A Spinster's Awakening (A New Adventure Begins - Star Elite 2)

“I am afraid that he is still a suspect.” Angus shared a look with Aaron. He knew he wasn’t persuading her to be wary of the suspect.

Why was she so devoutly defending the man?

“Are we talking about the same person?” Aaron asked suddenly. “We are talking about the man who lives in number sevent

y-six, directly across the road from here.”

“Yes, that’s Mr Lawrence’s house,” Charity replied, her voice ripe with certainty.

“Who helps him?”

“His cousin, usually. Most of the time Mr Lawrence is alone. He is so stubborn he refuses to let others do anything for him. He can get about, but it is a challenge. It takes him so long to even go into the village that he rarely bothers anymore. He cannot be responsible. If you don’t believe me, wait until you see him. He will be around tomorrow morning. Watch him. Then you will understand how foolish it is to consider him capable of doing anything more than surviving.”

Angus found it difficult not to stare at the way Charity’s expressive features changed when she spoke with passion about something. In this case, the aged, and seemingly innocent, Mr Lawrence. Charity’s cheeks were fiery with indignation, and her warm grey eyes sparkled such was the outrage that brought her features alive. Gone was the delicate creature he had just met. In her place was someone whom Angus suspected would challenge him on every level and leave him wanting if he allowed her too close. It was something he had never experienced before.

Angus managed to stop staring at her for approximately two minutes. Then his wayward self-control, which was usually on a very tight leash, vanished completely. As though compelled by some invisible hand, Angus’s gaze was drawn to Charity’s feet, and the delicate toes of her boots poking out from beneath the soft folds of her dress. Once there, it slid gently up to the protrusions that were her knees before stopping to rest on the gentle curve of her nipped in waist. Angus marvelled at whether he would be able to encompass it with his hands as he boldly surveyed the delicate rosebuds on the bodice of her dress. At her décolletage, his gaze rested once more but only long enough to acknowledge her rounded curves with masculine appreciation. Slowly and gently, his gaze moved upward, to the very feminine sweep of delicate jawline and the compelling beauty of her thickly lashed grey eyes.

Damn, I am in trouble, Angus mused wryly.

He was even more dumbfounded by the fact that each time he tried to focus on the conversation she was having with Aaron, his gaze fell to her lips. He was lost to everything but how hypnotic they were when they moved. From her position, bathed in the heavenly golden glow of the firelight, those delicate rosebud lips glistened teasingly each time they were bathed by the fleeting touch of her tongue.

“Isn’t it, Angus?” Aaron asked loudly.

Angus jerked out of his trance and blinked at his friend but had no idea what he had said.

“Indeed,” he murmured in a voice that was thick with dissatisfaction.

Aaron leaned forward in his seat and gave Charity a straight look.

Charity’s stomach flipped. Tension began to gather in her small sitting room.

“Might I ask that what we are about to discuss remains strictly between us?”

Charity looked from one man to the other. She wasn’t at all sure it was a good idea to agree but nodded anyway.

“Who are you?” she whispered, becoming distinctly uncomfortable beneath the intensity of their regard.

Aaron sighed. “Like the card says, we are from the War Office and are currently working on the investigation into the recent spate of kidnappings in the county. We have reason to believe that the culprit lives across the road. I am afraid we cannot tell you much more than we need to be able to use your front room to watch the occupants of the property.”

Charity frowned. “How will you know if he leaves? Every property along this road has a back door.”

Aaron smiled. “We will keep watch on that too. It is easy enough to do given we can use the woods running along the back of the properties on that side of the road to keep us hidden.”

He winced when he caught Angus’s stern look and suddenly wished he hadn’t told her so much. Her refusal wasn’t an option now. They had to stay, if only to stop her gossiping about what she knew and inadvertently telling their target he was being watched.

“We need to keep a close eye on that property and will have men in position to follow him when he leaves. It is imperative we not only stop this man snatching anybody else, but also find out what he has done with those who have already been taken,” Angus added. “We have to return them to their homes and families. I am sure you agree.”

It wasn’t a question.

Charity nodded. “Completely.”

Angus groaned when he saw her eyes light with interest.

“This is a formal investigation. It is imperative that you do not discuss what you have heard with another living soul. Success depends upon upmost secrecy.” Angus made his voice as stern as possible and accompanied it with a dark look of warning.

Charity glared at him. It was galling that neither man considered her able to control the need to gossip.

“I can assure you that having lived in a small village like this all my life I am well aware of how the gossips work,” she replied pertly.