“Returned.” His voice rose, and he took a menacing step toward Lucy. “Where is Emma?” he shouted.
“Emma now has someone looking out for her best interests, someone who wants to take care of her, not just use her.” Lucy stood her ground, although she had never seen her uncle look quite so furious.
“The duke,” Charles spat out derisively.
He grabbed hold of her upper arms, squeezing them painfully.
“Listen carefully. Emma works for me. How do you think you can still live in this house, still have all your pretty frocks for your husband-hunting? I am the reason you all are not paupers on the street.” He gave her a shake, and the first tendrils of true fear grew in her belly. “Where is she?” he demanded.
“I suggest you unhand the lady immediately.” A welcome voice boomed from the doorway.
Charles dropped his hands in surprise, and she stumbled backward a little.
Davenport strode across the room toward Charles, his face a stone mask of fury.
She grabbed at Ethan’s arm as he stepped in between her and Charles.
Turning to her, he asked, “Lucy, are you all right?”
She nodded as their eyes met, and the anger reflected in his boosted her own. She faced her uncle. “I would introduce you, but my uncle was just leaving.” She injected as much ice as possible into her tone. “He is not welcome in this house any longer.”
A strong hand slipped into hers and gave a squeeze. She welcomed the warmth and knew she was not alone.
Charles strode down the street. His cane clicked against the bricks.
He couldn’t believe the necklace was out of his reach.
How could she agree to return such a valuable piece?
What would he tell the buyers? Dorling and his associates did not take bad news lightly.
His neck was on the line with this auction.
Thinking about Emma ensconced somewhere with her precious duke made him ill.
She was his. He had trained her, groomed her to be an exceptional thief.
This was not over. What he needed was something of equal value to replace the diamond necklace.
A plan began to form. What did the aristocracy fear more than anything?
Scandal, of course. He smiled to himself as he headed home.
He had a letter to write. Emma would be his again soon.