Nathan!
Dropping the book onto the chair, she raced down the stairs and yanked at the locks she’d fixed into place the moment he’d left. She drew the door open wide.
Never had she been so pleased to see Nathan Hawk. She flung herself at him, grateful when he wrapped her in his arms.
“Well, that’s a reaction I didn’t expect.” His warm laughter caught her off guard, and she realized what she had done.
Untangling her arms from around his neck, she jerked away. “I…thought you were my father.”
Liar!
She crossed her arms across her middle as if to ward him off.
And to protect my heart.
Just as he’d said he would, he’d gone and changed, but this wasn’t the dapper man she’d met so briefly at the hotel in his finest clothes. Now he wore the threadbare trousers and jacket of a man down on his luck. Her gaze dropped to his feet. The expensively tooled leather shoes had been replaced too with scuffed boots.
“I thought it best I blend in,” he said, answering her unspoken question.
“You look like the Nathan from the past.”
“That’s intentional.”
After they’d gone back upstairs, he dropped a canvas satchel on the table. “I brought some food with me,”
“I am not a charity case.” Then immediately she rescinded. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap, I’m…”
“Tired. Worried. Scared.”
“I don’t want to be. I want to be out there.” She pointed toward the small window overlooking the street, then wandered over to it, peering out into the now late afternoon light. Streams of gold and pink glazed the rooftops, transporting this humble street of workmen’s homes into a glittering world. She turned away from the view, away from the hope of seeing her father turn the corner and wave up to her. “I need to get out and find him.”
“We will.”
“When?”
“Have you eaten?”
Rose glanced away, teeth scraping her bottom lip as she shuffled from foot to foot. She had ignored food, though her rumbling stomach reminded her.
“I thought as much. Heat some water for tea, and I’ll cut up some cheese and bread for us.”
Rose wanted to argue, but when she saw Nathan withdraw the large round of cheese and the fresh loaf of crusty bread, her stomach decided to make it known it wanted sustenance. She inhaled, eyes shutting momentarily as the aroma of bread and the strong cheese mingled.
The scrape of one of the two wooden chairs across the planked floor stopped her salivating, and she opened her eyes, only to realize Nathan was sitting and staring at her. She stiffened, expecting one of his famous cutting remarks, only it didn’t come.
“We’ll find him, Rosie. Don’t worry.”
“Easier said than done.”
The water heated, and she made tea for them both. They sat in silence, eating. Rose wanted to ask how they would find her father. Where? When? But she knew the questions were unanswerable.
“Did you see your business partner?”
Nathan’s mood sobered. “I did.” But it hadn’t been just Ben he’d sought out, though he was grateful Ben would keep an ear to the ground. Nathan had also been trying to find out what had happened to Tommy Pratchett.
He’d come up empty. No one had seen or heard from him for some time.
“Your lack of enthusiasm would hint that he’s none too happy with you.”
“Perceptive as ever, squirt.”
The moment the nickname passed his lips, Nathan witnessed the flash of annoyance cross Rose’s violet eyes as they darkened to the color of the spinel gems Alex used to craft when making his replicas. “It slipped out. But it is a form of endearment.”
She rolled her eyes in response.
“I’m sorry it took me longer to get back than I anticipated,” Nathan said, trying to make conversation. He wondered why it felt so awkward now. It never had before. Not when she had been younger. However, Rose Valetta was no longer the kid who had hung around and annoyed him.
In his absence, she had shed her men’s attire and now wore a dress of dark green linen that had seen better days, the neckline slightly frayed, the white lace collar yellowed. Beneath the lace, he observed the rise and fall of her breasts.
She never had breasts before.
Shut the hell up!
“That color suits you,” he said dragging anything from his brain that made any sense.
Her hand flew to her neck, cheeks heating a delicate shade of pink.
What is wrong with me? Why am I thinking of kisses?
But he knew. Deep down, in a place he didn’t want to consider, he knew exactly why. He remembered. Remembered kissing her, and wanting more, then wanting to shoot himself for that wanting.
“Ben was about to head to the opening of the exhibition.”
“And you’ve missed the spectacle. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“No, but it was important to your company.”
“Not as important as finding the diamond and Alex.” A wave of sadness swept across her expression, and he said, “We will find him, Rosie.”
She offered a forced smile, and he knew right then that he wanted her to really smile, that funny, laughing smile he remembered.
He shot to his feet, shoving back his chair. Its legs scraped across the floor. “Damn it.” He strode over to the window, drawing both hands through his hair as he stared out at the street below.
“Nathan?”
He caught the sudden apprehension in Rose’s voice and pivoted back to her. “Sorry. It’s…it’s just getting to me. We don’t have much to go on.” Hell, they really didn’t have anything, though he didn’t want to upset Rosie any more than she was now. He knew how much she loved her father.
The little helper.
He paced the room, trying to connect the pieces of information they did know, and then suddenly he stopped and faced her. “Are you sure the men were from Zarrenburg?”
