Something at last. Whether or not it was what she sought, she was pleased.
She retrieved the items and unfolded the first. Her heart leapt. It was a handbill for Marie Tussaud’s exhibit!
Setting the book and handbill aside, she opened the other folded piece of parchment.
Uncle,
After careful thought,I’ve come to the realization that my brothers’ and my father’s need for vengeance against you and yours is wrong. You are the legitimate heir to the dukedom…
Unbidden,a gasp escaped Maria. She scanned down to the bottom.
I fearwhat my father or brothers would do to me should they discover my change of heart. For that reason, I must beg asylum with you and my cousins.
With hope,
Jean
* * *
A gasp cutthrough the silence of the study, and Jasper’s stomach dipped in alarm. He spun from the window to see Maria pouring over the contents of a letter.
Hurrying to her side and unable to keep himself from some sort of connection, he placed a hand to the small of her back.
“What is it?” he asked softly.
“I’ve found it,” she said animatedly, her gaze slipping to his exposed throat and smattering of chest hair.
Her eyes widened, and a flush crept up her neck. Fuck, but that was arousing. His gut stirred, and pride swelled.
Hiding his smile, Jasper asked, “Found what, precisely?”
She held out two folded bits of parchment. “Proof of your father’s innocence in Jean’s death. Your father hid it, no doubt to exonerate him in the event that your cousins attempted to cause him difficulty.”
Jasper blinked once more, taken aback. “And you found it, just like that?”
She nodded, a self-satisfied smile brightening her features. “It was between the pages of a book of English ballads.”
“Damn.” He squinted, scanning the documents and wishing he brought his reading spectacles to his study. His heart drummed faster as he read. “Damn! Maria, this is?—”
“I know.” Her gaze slid downward to his exposed skin, once more, and her flush deepened. “We will discuss it on the morrow, I’m sure.”
“Mmm,” he hummed.
She slipped the parchment in her apron pocket and turned her gaze toward the windows. “Did you conclude your inspection of?—”
“No,” he interrupted. “I’m afraid not.”
On swift feet, she sped to the first window to complete the examination. Jasper, however, was rooted to the spot, his gaze eagerly soaking in her profile lit by the low-burning fire in the hearth.
His stomach was a whirling tumult of emotion. In this room, together, he could imagine their future: she, having designed the space to suit her purposes, would have a writing desk of her own at which she would compose newspaper articles, and he would work happily from his own desk—wherever she deemed it suitable to the space. And—fuck, would she don the attire of Mr. Duncan Robertson while she worked? Oh, indeed, he would very much enjoy that.
“There,” she said, returning to his side. “Shall we continue?Divide et impera?”
“Divide and conquer?” He huffed a laugh. “Very well.”
* * *
Pressingthe hidden cupboard closed with a lightthunk, Maria turned and searched the remainder of the small sitting room. In the past three quarters of an hour, she’d not crossed the path of another soul—not since Jasper had left with Harris to search the stables. Thirty minutes hence, she had heard two guards walk past the rooms on this floor and then descend into the service rooms belowstairs.
