How to Steal a Thief's Heart - Bree Wolf Page 0,57
took a step closer. “And should you ever need my help, I will not hesitate to offer it, either.”
Pierce couldn’t help but grin. “That is most appreciated.”
“I thought it might be,” she whispered. Then his little mouse turned on her heel and walked away, leaving him with an aching yearning in his heart that grew with each step she took. If only he knew what to do about it!
Chapter Twenty
A Promise
He was a dangerous man, and despite not yet having unearthed his secret, Caroline felt absolutely certain that the moniker Black Baron was well deserved. Indeed, there was something dark about him, something threatening. Not that she thought he would harm her, but Caroline could not deny the weakness that had come to her heart, her mind, her body the moment those brown eyes had settled on hers. Somehow, he knew her. He knew what lived in her heart. He knew the thoughts that burned in her mind. He knew what she feared, what she desired, what she fought to accomplish.
Somehow, he knew.
And yet, he had promised not to say a word.
Without thought for her surroundings, Caroline strode down the pavement and would have almost rushed out into the street had Sarah not reached out and pulled her back. Stumbling back onto the footpath, Caroline drew in a deep breath as she watched a phaeton speed past, barely missing her.
“Are you all right?” Sarah asked, her eyes wide and full of concern as she looked Caroline up and down. “Did you not see it?”
Caroline swallowed. “I’m sorry. I was woolgathering.” She righted her bonnet and cast Sarah a grateful smile. “It shall not happen again.” Then she glanced up and down the street before setting one foot in front of the other once more in order to cross it.
Sarah followed, and Caroline could feel her friend’s eyes on her, suspicion in them as though Sarah could see with a single glance that there was more than Caroline was willing to admit. Still, she remained quiet, her eyes watchful nonetheless.
Forcing her thoughts to settle on more important matters, Caroline breathed a sigh of relief when she stepped into the orphanage a few minutes later.
Ever since Albert had taken over, a sense of peacefulness had settled over the place. He was a quiet man, easily overlooked. But the way he watched over the children’s home was heartwarming. Caroline knew how dedicated he was to take care of everyone, how diligent he was in his responsibilities. He would never take money away from the children, never place his own needs above theirs. He was a man she could trust for he reminded her of herself in many ways.
“I demand you leave immediately,” came Albert’s soft voice as the two women walked down the corridor toward his office.
At the slight quiver in the man’s voice, Caroline felt the little hairs in the back of her neck rise. A moment later, another man’s voice cut through the peacefulness she’d savored only seconds before. “Rubbish! Get out of my way!”
Caroline gritted her teeth. Mr. Wolsey!
“What is he doing here?” Sarah whispered as they pulled up short a few steps outside the office.
“Looking for trouble, no doubt,” Caroline whispered back as her mind spun, considering her options.
From experience, Caroline knew that Mr. Wolsey only ever thought of himself, which suggested that the reason he had somehow found his way back to the orphanage was probably because he needed money or was looking for a stack of liquor he’d hidden somewhere. Caroline’s thoughts drifted to Lord Markham’s donation in her reticule, a donation that was to ensure the children’s home’s future. She could not risk it falling into that man’s hands. No, he needed to be persuaded to leave and not return.
Ever.
But how to accomplish that?
While Caroline could be quite intimidating when she wanted to, she doubted that Mr. Wolsey would be impressed. After all, all Caroline could do was threaten to inform the authorities. Since she herself preferred to remain anonymous that would not be the best idea.
And Mr. Wolsey knew that.
Or at least suspected it.
Albert with his good heart and trembling hands could not remove a fly from the premises if it was steadfast in its intention to stay.
Then who?
Oddly enough, Caroline found herself remembering a pair of brown eyes as they’d looked into hers full of sincerity. I will be there should you ever need me. Had he truly meant it? Or was she a fool to believe him?