“I heard them speak the language of my father’s birth country.”
Nathan wiped a hand across his freshly shaved jaw. “And we saw the flag flying high, so that confirms it.”
“Surely only those of royal birth would fly the country’s flag?”
“True.”
“But, Nathan, that would mean someone within the family wants the diamond.”
“It would seem that way.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. It doesn’t quite make sense.” Nathan continued his pacing, shaking his head. Coming to a halt beside the tattered chair, he sank onto it, only to half rise straight away to pull out an old book he’d not seen as he sat.
He held it out to Rosie. “Sorry.” Then pulled back a fraction. “Dickens?”
“Yes. I read it to relax. Papa is always saying I can never put it down.”
She went to take it, but their fingers didn’t meet, and the book dropped to the floor.
He bent to retrieve it, but a page fell out. “Oh, hell, I’m sorry. I…” He gathered the book up and the piece of paper that fell from the book and went to pass it to Rosie, hesitating as his gaze latched on to the engraving. He frowned. “Why would you have this?”
“Have what?”
He pointed to the piece of paper and the gilded crest stamped at the top of the page.
Rose snatched the paper from him. “It’s the Zarrenburg crest.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded. “Papa showed it to me once.” She turned the paper over several times, her fingertips trailing the engraved crest. “There’s an address. Or part of it.” She brought the paper closer for inspection. “It’s a London address.” Surprise registered in her voice as she lifted her gaze to his. “Mayfair.” She held out the scrap of paper to him.
Relief powered through Nathan. He stood and scooped her up with him. “You did it, Rosie. You did it. We’ve got our first real clue.”
“But what is it?”
“It’s the address don’t you see. Something that connects those men from Zarrenburg with…well, whatever this address is.”
Skepticism over ran through her excitement. “Are you sure? It’s just an address. It doesn’t mean it’s from anyone who is involved.”
“But it is a link,” Nathan reiterated. “Have you seen this paper before?”
“No…but…”
“No buts, squirt. This gives us something, at least.”
Her laughter rang out, and he twirled her around and around, holding her close.
It felt wonderful, and as her bubbling laughter echoed around the room, he found her joy contagious. His right hand held her to him, his other hand tangling in her hair. “We make a good team, squirt.”
Suddenly, he was kissing her, capturing her laughter.
He felt her body still, the faint hesitation, but he did not, could not stem this need to return to that moment all those years ago. He cradled her to him, wondering if what he remembered had simply been a mirage, a fantasy.
Nathan kissed her, and it was just as she remembered it. Had dreamed of all these years.
Oh, she was a fool, but she couldn’t pull away. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers delighting in the sensation when she trailed them through his hair.
But that was nothing compared to the feelings careening through. He tasted delicious and smelled of musk.
Senses overwhelmed, she lost herself to the moment. The taste of him. The feel of his hard body against hers. The comfort, and more. Much more.
“Just as you always were,” he whispered against her ear.
Always?
Reality crashed back as if she’d been doused in ice water, and she wrenched herself from his hold, shocked at the state of her dress. The neckline was askew, the top tiny buttons of the lace collar undone, and her hair in disarray.
Rose swallowed back her shame. Shame because she had let herself believe and hope. “You should not have done that.”
“Probably not.” Nathan’s face was a mask of propriety, his tone controlled. Where was the emotion she’d been feeling? Because if not for the brutal return of reality, she would not have stopped kissing him. “But you cannot deny you enjoyed it, Rosie.”
“I am not some strumpet you can pick up and put down at whim.” He had kissed her once, and she had lost her head, only to find he’d disappeared the next day, never to be seen again.
Until now.
No. She would not let go of her heart again. Could not. And definitely not to Nathan. “You are here to find my father and the diamond. That is all. Keep your distance, Mr. Hawk.”
Mischievous humor glinted in his eyes and bitter annoyance and fury at him overrode her lust. She stamped her foot. “Don’t you dare laugh at me.”
He held up his hands. “I surrender.”
“And keep away. Don’t touch me. Don’t—”
“Kiss you? I rather liked it. Wouldn’t mind doing it again.”
“No!” Oh, she wanted to, and her protest was feeble at best. “This isn’t helping to find my father, and I would expect recovering the diamond is far more important than kissing me.”
Subdued, Nathan took several steps backward. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” He jabbed a thumb toward the scrap of paper now lying on the floor beside the book. “That is the Zarrenburg crest, and the only place in London that it could come from is the country’s royal London residence.”
Glad of the diversion, Rose forced herself not to reach up and touch her lips. The feel of Nathan’s pressed against hers was still very real. She scooped up the piece of paper. “Then it’s time we set off. The sooner you get your precious diamond—”
“The sooner I can get out of your hair.” His smile was back. A broad, beautiful smile showing his shockingly white teeth against the golden tan that he had never had when he’d lived on England’s shores.
