“The devil broke into your house?” Theo could barely sit still. When he caught the miscreant, he would wring his damn neck. “When?”
“A month before you were shot outside my shop.”
He could understand why Miss Darrow thought the armed thugs had come to kidnap her and not Delphine. The lady was up to her neck in the mire. Now it was up to him to ensure she didn’t sink.
“You have an obvious problem,” he said, though it was one of many. “I see no sign of the book. How are you supposed to deliver the note at six this evening?”
“I pray it is still at the shop.”
Daventry stood abruptly and snatched the paper with the barrow boy’s direction. “I’ll catch D’Angelo before he leaves and have him visit the boy. While I’m gone, decide if you wish to open the letters or use them as bait.”
Daventry departed.
Barely a second passed before a subtle intimacy enveloped them, one born from their shared goal. This unspoken connection prompted Theo to reach out, his hand finding hers, offering a reassuring squeeze that spoke of their newfound bond.
“We will fix this, and you will dress the ladies of the ton again. I give you my word.” He looked at the box and the three letters resting on the burgundy velvet. “Who do the other notes belong to? You must tell me the truth. You mustn’t be afraid to confess your darkest secrets.”
Miss Darrow glanced at their joined hands. He expected her to tug hers free, but she did not. “It must be comforting to be part of a large family. There’s always someone there to ensure you remain on the right path. Someone to tell you your decisions are foolhardy.”
Yes, his brothers did not mince words.
“Is there anyone I might contact on your behalf?” Was there someone in the world who cared about her? A parent or sibling? “A person you trust enough to help you with this matter?”
Her gaze rose to meet his. Though she smiled, he knew the look of loneliness in a woman’s eyes. “There is no one, Mr Chance. My parents are dead.” There was a tinge of guilt in her tone, as if she had been the one to slay them. “It’s just me, battling the world alone.”
“No. We are battling this fiend together.”
She swallowed deeply and pursed her lips like she might cry. “Which goes to prove one cannot foretell the future. I’ll never forget how you looked at me all those weeks ago when you stormed into the yard. I pray I never disappoint anyone like that again.”
I can tolerate many things, Miss Darrow, but never deceit.
I’ll not trust another word from your lips.
The crux of his anger had stemmed from his fears for Delphine.
“You proved yourself my match when you barged into the theatre box, threatening to use wicked means to overthrow me.” And she had. One kiss had left him craving another. He would wring every last whimper from her lips if she’d let him. “I think that makes us even.”
“I always hoped we might be friends before tragedy struck as it did. You were amusing company.”
“I’m still amusing company. I see no reason why we cannot be friends now.” Hell, he had told her the one thing he’d never revealed to another living soul. “I heard you used to find me charming.”
She laughed. “Who told you that?”
“Delphine.”
“Your sister exaggerates. Although the way you came to her rescue was rather gallant.”
“Does that mean you’ll consider kissing me again?” He couldn’t help but tease her, though the answer mattered more than it should.
“Why would I? You have nothing with which to barter.”
“Trust me. I shall find something.”
“That sounds like the beginnings of a game, Mr Chance.”
“Perhaps it is, Miss Darrow.” While her rosebud pout held him captive, her gaze traced the breadth of his chest. “A game of seduction. Let us see who submits first.”
A spark of intrigue flashed in her eyes. It was the happiest he had seen her in weeks. “Very well. But there is only one rule.”
“Which is?” Why did he find a simple challenge so arousing? They had troubles abound but this proved the perfect distraction.
“Honesty. Lies result in a forfeit.”
Theo couldn’t help but grin. “Agreed. I’ve said it before, but you’re my kind of scoundrel, Miss Darrow.”
“Let’s pray you’re as magnanimous when you lose.”
He couldn’t lose. There was pleasure to be had in playing the game. “When do we begin?”
She shrugged. “There’s no time like the present.”
“Very well.” He released her hand and captured her chin, stroking her soft skin gently with his thumb. “It’s good to see you smile again.”
Suspicion flashed in her eyes as she attempted to determine if he spoke the truth. “Why?”
“The world seems brighter when you do.”
“I might doubt your word and force you to cluck like a chicken.”
