Page 57 of How to Fall for a Scoundrel

“Cobham House,” Harry agreed. “Hugo, you can stay with me.”

The older man’s lips twitched, as if he found the offer amusing. “Much obliged.”

Ellie turned to her two friends. “I’ll go with them. I’ll see you back at King and Company.”

“Very good.” Tess smiled.

Daisy bent to retrieve the knife her unexpected admirer had left her. She turned it over in her hands with a pleased expression.

“On balance, it has been an excellent morning, don’t you think? Another case closed for King and Company.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

“You don’t think Sofia will try to get revenge, do you?” Ellie asked as she and Harry ushered Hugo into the library of Cobham House. He sank into a chair with a pained grunt.

Harry shook his head. “No. She’s been in the game long enough to know not to waste time on a losing streak.”

“But do you think she meant to kill you? She aimed right for your heart. If not for that book—”

“I doubt it. When I knew her in Italy, she was just a petty thief, not the sort to commit murder. But who knows? People can change, and not for the better. I’m just glad the three of you were there to save me.”

Harry rang the bellpull, and when a servant appeared, he requested tea and toast for the three of them, and laudanum for Hugo.

The older man took a few drops of the painkiller in his tea, and it seemed to take almost immediate effect; he closed his eyes and started to doze, while Ellie sat with Harry on a deep velvet sofa on the opposite side of the room.

“I know it’s none of my business,” she whispered,careful not to disturb Hugo, “but was Sofia once a lover of yours? That might explain why she felt so bitter toward you. If you left her, I mean.”

As hard as it was to sympathize with the other woman, it was all too easy to imagine how hurt and rejectedshewould feel when Harry moved on to another lover in the future—as he inevitably would.

Harry met her gaze. “She and I had a brief affair. Many years ago, now. I don’t think she still holds a torch for me, but she does love drama, and excitement. And perhaps seeing me with someone as lovely as you at my back was hard for her to take.”

Ellie shook her head, even as she blushed. “I admit, I was jealous, thinking of you with her. She’s very beautiful. And as a fellow thief, you must have plenty in common.”

Harry glanced over at a sleeping Hugo, then reached up to brush her cheek.

“Believe me, she doesn’t hold a candle to you. She’s scheming and opportunistic, and while I know you can be delightfully sneaky yourself, you don’t have the ugly, mercenary streak that she does.”

“I can’t believe I actuallyshother, though. I’m never normally so violent!”

“I’m glad you defended me with such ferocity.” His face took on a wicked look. “In fact, it makes me think of all the other things you can do with such passion.”

She sent him a chiding frown. “You’re in no state to be exerting yourself.”

“I could be at death’s door, and I’d still muster up the energy to make love with you. I bet my chest is bruised. Won’t you kiss it better for me?”

“You are a very bad man.”

“True. But I’m yours. That has to count for something?”

Her heart gave a foolish gallop at his words, but she told herself not to put too much store in them. He was only being glib. Such things came easily to him. He didn’t mean it.

“Perhaps. Do you know, I’ve been practicing a few Italian phrases?”

“Such as?”

“Vorrei che Harry mi baciasse.”

His brows rose. “I wish Harry would kiss me.That’s an excellent one. Allow me to grant your wish.”