Page 31 of His Wicked Charm

“So, in the face of your quiet restraint, they must have admitted their guilt.”

“Of course they didn’t,” he replied cheerfully. “However...” He held up a finger like a professor making a point. “When I brought up the matter of a key, it was clear they knew what I was talking about.”

“They told you what the key opened?”

“No. But when I said the men were looking for a key, Niles said, ‘The key?’ And Dearborn the Younger said, ‘Her key?’ Not a key, but her key. The key. As one would say about a specific object. There was this look in their eyes—it wasn’t bewilderment, as yours was a moment ago. It was knowledge. Tom Quick saw, too. Even if—and it’s a very unlikely if—they were not the ones who seized the ladies, I am certain they know about that key.”

Lilah knotted her brow, thinking. “What kind of key are we talking about? What would it open?”

“Something that contains money. Why else would the Dearborns be interested? A safe? A room? A chest full of gold doubloons?”

“That’s what this is all about.” Lilah narrowed her eyes. “You want to hunt for pirates’ treasure.”

“Aye, matey.” He gave her an unrepentant grin.

“Oh, hush.”

“I’d make a grand pirate, I think. I could get an eye patch. I already have the parrot.”

Lilah began to laugh. “Are you never serious?”

“Only when it’s absolutely necessary.” But his face turned serious again. “That fourth kidnapper got away. He’s still out there. What if he tries again? What if he is still looking for the key? Whether I’m right about Niles Dearborn or not, someone hired those men, and I’m sure he’s still looking for this key. I have no intention of letting him steal something from Sabrina. Besides, the man’s dangerous, and if I find what he wants, he hasn’t any reason to go after Sabrina—or my mother and sisters—again.”

“If you have it, he’ll go after you.”

“Exactly.” His smile this time held no humor.

“But if you don’t know what the key looks like or what it unlocks, how are you going to find it?”

“That’s why I came to you. You know Sabrina and her father and the Dearborns better than I. You’ll be a great help when I search Sabrina’s house.”

Lilah stared at him blankly. “Carmoor?”

“No, the Blair house here in town. I’m going there this afternoon.”

“But I haven’t a key to it. Do you?”

“No. I’ll pick the lock.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CON REACHED INSIDE his jacket, bringing out a small leather case and opening it to show her the two narrow metal rods inside.

“Con!” Lilah said, aghast. “That’s illegal.”

“You know Alex and Sabrina wouldn’t mind.”

“It’s still illegal.”

“That’s why I plan to not get caught.” Con grinned at her as he slipped the lock picks back into his pocket. He shouldn’t tease Lilah—she always took things so seriously, and he was asking for her help. But when she was on the edge of temper, cheeks flushed and eyes snapping, it sent a primitive thrill through him.

Lilah gave him a reproving look—which he also somehow found perversely enjoyable—but she said, “Well, if Mr. Blair hid anything, I don’t think you’ll find it at the town house. It would be at his country estate.”

“Why?”

“That’s where he preferred to live.” She began to tick off the points on her fingers. “There are many more hiding places at Carmoor. The house is larger, and there’s the land around it, as well. Most of all, that’s the house Sabrina knows well. She never lived at the town house. I’m not sure she even visited there.”

“You’re right.” Con considered her words.