Valiant (Gentlemen of the Order #3) - Adele Clee Page 0,68
said, coming to the obvious conclusion. “I caution you against telling your nephew anything about our business in future.”
Mr Golding’s shoulders sagged. “I’m tired, Mr Sloane, weary, and seek a quick end to this matter. There’s little more for me to do or say. I suggest you attempt to find your legacy with the clues given. When you do, return to me in Long Lane, and I shall read the last entries in the notebook.”
The lawyer was scared. Fear clung to him like a starving urchin. She had seen it that day in his office, and it gripped him now. He’d manipulated events because he wanted this business done quickly.
“You’re hiding here,” she blurted. “It’s not just about the instructions in the notebook. You’re frightened. You believe someone has discovered you have knowledge of the clues, and now you know that man is Mr Ramsey.”
“Money is the devil’s currency, Miss Hart. It makes good men do wicked things. If this Mr Ramsey knows of my involvement, I suspect he will come knocking.”
“Perhaps you should remove to Keel Hall until this is all over,” Evan suggested.
“There’s no need.” Mr Golding lowered his voice. “Should anything untoward happen, you must visit the optician.” He paused and caught his breath. “We should part now. The rest is up to you.”
They left the house wiser than when they entered.
In the coming days, you’ll not know who to trust.
When Mr Golding uttered those words in his office, Vivienne hadn’t imagined he might be referring to himself. By rights, she should be angry, livid, but his actions stemmed from desperation. The same urgency to get this matter over with now compelled her.
Vivienne and Evan waited in the carriage on Kennington Road, while Buchanan scouted the area to ensure Mr Ramsey hadn’t followed them to Lambeth. Within seconds of them settling into their seats, Evan mentioned the subject tormenting both their minds.
“Vivienne, let me explain what I meant earlier.”
“Honestly, there is no need. You were happy until I arrived amid a thunderstorm to turn your life upside down.” And all because Mr Golding had encouraged her to deal with things promptly.
“I wasn’t exactly ha—”
“I would never have held you to the contract if it wasn’t for finding our legacy. I thought our lives were in danger. I didn’t know it was Mr Wicks who’d donned a mask and ransacked my home.” Yet despite all the trauma and turmoil, she wouldn’t change a thing. She’d suffer again for one kiss from Evan Sloane’s skilled lips.
“Vivienne, I didn’t lie earlier. The struggle for the truth has been wrought with problems. But I see our relationship as separate to the case. Indeed, I hope things continue once we’ve found our lost legacy.”
She’d like nothing more than to spend her life wrapped in his arms, but it was a fantasy. Everything had changed.
She had fallen in love with him, this spectacular specimen of a man who stole hearts, not bounty. These strange emotions had to be love. The longing, the profound ache, excitement, desire, her preoccupation with his happiness—the list was endless—the willingness to make sacrifices.
“Evan, I don’t regret anything that’s happened between us, but I cannot be your mistress. And we would have been fools to marry because of a contract. I know that now.” Knowing he’d married her out of duty would hurt more than being apart.
“What are you saying?”
She fought the urge to slide across the carriage and ease the tension from his shoulders, soothe the frown lines from his brow. “That we should do as Mr Golding says. Concentrate on solving this quickly. Forget everything else.”
“Forget? You’re rather fond of that word.” He remained silent for a time, his gaze focused on the window. “Will you not stay with me tonight?”
“I think it unwise to do—”
“Please, Vivienne.” He settled those hypnotic green eyes upon her. “Come to my room. Have the bed. I’ll take the chair. Just stay with me.”
She smiled. “We’ll be writhing between the sheets within a minute of you closing the door.”
He managed a smile, too. “You thrust the scroll into my hand and said you trusted me. Let me keep my word. Let me prove your trust is not misplaced.”
How could she resist such a heartfelt plea?
“I suppose it cannot hurt.” Everyone knew it was better to surrender to a pirate. “But I’ll not have you sleeping in the chair. You may lie on top of the coverlet.” She sighed. “I doubt I shall get a wink of sleep.”