Page 37 of The Highlander's English Bride

“I’m referring specifically to the theft of Lady Peregrim’s jewels. Both you and Captain St. George seemed to be uncommonly knowledgeable about those proceedings. Almost as if you anticipated them.”

He studied her for a few moments. “Sorry, my lady. Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“That is patently untrue. That mysterious Cooper person, for instance, was sent to investigate the theft. He obviously takes orders from St. George, which means he works for him.”

Then it hit her like a spiky pinecone bouncing off her head. Howhadshe missed it? “As do you, since you were also intending to investigate theother business.”

“Nonsense. St. George is family, that’s all.”

Graeme turned his gaze to the window, apparently to end the conversation.

As if a little thing like that would stop her.

“This has something to do with those dreadful robberies taking place within theton, doesn’t it? I’m going to assume that St. George is leading the investigation.” After a long pause, she tapped Graeme on the knee with her fan. “Feel free to continue to pretend I don’t exist.”

Graeme scowled. “You really are the most annoying girl.”

“Ha. That means I’m right. It makes perfect sense. St. George works for the Home Officeandis the king’s son. His Majesty is quite disturbed by the situation. He told my father so just the other day.”

Graeme shrugged. “As I said, I wouldn’t know.”

“Nonsense. It’s clear you’re helping the captain. Are you an inquiry agent of some sort, Mr. Kendrick?”

For a few moments, Sabrina thought he’d simply refuse to answer her admittedly blunt question.

“I occasionally help St. George. Very informally,” he admitted.

She snapped her fingers. “I knew it. You were at the Peregrims to help catch the thief.” Unsuccessfully. No wonder St. George was cross. “I’m sorry he got away.”

His green gaze turned sardonic. “Thanks to you.”

That made no sense, unless . . .

“Oh, dear,” she weakly said as realization dawned.

“Yes, I was following the blasted thief when I found out you’d gone haring off with Cringlewood. Of all the idiotic—”

She put up a hand. “I understand your frustration, but you needn’t have interrupted your investigation. I would have screamed the entire house down before I let Cringlewood touch me.”

“That is unbelievably naïve. The situation could have gone to hell in an instant. And Ididsave you from a bloody great scandal, by the way.”

That part was true, so it wouldn’t hurt to be charitable. “Then I am truly sorry for any inconvenience I caused. My sincere apologies, my dear sir.”

He shook his head. “Youaredaft.”

If her fan hadn’t already suffered enough abuse for one evening, she might have whacked him with it. “There is no need for insults, Mr. Kendrick.”

“If you’d gone home like a good girl, none of this would have happened.”

“Like a good girl?” she echoed in disbelief. “What a ridiculous thing to say to a grown woman.”

“If ye’d gone with yer da, I would have caught the thief. And St. George was already dealing with Cringlewood, ye ken.”

The brogue had returned, signaling his immense irritation.

He’s not the only irritated one.

“One cannot rely upon others to solve one’s problems, sir.” Years of experience had taught her that men were generally unreliable. Sabrina had learned quite early to rely on herself. “Since Lord Cringlewood was pursuingme, it made sense to deal with the situation forthwith.”

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