He had very nice hair.
And nice hands. I know because they had found their way around my waist, and his fingers were gently stroking my back. Yes, rather nice. His voice was not so bad, either—at least, he sounded quite pleasant when he sighed dreamily.
He did not sound so pleasant when I bumped his stitches. It may have been an accident… then again, it may not have.
“Have a care, Miss Bennet!” he hissed, reeling backward and cupping a hand over his sore head. “I begin to think you truly are bound to torment me.”
“You did not seem to mind half a moment ago.”
His eyebrow quirked and his lips twitched. “My father taught me I ought always to oblige a lady.”
“And did your father ever say anything about minding your own business or not trespassing on other people’s land?”
“He never had to.”
I set a hand on my hip. “Rather, I expect he trained you up in his own profession. Am I correct in that assumption?”
His mouth curved a little more. “More so than you can possibly imagine. But see here, Miss Bennet, I mean no harm.”
“Hah! Why this interest in my father’s possessions if you do not mean to steal them? Tell me you will not be sneaking through the windows at night, no doubt harassing and frightening all my sisters and even my mother in the process.”
“That I can assure you with certainty. The only lady of the house I mean to ‘harass’ is the one standing before me, and I believe all the harassment is on your side. What do you mean by assaulting my person so, when I only asked a simple question?”
“I should have thought you would be content with what you received. That is, after all, part of your design in housebreaking, is it not? The thrill of feminine conquest?”
“Conquest, you say! I would argue that I am more a victim than anything else.”
“Do you! You are terribly amusing, sir, but I must be going. My father will be most put out if I neglect to call for help, so do you prefer that I set up the cry now, or would you rather proceed down the road first?”
“But I have not asked my question.”
“You did ask. I declined to answer.” I turned to walk away, but he skipped round in front of me, bringing me to a halt.
“Come, Miss Bennet, it is a simple question. Despite the day’s experience, I believe you to be a woman of honesty and good character, so I prefer to address you rather than alarm anyone else. I am seeking a statue—a particular type of statue—and I have reason to believe it may be in your father’s possession. It ought to be twelve to eighteen inches high, and I understand it is an image of one of the gods. How long has he owned it, and how did he come by it?”
I stared, scarcely breathing. He was not asking about the vases?
But of course, he was not. That was silly! He only knew about the four at Netherfield. He could not know where they had come from, or that there were a dozen more like it in Longbourn’s hidden cottage. What possible reason could he have to suspect my father? I nearly laughed at myself.
Then, I rememberedthestatue. The scandalous one, with winged Eros embracing a swooning Psyche—it made me sweat just to look up on it. Papa always claimed it was worth a dizzying sum, but I had presumed that was only more of his talk. Suppose it was true? It must be! And this rotter planned to steal it!
I cleared my throat. “We have no statues. None at all.” I pivoted on my heel and went around him.
He followed me. Of course he would, the cad. “For a woman with ‘no statues, none at all,’ you look very pale, Miss Bennet. Are you quite certain?”
“Absolutely. Good day, Mr.…” I stopped and whirled to face him. “What was your name again?”
His smile widened. “I already gave you the only name I could, for now.”
I shrugged. “And it was lamentably forgettable.”
He took a bold step closer. “Shall I help jog your memory? It starts with a ‘W’ sound.”
Confused, I copied him, then gave him a cynical look. “Am I a child that you are now spelling out words for me?”
“No. I just wanted to see the shape of your mouth when you made that sound. It was well worth it.”
I waved my hand in the air. “You really are incorrigible. If you truly are looking for expensive things to add to your pockets, I suggest you try Lucas Lodge.”
