How to Steal a Thief's Heart - Bree Wolf Page 0,64

a husband.

When the two young women finally were alone and on their way up the stairs toward their bedchambers, Caroline asked, “You will not accept him, will you?”

Rebecca shook her head. “I cannot stand the man, and I do not care how thoughtful his compliments are, I—” She froze mid-step. Her face went pale, and her eyes widened alarmingly, then became distant, locked onto something only she could see. She clearly did not hear a word of what Caroline said, asking for an explanation, uttering her concern. Neither did Rebecca put up any resistance as Caroline all but dragged her onward and into her bedchamber, urging her to sit. She mumbled something under her breath as though holding a conversation with herself. With each passing minute, Caroline grew more concerned. What had happened tonight? What plan had her cousin concocted that involved Lord Pembroke? What did the supper invitation from Lord Coleridge have to do with anything?

Caroline drew in a sharp breath. Perhaps she ought to have been more insistent her cousin tell her what she was up to. Yet, it would have been highly hypocritical for her to utter such a demand without reciprocating.

Finally, Rebecca returned from whatever place she’d drifted off to and her eyes once more settled on Caroline. Still, the calculating gleam in her eyes was worrisome for Caroline knew it well.

“I could use your help,” Rebecca finally said referring to the supper invitation the following day. “When I wink at you, do you think you could faint? Draw everyone’s attention?”

“Why?” Caroline demanded, deeply worried that her beloved cousin was getting in over her head.

“That, I cannot say,” Rebecca replied as expected. “Please, trust me. I will be fine.”

Torn, Caroline stared at her cousin. “What about Lord Pembroke?” By now, Caroline was certain that he’d been the man to leave her cousin’s chamber through the window a few weeks past. “Tonight, it seemed that he was involved in whatever plan you’re working on. Why do you not ask for his help?”

Rebecca sighed. “I can do this on my own. After all, he is not invited, and there would be no reasonable explanation for his appearance at Lord Tedious’ townhouse that night.” Surging to her feet, Rebecca grasped Caroline’s hands, her gaze imploring. “Please, help me, and I swear I shall tell you everything!”

Caroline knew from experience that there was nothing that would urge Rebecca to confide in her before she was ready to do so on her own. Still, Caroline had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach about Lord Coleridge’s supper invitation and she did not dare ignore it. So, after promising her cousin that she would do as asked, Caroline returned to her own chamber and wrote a letter to Lord Pembroke to be sent out the next day.

Hopefully, in time.

Lord Pembroke,

I write to you in the hopes that you truly care for my cousin and would never knowingly endanger her. As she refuses to confide in me, I can merely guess what is afoot. However, I thought you should know that Lord Coleridge sent a note inviting our family to his townhouse for supper tonight. Judging from my cousin’s reaction, I assume that she plans something, whether or not you’re aware of it I cannot say. I leave it to you to decide whether or not such a plan could be dangerous to her. However, I must warn you, should you fail to act and my cousin is harmed in any way, I shall become very unpleasant. I hope I’ve made myself clear.

The Other Miss Hawkins

Judging from the way Lord Pembroke looked at Rebecca whenever she drew near, it was clear that he cared for her…deeply. Caroline prayed that she was not mistaken in assuming that he would act should Rebecca’s plan prove dangerous to her.

And so, Caroline could do nothing more but ask for his help in the matter, not knowing what exactly it was she was asking for. All she could do was hope that Lord Pembroke would put Rebecca’s well-being above everything else and do what was needed. Was that not what one did when in love?

Chapter Twenty-Three

A Gentleman Interferes

So far, nothing out of the ordinary had occurred since they’d arrived at Lord Coleridge’s house, and Caroline was grateful for it.

As expected, her parents were delighted with their host, who spent the larger part of their supper recounting the moment he’d been held at gunpoint, or rather his driver. For that reason alone, Lord Coleridge had refrained from