Page 100 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
“The professor,” Macie replied. “And there was another man who wished to buy my grandfather’s books and papers—Hiram Neville. It appears he’d trailed us to the theater before his heart gave out.”
“Bloody peculiar.” Logan drummed his fingers on his desk. “These cheats are blasted clever. Counterfeit antiquities. Forged art. There’s no sense of honor among these thieves.” He sent Finn a speaking glance. “Ye must be especially vigilant with the lasses’ safety. As we learned from Amelia’s experience with art forgers, the curs are a ruthless lot.”
Seeing the way the color drained from Macie’s face, Finn reached for her, placing his hand on hers. “I will not let down my guard. Ye can rest assured of that.”
“Of that, I have no doubt,” Logan said with a look of solemn confidence.
Finn took a drink, his thoughts racing. “If these deaths are connected with fraudulent antiquities, the thieves must be on edge, wondering who will be next,” he said. “Someone may be nervous and running his mouth.”
Logan nodded. “I’ll make some inquiries. If there’s chatter, Murray and his assistants will pick up on it.”
“Thank you,” Macie said. “I greatly appreciate any assistance you might offer.”
“Anything for ye, Macie.” Logan’s dark eyes flashed with a smile. “I hear that the Dragon has taken a liking to ye.”
She blinked. “The Dragon?”
“My aunt, Elsie Johnstone,” Logan explained coolly. “Finn and I gave her that nickname when we were lads.”
“It’s not a secret,” Finn said.
“The woman is bloody proud of it.” Logan grinned. “She still thinks we’re incorrigible.”
“Because we are,” Finn said.
“Well, I think she’s a charming woman,” Macie said. “So clever with an abundance of interests.”
Logan cocked a brow. “Charming?”
“But clever is fair enough,” Finn said. “Ye’ll get no argument from me.”
Their conversation took a lighter turn while they enjoyed their drinks. As they prepared to take their leave, Macie paused to admire a silver-framed portrait on the sideboard. Amelia had smiled serenely for the photographer, while herwee beastbore what seemed a mischievous grin.
“So, this is Heathy,” she said with a genuine warmth in her voice. “I see the mischief in his eyes.”
“Amelia is devoted to that pup. She’d taken him in some time before we met. I do believe that chewing machine on four legs knows how good he’s got it since she found him.” Logan’s smile was genuine. “Ye won’t find a kinder heart in a woman.”
Finn nodded his agreement. “Ye’re a lucky man.”
“Indeed.” Logan turned to him, his expression speaking louder than his words. “The road was not always smooth, but it led me to her. Sometimes the wisest thing a man can do... and the hardest... is to open his eyes and see what’s been right in front of him the whole bloody time.”
*
The crescent moonwas low in the sky as Finn escorted Macie from the tavern. Finn caught her hand in his, drawing her near. The soft light from a gas lamp gleamed over her face, accenting the shape of her mouth, the soft curves of her cheek. By God, she was a beauty.
Right in front of him the whole bloody time.Logan’s words played in his thoughts.
Finn smiled to himself. Was it so very obvious that he’d fallen for her?
Fallen for her.
Bloody hell, he had. Hadn’t he?
For so long, he hadn’t ever fathomed the possibility that he might feel this way, this intense longing simply to be near a woman. Any woman.
But Macie had changed all that.
He wanted to be near her. Every day. Every night.
