it from you.”
“Why is that?”
He fell silent as he studied her face. “A man should protect a woman in his care. Fear is not the emotion I want to see swimming in your eyes, Vivienne.”
Her heart skipped a beat whenever he uttered her given name. Her pulse soared at the mere allusion to something illicit. “Perhaps we should play another game of Question and Command this evening. So I might discover what other secrets you’re keeping.”
“You were lucky last night.” He cast a sinful smile. “Perhaps I shall be the one asking the probing questions tonight.”
“I have nothing to hide.” Except for her growing attraction to him.
“Then you won’t mind telling me your wildest fantasy.”
A thrum of anticipation coursed through her. She enjoyed the teasing banter, enjoyed every second she spent in his company. The thought of returning to her lonely existence in Silver Street filled her with dread. But finding their legacy was all that mattered. All romantic notions were merely fancy.
“Then finish your breakfast and let’s be on our way. The sooner we accomplish today’s tasks, the sooner we can return home.” And based on the problems of the last few days, things were unlikely to go as planned.
“Something’s wrong.” Vivienne wiped dirt from the downstairs window of Mr Golding’s townhouse and peered inside. “This is his home and his business premises. He said nothing about leaving town.”
“Based on his odd manner the other day, I think it’s wise to pick the lock and search the house.” Mr Sloane rooted around in his coat pocket and retrieved a ring of unique shaped keys. “Step closer. I need you to hide what I’m doing in case someone alerts the constable.”
Vivienne shuffled closer. “If the constable comes, we can say we’re concerned for the gentleman’s welfare.”
Mr Sloane slipped one key into the lock. “Come closer. Drape your arm around my shoulder and pretend you’re whispering lewd words in my ear.”
“Sir, I wouldn’t know a lewd word if it bit me on the buttock.”
Vivienne ran her hand over his broad shoulder, and moved so close his arm brushed against her breasts as he fiddled with the keys.
Mr Sloane cast her a sidelong glance. “How can I concentrate on picking the lock when all I can think about is nibbling your derriere, when all I can feel is the soft curve of your breast?”
Heavens!
The agreement to speak honestly often brought an unwelcome blush to her cheeks.
“You’re the one who asked me to play the fawning mistress.”
“Continue in this vein, Miss Hart, and I’m likely to make you my mistress before I make you my wife.”
Vivienne laughed. It was the only way to banish thoughts of being ravished by Evan Sloane. To banish the vision of him stripping off his shirt to reveal bronzed skin stretched taut over pure muscle. Well, that’s how she pictured him. Carved to perfection.
“Continue in this vein, and you can forget about playing our little game. We’re likely to spend the night in Newgate.”
“Then I had best work quickly, for you will answer my probing questions tonight else you must pay a forfeit and do what I command.”
Excitement shot through her like a lightning bolt. With every passing hour, she thought more about this gentleman and less about the case. “Then I suggest you stop talking and focus on the task.”
He did. Less than a minute later he opened the door, and they entered Mr Golding’s dismal abode.
Mr Sloane tapped his finger to his lips, cocked his ear and listened. Vivienne heard nothing. Not the creak of the upstairs boards, not the hum of conversation, not Mr Wicks’ drunken mumbling.
“Follow me and stay close.” Mr Sloane padded lightly up the stairs.
Vivienne peered through the wooden railings as she tiptoed behind him. The office door was open, the room a dreadful shambles. Strewn files covered the floor, along with the discarded drawers from the oak desk.
“What if something has happened to Mr Golding?” She gripped the back of Mr Sloane’s coat when they reached the landing, fearing they might find the lawyer dead beneath a mound of paper.
“You should wait in the carriage,” he said, his voice thick with alarm.
“I’ll not leave you.” She stood beside him as he assessed the ransacked room from the safety of the doorway. “We should check Mr Wicks’ office and the rooms upstairs.”
Mr Sloane dragged his hand down his face and rubbed his jaw. “Very well. Based on the fact we visited the office together the other day, we must assume the intruder