The Dashing Thief of Her Dreams

by Alice Kirks

  Geoffrey cocked an eyebrow at Bridget. “I would have thought after the way she left the horseback ride that there was some... conflict between the two of you.”

  Bridget nodded understandingly. “There was some... discomfort between the two of us for a few days, but that has now passed,” Bridget explained. She opened her mouth to continue the explanation, but then paused. She wanted to tell Lord Geoffrey about what had transpired that afternoon, but she did not want to make him any more upset than he already was with his brother. However, she decided to continue. “The reason is that Lord Miles came to ask for my father’s permission to court me this afternoon... and I said that all I wanted from him was friendship.”

  Upon hearing this, Lord Geoffrey looked much more relaxed than he had when he had first come in. “While I am sorry to hear that you had to endure a visit from my brother,” Geoffrey said sincerely, “I am most relieved to hear that you are not as interested in Miles as Miles is interested in you.” Geoffrey paused and looked thoughtfully out of the window. When he did, Bridget took a moment to admire his fine features. She had never noticed what an elegant jawline Lord Geoffrey had, or the way that his nose sloped gently downwards, but then kicked up slightly at the last second. His silhouette was so inviting that Bridget very much wanted to take his chin in her hands and plant a kiss on his lips. But as now was not the time for that, she resisted her urge to do so.

  When Geoffrey turned back to her, he looked far more serious than he had a moment ago. “Lady Bridget, I cannot explain very much at the moment, but I needed to tell you that my brother... is not a man to be trusted.”

  Bridget cocked her head to one side. “That seems like a rather strange thing to say, but because you felt the need to say it, I respect your lack of explanation that comes with it,” she responded.

  Geoffrey chuckled gratefully. “I very much appreciate that, Lady Bridget, thank you,” he said.

  Bridget took a momentary pause, and then asked, “Lord Geoffrey, if I might impose upon you this question in response to that... if I cannot trust your brother, can I trust you?” Bridget did not mean this question seriously, because she naturally trusted Lord Geoffrey, and she hoped that her playful tone and smile would encourage him to see it as a flirtatious question as opposed to a serious one.

  Unfortunately for Bridget, Geoffrey was not as adept at picking up on the social cues of women and so at first when he turned to her, he looked taken aback. However, when he read her face for another moment, he saw what she was really asking him. A sly smile crept across Lord Geoffrey’s face, and he responded, “Lady Bridget, you can most certainly trust me... even when it seems that you can’t.”

  As soon as Bridget heard that, she knew she had her answer to the real question she had been asking: was Geoffrey the thief? It seemed that he was. Bridget’s heart fluttered when she heard his answer, and she had to stop herself from throwing her arms around him and covering him with kisses. Instead, she simply responded, “That pleases me greatly. I hope that you can trust me as I do you.”

  Geoffrey nodded emphatically. “Naturally,” was all that he said.

  Geoffrey began rubbing his hands together, and Bridget noticed that one of his legs began to bounce anxiously. Did he just become nervous? Bridget thought to herself. As soon as she realized that, her eyes widened. Is he anxious because he is about to ask me-

  But Bridget’s thoughts were interrupted by Lord Geoffrey suddenly making deep eye contact and saying very seriously, “Lady Bridget, I know that it might be improper to ask you this without your father’s permission, but I-”

  Now, it was Bridget’s turn to interrupt him. “I do not care for my father’s permission, for he does not have as good sense as I do. Please, proceed with what you were about to ask me,” Bridget encouraged him. After this afternoon’s events especially, Bridget did not care what her father thought about the man that she chose to have feelings for.

  Geoffrey seemed to relax a little upon hearing this. He stopped rubbing his hands, but Bridget noticed that one leg still bounced anxiously. Her heart melted for him, for she thought that his nervousness was quite endearing. If this was a man who could go on great adventures by himself all around the world and not be frightened, it was adorable to see him get flustered by the thought of having to ask a pretty girl for her permission to court her.

  “In that case... Might I have your permission to court you?” Geoffrey asked her.

  Bridget felt like jumping up and down with excitement. The man that she loved was asking to court her! And she had turned down his brother this morning so that he would no longer be bothering her! And her sister had overheard what she had said to Miles, so she was no longer upset either! It seemed that everything was finally falling into place for Bridget.

  Then, of course, when she saw the anticipation in Geoffrey’s eyes, she realized that she had let the pause after his question go on for far too long. Quickly, she blurted out, “Yes! Yes, of course you have my permission!”

  When Geoffrey saw how quickly she got that out, he couldn’t help but laugh in relief. He smiled adorably at her; like a school boy who had just got a peck on the cheek from the girl he admired. “That is wonderful. Truly, truly wonderful,” Geoffrey muttered happily.

  He rose from his chair, and when he did, Bridget also got up. The pair stood there awkwardly for a moment, unsure of where to go from there. They stared at each other, and after a moment, Bridget giggled nervously and Geoffrey laughed at his own discomfort.

