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When Jeb merely looked thoughtful for several moments, she looked up at him.
“Are you not angry with me?”
“For what? Trying to do the right thing?” He smiled gently and looked at her a little ruefully at her. “I must confess that when I first saw you in the study tonight I was furious, and wanted to put you over my knee. However, when I saw that some of the missing items were from my father’s house, I realised you had returned them. I warned myself not judge until I had all of the facts.”
“What do you think I should do? Besides go to the magistrate?” Her stomach was clenched in knots as she waited for his decision.
Jeb thought about that for several moments. He picked up the box and led the way back into the sitting room. He shoved it under the chaise and settled down next to her.
“I think we have to leave the box somewhere it can be found by someone trustworthy. They will ensure the contents are returned to the rightful owners. They won’t have any idea where it came from but will make sure the owners are found.”
“Who, though? How can we do that without incriminating them?”
Jeb thought carefully as he also considered the most estimable people in the village. Besides his father, there was only one person in the community whom Jeb knew wouldn’t get the finger of blame pointed at them. However, didn’t mention them to Sophia. He needed to think the matter over some more.
Sophia waited and waited.
“Let me take the goods and secure them at my father’s house. They will at least be out of Delilah’s reach. She cannot pass them on to someone if she cannot get her hands on them.” He looked questioningly at her. “What has she taken lately?”
“Nothing.” Sophia looked a little rueful for a moment. “I have to confess that I have refused to allow her out of the house with a reticule. I have also informed her that if I hear she has stolen anything from a social gathering I attend she leaves me no choice. I have to report her to the magistrate. I can describe some of the items I know she has stolen, including your father’s trinket boxes.”
Jeb smiled and kissed the back of her hand.
“You know she will start again once you go home, don’t you?” he murmured softly and gave her a warning look. “So you will have to stay here for a while longer.”
She was delighted at the possessive look he levelled on her. “I thin
k I have to,” she admitted somewhat shyly.
“Good. That’s settled then.” He couldn’t help it. He leaned forward and captured her lips with his when passion immediately surfaced he had to lean back again. His heart thundered in his ears as he leaned back to study her.
She was stunning in candlelight; the shadows from which gave her a slightly mysterious look that made him want to unearth all of her secrets. Unfortunately, in spite of the lush temptation of her mouth being so very close, he daren’t chance another kiss. He was already painfully aware that he had already broken several of society’s dictates by being alone with her in the house. To be caught in a passionate clinch with him, should Delilah return home and catch them, might just get Sophia thrown out of the house, and that was something he couldn’t risk.
“I hope I haven’t gotten you in trouble by being here,” he murmured softly.
“No, you haven’t,” she assured him confidently. “I don’t think Delilah is in any position to protest. Do you?”
“Not really,” he admitted ruefully.
“So, what now?”
Jeb almost groaned. Was she talking about another kiss, or the stolen items?
“I will help you get rid of the stolen items. Let’s get them out of the house then the blame is less likely to fall on you. I want you to promise me that if you think Delilah has stolen anything else you will come to me first. Don’t go to the magistrate, and don’t worry about this on your own.”
“If you are sure?” she whispered, touching her tingling lips with tentative fingers.
Jeb watched that fleeting touch and mentally groaned. It was a struggle to keep his attention on their conversation as it was. The rapt, almost beseeching look on her face was making resisting her downright impossible.
“I have written to father to tell him,” she replied honestly. “I just haven’t had a reply yet.”
“How long should that take?”
“I am not sure. I should have hoped to have had a response by now. It is most unlike him.” She just hoped he was alright.
“Write to him again if you should have received a letter but haven’t. You don’t know if Delilah has withheld his reply.” He mentally winced when she gasped and turned to stare at him in shock.
“Do you think she has?”
