“Oversight?” Maria asked, alarm lurching in her chest.
Jasper sighed. “I found another note from Francis in my study.”
Her pulse sped. “Whilethe new staff were in place?”
Harris’ lips thinned. “At this time, we’re unsure. Because His Grace was absent from the home, we cannot know for certain when it took place. I suspect, however, that it occurred during a shift change. It was an error on our part, and we’ve already implemented an alternating duty schedule to avoid such occurrences in the future.”
Maria nodded. “Very well. Thank you.” She turned to Jasper. “Was it another quote fromKing Lear? And the letters, was another?—”
“Yes,” Jasper interjected. “I’ve made a transcription; it’s in my study.”
Maria’s heart leapt. “Might I see it?”
“Of course.”
With well wishes for a pleasant night, Jasper led Maria calmly down the corridor, while the urge to run itched at Maria’s legs.
“Jasper,” she began. “The food thefts?—”
“I’ve drawn the same conclusion,” he interrupted.
She huffed. “Do you know of a place in which Francis could hide in your home? The attic, perhaps? The cellar?”
Jasper shook his head. “I haven’t the faintest. We’d best look.”
“Indeed. The letter first, if you please.”
They traversed the corridor in silence, but nerves skittered just beneath her skin the entire time. Jasper was so close she could feel the heat of him through her uniform. It was a steady energy, as though the space between them hummed. Lord, but the man was too distracting by half.
What if Jasper didnotjilt her? What if this home became hers?
Another swoop of nerves dipped her stomach and spread gooseflesh over her skin. It was dangerous to dream, and yet…she couldn’t help herself. With every room they passed, thoughts of spending her time there with Jasper or managing a household tumbled through her mind. And shewantedit—cravedit.
So dangerous, Maria.Have a care with your heart.
Soon, they turned into Jasper’s spacious study. The room was warm and smelled like the man himself: bergamot and lemon. She inhaled deeply, relishing the erotic scent as she glanced around. It was much like any other man’s study, full of large, dark furniture, walls of books, heavily stuffed armchairs by the hearth, and tall, dramatic windows. But this was Jasper’s.
“This is it,” Jasper said, extending a slip of parchment toward her. “Mind the writing; I was in a state.”
Her heart fluttered at the small confession, absurdly pleased that he felt comfortable enough with her to admit a moment of weakness.
She accepted the note and scanned the words. “N,” she mused. “The letters areR,F,O, and nowN. I believe this might be a sort ofnomen deminutivum. If, for example, we assume each letter is the first in a different word, a new message might appear.” She cleared her throat. “We will discover the truth in time. For now, shall we begin our search?”
She folded the parchment and slid it in her apron pocket for further pursual later on, and followed Jasper from the room.
Despite the urgency of her assignment, the danger that was lurking within every shadow, Maria’s body was all but entirely consumed with Jasper. Her skin prickled at his nearness, her insides flipped, and her heart whispered desires for not only his kisses and touches, but also a future with the man.
He was challenging and utterly infuriating, but…he was also caring. Since he’d happened across her atThe Morning Heraldoffices that morning, he’d been markedly undaunted by her unsettling revelations. Indeed, he hadn’t even berated her for being Duncan—but had, in fact, reacted rather favourably in the end.
By the time they ascended the first staircase, Maria was veritably buzzing with unspent energy.
Jasper halted on the landing. “Allow me to fetch my pistol.”
Without another word, he disappeared into his bedchamber down the corridor, and Maria heaved a deep breath. It was the one room in the home in which she had never been. She, Heather, and Juliana had explored every other corner of the building countless times and in countless ways through their childhood, while Jasper was off at Eton and Cambridge. She knew this home as well as her own, and yet… Since Jasper had become duke, it felt different.
Jasper re-emerged, a pistol clasped in one hand. They exchanged glances and, as though his heavy-lidded gaze was a caress, a current of desire washed over her.
Blimey.
