He was about to kiss her again when William walked over to them.
“Sir, my lady.” William bowed. “We’re serving the sorbet. It’s delicious, but no one wants to start eating it until you’re back.”
As the footman straightened, a glimmer of gold from his pocket didn’t escape Samuel’s notice.
“I would love a sorbet.” Vivienne’s cheeks were deliciously pink after the kiss.
He escorted her to the dining room again. “Excuse me.” He kissed his new wife’s hand before beckoning for William to follow him to the sitting room.
“Sir.” William stood at attention. “Everything is going smoothly. Do you want me to serve the biscuits with the sorbet? Mrs. Foster says they shouldn’t be served together, but I think they taste?—”
Samuel cut him off by holding up a hand. He pointed at William’s pocket.
“What, sir?”
“What’s in your pocket?”
“Nothing, sir.” The young footman patted himself, faking surprise at the bulge in his pocket. “This? It’s nothing, sir.”
He opened his hand and wiggled his fingers. “Show me.”
“It’s a misunderstanding?—”
“Now.” He snapped his fingers.
William scoffed and pulled out a gold crucifix with a ruby on the top.
“You stole from the church?” Samuel snatched the crucifix from William’s hand.
“No, sir. I meant to return it. I swear it.”
He pointed a finger at him. “I thought I was clear. No stealing.”
“You were very clear, sir, but you saidno stealing in the house.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Then let me clarify. No stealing whatsoever, anywhere, for any reason. Is that clear?”
William returned the scowl. “I need to practise to keep the machine well oiled. My skills need to be honed, or I’ll forget them.”
“Then forget them. You don’t need to steal. Your salary is more than decent.”
“You’re very generous, sir.” William shuffled his feet. “But I miss my old life a little, and it took me years to sharpen those skills. You have no idea how difficult it is to lift a wallet without being noticed or to pick a lock in record time. I don’t want to lose what I learnt. You never know, sir.”
“No. More. Stealing.”
“This is unfair, sir.” William shoved his hands in his pockets.
“Is something the matter?” Captain Jackson walked into the room.
Samuel showed him the crucifix.
“Bloody hell, William. Yours is a nasty vice.” Captain Jackson shook his head. “From the church, on your employer’s wedding day, during the ceremony! What’s next? Stealing the queen’s petticoats? I knew you were doing something during the ceremony.”
“You’re overreacting.” William huffed. “I meant to give it back.”
“You will, right now, and I’ll come with you.”
“But the sorbet and the wedding cake!” William protested.
