To Trust a Thief Page 10

  She led the horse out, murmuring soothing noises as she took a quick look around. Seeing no one, she hiked her skirts to her knees, grasped the horse’s mane, and pulled herself up. Min kicked the horse into a run, allowing herself a little smile. Katherine might mock her “wild” upbringing, but it was certainly coming in handy tonight. Riding bareback through the waves near her parents’ cottage had been one of her favorite pastimes.

  Bryant had to have gone toward town. Min spurred the horse on, her eyes straining to see into the distance. When she finally caught sight of a small cloud of dust up ahead, she slowed her panting mare, matching her pace to the faint trail left by Bryant’s horse. Anxiety niggled at Min’s mind the closer she drew to the village. The water on her dress had dried, but an unaccompanied girl riding bareback through town without hat, cloak, or gloves was sure to draw attention.

  The first rooftops were just becoming visible. Min led her horse off the road into a small copse of trees. She rode as far as she could beneath their cover, but the closer the town became, the thinner the trees grew.

  The Swan’s Neck sat at the edge of the town, laughter and light spilling through its open windows as the town’s residents enjoyed their supper at the tavern. Min spotted Bryant’s horse tied up amongst the inn’s patrons’ steeds. She needed somewhere to hide her mare. The stable hands were hard at work minding their guests’ animals, or Min might have tried to slip her horse into their stables.

  Arthur. His clinic lay only a few buildings down. If her luck held, she’d be able to tether her mare inside his shed while she spied on Bryant. She didn’t want to risk riding down the main street, so she took the horse the long way, skirting around the fenced yards of the shops between the inn and Arthur’s.

  Light shone through the windows of his clinic, though the windows to his upstairs apartments were dark. Which meant he was most likely busy with a patient. Perfect.

  Min brought her horse into the shed, tethering her with a bit of rope she found hanging from a nail by the door. Arthur’s old gelding gave them a disinterested look and went back to munching on his pile of hay.

  Min tidied herself up as best she could without a mirror and walked quickly down the boarded sidewalk toward the inn. Once she drew near enough, she cast a glance around and ducked down the alley, coming around the side of the building. She kept to the shadows, peering in the open windows. When she reached the third one, she drew back with a stifled gasp. Bryant and his redheaded friend sat within.

  Min pressed herself against the cold brick wall at the side of the window. Their voices were difficult to make out through the rest of the noise. She leaned as close as she dared and listened.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Bryant had scanned the room until he found who he was looking for. “Evening, Julian,” Bryant said, sliding onto the bench at his friend’s table.

  “Well, well. You finally deign to check in,” Julian said, one eyebrow raised. “I thought I would have to resort to masquerading as one of your students in order to keep an eye on you.”

  “Had I known that, I might have stayed away longer,” Bryant said with a laugh.

  Julian chuckled and slid a book-sized package wrapped in brown paper across the table. Bryant took it and laid it beside him on the bench. “Thank you.”

  “What is it?” Julian asked.

  “Just call it a backup plan. I’m going to be out from under Rellik’s thumb one way or the other. This will help. I’m surprised you didn’t look.”

  “You’re the only person in the world for whom I’d curtail my natural curiosity.” Julian grinned. “I picked it up; I delivered it. I didn’t peek.”

  “Remarkable restraint.” Bryant signaled a maid over. He ordered ale but largely ignored it while waiting for Julian to finish his food.

  “So…” Julian pushed his plate away and propped his elbows on the table. “How do things go at the lovely Grange? Any luck?”

  “The necklace isn’t exactly lying about in the open, Julian. I’ve made some progress, but it’s not like I can grab an ax and start punching holes in the walls. The manor is crawling with addlebrained girls. It’s almost impossible to find a spare second to search unless it’s in the middle of the night and even then…”

  “Even then what?”

  “Nothing.”

  Julian cocked an eyebrow and waited. Bryant rammed his fingers through his hair. “I may have some competition.”

  “Really? Would this competition be in the form of a charming young woman who likes to hide behind rain barrels and listen to other people’s conversations?”

