Cat Burglar in Training

by Shelley Munro

  I wanted to cry. The wrong time. Wrong place.

  Sometimes life sucked.

  I walked away without replying and climbed the set of stairs. The exertion cost me. My hip throbbed something fierce. A woman walked briskly down a passage to my right. She seemed to know where she was going so I followed. My pace was much slower, and soon she disappeared around the corner.

  This wasn’t the way to the cloakroom. Either the woman was familiar with the house, or she was plain nosy like me.

  A group of family portraits on the wall snared my attention. The photo I’d found in the Monings’ bedroom was a studio shot, but for some reason didn’t bear a photographer stamp on the back. I scanned the different shots. Something about the one at the end tugged at my memory. The background? It was definitely the same color. The style was similar too.

  Footsteps approached behind me. Did I hide or pretend I was lost? Soft voices aided my decision. I opened the door to the room just past the portraits and slipped inside. Luckily, it was empty. A guest bedroom and, judging by the disarray and the faint scent of lavender, it was currently in use by a friend or family member attending the ball. Conscious of the rising Fawkner debt, I made a rapid search.

  I scooped up a pretty necklace and debated whether to pocket it. No. With Kahu around it wasn’t the wisest thing to do. I set the necklace back down on the dresser and stepped over to the door. After slipping it open to ensure the passage was clear again, I limped out, closing the door firmly behind me. When I was halfway along the passage, a figure appeared at the end. There was no time to run.

  “Eve, what are you doing up here?” The mystery woman from earlier was my acquaintance Jemima.

  I aimed for a bright smile. “I’m afraid I have the sense of direction of a homeless puppy. I was looking for the cloakroom.”

  “It’s on the ground floor,” Jemima said.

  I had no idea what she was thinking. The woman would make one hell of a poker player.

  I expelled my breath in a loud huff. “Can you give me directions? I asked one of the waiters, but I couldn’t find it.”

  “I’ll show you.” Although Jemima didn’t utter another word while we walked down the flight of sweeping stairs, it was clear from her body language she wasn’t pleased. Displeased with me or someone else? Her pale face still gave nothing away.

  The music and chatter grew louder when we approached the ballroom.

  “I’ve been flat out lately,” I said, deciding to go for the chatty, blonde-bimbo self. “What with looking after my daughter, working for Seth’s mother and keeping up things at Oakthorpe, I don’t have much time. How about you?”

  “I keep busy.”

  Doing what? It occurred to me I didn’t know much about her.

  “Jemima.” A man caught her forearm and drew her to a halt. I didn’t know his name, but he looked familiar.

  Jemima jerked from his touch. “Leave me alone.”

  Curious, I caught a glimmer of anger before her expression blanked again.

  “Through that door there.” She pointed to another exit on the far side of the crowded ballroom. “The first door on the right.”

  She wanted to get rid of me. Actually, make that both of us, but the set frown on the man’s face told me she was in for a fight if she thought she could brush him off. What had Jemima been doing on the second floor? Who was this man? And why was she so eager for us to leave?

  I smiled at Jemima and her mystery man. “Thanks. Will I see you later? We never have a chance to chat.”

  She lifted one shoulder in a casual shrug. “Sure.”

  The offhand manner puzzled me, but I let it slide. I had more important things to focus on at present. If I didn’t contact Father and Ben soon—

  The subtle awareness of someone staring struck me. I turned away, doing a discreet surveillance of my surroundings.

  Seeing no one to account for my uneasiness, I threaded through the chattering crowds, taking note of the different gemstones on the way. Emeralds. A definite possibility. An old-fashioned setting, but as long as the stones passed inspection, the piece held promise.

  I aimed for a gap between two groups. Without warning, the opening closed. A male body collided with mine. I choked back a pained cry as my muscles tensed.

  “Hello, what have we here?” a man slurred.

  Drunken oaf. I grimaced at the wave of alcohol fumes and attempted to sidestep his wandering hands. He grabbed me, but I was ready for him and stomped on his foot. It hurt like hell, pain shooting along my thigh and hip. My captor cursed and released me so quickly I stumbled. A familiar scent hit me at the same time a pair of hands halted my fall.

