To Catch A Thief (Saved By Desire 3)

Delilah’s rather carefree ways had caused consternation within the family for many years. Sophia knew that several relations had tried to talk to her about it on several occasions but had all been ignored. While Sophia agreed that something had to be done, she had no idea what.

“Well, if we don’t do something soon, my dear, when I pass you are going to find yourself burdened with a penniless relative who refuses to curb her appetite for the high life. It is not for you, or me, to provide for her if she doesn't help herself.” His sigh was heavy as he slumped into the chair on the opposite side of the fire. “I have tried time and again to get that woman to listen to me. I know she is my sister, but she is beyond the pale. She really is. I know she looks on you fondly, and would probably be inclined to listen to you. I really don’t have any other options. You must go and try to get that woman to see sense.”

Sophia nodded instinctively before she could find any argument. Inwardly though, she hated the thought of having to travel to Hertfordshire. She loved the house she shared with her father and their housekeeper, however, couldn’t bear to see Hooky so distressed over something she knew had plagued him for a very long time.

“If you think she might listen to me then I am happy to try. However, Delilah has always been like this. I cannot see how I can be any more successful than you.” She frowned when she saw her father’s hesitation, and knew there was more he had yet to tell her.

“There are rumours she has a man,” Hooky warned darkly.

“A m-man?” Sophia asked with a scowl. “Whatever for?”

Hooky’s eyebrows lifted.

She looked at him askance. “Is he her butler?”

Hooky coughed and shifted uncomfortably in his seat while he contemplated how to answer.

His daughter never ceased to amaze him sometimes. Her innocent response warned him that while he adored her and wanted to keep her with him all the time, he had done her no favours by sheltering her from the world she should inhabit. She had too much innocence for someone who was three and twenty. While he deplored Delilah’s lifestyle, he did consider that rural Buckinghamshire was a little, well, too rural for Sophia. He hated the thought of her leaving because then he would be all by himself, but was painfully aware he was getting on in years and wasn’t going to be around forever. Who would look after his darling daughter then? Her apparent disinterest in finding a worthwhile mate to spend her time with had been proven over the past several years when she had declared on several occasions that she never wanted to take a husband. To his dismay, in spite of the many social engagements she attended, she had spurned any and all potential suitors.

It was part of the reason why he felt that sending her to Delilah’s house for a while might just show her a side of life she really didn’t appear to even realise was there.

“No. I think the man might be more of a lover.” He smiled when Sophia gasped and blushed prettily, and began to hope that while she was away, she might find a gentleman who was able to open her eyes to the world. As long as he didn’t break her heart, then what harm could there be?

“I will give you some money to take with you, and a little extra to give to Delilah. Tell her it is to cover your living costs while you are there, but make sure she spends it on food and the like for you both. Don’t let her fritter it away on dresses, or dining with her associates. I doubt any one of her layabout circle could be true friends. I really don’t know why she continues to associate with them,” he grumbled on a sigh.

“Maybe she gets lonely by herself? You know, maybe it is a way of avoiding the fact she is alone?” Sophia replied thoughtfully as she contemplated her aunt’s new lover. She was a little shocked, and now worried about what she might find once there.

Hooky studied her, stood up, and moved to stand in front of her chair. He cupped her chin with a gentle hand and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.

“You are the delight of my life, my dear. I do think you have the most generous heart, and you may very well be right. However, Delilah has always been frivolous with her spending, and rather too arrogant. It is time, even in her middle years, to slow down a bit. I think that if anyone can persuade her to, it shall be you. I shall miss you dreadfully while you are gone, but I don’t want you to miss me. Accompany Delilah on those social engagements of hers and make a note of who her friends are. I think that man in her life is her lover, but if she has any conscience, she won’t accommodate him with you in the house. Find out what you can about him.”

Sophia’s brows shot up, and she immediately began to look doubtful.

“Oh, well, if that is the case, maybe I should not pay a visit after all. I mean, I shouldn’t want to intrude. If they are – well – er – I think -” She stumbled to a halt, unsure what to say.

Hooky grinned at her and helped himself to a liberal shot of brandy. He poured his daughter some Ratafia and resumed his seat.

“I wouldn’t worry. He isn’t living in the house. I just want to make sure that he isn’t taking advantage of a single woman living all by herself. Delilah can be a little – vulnerable sometimes.”

“Vulnerable?” Sophia’s brows lifted again.

Vulnerable was not the word she would use to describe her somewhat wayward aunt. Eccentric - yes. She tended to want to dress in fur, ruffles, and feathers; lots and lots of feathers. Outlandish - definitely. She tended to be loud and wanted to be the centre of attention. Uncouth - most definitely. She spoke first and thought about what she had said later – maybe - if nothing else took her interest. One usually had to take Delilah as one found her, and if you didn’t like anything she had to say then you could lump it.

Sophia sighed. The thought of having to spend any more than a few days with her aunt left her more than a little anxious, and she knew the next few weeks were going to be very trying indeed. However, Hooky was right. Someone in the family needed to try to get Delilah to live more of a staid life more befitting for a woman in her fifties.

How on earth do I do that? Sophia thought with a hint of desperation.

“If I must, I must, I suppose,” she replied carefully.

When she saw the relief on her father’s face, Sophia held a hand up before he could launch into a flurry of plans.

“However, I shall stay no longer than a week. If I cannot persuade her in a week to watch her spending because the money is running dry then she will just have to learn the hard way and go bankrupt. I will worry her into at least thinking about how much she spends, assuming she will talk to me about it. However, I cannot promise to be any more successful than you. One week. I don’t mean to be rude or churlish about it, but I will not stay a moment longer.”

Hooky sighed in delight and nodded an enthusiastic agreement. He rather suspected that a week in Delilah’s company was enough for any sane individual.

Beaming proudly at his daughter, he began to make plans for her departure.

CHAPTER TWO