  Bryant’s lips twitched. “Perhaps.”

  “Well, well. So what’s the problem? Seduce whatever information she’s got out of her and let’s get out of this country pit.”

  “It’s not that easy,” Bryant said. But he couldn’t make himself meet his friend’s eyes.

  “Bryant.” Julian leaned forward, every trace of amusement gone from his face. “You can’t afford to get mixed up with some hayseed.”

  Bryant stiffened and Julian gave him an exasperated, though not unsympathetic look. “If she knows something, find out. Do your job and let’s get out of here. I’ve never seen Rellik so anxious to get his hands on a prize before. He’s going to be furious if you don’t deliver. Why did you agree to this job in the first place? It’s madness. The necklace may not even exist.”

  “I know,” Bryant said, a sudden weariness pulling at every bone in his body. “I told him I wanted out, Julian.”

  Julian’s eyebrows shot up. “I’m sure Rellik was less than pleased with that news.”

  “You could say that. But like you said, he wants this necklace badly. He offered me a deal. I bring it to him, I’m free.”

  “Well, that’s incentive for you.”

  Bryant laughed, though the sound was devoid of any humor.

  Julian stared at his friend for a moment. “Well, that’s that, then. Get the necklace and get on with your life. And do it quickly.”

  “I’m hoping to speed things along.” A twinge of guilt hit Bryant but he kept talking. “I’ve offered our particular young lady a truce.”

  “A truce, huh? And the terms of this truce?”

  “She tells me what she knows; I tell her what I know. We find the necklace together.”

  “And her reward for helping you find it?”

  “We split it.”

  Julian shook his head. “And what do you suppose your little friend will do when she ends up empty-handed because you promised her a share of something that isn’t yours?”

  Bryant clenched his teeth against the unfamiliar feeling clawing at his gut. “I don’t know.”

  A shadow moved at the edge of his vision. He stood and looked out the window, leaning out as far as he could. There was nothing.

  He sat back down with a sigh, his thoughts turning back to Min. “I’ll make it up to her,” he said quietly.

  Julian didn’t say anything and Bryant risked a glance at him. Julian had been his friend for as long as he could remember. There was no one else he would trust with his life or his secrets. But his growing feelings for Min were something he wasn’t comfortable facing himself, let alone sharing with Julian.

  “Just be careful, Bryant. The last thing we need is to give Rellik more leverage against you.”

  Bryant sighed and scrubbed his hands across his face. “I know, Julian.” He grabbed his package and stood up. “I need to get back. Hopefully I’ll make some progress tonight. I can’t take much more of this.”

  Bryant caught a flash of movement out of the corner of his eye and looked back out the window.

  “Why that devious little…”

  “What? Who? What did you see?”

  Bryant shoved the box into his pocket. “Seems our little eavesdropper is at it again.”

  “Do you think she heard anything?”

  “I doubt it. She couldn’t have been there long and we weren’t speaking loudly. Only one way to find out.”
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  Julian stood and clasped him in a quick hug. “Watch your back, brother.”

  “And you yours.”

  “Always,” Julian said with a wicked smile.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Min stumbled back toward Arthur’s clinic, stunned by what she’d overheard. Well, perhaps not as surprised as all that. After all, she’d always known what Bryant was. She’d realized from the beginning he couldn’t be trusted. Yet lately…

  She groaned and kicked at a rock as she entered the shed, embarrassingly close to tears. Min knew she had no real right to be upset that Bryant was planning on double-crossing her. After all, she had her own secrets and double-crossing plans. Though she hoped to find a way for everyone to benefit.

  And what on earth did Lord Rellik have to do with this mess? He’d hired Bryant to find the necklace? What in heaven’s name for? After his dealings with Arthur, she wasn’t really surprised, though she couldn’t imagine that he needed the money.

  Her breath caught on a ragged sob that she furiously choked back. She would not cry over that man. Over any man. Ever.

