Page 81 of Love Wasn’t Built in a Day

She stood back, watching as Gideon and Jenkins worked deftly, replacing each layer of tissue paper and carefully covering each with the powdered paint. It would make a devil of a mess of Gideon’s nice, tidy office, Hetty thought with a grin.

Jenkins had put all the empty jars back in her bag and they had just put the lid back on the box when they heard voices outside the door. A moment later, Mr Ridley appeared.

He stepped inside, his eyes flicking to the now closed crate and away again.

“Mr Ludlow is waiting outside, Mr Bramwell,” he said with a curt nod, and Hetty hoped very much that he was the thief, for she disliked the way he made Mr Ludlow wait outside instead of letting him come in.

“Well, I shall be off then. I do not wish to keep Mr Ludlow waiting for me, for that would be rude. Good afternoon to you, my dear,” she said briskly.

“And to you, my lady,” Gideon said, giving her a fond smile, whilst his eyes danced with devilry.

Hetty followed Jenkins to the door, fighting the desire to turn and look at the crate or to wish Gideon luck. This had been her plan, but it was out of her hands now.

She only hoped the thief was quick off the mark and wouldn’t keep them waiting.

“Damn it,” Gideon cursed, setting down his pen with a scowl.

“Is there aught amiss, Sir?” Ridley asked, looking up from his desk on the opposite side of the hut.

“No,” Gideon said with a sigh, pushing to his feet. “Only I forgot to tell Ludlow about an important change I made to the plans. I’d best run and tell him before he cocks the whole thing up. While I’m at it, I think I’ll get Barlow to tidy up that mess by the front gate. It’s a fire hazard, and it makes the place look untidy.”

Ridley nodded, his expression thoughtful. “If you don’t mind me saying so, Sir. I’d keep an eye on Barlow. He and Billy Preston seem mighty friendly all at once. Odd, isn’t it, after they wanted to murder each other a short while ago?”

Gideon considered Ridley with interest. “Not really. That’s what fellows are like on a building site in my experience. Once the drama is over, it’s all forgotten.”

Ridley shrugged, his expression neutral. “Well, I’m sure you know best, Mr Bramwell.”

Gideon waited, wondering if he would say more, and when he didn’t— “You suspect him?” Gideon asked, watching him carefully.

Even if it turned out Ridley wasn’t the thief, Gideon realised he did not like him.

Mr Ridley stared at his ledger for a long moment before meeting Gideon’s eyes. “Someone is stealing from you, Sir. From all of us. I’ll not condemn a man with no proof, but… well, I don’t trust him, is all.”

Gideon held his gaze, which Ridley returned unblinkingly.

“Noted,” he said with an agreeable smile, heading for the door and closing it carefully behind him.

He hurried across the site and inside the hotel to what would one day be the grand foyer, where Billy and Larry were waiting for him.

“All set?” Billy asked eagerly.

Gideon nodded. “Now, remember, don’t overplay it. The two of you are tidying up the broken crates and such. It gives you a reason to be in full view of the hut, but don’t stand gawping. The trick is to watch without being seen.”

He regarded Billy a little doubtfully, for the lad was eager but perhaps not the sharpest. Larry, however, laughed and patted his new pal, Billy, on the shoulder. “I got it, Mr Bramwell. We’ll catch your thief, won’t we, Billy?”

“Aye. Reckon so. Come on, then,” Billy said, and dashed off.

Larry hurried after him. “Don’t worry, sir,” he called over his shoulder as he ran to keep up.

Gideon sighed, some hope of that. There really wasn’t much else he could do.

With everything in place, he went to find Hetty, eager to see what she thought of the ballroom. It took some time, for the men wanted a word with him as he passed, or acknowledgement and approval of the work they’d done. Impatience nagged at him, but he dared not appear hurried for fear any accomplice might sense that something was afoot.

He finally reached Hetty a good fifteen minutes later in the middle of the grand ballroom, gazing about her in wonder.

“Oh, Gideon, it’s magnificent,” she exclaimed, the pride in her eyes making his chest feel as though it might burst.

He looked around, trying to see it through her eyes.