“That’s the idea.”
The scrape of wood drew her attention. AuntMargaret stood in the doorway in a triangle of light. Alexandraheaped the covers over Nicholas’s head. The room was dark exceptfor the light that spilled in from a candle in the hall.
“I don’t mean to intrude but wish to tellyou a little story about my nephew, Nicholas. When he was a boy, hepossessed a penchant for getting into scrapes.” She moved furtherinto the room and Alexandra checked behind her to make sureNicholas was concealed. “His father warned him, if there were anymore mishaps, there would be repercussions. The dear boy steppedinto another fight. Black eye, torn clothes, bruises. I convincedNicholas to stay at my home while he convalesced so his fatherwould not learn of his indiscretion. I later learned a rude boy hadinsulted me. Nicholas had championed me. The point I’m trying tomake is Nicholas is extremely loyal and will defend and protectyou. That is his character.”
In the dim light, Aunt Margaret’s face wassilhouetted.
“If you need my help with any situation,advise me and I will help you navigate the ropes. The Rutlandfamily is powerful, but most importantly we are devoted to oneanother. As for my nephew, he can be a bear at times, but he is agood man and you will make him a wonderful wife. Good night,Alexandra.”
Alexandra swiped a tear, Nicholas’s matronlyaunt touching her heart. To be both wanted and cherished. “Goodnight,” sniffed Alexandra.
Aunt Margaret closed the door, paused, andthen stuck her head back in. “Oh…and Good night, Nicholas.”
ChapterTwenty-six
Two days of waiting had paid its toll. Underdarkness and through a fog laden night, Nicholas with Alexandramoved across the damp lawn of Sutherland estate and sidled up nextto the house. The library was a few feet away on the first floor.Convenient.
Nicholas muttered, “I’m totally againstthis. You are with child and this goes far against my principles toprotect you.”
“Will you stop worrying,” whisperedAlexandra, and then she yelped, tripping over an unconscious,tied-up man.
His father’s men were efficient.
He made a cradle out of his hands and heftedher up to the window.
“This will look great in the papers if weare caught. ‘The heir to the Duke of Rutland, breaking andentering.’”
“Sh-h. Someone might hear you.” The windowopened with a loud screech.
“So much for a quiet, stealthy entrance.” Heshould have had the man he hired for reconnaissance inside thehouse, under the guise of inspecting the chimneys to oil the windowhinges. His man had learned that there were no guards postedinside, only outside which his father’s men had taken care of likethey did with the man Alexandra tripped over. So he allowedAlexandra this fool mission. With the baby and all, he’d never riskher safety.
Her climbing skills acquired on the islandcame in handy. He watched her rounded bottom disappear over thesill.
“I rather like the view and may insist youwear breeches in the future.”
Alexandra stuck her head back out thewindow. “At a time like this?”
Nicholas heaved up and into the room. Exceptfor the waning of the moon there was no light.
“I remember this room so well. Some of myhappiest memories occurred here. I played with my blocks and dollsin front of the fireplace while my father worked. I can almost hearthe scratch of his quill across paper. I can smell the burning ofwax before he thumped on his seal for his finishedcorrespondence.”
Alexandra took his hand and led him to thedesk. She was shaking and he longed to take her in his arms, butthis task was important and they had to work fast before they werediscovered.
Alexandra crawled underneath the desk,Nicholas squatting beside her, roving his hand over the smoothwoodwork as if divining a drawer to magically open. “I don’t feel athing.”
“I remember my father holding me on his lap,and as young as I was, saying, ‘Alexandra,veryimportant.’”
Nicholas glanced at the door to the library,did not hear any movement from the rest of the house.Good.At this late hour, the servants slept. His father had come throughas promised, and secured an invitation for Lady Sutherland andWillean to a soiree at the Banfield’s, and then the Duke andDuchess of Somer’s ball for the next night. They would be stayingat the Sutherland townhouse in London for the weekend. Rutlandguards were posted there to keep them updated on theirmovements.
He eased upward, lit a lamp and lowered itto the floor.
“Won’t the light alert Ursula’s guardsoutside?”
Nicholas patted his gun in his belt. “Theywill have enough headache to last them a long time. They were takencare of. I’m very thorough. I do not want to put you at any morerisk than necessary.”
Alexandra ran her fingers all around.Nicholas followed. Smooth, satiny moldings, flat surfaces. Not onecatch. Not one depression. Not one trip-lever. “Nothing,Alexandra.”
Her fingers shook. “I have come so far andrefuse to leave without proof. I know it’s here.”
