Page 39 of Saving a Scoundrel
“Yes, the shows involve trick riding and acrobatics. It would be thrilling!”
Not exactly what Ellie had envisioned for a theater experience. But Susanna’s face was alight with enthusiasm, and Ellie supposed it could be interesting. “All right. Let’s go to Astley’s Amphitheatre. Why not?”
Lucius nodded. “I’ve never been either. I will look into it.”
“Oh Lucius, since I’m not well enough to accompany her, perhaps you could take Ellie to the bookshop?”
“Today?” Lucius glanced between them warily.
“Susanna, I’m sure he already has plans.” Ellie glared at her friend.
Susanna gave Lucius her most winning smile. “Do you? Have plans this afternoon?”
“No, actually I do not as it’s Sunday. I guess we could go to the bookshop. I did wish to speak with you about something.”
Ellie brightened. “Excellent. The bookshop owner was quite reluctant to share information with us. I wonder if you could use some of your charm to find out the name of the family from that ledger.”
“I can try.”
Ellie stood. “I’ll just get my things and meet you in the hall in ten minutes.”
Chapter Twenty
Lucius slid aglance over to Ellie. She looked fresh and pretty today in a light blue day dress with lace trim at the neckline, most likely intended for modesty, but instead only drew his attention to the creamy swells of her breasts. He took off his hat and laid it in his lap.
The hackney turned the corner, and Ellie slid across the worn leather seat toward him. Her elbow poked him in the side as she tried to right herself. “Oof.”
“Sorry.” She scooted back a few inches.
“No, I’m sorry. This isn’t exactly the ducal town coach.” He grimaced.
“It’s not a problem. I’m used to walking everywhere at home. So riding around London in any conveyance is a treat.”
Lucius looked out the window; Piccadilly was only a few more blocks. They would arrive at their destination shortly.
“Lucius, you said there was something you wanted to discuss with me.”
“Yes, well…” He swiveled to face her, and the words died on his lips. She really was the loveliest girl. Not only her visage but the loveliest person and friend. If he forced a discussion about them kissing, would he harm the easy friendship they enjoyed? He would simply not kiss her anymore. He was a man in possession of plenty of self-control—problem solved. That decided, he changed the topic. “Perhaps it’s a discussion for another time. Tell me, what’s your plan for distracting the owner of the bookshop?”
She pursed her lips. “I haven’t one. Perhaps you could ask him a question or say you were looking for a book about travel in Italy, I believe the travel books were toward the back of the store. Then while you pretend to need his help in the back, I will try to find the correct entry in the ledger.”
“Brilliant. I promise to talk his ear off until you give me the signal.”
“The signal?”
“Yes, every good intrigue has a signal. So you can let me know you have the information. Can you whistle?”
Ellie sent him a frown. “No, I never could. Besides, isn’t that a bit obvious?”
“Hmmm, I guess you’re right. How about a loud sneeze? Or you could knock some books to the floor.”
“Or I could just come and find you when I’m done.” Ellie sent him that disapproving look he loved so much. It was usually punctuated by an eye roll. Instead, a furrow appeared between her eyebrows, and her lips pursed together in a thin line.
Playing into her exasperation, he sighed loudly. “Fine, if you must be sensible.” He couldn’t hold back a chuckle as her expression darkened. “Just teasing, kitten.”
She huffed. “Why do you insist on calling me that?”
He shrugged. Many years ago, when they were maybe nine or ten, he’d come upon her laying in the sun on the rug in his family’s library, feet kicking in the air, elbows propping her up, and her nose buried in a book. She’d sighed at something in the story and raised her face to the window. The sunbeams shone down across her freckled nose. She’d reminded him of a kitten stretched out in the sun, and the nickname had stuck.
