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He unlocked the top righthand drawer, pleased in an odd way to know his skills at picking locks had improved. He removed the few papers inside, giving them little more than a cursory glance. Then he patted the interior of the drawer and felt along the sides and top, feeling rather foolish. Nothing seemed unusual there.
He returned the papers to their position, locked the drawer, and shifted his focus to the lefthand one. Blank sheets of paper were inside, making Simon wonder why the man would lock it.
Simon pulled out the papers and felt along the sides and top, pausing when his fingers caught on a folded piece of paper wedged in the back corner of the drawer.
It took several tugs to pull it free. The weight of it was enough to set his heart thudding. He unfolded it with care and could hardly believe his eyes as he stared at Norah’s coin.
Damn. Stockton was guilty after all. An odd mix of elation and anger rushed through him to have at last found proof. But where were the rest of the missing items?
*
Norah reread Simon’smessage, something she’d done numerous times over the past several hours while pacing her bedroom, still uncertain what it meant.
Dear Norah,
I fear I acted hastily when I ended our association and would like to offer my deepest apologies. Worley has convinced me that I gave up too soon. I intend to take action to resolve the thefts once and for all. But I wanted to say I’m sorry to you first. I should very much like to call on you next week once the situation at the museum is behind me.
Yours,
Simon
It had taken all of Norah’s reserve to not rush back to the museum and tell him that she was the one in need forgiveness. She worried she had been overly persistent about her father’s missing coin. She didn’t want Simon to do anything rash. Norah need only remember what had happened with her father to be concerned.
One thing had become clear during the past few days—she loved Simon and wanted him in her life. His message written in a masculine scrawl suggested he cared for her as well.
The realization that she was prepared to set aside her original plan to wait several years before considering marriage had her sinking into a chair. Waiting that long to be with Simon felt impossible.
She turned the notion over in her mind. Yes, in the past few months, she’d finally felt like she was starting to experience life. She’d been certain marriage would take that away. She still wanted to experience new things—but with Simon. Living life to the fullest wouldn’t mean nearly as much if he wasn’t by her side.
Simon would never hold her back, even if he didn’t want to always do the same things she did. But maybe they were good for each other. She would pull him out of his study and away from his work, while he would help her to slow down and enjoy the quiet moments. She didn’t want to change him. Instead, she hoped to balance his life and thought he’d do the same for her.
Yes, he appreciated history almost as much as her father. But perhaps being together would encourage him to value the present and future as well.
A knock sounded at her door. “Miss?”
“Yes?”
Dorothy entered with a smile. “It’s time to dress for the ball.”
“Already?” Norah blinked, trying to remember what ball. The last thing she wanted was to attend a gathering when she longed to be with Simon.
The maid moved to her wardrobe and pulled out the blue gown they’d decided she should wear this evening. “This is a lovely one, don’t you think? The color is so flattering.”
“It’s one of my favorites,” Norah murmured as her thoughts raced. What if she stopped by the museum on her way to the ball? Just for a few minutes to ask Simon what he intended. To caution him to take care. She didn’t want him to place himself in danger, especially not because of the coin.
After all, it was the memories of her father that mattered, and she would hold those close and cherish them always.
She wanted to tell Simon she’d continue to help with the search. She and Lena could go to Evans’s museum again. Perhaps they could discover more. Having a suspect would surely make Simon’s investigation easier.
Her thoughts circled with possibilities while Dorothy helped her dress and arranged her hair. Soon the maid finished and departed even as Lena entered the room, wearing a pale lavender ball gown with cream lace touches.
“Don’t you look lovely,” Lena said with a smile. “That is one of my favorite gowns on you.” Yet as she studied Norah, her smile faltered. “What is it?”
“I have a request,” Norah said, hoping to convince her sister to agree.
“Of course. What is it?” Lena’s concern warmed her heart.
“I have to speak with Simon this evening.”
