Capturing the Devil (Stalking Jack the Ripper, #4)

by Kerri Maniscalco

When I was adventuring between the pages of a book, I wasn’t sad over things I was missing outside.

He tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear, expression thoughtful. “I find myself striving to learn new talents, especially when the result is you looking—” “Radiant?” I guessed. “I was going to suggest ‘like you wish to destroy my virtue at once,’ but I suppose yours isn’t a terrible deduction, either.”

The world needed to be better. And if it wasn’t possible for it to be better, we, its inhabitants, needed to do better.

“You do say you like a man with a rather large—” “Stop.” I held my hand up. “I beg of you. My uncle is right there.” “Brain.” He finished anyway, grinning at my reddening face. “You truly astound me with the direction your filthy mind travels in, Wadsworth. We’re at a crime scene; have a care.”

“You’re—” “Impossibly handsome and utterly charming and yes, yes, you’d love to ravish me right this moment. Let’s hurry, now, shall we?” My cousin snorted from her position by the window. “Now I understand why Audrey Rose calls you insufferably charming, with much emphasis on insufferable.”

Thomas swiped at his nose, smiling, though his expression was still too despondent for my liking. “Beyond life, beyond death. My love for thee is eternal.” “That’s beautiful. Was it in the letter?” “No. It’s how I feel about you.” I swore my heart stuttered a moment.

“Tell me having a cat’s affection and a good book doesn’t sound like an ideal evening.”