Eventually, she couldn’t delay the inevitable a moment longer, and forced herself to go in to join them.
“So, do either of you ladies have any suspicions on whom it might be?” Jeb asked when Sophia entered.
He took the tea tray from her with a smile and placed it carefully on the table. Their fingers brushed as the tray changed hands. The white hot bolt of awareness that flew up her arm branded her and left her shaken, and she hurriedly turned away before she said, or did, something foolish.
Unaware of her inner turmoil, Jeb studied her. “I don’t want to put you in an uncomfortable position, but any help you might be able to give me would be greatly appreciated. Father is at a loss, and I have to confess that so am I.”
Sophia was already shaking her head. She watched Delilah’s mouth open and close for several moments as she contemplated what to say. Eventually, she followed Sophia’s lead and also shook her head.
“I have considered the matter several times, and keep my eyes open whenever I go to these things but have yet to see anyone behaving suspiciously in any way. Of course, some people are in need of additional funds, but that is not to say they would stoop to theft. It would be foolish of me to point any finger in anybody’s direction without having proof.” Delilah adopted an innocent look and waved to the room around them. “I am certainly not in need of additional funds.”
It was on the tip of Sophia’s tongue to issue a disparaging remark about greed, but took a sip of her tea instead.
“If either of us does hear or see anything suspicious then we shall, of course, notify the magistrate at once,” Delilah continued when Sophia made no attempt to speak.
“I shall not be in the village for much longer,” Sophia declared quietly when her aunt glared at her. “But I will keep an eye out for the thief while I am here.”
If Delilah did indeed return the stolen items as promised then Sophia would be out of the village within the month. If not, then she could very well have to take Jeb Hutchinson into her confidence. At the moment, she couldn’t be entirely sure she shouldn’t have done so already.
“Where do you originate from, Miss Carney?” Jeb asked while Delilah poured everyone tea.
“Bentley in Buckinghamshire.”
Jeb nodded. He had never heard of it before and made a mental note to take a look at the maps in his father’s study later.
“Tell me, what do you do in London?” Delilah asked politely.
“I am in banking,” Jeb replied watching her.
“You must know the Faversham family then,” Delilah murmured with a hint of cunning in her eye.
“I do,” Jeb replied, “but they are not part of the banking fraternity.”
Although he didn’t move about in London’s social scene, he knew enough about the aristocracy there to know that Ernest Faversham was a good friend of his boss, Sir Hugo, and had absolutely no interest in banking except for what was in his own accounts.
“Mr Hutchinson,” Sophia began, desperate to break the rather tense atmosphere that had suddenly materialised out of nowhere.
“Call me Jeb, please. Everybody does.”
“I thought your father called you Jebediah?” Delilah said with a frown.
“Only when he is mad at me,” Jeb replied dryly.
Sophia’s smile was instinctive. Even when she knew she should be worried about his presence in the house she really quite liked him. He had a dry wit and a somewhat mischievous humour that appealed to her. She suspected he could be fun to be around, in the right circumstances.
“Well, if you are sure,” Delilah said doubtfully.
“I am sure,” he replied, but was looking at Sophia when he spoke.
“Then Jeb it is,” Sophia murmured softly. “And you must call me Sophia.”
“Sophia.”
She shivered at the sound of her name spoken in that deep baritone which had just the right hint of huskiness to it, and nodded.
She was still smiling half an hour later when he took his leave. Mainly because he had kissed the back of her hand before he left and his lips lingered far longer than necessary while his eyes held her captivated. The sensual promise hidden in that gaze sent a shiver down her spine at the same time that a wild thrill of excitement made her day that bit more enjoyable.
Unfortunately, that joy didn’t last as soon as the door closed behind him.