  Finally, Geoffrey made a decision and took Bridget’s hand, looked deeply into her eyes, and kissed it. Instantly, Bridget stopped laughing and looked at Geoffrey with delighted wonder. She took her other hand and brushed her fingers gently against Geoffrey’s cheek. He raised his hand and pressed it more firmly against him and closed his eyes blissfully.

  When he finally reopened them, Geoffrey looked calmer and happier than Bridget had ever seen him. It made her heart race to think that it had been her touch and consent to court her that had made him feel that way. She was not sure what her face was doing right at that moment, but she hoped that it reflected Geoffrey’s feelings because that was how she felt as well.

  Geoffrey drew himself away from her, and sat in the alcove to put his boots back on. “I suppose I should go,” Geoffrey said reluctantly, “for if anyone discovers me in here, my family shall have another scandal on their hands.”

  Bridget giggled and walked towards Geoffrey, stopping just short of meeting with his knees. “I guess that I must let you go...” she said disappointedly. “But know that I am doing so under duress, and that if I had it my way you would be welcome to stay for as long as you’d like.”

  A grin broke across Geoffrey’s face, and he fumbled with his boot. Laughing at himself, he struggled once more to put it on and lace it up. When he was finally ready to leave, he looked upon Bridget and said, “Thank you most ardently for allowing a strange gentleman into your bedroom in the middle of the night so that he could request your permission to court you. You have made him... ecstatic.”

  It was Bridget’s turn to grin like a fool, and she responded, “It was my pleasure. Please thank the strange gentleman for taking the time to come and see me... although the next time that he comes, I would appreciate it if he did not come in through my bedroom window when it was dark outside.”

  They both chuckled, and Geoffrey looked at Bridget one last time. When he did, he brushed an errant hair out of her face and curled it behind her ear. Bridget felt a shiver dance down her spine when she felt his fingers graze her face, but she felt that it was improper for her to show him any more affection tonight. And so, Bridget could only close her eyes and smile blissfully.

  Bridget walked Geoffrey to the window and when he unlocked it and took a step outside, he turned back to her and said, “While I very much appreciate your admittance, I would not recommend opening your window to anyone else tonight. You never know what sort of scoundrels could be lurking in the darkness.”


  Bridget smiled wickedly back at Geoffrey and said, “Not to worry. I’ve already encountered the biggest scoundrel of them all here tonight.”

  A look of delighted confusion crossed Geoffrey’s face, but he said nothing more before he closed the window behind him and walked off into the darkness. Moments later, Bridget could hear a horse’s hooves clip-clopping away from the estate and she knew he was on his way home.

  When she was finally alone again, Bridget delightedly twirled around her bedroom with her arms open, giggling all the while. She had never been so happy in her life! The gentleman that she desired had just stolen out of the darkness to ask to court her, and then had disappeared through her window. It was as though she was living inside of one of her favourite novels, and she could not have been happier.

  Bridget got changed into her nightclothes and she eventually plopped herself down on her bed. When she had crawled under the covers, she tried to encourage sleep to visit her but all she could think of were the great adventures that she and Geoffrey were bound to have if... or when they were to get married. And so, instead of trying to force herself to sleep, Bridget allowed herself those fanciful thoughts and eventually they lulled her into a dreamless sleep.

  Chapter 22

  Geoffrey awoke in his bed the next morning feeling utterly relaxed and at ease. He knew that there were still many things in life that required his immediate attention and which would have stressed out anyone in his position, but right now he did not care. The woman he loved had agreed to let him court her last night, and there had been so many delightful little moments between them.

  He thought fondly of Bridget’s hand against his cheek, and how her scent remained on his face for the rest of the night. She smelled of apple blossoms and smoky wood; a combination that Geoffrey found irresistible. All he wanted to do that morning was lie in bed and think of Lady Bridget and the adventures they would go on once they were together.

  But, of course, life had other plans. After a few minutes of blissful day dreaming, Geoffrey was abruptly roused from his bed by one of his servants. After Geoffrey allowed him in, he stood at the door and bashfully said, “My apologies for the intrusion, My Lord, but I thought you should be informed that Henry Partridge has been arrested for poaching and has been taken to the Grimaldon jail. Would you like me to arrange a carriage for you so that you can go and-”

  “Yes,” Geoffrey interrupted him, enraged. “Ask Balstrade to have it ready in ten minutes and I shall be down.” The servant nodded and left him to dress, shutting the door behind him. Geoffrey shook his head, disappointed in himself for believing that he would have any moment of peace.

