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“Not really.” Norah couldn’t resist teasing her sister. “I find the temperature quite reasonable.”
Ella grinned as she looped her arm through Norah’s. “You would be warm if you’d had a moment on the terrace with Vanbridge. Admit it.”
Norah only smiled as they made their way to the refreshment room. “I don’t know of what you’re speaking.”
“You can’t fool me,” Ella whispered. “You look at him with more than admiration in your eyes.”
Her comment caused Norah a small measure of panic. Were her feelings so obvious? What if Simon noted how she felt? She lifted her eyes to the ceiling at the ridiculous question. They’d shared more than one passionate kiss. He already knew some of how she felt. That didn’t mean he knew of the depth of her attraction. She couldn’t claim to know how he regarded her other than enjoying a kiss or two. Or three.
Her face heated as she counted how many kisses they’d shared. How was that done? Did each press of their lips count as one? If so—
“Norah.”
Her gaze jerked to Ella, who raised a brow with an amused expression. “I asked when Vanbridge arrived.”
“Oh. Only a few minutes ago.”
“So, you haven’t yet danced?”
“No. But I hope we do.”
Ella squeezed her arm. “I like him, in case it matters.”
“I like him, too.” Norah smiled at her sister. “And it matters.”
What to do about it was another matter entirely.
Chapter Seventeen
The hour wasstill relatively early when Simon’s carriage rumbled through the streets, but he knew Robert Thompson would be in his office, as he was each and every morning. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t thought to reach out to the older man sooner. The museum owner had served as a mentor to Simon while he’d gone through the numerous steps required to open his own establishment.
Mr. Thompson was one of the few people whose company Simon had always enjoyed. Remorse filled him as he realized how long it had been since he’d last called on him.
Marbury and Worley were continuing efforts to visit the coin collectors on Norah’s list, which Simon appreciated. However, he wasn’t convinced that was the best use of his own time. The previous evening at the ball had been more enjoyable than he’d expected but hadn’t left him feeling as if he’d accomplished anything.
Well, that wasn’t completely true.
Simon smiled as his thoughts drifted to his dance with Norah. Time with her was something to treasure.
He never would’ve thought dancing could be so pleasurable. The reason was solely because of his partner. Norah was delightful even if he knew his time with her was nothing more than a brief interlude. A flash in his life that would soon be gone. She’d move on to a man both she and her grandfather considered a suitable match. The thought made his chest ache and threatened to ruin his good humor, so he quickly shoved it aside.
Simon was relieved to feel much like his normal self today. He’d even done some light boxing earlier, pleased his headache was gone. That had lifted his spirits, but Norah was mostly to thank for his improved disposition.
The realization caused him to sigh. He was becoming dependent on seeing her. The thrill that ran through him each time they were together was concerning. The sooner he found the missing items, the better. Perhaps today would bring the answers he sought. Or at least point him in the proper direction.
The carriage drew to a halt, and Simon hopped out to stare at the Museum of Olden Days. Several years had passed since he’d last been inside, but it looked much the same from the outside—a two-story brownstone with a neat and tidy exterior. Mr. Thompson focused on smaller artifacts important to the daily lives of civilizations. His collection included clothing and uniforms, weapons, cooking vessels and utensils, and the like.
Simon had thoroughly enjoyed visiting the place in his younger days.
After a brief conversation with the young man who watched the front entrance, Simon was shown to Thompson’s office in the rear of the building.
“Simon.” Thompson’s broad smile as he strode around his desk to shake Simon’s hand made him feel all the guiltier for not having visited sooner. “Good to see you.” He studied Simon for a long moment, making Simon wonder what he saw.
Thompson had aged in the past few years. His hair was nearly all white and lines bracketed his eyes. A bushy white mustache hid much of his mouth. But the kindness in his eyes was a constant.
“And you, sir.”
Thompson bowed. “Forgive me, my lord. I too often forget that you inherited.”
