To Catch A Thief (Saved By Desire 3)

The rest of the world seemed a lifetime away when she was wrapped in his arms. Nothing could touch them where they were. She wished they could remain there until the danger had passed, but Jeb was a man of action. Someone who sought to ensure justice was served and, after what had happened to her today, she could now appreciate why.

“Nothing is going to happen to me. I promise,” he whispered and meant every word. “Now that I have you to come home to I am not going to do anything to compromise our future happiness.”

“I am sure your father will be delighted to have you back in the family fold,” she replied with a smile.

“I have to confess that my remaining within the village depends on you.”

“Me?” She tipped her head back to look up at him.

“Yes, you.” He dropped a lingering kiss onto her lips. “I have received a letter from your father to say he should be here by the end of the week.”

She jerked and looked at him with a broad smile. “He has replied? He is coming?”

Jeb grinned. He was starting to relax now that the shadows were disappearing from her eyes. “Yes. He said that he has written to you before. I think Delilah has intercepted the letters and kept them from you. He has said in his note that if you have no luck then Delilah is to leave the house and make her own way in life. It is probably why she hid them from you.”

“It’s a bit late now,” she murmured. She looked at him appreciatively. “You were right to suggest he write to me via Briggleberry. Thank you.”

“You are most welcome,” Jeb said. “It is quite fortuitous really because for the time being, you need to make Briggleberry your home too. The doctor has informed me that you are not well enough to travel for the time being. You need to be looked after. The staff at Briggleberry can take care of you while I am helping the men find Bamber. When Hooky arrives, I have to have a very necessary conversation with him.”

“Oh?” Sophia’s heart began to thump heavily in her chest.

She knew her heart was in her eyes but could do little about it. Her love for him was growing in leaps and bounds by the hour, but she knew it was in safe hands with Jeb.

“I am afraid our short courtship will have to take place at Briggleberry while you recuperate. As soon as Bamber is no longer a threat to anyone, and work eases off a little, I fully intend for us to make our relationship permanent. I need to ask your father’s permission.”

Sophia wanted to scream that she was ready now but knew, deep inside, that he was giving her time to get to know him – the man, not him – the rescuer. It would be foolish to rush into anything, especially when she was still reeling from the fright she had just had. However, she knew, even now, even on such a relatively short acquaintance, that Jeb was the man for her.

“I know it is still early days, and there is a lot you have to learn about me, but I love you. I have never felt such despair as I did when I saw you in the garden. The moments afterward were the most fraught I can ever remember, and something I never want to experience ever again. I realised just how much I love you and how worthless my life would be without you in it. The last thing I can do is allow you to go back to Buckinghamshire, or anywhere else, without me. So, with your permission, I should like to move you into Briggleberry for your recovery. However, it is to become your permanent home because I fully intend to make you my wife while you are there.”

“Oh, Jeb. I love you so much. I never thought I could feel like this, and to be honest am not quite sure I believe it. I want to pinch myself to make sure it is real and not all some sort of dream.”

“You really love me?” He was starting to believe her declaration wasn’t just reaction to her fear.

There was something in his eyes that was intensely vulnerable. It called to something deep within her. While she knew it would be impossible to protect him, she had every intention of giving him a home to return to, and showing him each and every day how much he was loved. He was as essential to her now as the very air she breathed, and she had learned today just how precious that was. She couldn’t deny him anything, especially when he had just handed her the world.

“You are my very own knight in shining armour. You have saved me today. Not just from death, but from a miserable future without you. I need you in my life, not to provide me with comfort or protection, but because you make my life complete.”

Jeb’s smile was full of happiness. He wouldn’t have been surprised to find her quivering nonsensically in a heap after what she had endured. Instead, she was smiling and looking toward the future with such hope in her eyes he knew he would battle the world to give her whatever she want

ed.

“I love you, Sophia Carney,” he murmured as he drew them both down onto the bed until they lay face to face. “I came back to Framley Meadow at the request of my father to catch a thief. What I found here instead has made my life complete, and that is something I promise you I shall never take for granted.”

“We both found more than we bargained for. Thankfully, on this occasion, our lives will be considerably happier and far, far richer than either of us could ever have imagined. For that, I can only thank you; for being you and for coming into my life.”

“Together forever,” he promised huskily.

EPILOGUE

Two days later, Jeb was struggling to keep his mind focused on why he was there. His darling Sophia was safely tucked away at Briggleberry and, as far as he was concerned, the sooner he could get back there to be with her the happier he would be.

At the moment, he was hidden deep in the shadows in the Squire’s bedchamber. He kept his breathing shallow and remained motionless while the minutes ticked by. Marcus had arrived not but twenty minutes ago to inform them that Bamber had been followed to the house, and was now skulking around outside being observed by Joe.

Inside, Jeb and Barnaby were watching the empty jewellery box Bamber was there to collect.

Although devastated by her husband’s death, the Squire’s wife had suggested using some less valuable items that looked similar to the ones the thief wanted. She had willingly provided them before she had left to stay with relatives for a while. Before she had departed, Jeb had asked her why the jewels were not kept in a safe.

“Well, I only wear those jewels at balls. They are the most expensive we own, and my husband does like to display them. He always removes the jewels I am supposed to wear before we go out. I was going to wear them to the ball here, and then we were due to attend the McAllister’s ball the night after that.”