  Kahu Williams. Out of the frying pan into the fire. He gently propelled me through the crowd and through an open door leading to a walled garden.

  “You okay?”

  “I’m fine.” The nighttime air whispered across my bare shoulders. I shivered.

  “Cold?” Kahu drew me close and his body heat seared through me. For an instant, I tensed. No one is watching. I relaxed and sank into his embrace just as my traitorous body desired. “Do you know,” Kahu said, his breath wafting over my ear. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were avoiding me.”

  I made the mistake of glancing up at him. Oh, boy. Confidence blazed in his face. He knew the attraction wasn’t one-sided and he wanted me to know he knew. A roguish smile played across his lips. Soft lips. Masculine lips. I swallowed. Breathe. While my brain gave the order, my rebellious, traitorous body laughed. Go with the flow, girl.

  I swear my hands moved of their own accord. My brain sure as heck didn’t issue orders to ruffle his dark hair or whisper in his ear.

  “My father warned me about men like you.” My fascinated gaze refused to shift from his mouth. I wanted to kiss him in the worst way. As I watched, the corners of his lips kicked up. My mobile vibrated inside the tiny purse I’d strung over my arm. Ignoring the summons, I studied the shape of his mouth.

  “Did he tell you about the sex? How good it will be?”

  I jerked, barely holding back a pained cry at the abrupt move. My brain sent urgent warning signals, but once again, they were ignored. Warmth flowered in places that had no business blooming. I leaned against Kahu, my breasts colliding with a hard muscular chest. I bit back a moan as lust counteracted my physical pain.

  “We could leave,” he said in his antipodean drawl. His left hand smoothed across my bare shoulder while the right took a slight detour. One forefinger traced across the swell of my breast where skin met strapless gown. “What do you say?”

  Duty battled mightily with desire and finally emerged the winner. “I can’t.” I didn’t bother to hide my regret. It was too late for false modesty.

  Kahu bent his head until our foreheads brushed. “Somehow, I thought you’d say that.”

  My held breath exited with a whoosh. I’d expected irritation at the very least, but instead ever-present humor lurked in his drawl.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “At least let me have a kiss?” His finger made a return journey across the swell of my breast. The instinct to turn a little so my breast nestled in his hand reared up to taunt me. I trembled, and he must have taken my body’s instinctive reaction for one of agreement.

  Kahu stepped away but retained hold of my right hand. He led me into the dark shadows at the far end of the balcony. In the dim light, away from prying eyes, my bravado increased. Oh, yes. I wanted his kiss in the way I needed my next breath.

  He cupped my face in his hands. My heart spluttered briefly before bursting into a mad gallop with no finish line in sight. I wondered if I might expire before my heart learned to pace itself.

  “A real kiss,” he whispered against my lips.

  Before I could take a breath, or answer or even think, his lips covered mine. No tentative kiss, this, but a full-blown statement of intent. His lips moved slowly, urging me to participate. With no real experience to fall back on, I went with what felt natural. My ha
nds crept around his neck to clasp him to me. When his tongue swept across the seam of my lips, I opened my mouth. He tasted of mint, he smelled of the fresh outdoors.

  I was in mortal danger of losing what little control remained. My breasts ached, my nipples rubbing against the silky fabric of my dress in a silent demand to yield. I kept my thoughts north of my waist. To wander any farther equaled sheer madness. I valiantly ignored the masculine hardness pressing against my belly. He’d already stated his wants. His body only reinforced his words.

  Slow. He did everything at an unhurried pace. A problem since my body had plenty of time to savor and appreciate. It hijacked me, giving my brain no chance to exert control over the lust fogging my good sense.

  “Is she out there?”

  I gasped deep down in my throat and wrenched my lips away from Kahu’s. Resentment made me frown, and I yanked my hands away from Kahu to ball them into fists at my sides. One romantic interlude about to come to a screeching halt. We stepped from the shadows.

