Page 86

“Is that Tyrone?” Adam squinted at the man.

Lucien nodded. “Indeed. Fresh off the boat.”

Adam let out a snort. “A stunning woman, indeed.”

Lucien waved a careless hand. “With Tyrone around, no one will pay any attention to me. He is solely responsible for half of the items on display today.”

“How so?” Adam doubted the affluent duke was stealing any of the items.

“He is selling his father’s property. It goes for a higher bid here than at any official auction.”

“Any chance he knows the auctioneers well enough to let go of one of the items on display today? Or maybe you do?”

Lucien leaned closer. “The watch? You found it?”

Adam nodded. “Oh, it’s here.”

“Impressive. I doubt anyone is going to let any item go, though. The auctioneers do not own it. The sellers do. Your best chance is to bet on it.”

The hammer rapidly banged against the pedestal as the auctioneer called the start of the bidding.

“Thank you.” Adam bowed curtly and led Beatrice away.

The first item of the auction was a painting, allegedly by Bastian Devis, a prominent French painter from the early eighteenth century. And the bidding started at a whopping two thousand pounds.

Adam’s shoulders slumped. If his watch was going to go for such a high amount, it wasn’t worth fighting for. He had the money, but there were better uses for it than wasting it to reclaim what was rightfully his.

Beatrice squeezed his forearm as if she felt his inner turmoil. Adam patted her hand and leaned in close. “Well, place your bid. That’s why we are here.”

Beatrice raised her number, which immediately got outbid, and she chuckled.

Adam looked at her fondly. “Are we done then?”

She frowned up at him. “No! We are getting your watch back.”

He shook his head. “It’s not worth these insane amounts of money. As I said, it’s just an item. Its absence doesn’t change my feelings toward my family.”

“No, but it’s an heirloom. Something that you can share with your children. Something tangible you can hold in your hands that represents that love.”

“Do you want to bid on it?” Adam raised a brow.

“No. We won’t buy your watch,” she whispered. “We’ll steal it back.”

Adam’s eyes widened in alarm. “What are you talking about?” he hissed.

“You heard me.” She lifted her brow confidently.

“And how do you propose we do that?”

“Trust me.” Beatrice licked her lips, looking around. She fanned herself furiously for a few beats, before announcing loudly, “It’s incredibly warm here, isn’t it?”

A few people around them agreed, and some just shrugged.

What is she doing?

Then she swayed in her seat, pressing a hand to her forehead. “I’m feeling quite faint!”

Adam quickly wrapped an arm around her waist to steady her, realizing her ploy. “Come, let’s find you some fresh air.”