The tug of camaraderie was still every bit as strong as that first meeting.

He was aware of it, too. It showed in the possessive way he looked at her. He caught her gaze now and gave her a dark smile. “Perhaps you’d be more comfortable here.” He patted his knee.

If I sit on his lap, I may want to stay forever. “No, thank you. I have more room here.”

“That was the point.”

It was so tempting. She tingled just from remembering their tryst at the inn. I need to stop remembering that morning. I’ll just miss him all the more once this is done.

The thought caught her unprepared. The bald truth was that she would miss him—far more than she wished. “Robert, perhaps . . . perhaps we should keep this relationship professional.”

“Why? We haven’t done so yet.”

“We will be more effective.”

“I disagree. I think a full partnership is in order. After all, we are already parents. We share that much, at least.” Robert regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth. All humor fled from her face and she winced as if struck.

Damn it, I am ten million times a fool. “Moira, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken so lightly of Rowena. I wasn’t thinking.” He leaned forward and took her hands. “We will be partners however it is easiest for you. And we will never cease our efforts until we have her back.”

She managed a faint smile and gently withdrew her hands. “Thank you. That helps.” She brushed back a lock of hair that had fallen from its pin to caress her cheek. “The nights are the hardest. I wake up thinking about her, and it is impossible to go back to sleep.”

“Would it help to talk about her? Or would that make it worse?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t had anyone to talk with.”

He leaned back in his chair. “I am curious about our daughter. I’ve never thought of myself as a parent.”

She gave him a twisted smile. “I never thought of myself as a mother until I was one, so I know what you mean. But now I can’t imagine my life without her.”

He nodded, noting how her eyes shone. “Is she a very quiet child?”

Her expression brightened. “Oh, no! She is so curious, always asking questions and—” Moira laughed. “She would drive me mad asking more and more questions, until sometimes I was ready to snap at her.”

He grinned. “Neither of us are shy or retiring.”

“Oh, but she’s not merely articulate. She loves a good argument, too, and adores horses more than—” Moira’s voice broke, as tears gathered.

“Oh, Moira. Don’t.” Robert pulled her onto his lap and tucked her against him, resting his chin on her head, wrapping his arms about her as she wept softly into the shoulder of his robe, clutching the collar.

“Easy, sweetheart,” he whispered against her silken hair. Over and over he murmured reassurances, promising they’d get Rowena back, that all would be well. Silently, he added that he would make certain George Aniston paid and paid for the pain he’d put them through.