  When Geoffrey arrived at the jail, he was angered to see that another of their family’s carriages was already there. That meant that Miles must have been there already. Geoffrey rolled his eyes and ascended the stairs of the jail. When he was allowed inside and stated his business, he was taken into a small room where Miles was already waiting. When Miles saw his brother come in, he sighed. After the jailer had left the room and the two men were alone, Miles whispered to him, “I thought that it might be you who I was coming to fetch from prison this morning, you rake.”

  Geoffrey glowered at his brother. “Considering the wretched deal I made with you, I should hope that none of my involvement in any of this should ever come to light,” Geoffrey shot back at him. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and chose not to look at Miles. He knew that his brother did not understand Henry’s involvement in the intrusion at the Stanhope Estate, and he wanted to keep it that way.

  “So now not only am I dealing with a brother who takes delight in breaking into the houses of fine ladies, but I also have to contend with a cousin who seems to be following in his footsteps?” Miles asked incredulously. “Here I was thinking I might be the most villainous person in this family, but the two of you are outdoing me! Perhaps I shall have to do better.”

  Geoffrey did not look over to see the expression on Miles’ face, but he could imagine it and did not like it. “Brother, if you choose to do anything more dastardly than what you already are, I shall have to arrest you as magistrate and you shall never see the light of day as long as I am alive.” Geoffrey coolly turned his head towards Miles.

  “Is that a challenge, Geoffrey? Do not tempt me,” Miles responded.

  Geoffrey was about to react to his brother when the door opened and a guard entered the room. He dragged Henry (who was currently in handcuffs) into the room, shoved him down into a chair and said, “Someone will be right with you,” very gruffly in the direction of the two brothers. Then, he turned around and slammed the door behind him.

  Both Geoffrey and Miles slowly turned their heads to look at Henry. Henry looked as though he wanted to melt into the floor. His clothes were all tattered and looked as though they had been through a great deal in the time since he had been captured. He did not look up from the floor, but Geoffrey was certain that he could feel his cousins’ eyes on him.

  “I’m innocent,” was the first thing that was mumbled out of Henry’s mouth. Silence followed his admission, but then Miles began laughing. It was quiet at first, but slowly rose to a crescendo.

  “You cannot sit there, cousin, after having been caught red-handed. They told us that Lord Alymer’s gamekeeper caught you and you were immediately brought here. Do not try to lie to us, for it will not work.”

  That quieted Henry quite quickly, and then the three men sat in angry silence until the warden entered the room with a judge that Geoffrey recognized. His name was James Inglewood, and he was known for being merciless in his sentencings. The two men were followed by Lord Alymer.

  When Geoffrey saw Lord Alymer, his pulse began to race. He knew that the man would be furious, for he had assured him that they were following every possible lead and that they would harshly punish whoever it was who was responsible for this. But now it had come to light that Geoffrey’s own cousin was a thief... and Geoffrey knew that it would not be long before Henry would admit to the other crimes. Geoffrey had a sinking feeling sitting in that chair that his secret was about to be revealed.

  “Good afternoon, gentlemen,” the warden greeted them. “Thank you for waiting for us. I am sure that you are acquainted with Lord Alymer? And this, of course, is Judge Inglewood.”

  All three men nodded as Lord Alymer and Judge Inglewood took their seats. “I came here today because I heard that a member of your family had been arrested on the charge of poaching, and I was positively appalled. I wondered if this might have anything to do with the intrusion at my home, and the warden had just informed me that Henry already confessed to that crime while he was being held here,” Lord Alymer said to them.

  Geoffrey’s eyes flashed over to Henry, and Henry looked stunned. “I did not! I said nothing of the sort!” Henry protested. He looked desperately to Geoffrey, who could do nothing but glare back at him.

  “Do not start changing your story once again, young man,” the warden said. “You have flipped back and forth between guilty and innocent all morning, and we are far more inclined to believe that you are guilty. You were overheard speaking with one of your cellmates, telling him that you stole Lord Alymer’s silver and many other valuable items from other estates. It was heard by one of our guards. There is no way you will be able to talk yourself out of this one.”

  Geoffrey was enraged. He knew that his cousin was stupid, but he never thought he would be stupid enough to admit to something like that inside of the jail’s walls. Henry began spluttering, “I... I didn’t think that anyone was taking me seriously... or listening... but either way, I was only saying that as a joke! Just a joke. Won’t anyone believe me?”

  Judge Inglewood slammed his hand down on his desk. “Silence!” he roared. Henry fell silent and looked at the floor. “We shall hear no more from you, young man, you have done enough already. We are here to discuss your sentencing, as I have used my discretion in this case because of your relationship to the magistrate.”

 
The judge gave Geoffrey a nod, and Geoffrey nodded gratefully back. He couldn’t imagine what would have happened if all of this had fallen out in court. Their family name would have been ruined.

  “I cannot believe that these men are receiving any sort of special treatment,” Lord Alymer said angrily. “They have lied to me, stolen from me and have tried to seduce my daughters. Doesn’t my family’s honour mean anything to anyone in this town?”