Page 81 of House of Thorns
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Nicholas stretched and opened his eyes. For a moment, he stared at the ceiling above in confusion. Rough-hewn rafters, aged and weathered by time. Then, the smell of ink summoned memories. Olivia’s print room. He’d stayed the night and had helped her finish printing the music. They’d have finished much earlier if they’d been able to keep their hands off each other.
He grinned.
He’d licked her again as they’d laid on the floor together. She’d lost herself to the throes of passion. Never had he seen such a beautiful sight. He’d almost made her his. Almost. He had to hear a ‘yes’ from her, first.
“And this time, they demand I bring the Blue Slipper,” Deborah’s voice sobbed from nearby.
Startled, Nicholas propped himself on his elbow.
He lay on the couch near the window. Deborah and Olivia stood only a few feet away near the press. Deborah, with tears streaking her cheeks and Olivia, with a letter in her hand.
He joined them, at once.
“Lord Blair, whatever shall I do?” Deborah asked, twisting her fingers.
Silently, Olivia handed him the letter.
No more betrayals. This is not a game. Bring the two thousand pounds and the Blue Slipper to the ‘An Enchanted Summer Evening’ at the Theatre Royale. Leave them in the third-tier box during intermission. If they are not to be found, Lady Kendrick will receive the remaining pages of your letter, and right quick, that same night. This is not a game.
“The Theatre Royale?” Nicholas frowned.
“Right quick,” Olivia murmured. “Mr. Pitt often uses that turn of phrase.”
“Mr. Pitt?” Deborah breathed.
Nicholas shook his head. “The man is a fool, but fool enough for some act like this?” He paused, and then added, “Yet, only a fool would ask for the Blue Slipper. He’d never be able to sell such a thing. The Blue Slipper is far too well known.”
“Unless he broke it,” Deborah choked. “Lady Kendrick. He’s going to give the letter toLady Kendrick. Everyone in Glasgow will know my secret before the concert is over. Lord Deveraux…” She choked. “Oh, Olivia, he won’t be able to wed me then, not with the secret known.”
“Then, we must be diligent,” Nicholas said.
“Can we not confront the man?” Olivia mused. “But then, that might only make him…” At Deborah’s fresh bout of sobs, she winced.
Nicholas nodded. Such a thought was better left unsaid. “I must see to Mr. Timms. The man may well have learned something from last night.”
Olivia followed him to the door. “Can this be stopped?”
“Aye, lass,” he promised, taking her hand gently between his. “We’ll find the man.”
She nodded.
He kissed her hand, and then, not caring a whit about propriety, kissed her lips, so soft, so sweet.
“Later,” he murmured in her ear, and then stepped out into the street.
He’d sent his coachman home the night before. It took longer than he expected to wave a hired coach down, but soon, he was on his way to his hotel room.
Mr. Timms arrived, almost at once.
“It’s strange, indeed, my lord,” the man said, mopping his face. His waistcoat had popped another button. “My men and I never saw a thing. Whoever this is, they couldn’t have seen us. I swear it.”
“Then, why did they not arrive at the meeting place, and of more interest, how did they know Deborah stayed inside the townhouse? Were they watching her?” Nicholas paused by his room window and idly tapped on the sill.
“It might be of help to watch the lady,” Mr. Timms suggested. “Perhaps them that are blackmailing her are closer than we think?”
Nicholas nodded. “Yes. Let’s watch Mr. Pitt, as well.”
“Aye, my lord. I’ll not let whoever it is slip through my fingers a second time. Next time, we’ll catch him—or her. I swear it.”
“Then, have your men watch after Deborah,” Nicholas said, folding his arms.
“Aye, my lord. All things considering, perhaps we should watch after Miss Mackenzie, as well? You did mention she’d been robbed, and the letter was taken from her shop, was it not?”
“Indeed,” Nicholas murmured. “Have your men follow her, as well.”
“Aye, my lord. Night and day.”
The days, most assuredly, but as for the nights? Nicholas curled his lip in wry amusement. Nay, he’d see to the nights himself.