  “Eve! I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” Father marched up to us and fixed me with an accusing glower. Seconds later, Ben stood beside him. Two of the terrible trio scowled at me, unable to do more without tipping their hand to the enemy. They looked like irritable penguins in their evening finery.

  “Did you want something?” I asked.

  “I wanted to introduce you to our new neighbors,” Father said.

  Check.

  “And Josephine Montgomery is looking for you,” Ben said. “She wants you to model in her charity fashion parade in two weeks. One of her models has broken her leg and she needs a replacement.”

  Checkmate.

  There was no way I could afford to turn down the research opportunity. Sighing, I turned to Kahu in apology.

  “It’s all right.” His gaze brushed my lips, bringing a rush of heat to my face. “Next time.” With a last intimate smile, he walked away, disappearing into the ballroom.

  “What were you doing with him? I thought we’d decided he was too dangerous,” Father snapped.

  “Don’t hold back on my account,” I said, folding my arms across my tingling breasts.

  “Give her a chance, Charles. Let Eve explain before you bawl her out.”

  “Thank you.” I didn’t bother holding back my sarcasm. “I was kissing him because he’s sexy.”

  Father held his hands up, palms facing me in a definite stop signal. Time for business. I checked for potential eavesdroppers and made my report about the list of possible targets. I tried to ignore the twinge of conscience, finally shoving my scruples aside when I recalled the fat man pointing a finger gun at me and Amber. Needs must.

  Father and Ben nodded at several of the names, and I presumed I’d done okay.

  “Some of the guests are staying here overnight,” I said in a low voice. “You know what these balls are like. They’ll make a weekend of it. The women will have their jewels on show, but I’m betting the security won’t be as good as what they have at home. Would it be possible to hit here over the weekend?”

  In the faint light spilling from the ballroom, I saw the gleam of excitement in Father’s eyes and the faint wash of it in his cheeks.

  “I bet some of the women brought several outfits with them along with matching jewelry and accessories,” Ben said, looking to Father. “What do you think? Send Eve to look and maybe grab a few goodies tonight?”

  “No,” Father said. “The copper is interested in you. If he sees you leave the ballroom, he’s liable to follow. Ben and I can handle this one.”

  A protest formed at my lips and died. The idea of climbing and creeping didn’t exactly thrill me much. “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m a bit stiff,” he admitted. “But we don’t have to do any climbing. We’re already inside. All we need to do is find jewels and pocket them. Then we can walk out as calmly as you please.”

  “Okay.” Father was capable and since Ben was present to help, they’d get the job done more quickly than I could with the danger of Kahu appearing out of the woodwork. “The only thing that worries me is if the police question the guests once the crime is discovered.”

  “Ben’s not on the guest list. I’ve noticed a few others who don’t usually get invitations to private balls.”

  He was right. The ballroom was full to capacity. In old-fashioned terms—a squeeze. “All right. How long do you think it will take?”

  Father smirked. “Not long. I’ve been here before. Let’s say I know one of the ladies of the house rather well.”

  “Whoa,” I said, holding my hands in front of me.

  Although trepidation wafted through me at the thought of letting Father and Ben do the job, I forced myself to let them merge into the crowd. I’d witnessed how excited Father was at being useful. Meanwhile, I needed to find Mrs. Montgomery before she decided to give my spot to someone else.

  During the next hour, I resisted the urge to glance at my watch every five minutes. I accepted several requests to dance but never danced with the same man twice. I didn’t intend anyone to receive any mixed messages. My current partner and I traversed the dance floor in a sedate waltz that suited my bruises just fine. He asked me a question right when I spied Father and Ben arrive at the double doors leading into the ballroom.

  “Eve?” The man prodded for my attention.

  I gave him an absent smile while I craned my neck to check out their faces during the next twirl. Had they been successful? At least I knew they hadn’t been caught in the act.

  “Eve?” the man asked again.

  “Yes,” I replied still trying to decide if the venture had garnered jewels.

  “Great!” The jubilation in my partner’s voice snagged my undivided attention. What had I agreed to?