Nathan didn’t look back at her as they descended the stairs in silence. Rose was lost in thought and totally unable to drag her gaze from his back.
The door opened to the street, but instead of walking out, he halted abruptly and turned to face her.
She should have been alert, not lost in what-ifs and fantasies that had no hope of becoming reality. Nathan was not reliable. Here one day, gone the next.
So why don’t I marry Floyd if I want reliable?
“I want to kiss you again,” he murmured.
Rose went to protest, but too late—Nathan kissed her.
Shock and something more, something exciting and real and wonderful shot right through her, riding the crest of a wave of desire.
Desire! Yes, beautiful desire.
So beautiful.
His mouth held hers captive. No sweet kiss, but something more. Something tantalizing. Hard. Fast. He cupped her head with one hand, the other holding her to him, which was just as well because she had the distinct impression her legs wouldn’t hold her upright much longer.
Then as suddenly he had kissed her, he pulled away, leaving her with a mind that reeled and a body that shockingly wanted more.
He reached for her hand. “Come on, we’ve got some detective work to do.”
Desperate to take stock of what had just happened, not just that Nathan had kissed her, but the way her body had responded, Rose said nothing. Neither, however, did she take her hand from his.
Chapter Eight
“This is it.” Nathan nodded toward the elegantly proportioned white stone building at the end of the tree-lined Mayfair cul-de-sac.
Rose clutched the tiny piece of paper that was their clue. “Now all we have to do is get in.”
Worry lines creased Nathan’s forehead. “Could be trouble. Unsurprisingly, there are guards at every entrance, so unless you can make us invisible, that’s going to be a hard task.”
Rose glanced up and down the street. Typical of the wealthy areas of her great city, hawkers walked the length of it chiming their wares, hoping for a sale so they could feed their families for another day.
Fish. Pots and pans. Fresh milk, vegetables and meat. Flowers.
An idea blossomed, and she spun round to Nathan. “Give me some money.”
“Pardon?”
“You heard me, Nathan. Hand over a few shillings.”
“If you’re trying to shake me down, then you’re going about it the wrong way.”
From the corner of her eye, Rose saw a young woman loaded with bunches of flowers about to turn the corner. “I don’t have time to waste.” She held out her palm while one foot tapped with impatience.
Nathan dug into his pocket, the clink of coins rattling.
“Hurry up.”
The moment he withdrew the coins, she grabbed what she needed. “Wait there, I’ll be back.”
She raced off toward the young woman and reached her the moment she turned into the next road. Breathless, Rose caught up with her, quickly negotiated and, basket in hand, returned to Nathan.
“If it was flowers you wanted from me, Rosie, you only needed to ask. Though I’ve never had a woman I’m courting buy her own flowers.”
She caught his innuendo. “Just as well we’re not courting, then.”
Nathan glanced toward the towering edifice of the Zarrenburg London residence. “So now I’ve bought you just about all the flowers in London, I’m presuming you’re going to tell me what they’re for.”
“It’s simple, really, probably too simple for you to understand. There’s a side entrance, like most of these grand residences have.”
“And?”
“And we go down there and get in.”
“Easie
r said than done, given the multitude of guards.”
“They’re men.” Rose rolled her eyes. “Easily distracted.”
“We are?”
“Of course. You’ll go for anything in a skirt. A flutter of eyelashes, a smile.”
“You make us sound like simple creatures.”
“You are. Everything centers on…” Her words stopped dead as she realized what she was about to say. Heat scorched a path across her cheeks, and she quickly disconnected her gaze from his.
Oh, this is ridiculous. The man makes me think things, say things.
She hoisted the basket of flowers between them. The scent assailed her nose. “I’ll use this as a distraction for that guard down the alley while you sidle down and then come up from behind.”
“And?”
She rolled her eyes again as if he were a simpleton who couldn’t grasp at a thing. “You knock him out so we can get in.”
She stared at Nathan, seeing his hesitation as he considered her plan. “It just might work.”
“Of course it will. It has to.”
“You’re right. Getting inside is our only option.”
“So are you ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” Nathan searched the ground around them.
“What are you doing?”
“Looking for a weapon.”
Rose’s stomach rolled over, and Nathan caught her shock. “Flowers are all very well, and I’m certain you have the wiles to entice any man, but my role requires something with a bit more weight to it than knocking the guard out with a bunch of roses.”
His words were true and suddenly made everything once again all too real.
“You’re not having second thoughts, are you?” he questioned.
She glanced toward the building. The Zarrenburg Embassy.
It had taken a while to decipher the partial address. Inside the building, she prayed might be a clue that would lead her to her father. All they had was this address. That it was the Zarrenburg Embassy had to be a link. It had to.
She stifled her nerves. “No second thoughts. Let’s go. I’ll walk ahead of you. You take the right side of the alley. There’s less sunshine, and hopefully the shadows will give you some cover.”
To Love a Thief (Steel Hawk) Page 9