Olivia Twist(44)
It wasn’t a complete lie. Tonight, she was determined to show Max what a proper, devoted fiancée she could be to him. The theater was the perfect venue to spend some quality time and demonstrate her commitment, and at the very least, it was the one place she’d never run into Jack.
“If this is one of your little tests to gage my dedication, I’ll tolerate it, but I promise I won’t enjoy it.” Jack stared across the shadowed interior of the carriage at Lois’s pillowy face, her expression inscrutable—or devious, more like.
“The theater is not torture, my boy. It will do you good to gain a bit of culture. And this is not an examination, I simply needed your escort this evening.”
“Right, and the queen of England is my long-lost sister,” Jack muttered under his breath. Lois March never did anything without a precise purpose.
“What’s that, my boy?” Lois asked over the creaking of the carriage.
“Nothing,” he responded, slouching in his seat. “What play are we seeing?”
“The Bohemian Girl.” Lois twirled her fingers in a dismissive gesture. “The opera, you know.”
“And why would I know?” Jack asked, lifting his brows in question.
“With your musical aptitude, I was sure you would’ve heard of it.”
The carriage rumbled through a rough patch of snow and Lois gripped the hand strap and edge of her seat, softly cursing the perils of modern transportation. She preferred to walk whenever possible.
Even after the wheels found purchase and the ride smoothed out, Jack was unable to follow Lois’s twisted logic. “To what musical aptitude are you referring?”
“The violin, of course. Your little impromptu performance at the Dells’ musicale was inspired.”
Jack grinned at her praise. He’d learned to play on a beat-up old fiddle he’d found in an abandoned Gypsy trunk. He’d picked up the instrument out of sheer boredom, but with a little instruction from Fagin, the music seemed to flow through him with ease. His performances had become a nightly entertainment on the Hill and a pure source of happiness for him.
“You should have seen how Little Miss Amethyst practically swooned at your feet that night.”
Remembering the lovely set of amethyst jewels Lois referred to, Jack knew she spoke of Francesca Lancaster, Olivia’s cousin. Olivia. Dark heat pulsed in his chest. How could she accuse him of being reckless? He’d weighed all the risks of dragging the Dodger out of the past. And he knew exactly what was at stake.
She was the one taking needless risks by wandering around the city in that thinly veiled disguise. A wig and dirt-smeared cheeks couldn’t hide her innate grace and beauty. He’d never wanted to kiss and strangle someone in the same breath, but that incongruous and decidedly uncomfortable state had become the norm when he was with her.
Jack realized Lois was still talking and he’d tuned her out.
“. . . an association?” Lois met his gaze expectantly as the carriage rolled to a halt.
Parting the curtains, Jack saw that they were still down the block from Drury Lane Theatre. They jerked back into motion, moving forward in the line. “What type of association?” Jack asked distractedly.
“Blast it, Jack! Where is your head? You disappear for days on end without a word, and don’t think I haven’t noticed that it’s been several weeks since your last score.”
Jack ran a hand through his hair; he’d known this interrogation was coming. “I thought it best to lay low for a bit. The Dells reported the theft, and the beaks launched a full investigation.”
“Be that as it may, it’s time to refocus our efforts. And if you’d been attending you would realize this next assignment is complicated, but . . . fruitful.”
Now she had his attention. “I’m listening.”
“As I was saying, the Emeralds’—” She stopped and shook her head. “I mean, the Grimwigs’ ball is next week. It should be a huge crush and the perfect time for a heist. The gems are flawless, a total of fifty carats. I already have a potential buyer lined up in Calcutta.”
“If they’re so fabulous, how do you know Mrs. Grimwig won’t be wearing them at the ball?”
The old woman leaned forward, her eyes glowing through the gloom. “I have it on good authority that she’s had a scarlet dress designed for the occasion. Emeralds would clash horribly.”
Jack nodded. If this hit was as big as Lois claimed, it would be their most lucrative yet.
“Here’s the rub. For some inexplicable reason, we haven’t received an invitation to the ball.”
Jack didn’t have to guess why. String-bean Grimwig didn’t want Jack anywhere near Olivia. Little did Maxwell know that Jack didn’t need a formal invitation to spend time with his girl.
“Wipe that smirk off your face and focus!” Lois gave his calf a whack with her cane. “And stop slouching.”
Jack winced and rubbed his stinging leg as he straightened in his seat. The old woman was stronger than she appeared.
“Now, if you were to cultivate an association with the highly sought-after Francesca Lancaster, I’m sure we would receive an invitation post haste.”
From the seductive looks Miss Lancaster had thrown his way that morning on the street, his attentions would be more than welcome. But he feared Francesca would take his interest to heart.