  “I’ll ring you with the details closer to the time. You’re at Oakthorpe, right?”

  Sighing, I resigned myself to what sounded like a date with the man who still remained nameless. I stepped into the blonde-bimbo act that I was beginning to really loathe. “That’s right. I’ll look forward to the call. What date did you say? I’ll note it in my calendar. Um…as long as it’s free, of course.” Oh, what a tangled web we weave. The timeworn saying fit like my favorite pair of formal black heels.

  The music came to an end.

  “Another dance?” my partner asked.

  “I’m sorry,” I said, determined to be gracious in my defeat. “I promised this dance to Seth. And I see my father wants me for something.” I wriggled my fingers in Father’s direction and let a tinkling laugh loose.

  “I’ll call or text you,” he repeated. “Your number?”

  All I could do was grit my teeth and smile. I rattled off my number, and he plugged it into his phone. As I walked over to join Father and Ben, the band leader announced supper was ready in the adjacent room.

  “I think I might go home,” Father said, raising his voice.

  “Don’t you want to stay for supper?” I’d caught on to his ploy and the heady taste of success brought lightness to my step. “Don’t you feel well?”

  “What do you expect? I’m old, aren’t I?” he asked in a testy voice.

  I pasted on a bright smile and silently acknowledged the sympathy of the woman beside me. “Would you like me to come home with you?”

  “I’d never hear the end of it,” Father muttered, playing the grump to the fullest for his audience. “Stay and enjoy yourself. Ben will drive me home.”

  “If you’re sure.” I brushed a kiss over his cheek and smiled at Ben. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

  Father and Ben departed the ballroom, Father walking in a slow, almost agonized gait, giving the appearance of extreme pain. He was good.

  I trailed the rest of the guests into the room where they’d served supper. The first person I saw was Seth. He was talking to Kahu of all people. Live dangerously. Why not? I sailed over to them with a vapid grin on my face.

  Kahu grinned. “You’re wearing your bimbo smile. Who’s be
en annoying you?”

  My mouth dropped open in shock and both men chuckled. In other circumstances, it might have been funny, but today, it was downright dangerous. Was I that easy to read?

  “My bracelet!” A middle-aged woman, dressed in a black gown that might have been fashionable thirty years ago, swung around in a rapid circle. “I’ve lost my bracelet. Do you see it on the floor?” she asked the circle of friends who stood nearby.

  I checked the area around us but saw nothing because people kept moving. Instead of searching the floor again, I watched the ball attendees. No one looked guilty.

  “Behold the drama queen,” a bored voice said.

  I turned my head to see Jemima. She seemed happier than when I’d seen her earlier, and the glint of triumph in her eyes made me curious. A man?

  “Lord, I hope they have some decent food. I’m starving.”

  “Well, stay away from chocolate,” I said, waving my forefinger in the air in a chiding manner. We stared at each other for a moment before grinning.

  “What’s the joke?”

  Octopus Beauchamp. That’s all I needed right now when both Seth and Kahu were busy helping the hysterical woman look for her bracelet. A hand smoothed over my bottom, and I reacted instantly, shifting my high heel and placing it squarely in the middle of a highly polished black shoe. Beauchamp let out an unmanly squawk. A faint wash of color stained his cheeks.

  Jemima caught my eye and smirked. I grinned back, enjoying the moment. I was starting to like this girl even though she watched my chocolate intake.

  “Shall we?” She indicated the clear path to the buffet table.

  “Definitely,” I chirped, firmly in my dizzy blonde persona. “You know, I might risk something chocolate. That man leaves a very bad taste in my mouth.”

  “That’s not all he wants to put in your mouth,” Jemima retorted.

  A gasp escaped. Not a lot I could say to that. Not a lot I wanted to say about that. I shivered at the thought of sex with Beauchamp. No way! We’d made a start on our debt-reduction plan. Other than falling into Beauchamp’s bed, I’d do anything to get rid of our debts even if it meant the Shadow became a fulltime commitment.