  She paced the length of the shack, her vision swimming with the tears she refused to shed while she muttered curses into the darkening night.

  “Min?”

  She stopped short and turned to face Arthur.

  “What are you doing here? Are you all right?” He came to her, took one look at her face, and gathered her into his arms.

  She sank into his embrace with a grateful sigh. She could always count on Arthur.

  “Do you want to tell me about it?” Arthur asked.

  Min shook her head. “It’s nothing. I’m just…worried about my parents. About the necklace. I’m afraid we won’t find it in time. Maybe Charlotte’s right. Maybe it really doesn’t exist. We’ve been searching for weeks…”

  “Shhh,” Arthur murmured, holding her tighter. “I promise you we’ll find a way to help your parents. We’ll find a way.”

  Min looked into Arthur’s kind, sweet face and smiled. He always made her feel better. “Thank you, Arthur.”

  “Now, do you want to tell me why you snuck out of the manor to come hide in my shed?”

  “Not really,” Min muttered.

  “Min…”

  She released a long sigh and focused on Arthur’s chest. “I followed Mr. Westley.”

  “You what?”

  Min broke into a rush of explanation, her words coming so fast she barely paused to breathe. “He knows something about the necklace, Arthur. He’s looking for it, too. He offered me a truce, wants us to team up, and I wasn’t going to but then I thought maybe I should, though I wasn’t going to let him take the necklace.”

  “Min—”

  “I would have made sure we both had enough to take care of everything. That necklace is priceless, so surely there is enough for all of us. But even if not, I wouldn’t have let him take the whole bounty, I promise.”

  “Min—”

  “And I didn’t tell him about you, I swear, but I didn’t know what else to do and we could use some help. But then he left so quickly so I had to follow him and I overheard him talking to his partner, and I think Lord Rellik is involved but I don’t understand wh—”

  Arthur leaned down, crushing his lips to hers. Min froze. She couldn’t have been more surprised if he had upped and slapped her.

  He pulled back. Min stared at him, unable to think of a single thing to say.

  “Now that I have your attention,” he said, smiling.

  Min released a shaky laugh and Arthur wrapped his arms about her. “We’ll figure it out, okay?”

  Min nodded, still struck mute by his kiss. The way it had lingered on her lips…

  “But I don’t want you following Mr. Westley anymore. Stay away from him, Min.”

  “But—”

  “No, Min,” Arthur insisted. “Anyone connected to Rellik is dangerous. If Mr. Westley is involved with him, then he is probably a criminal. A thief certainly, and who knows what else. If he were to bring you to Rellik’s attention…” He trailed a finger down her cheek, his hand slipping into her hair. “Rellik would have no hesitation in doing whatever he must to use you to further his plans.” His other hand rose and cupped her face, drawing her closer. “I don’t want you anywhere near that man.”

  His lips brushed against hers again, softly, asking. Min hesitated. There was none of the heat that her brief moments with Bryant generated. But there was warmth, comfort. It felt…nice. Arthur held her tightly, molding her to him. His mouth moved eagerly over hers. The warmth spreading through her intensified and she wanted—

  “Ahem.”

  Min pushed guiltily away from Arthur. When she saw whom it was, her cheeks flushed with heat.

  “Mr. Westley,” Arthur said, unperturbed. “May I help you?”

  Bryant ignored him, his gaze riveted on Min. “Miss Sinclair. I don’t believe you obtained permission to leave the manor’s grounds. I will escort you back. Now.”

  Arthur stepped forward, forcing Bryant’s attention. “I will escort her back. When she is ready to leave.”

  “Miss Sinclair is under the guardianship of her aunt in the absence of her parents. As an employee of her legal guardian, it is my responsibility to see her safely home.”

  Min untied her horse and swung up, piercing them both with a glare. “Miss Sinclair is standing right here and is perfectly capable of both answering for herself and seeing herself home.”

  She kicked the horse into a canter and rode out of the shed, turning the mare toward the school. She didn’t care who saw her, as long as she got away from the two men in the shed behind her.

