A Simple Case of Seduction

“I’ll carry the lamb,” Daniel said. Thank the Lord no one else was party to their ridiculous conversation. “I was just thinking about Bostock.”

“You were watching your wife while thinking of your associate?” Lucas grinned. “How interesting.”

Daniel rolled his eyes. “I remember a time when you had a face of stone and growled at everyone who glanced your way.” The lamb bleated as he picked it up. “Now, you appear to find the slightest thing amusing.”

Lucas gave him a friendly slap on the upper arm, and Daniel nearly dropped the animal. “I think it’s fair to say we were both angry with the world. I recall you being equally miserable. And now look at you — hugging a lamb as though you’re its surrogate mother.”

“Love has changed us both it seems.”

“And for the better,” Lucas said. “The sight of you in that billowing coat was enough to frighten the Devil.”

Daniel laughed. “Fate is a funny thing. Had your brother not hired me to solve your case, I doubt I would be on speaking terms with Daphne.”

“Then you owe him a debt so large it can never be repaid.” Lucas stopped walking and glanced at the lush green fields. “You belong here. You belong with Daphne.”

Daniel knew how fortunate he was. Every day, he counted his blessings.

“Bostock tells me you own a textile company and donated reams of fabric so he could make clothes for the poor.”

Lucas shrugged. “One has to admire your man’s efforts,” he said modestly. “If you ever find land management tiring, I could always use a business partner.”

“I shall bear that in mind should I ever break my crook.”

Lucas chuckled. “Do you ever miss your work as an enquiry agent?”

Daniel considered the question. “I miss the thrill of the chase. The satisfaction gleaned from solving a case. But my life is richer now in so many ways.”

“I understand. But one never knows what the future holds. Tobias and Olivia are the same age. Perhaps one day they might fall in love, and some dastardly

devil will seek to cause havoc with their plans. In their desperate hour of need, we may be called upon to save the day.”

“Our children are barely a year old, and already you’re planning their future.”

“There is one problem. Daphne and Helena love solving mysteries. We’d have a hell of a game trying to keep them in tow.”

Lucas’ imagination was running away with him.

“I have no desire to dwell on what might be,” Daniel said, desperate to deliver the lamb and return to the terrace in the hope of stealing another kiss from Daphne. “It’s called the present for a reason. The gift of today is all that should concern us. Bostock taught me that.”

Lucas brushed his hand through his hair. “You’re just saying that because in twenty years you know I’ll still be as handsome as ever and you’ll be bald or grey.”

Daniel shrugged. “Still, I have nothing to fear. According to Mrs Bostock there is a man on Mill Street who makes accessories for gentlemen who are follicly challenged.”

“Ah, so that’s how you managed to grow such an impressive beard.”

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Coming soon!

The Mysterious Miss Flint