“It did,” she agreed.
“I want you, Ava, in every way possible.” Valentine cleared his throat. He was about to take the biggest risk of his life. “Sometimes it is easier to express one’s feelings physically than it is to make a declaration.”
She swallowed visibly. “What are you saying?”
Valentine leant forward and raised the blinds. He would have the best light possible in which to judge her reaction.
Ava glanced briefly out of the window. “We’ve arrived in Park Street.” A sudden gasp left her lips, and she pressed her nose to the glass. “Valentine,” she whispered, despite the fact they were the only ones in the carriage. “Look.”
“In a moment, there is something—”
“There’s a man at Honora’s front door.”
“A man?” The comment distracted him. His mother never entertained gentlemen at home. His mother never entertained gentlemen.
“Pay it no heed. No one will answer at this ungodly hour.”
He was right. No one answered. No one needed to. The blighter opened the door and crossed the threshold.
“He is entering your mother’s home.”
The rogue turned to face them as he closed the door, the light from the street lamp illuminating the left side of his face. Valentine recognised the man instantly. As did Ava.
“Good Lord,” she said, just as shocked as he. “Tell me I am mistaken. Tell me that is not Jonathan.”
“No, you’re not mistaken.” Anger banished all romantic thoughts of love. Jonathan bloody Kendall was like a thorn buried deep in his backside. “And we are about to find out what the hell he’s doing stealing into my mother’s house.”
Chapter Seventeen
An icy shiver ran the length of Ava’s back, banishing the heat still simmering in her veins after her illicit encounter with Valentine. The image of Jonathan sneaking into Honora’s house had drawn her attention away from whatever the dashing lord was about to say.
“I’m sure there must be a valid reason for his call.” The comment sounded pathetic to her ears. What possible reason could Jonathan have for making such a late-night visit? Had Honora unlocked the door in open invitation? Or had he forced it from the jamb moments before they arrived?
“You understand that if he causes my mother distress, I will kill him,” Valentine said in the hard voice of a man who would do anything to protect his family. Gone was the smooth, husky tone she had relished mere moments ago.
“Jonathan may be a fool, but he would never hurt Honora.”
“Not directly, no. But there is only one reason why he would steal into her house in the dead of night.”
Ava scoured the recesses of her mind, trying to find a logical explanation. But Valentine was right. “You think he stole the ruby and swopped it for paste.” It was a statement, not a question.
“After his recent antics, you must admit the idea has merit. But we will soon know for sure.” Valentine opened the carriage door and jumped down to the pavement. “Wait here.”
Ava wasn’t sure if the command was meant for her or Sprocket. “I am coming with you.”
Valentine hesitated for a second before his hands settled on her hips. He lifted her to the ground but did not relinquish his grip. “Tell me that whatever happens here will not change the way we feel, will not change the affection that has developed between us.”
Ava sucked in a breath. Her brother’s duplicity was bound to make things difficult. But Valentine meant more to her than anything.
“Regardless of my brother’s crimes,” she said, placing a hand on his chest, “my love for you is not fickle.”
He stared at her as his breathing quickened. The beginnings of a smile played at the corners of his mouth. “Ava …”
“Come,” she said, pulling away from him. “Heaven knows what Jonathan is doing in there. We cannot delay a moment longer.” She captured his hand and drew him across the street.
“Once we have dealt with this matter, there are things I need to say.”
“Yes,” she said, nerves bringing a sudden bout of nausea to roll around in her stomach.