  The church clock struck ten as she rode out of town. One hour until she was to meet Mr. Westley in the picture gallery. Mr. Westley, who must know she had followed him and spied upon him. She didn’t know how long he’d watched her with Arthur but he probably knew everything. He had certainly seen the kiss.

  Blast.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Min gathered her thick auburn hair at the nape of her neck with a simple satin ribbon, waving away the frilly nightcap Charlotte thrust at her. She despised the thing. Charlotte frowned but didn’t force the issue. Min checked the clock on her bedside table. Her stomach tightened in another roll of anxiety. Charlotte’s nervous mumblings weren’t helping.

  “Oh, stop worrying!” Min said. “Nothing is going to happen to me.”

  “Really? You are meeting a man in a secret room, in the middle of the night, dressed in your nightclothes, for heaven’s sake, and I’m not supposed to worry?”

  Min shoved her feet into a pair of soft kid slippers. “We are just meeting to talk, Charlotte. Besides, with all the horrible ghost stories you’ve been telling the girls, no one should be venturing about. And I’ll have this.” Min hoisted her candlestick. Charlotte had scoured the manor for the heaviest one she could find, settling on an old pewter monstrosity from the library. If Bryant did intend to harm her, Charlotte wanted her to have something with which to defend herself. Just one of the many reasons Min loved her friend so much.

  “You can’t possibly know what will happen, Min. How well do you really know him? Your behavior has grown more foolhardy by the day since he has been here. And from what you told me about tonight, he is absolutely untrustworthy, and you all but promised Dr. Carmichael you’d stay away. Yet you still insist on going?”

  Min opened her mouth to reply, but Charlotte wasn’t through with her tirade.

  “I absolutely refuse to be a party to this. No gentleman would have agreed to this. He can’t be trusted! If you were to be found out, your reputation would be completely ruined. I doubt even Dr. Carmichael would marry you then.”

  Min swallowed. The swarm of butterflies in her belly was trying to make a break for it. Once upon a time, she would have thought nothing would make Arthur forsake her. But after watching him and Bryant circle each other in the shed earlier…she just wasn’t sure how he would react if she were caught in a compr
omising situation with Bryant. She had always been able to count on Arthur. The new uncertainty where he was concerned both bothered and saddened her. And the kiss, well, that had been…pleasant. Very pleasant. More pleasant than Min had expected.

  However, while she had enjoyed it, her near misses with Bryant were what kept her up at night. Blast it all. Why did life have to be so bloody difficult?

  “We’ve already decided this,” Min finally managed. “It’s best if I go alone. It will be much easier for just one person to keep hidden.”

  “Are you insane? I’m not letting you go alone!”

  Min stifled the urge to laugh, afraid it would come out more hysterical than amused. She actually would feel better with Charlotte by her side, but she needed her to stay put. “Charlotte, I need you to cover for me here, in case someone notices I’m gone.”

  Charlotte’s mouth puckered in a dismayed frown. “If you insist on this madness, could you at least dress a little more appropriately? What will Mr. Westley think of you meeting him half dressed?”

  Min pulled her heavy dressing gown more tightly across her chest. Her demure cotton nightgown buttoned up to her throat and covered her arms to her wrists. The hem of her robe trailed on the floor. “I think I’m presentable enough, Charlotte. Unless you want to toss that quilt over my head, I don’t think I could cover up any more.”

  Charlotte eyed the quilt and Min swatted at her. Charlotte didn’t look amused. “But he’s a man and they are your bedclothes. What sort of message are you sending to him showing up like that?”

  Min could imagine quite a few things Bryant might think, and they all made her body tremble.

  She flipped the candlestick up to rest on her shoulder. “I’ll be sending the message that if he tries anything funny, I’ll brain him.” She gave her friend what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “Look, if I’m caught dressed like this, I can say that I wasn’t able to sleep and had chosen to go for a walk rather than toss and turn. If I remain in my day clothes, it will be much harder to explain what I’m doing wandering about the house in the middle of the night.”