A Secret Surrender - Darcy Burke Page 0,51
who wants the best for you.”
“Is marriage really the best, however? I thought our opinions on the matter were aligned.”
“They are, but I can still understand why they are trying to see you wed. They think it will bring you happiness because it has for them.” She gave him a sympathetic look. “I can also understand how frustrating it must be for you sometimes.”
“You said it seemed to be what everyone wants. Does that include your sister?” Because Harry had the distinct impression that unlike his family, Miss Whitford actually supported her sister’s wishes.
“My sister is very supportive of what I want. She is also supportive of indulgence.” She cast him a sidelong glance, her lids dipping seductively. When she looked at him like that, he nearly forgot his name and his purpose.
Harry’s pulse picked up speed as they reached the bridge. “I think perhaps our families see something between us.”
“What is that?” she asked when they crossed to the other side.
He steered her toward the edge of the path. “An attraction. That is what I feel. What do you feel?”
So far, the path was empty. Her hand moved on his arm, a caress. “The same.”
Clasping her hand, he faced her. He could make out her features in the dim light filtering from the main area—the lush bow shape of her lips, the dramatic sweep of her brows, the gentle, alluring slope of her nose. All of it had become so familiar to him. She had become familiar to him. He liked that more than he could say. “Yes, our intentions are aligned—neither of us is looking for marriage. But I wonder if we may be even more aligned in our desires.” He edged closer until they almost touched, his lips hovering a few inches from hers. “Would you consider having an affair with me?”
Her lips parted, but the only sound he heard was a loud shriek coming from the main area. She whipped her head around toward the noise, and he looked past her, hesitating only a moment before he gripped her hand more securely and dashed back over the bridge, back the way they’d come.
She went along with him wordlessly, and a few moments later, they arrived in the well-lit central square. A small crowd was gathered, indicating where the trouble had originated.
Harry let go of Selina’s hand and gave her a quick look. She nodded, and he broke through the crowd. “I work for Bow Street. What’s happened?”
People parted to make way for him until he reached a woman sobbing. “It’s gone.”
“What’s gone?” Harry asked gently.
A man stood at her side, his brow furrowed. “Her bracelet. I told her not to wear it.”
Harry frowned at the man. While the advice was good, now was not the time to remind the woman of a poor decision. Turning to the woman, Harry spoke in a soothing tone. “Perhaps it fell off while you were dancing?”
She shook her head. “I wasn’t dancing. I was just standing here talking with people while we waited for the fireworks to begin.” She indicated another couple standing near the man, who was probably her husband.
“What does it look like?” Harry asked.
“It’s gold with rubies. My husband just gave it to me to celebrate the fifth year of our marriage.” She looked at the man beside her. “I’m so sorry.”
He patted her on the back. “It’s all right, dear.”
Harry addressed the crowd, speaking loudly. “Everyone back up. We’re looking for a bracelet. Please step out of the way.”
Selina came up behind him. “What are we looking for?”
He gave her the description, and they began to scour the cobblestones. While they looked, the fireworks started, flashing overhead and providing added illumination for their search. It didn’t matter, however, because after several fruitless minutes, he and Selina—and others who’d joined to help, including Nathaniel—had found nothing.
Harry went back to the woman and took her name and where she lived. “I will file a report about the theft. I’ll speak to the management here and will conduct a full search of the area in the daylight tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you,” her husband responded. “I doubt you’ll find it, but I appreciate you trying.”
The woman began to cry again in earnest, and Harry left her husband to comfort her. He turned to Selina.
“What do you think happened?” Selina asked.
“I suspect she was the victim of a very accomplished pickpocket. Places like this are rife with them. Her husband is unfortunately correct in that she should not have worn such a