“Damn it all.” It was his fault. He should have watched the woman instead of spending every minute daydreaming about Nicole Flint. Though come to think of it, there wasn’t a moment when he wasn’t conjuring visions of seduction. “There’s a chance she might be hiding. Let’s return to the Strand, keep watch and see if she appears from one of the side streets.”
They returned to the coffeehouse, were about to leave through the front door when a gentleman entered. He removed his hat and brushed his hand through his hair before thrusting it back on his head. One glimpse of the man’s ruddy complexion was all that was needed.
“It seems our luck has changed, Miss Flint.” Oliver directed her to the new arrival. “Mr Burrows? It is you. What a stroke of luck.”
Being a man of average height and build, Mr Burrows looked up. “My … my lord. I did not expect to find you here at this time of night.” He stole a quick glance at Nicole. “Allow me to pay my condolences. I heard about the death of your father. It happened quickly I’m told.”
Oliver patted Mr Burrows’ arm. “Thank you, Burrows. I was in Italy at the time and never made it back for the funeral. But let me take this opportunity to offer an apology for my father’s stubborn approach to business. Mr Wild tells me he failed to treat you with the respect you deserved.”
Burrows shuffled from one foot to the other as he nibbled his bottom lip. “Pay it no heed, my lord. Pay it no heed. I fear your father was not at all himself during those last few months.”
Guilt threatened to flare in Oliver’s chest, but he dismissed it.
“Do you live locally? I assume you’ve taken another position.” Oliver watched Burrows with interest. Some men were masters of deception. Some men lacked the skills necessary. Burrows’ inability to maintain eye contact confirmed he had something to hide.
“I’ve taken work with Lord Knowles.” Burrows’ gaze flitted about the room. “A temporary position, for his current man of affairs recently lost his sight and cannot keep his books.”
“If the position is temporary, then perhaps you might take one with me?” Oliver would lure him to Stanton House and probe him for information.
“That … that is most kind of you, my lord.”
“Call round tomorrow at noon, and we can discuss your reinstatement.”
Mr Burrows inclined his head although the gesture lacked sincerity.
“Well, I shall not keep you,” Oliver said. “I assume you’re here to meet someone.”
Burrows bottom lip quivered. “Er, yes. Just a friend.”
Oliver took Nicole’s hand and placed it in the crook of his arm. “Then I wish you a pleasant evening.”
Once outside the coffeehouse, Oliver turned to Nicole. “You know what you said about walking a mile in a pair of slippers.”
“What of it?”
“Do you think you can run?”
With wide eyes, she searched his face. “We’ve no chance of catching up with Miss Murray now.”
“No, but Mr Burrows will. And when he does, they will move quickly to cover their tracks. He knows this was not a chance meeting.”
“But the hour is late. What do you want to do?”
“The night is far from over,” he said as he imagined a host of lascivious things they would do once back at Stanton House. He would hold that thought while they dealt with more pressing matters. “And we have another errand to run.”
Nicole smiled. “Have we not had enough excitement this evening?”
He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Oh, our adventures have only just begun.”
Chapter Sixteen
“Tell me you’re not serious.” Nicole clutched Oliver’s arm as they stood outside the back door of the solicitors’ office. With the absence of street lights, it was so dark they couldn’t see more than a foot in front of their face. And now a thick fog had descended, creeping into every nook and crevice, bringing with it the vile stench of the river. “No. I don’t like it at all.”
Oliver patted her hand. “It’s perfectly safe. No one can see a blasted thing in this weather. If you’d prefer to wait in the carriage—”
“No.” An agonising wait was no good for her heart. “Whatever happens, I want to stay with you.”
They were discussing the illegal act of entering the property, yet her comment reflected the way she felt about him in general.