The major puffed up. "Aye, I am." He gestured to his shop. "I have books, maps, articles of clothing, painted scrolls.... And I stock ancient Oriental herbs and medicines. There's a rich trade for certain things like powdered rhinoceros horn or tiger... ah, tiger parts," he hurried on, as though realizing to whom he spoke, "and herbs like ginseng, or dried mushroom like Boletus lucidus-"
"Boletus... this is a mushroom, yes?"
"Spirit mushroom-"
"Speaking of mushrooms," she said hurriedly, "one of the ingredients I'm most interested in is a mushroom. A caterpillar mushroom. Do you know of it?"
"Yartsa gunbu," he muttered. "I've heard of it, yes. Grows out of the head of a caterpillar in Tibet somewhere."
"Do you have any of it?" Ava held her breath.
The major shook his head abruptly. "No, can't say I have. I have a book on rare plants in the Himalayas, however, if you'd like to look at it?" His smile returned. "I have several books on the Himalayas." He grabbed one off the shelf, and Ava exchanged a frustrated glance with Kincaid.
Another dead end.
"Do you know anyone else in London who might have some of this caterpillar mushroom?" she asked. "The remedy I mean to create was quite specific."
"No, no. Haven't heard of anyone. Here," Major Winthrop said, pressing a book into her hands. "It was written by a traveler who collected stories. There's a section on Shambhala. You should read it. Consider it a gift, from one curious mind to another."
"Oh, I couldn't, Major. This is a beautiful book. It must be expensive." And the sort of thing that sounded quite rare. She patted her reticule, looking for her purse.
"I insist," Major Winthrop said, not quite quirking a brow at her. "Consider it... an engagement present."
"Ah, thank you." Ava tugged one of her calling cards free, and passed it to him in exchange. "And if you do hear of the caterpillar mushroom, please let me know. I'd be very grateful."
* * *
"That man was lying," Kincaid said, as soon as they were out of earshot of the shop.
Ava tore her attention away from the book. "Major Winthrop? Lying? Why ever would you think that?"
"Because the second you asked him about it, his entire manner changed, and he became curt and couldn't wait to get you out of his shop. He knows more about this caterpillar mushroom than he's claiming."
Based on what evidence? Ava gave an exasperated sigh. "You just didn't like him from the start. You were practically bristling."
"That's because he was eyeing you like some tasty little morsel he wanted to sink his teeth into."
"He was not," she protested. "He's a man with a shared interest. I know what it feels like to find someone who shares your passion. It's exhilarating. And, I'm fairly certain you're describing the way you look at me sometimes. Not Major Winthrop."
"That's different."
"Oh?"
"He's a stranger who gave you a rare book he could have sold for a princely sum, for Chrissakes," Kincaid muttered, "even though I introduced myself as your fiancé."
He did have a point. "Maybe he was being kind...." Her words trickled to a halt as she replayed the conversation in her head, and saw the way Winthrop smiled at her. He'd virtually ignored Kincaid. "Oh."
Storm clouds brewed on Kincaid's expression. "You are utterly oblivious, did you know that?"
"Well, men generally don't fall at my feet."
"Or maybe you just don't notice when they do," he muttered.
She shot him a long, steady look. "You're behaving not at all like yourself, did you know? One would almost think you were...."
"Yes?"
"Jealous," she said carefully, though the word sounded ridiculous in her mouth. Liam Kincaid jealous? Over her?
Kincaid's lips thinned, and he looked around. She barely noticed the opening of an alley beside them, before he dragged her into it, his broad body shielding her from street view. "Of course I'm jealous." His hands gripped her shoulders, the look in his eyes naked with unrestrained need. "I want you. And while I'm willing to wait until you're ready, I'm also very aware we made a deal, and I want to fulfill it. I can be patient, Ava, but there's a limit to my patience, and that limit is reached when other men try to charm you."
He captured her chin, one thumb pressing into her lower lip. "You're mine, Ava. Not his. Mine."
Their lips met, and Ava threw her arms around his neck. She'd never been the sort of woman who considered a masculine conquest intriguing, but she understood it now. What it felt like to have a man claim you, a rather barbaric declaration, and it sent a thrill through her. Mine. She kissed him hungrily, not holding back this time, now she knew what she was doing. The fit of his body against hers felt so right. Kincaid lifted her off her toes, one hand splaying over her bottom as he grabbed a handful of her bustle, driving her body against him until she felt something hard press against her belly. It was not his belt buckle.