Page 72 of Her Scandalous Pursuit

He had done well enough at it with her. Thisbe bit back the words; they would only show her hurt. “I take it you described the Eye to him.”

“Only in general terms. I said it was an optical device, a lens with prisms. That’s all, and I said nothing about where it was located. Indeed, I told Gordon many times how impossible it would be to find and steal something out of that house. I assumed he would continue to try to convince your grandmother, but I couldn’t believe that anyone would steal it.”

“Clearly someone did. Professor Gordon seems the likeliest.”

Desmond sighed. “I’d hate to think he would go that far, but he did seem almost desperate. He thinks he can prove his theories are right if he has the Eye, and he wants so badly to be accepted by his peers again. We must talk to him. He’ll be at the laboratory.”

“First, we should return home and take our carriage. It will make the ride more pleasant.” And much safer not to be in such close proximity to Desmond.

Gordon was not at the laboratory. Neither was anyone else, so they were able to search the cabinets. Two were locked, but Desmond found the key in one of Gordon’s desk drawers. Disappointingly, they contained nothing but supplies and equipment.

“I didn’t really think he would hide it there,” Desmond said. “More likely he’d want to keep it close to him, away from prying eyes.”

They returned to the street, where her driver patiently waited, and Desmond directed him to Professor Gordon’s flat. Inside the coach, they sat across from each other in awkward silence. Thisbe decided that it was hardly any better to sit across from Desmond than next to him, for now she could look at him, see every feature that her heart had missed: the shape of his lip, the little curl at the nape of his neck, where his hair met his collar, his long, slender fingers. He was without his gloves again; the man needed a keeper.

She turned her head away. Better to keep her eyes on the window.

“How is your family?” Desmond asked abruptly. Thisbe glanced over to find him steadfastly studying his hands. “The twins? Are they well?”

“The twins are as they always are. Healthy as horses and leading everyone on a merry chase.”

A faint smile curved his lips and he glanced up. “And your sisters? I suppose your family must hate me now.”

Thisbe shrugged. “The Morelands don’t traffic much in hate. Disappointed, perhaps.”

He nodded, his eyes sad. “I am very sorry for that.”

Thisbe was determined not to be swayed by sympathy, but after a moment, she said, “Olivia stood up for you. A bit.”

The corner of his mouth quirked, and good humor briefly glinted in his eyes. “A champion for lost causes, I see.”

“She has a kind heart.” Thisbe returned her gaze to the window. Every look at him weakened her resolve. “Ah. We’re stopping. We must be here.”

They stepped out onto the cobblestone street and started toward the building, but before they reached it, the door opened and a man emerged.

“Carson!”

Carson stopped, looking equally startled. “Desmond.” His eyes were curious as his gaze slid over to Thisbe, but he said only, “Miss Moreland.”

“What are you doing here?” Desmond asked, frowning.

The other man raised his eyebrows slightly at Desmond’s abrupt tone. “Looking for the professor, as I imagine you are. He’s not at the laboratory, so I thought I’d try here, but no luck. Perhaps he’s in class or the library.”

Desmond’s eyes narrowed, and he walked around Carson to enter the building. Carson watched Desmond’s back for a moment, then pivoted to Thisbe. “He seems a bit...distrusting.”

“Yes. As I have learned to be.”

“Ah. I see.” He paused. “I must say, I was surprised to see you and Desmond together.”

“Well, needs must.”

“My, but we are cryptic today.” Carson’s eyes danced. “Dare I venture a guess why?”

“Yes, why don’t you?” Thisbe’s gaze was level. Carson was just below Gordon and his patron on Thisbe’s list of suspects. However flippant he might be, he must be as interested in the Eye as the rest of them, and he was the only one in the group besides Desmond who had sought to make her a friend.

Carson studied her. “Frankly, I’m not sure, though I confess I am growing more curious by the moment. Something to do with the Eye, I presume. The dowager duchess has relented? Somehow that seems unlikely. Harrison has managed to work his way back into your good graces and you’ve let him use the Eye? From your frosty manner, I think not.” His eyes widened suddenly. “It’s missing. That’s it, isn’t it? Someone stole Annie Blue’s Eye.”

“You leaped to that conclusion quickly.”