Page 27 of The Swindler’s Daughter

A smile curved my mouth at their confusion, but I quickly smothered it and turned my back on the scene. I needed to be gone before they decided to harass someone new.

My steps were quick and determined as I made my way through the waning crowd of the market. I didn’t slow when I reached the road but hurried toward Sutton Manor, anxious to find Rowan and the others.

When I was just a little ways beyond the village, Rowan appeared at my side.

“How was market?” he asked with a grin, bumping my shoulder with his.

I rolled my eyes at his casual question, even as I let out a sigh of relief. I could see all too well the self-satisfied smirk that was just itching to get out. “There was a bit of a commotion,” I said, feeling surprisingly indulgent.

“Was there?” His eyes danced as he waggled his eyebrows at me.

I tried not to smile but failed. “What are you going to do with the jewelry you stole?” I asked.

“Give it to a pretty girl.”

My face seemed to spasm with several different emotions. Surprise at his blatant flirting. Disapproval. Disbelief.

“I’m jesting, of course,” he assured me. “I’ve already returned it to its owner.” He watched me, no doubt seeing the way I relaxed. “Did the constables come back?”

“Yes.”

He gave a stiff nod. “They would have squeezed money out of the jeweler if he’d still been there. They’ve done it to others.”

The accusation sat heavy in my mind. “So what you did, it was all a big distraction?”

“Yes, and a chance to make sure the constable himself didn’t steal something.”

“Do they do that often?”

He nodded. “I told you, I’m not stealing for the fun of it.”

I let out a disgruntled sigh. “Yes, I know. And I’m glad Mr. Harper was able to leave.”

“You offer your approval very grudgingly,” he observed.

I shrugged. It was true. “Won’t it just happen again?” I had to ask.

A ghost of a smile flitted across his mouth. “Yes. But we stopped it this time at least. Sometimes that’s all we can do.”

I looked behind us, wondering if Tyson, Johnny, and the rest were hiding in the woods. “Where are the others?”

“They’re returning separately to be sure their help isn’t connected to my thieving.”

I nodded in approval then turned to study him. “Were you in danger of being caught?”

He smirked at me. “What do you think?”

“There’s the arrogance I’ve been missing,” I muttered, looking away.

“You think me arrogant?” He sounded as if that amused him.

“I know you are arrogant.” I couldn’t resist the jab.

“Then why give your approval at all? Why not knock me down a peg or two?”

I cut my eyes over to him. “Would that work? I don’t know that I’d be able to reach so high.”

He laughed. “Oh, come now. I do not truly seem arrogant, do I?”