“We are great fans of your travel articles in theFlying Intelligencer,” Mr. Hodges said, his enthusiasm genuine.
“Such an exciting life you lead,” Mrs. Hodges said. “Will you and Mr. Stanbridge be doing a great deal of globetrotting after you are married?”
“Well,” Amity began. She cast an uncertain look at Benedict.
“We will definitely be doing some traveling in the future,” he said.
“Allow us to congratulate you on your engagement, Miss Doncaster,” Mr. Hodges said with a courtly inclination of his head. “I believe that I speak for myself and my wife when I say that we are extremely pleased by the prospect of Mr. Stanbridge’s upcoming nuptials.”
Amity cleared her throat and smiled. Benedict got worried. Her smile was a little too bright, he concluded.
“Thank you, Mr. Hodges, but I’m afraid there is some confusion as to the matter of my engagement to Mr. Stanbridge,” Amity said.
Mrs. Hodges’s eyes widened in alarm. “Oh, dear.”
Benedict tightened his hand on Amity’s arm. “Miss Doncaster means that there is some confusion about the date of the wedding. Naturally I’d prefer to be married as soon as possible, but I am told that when it comes to weddings there is a great deal of planning to be done.”
“Yes, indeed,” Mrs. Hodges said. She relaxed again and beamed at Amity. “But there is always the option of a quiet little ceremony followed by a formal reception at some later date.”
“Excellent idea, Mrs. Hodges,” Benedict said before Amity could argue. “Now you must excuse us. I’m going to give Miss Doncaster a tour of my library and my laboratory.”
Mrs. Hodges’s eyes narrowed in what Benedict knew was a meaningful way. “Are you certain that is a good idea, sir? Perhaps after the wedding might be a better time to show Miss Doncaster your library and the laboratory.”
“No,” Benedict said. “The tour must come now.”
Mrs. Hodges sighed. Mr. Hodges looked resigned. He patted his wife on the shoulder.
“It’s for the best, Mrs. Hodges,” he said in low tones.
Benedict whisked Amity down the hall and through the open door of the library. Behind him he heard Mrs. Hodges muttering to Mr. Hodges.
“I suppose it’s only fair to the lady,” Mrs. Hodges said. “Miss Doncaster deserves to see what she’s getting into.”
“Try not to worry, Mrs. Hodges,” Mr. Hodges said. “Miss Doncaster is the adventurous sort.”
Benedict closed the door and turned the key in the lock. He looked at Amity, who was examining the titles of some of the books on the shelves.
“Yes,” he said. “Miss Doncaster deserves to know what she is getting into.” He moved away from the door and swept out a hand to indicate the walls of dusty tomes. “This is the real me, Amity, or, I should say, this is part of me. The rest is behind that door at the top of the steps.”
She glanced at the circular wooden steps at the far end of the library. Amusement sparkled in her eyes.
“How exciting, a locked chamber,” she said.
He winced. “I’m afraid it’s not all that thrilling.”
“May I take a look?” she asked.
“Yes.” He steeled himself. “That’s why I brought you here today. I want you to know the real me. It’s part of my plan, you see. I am not a dashing man of action, Amity. I’m just a man who, when he is not working on an engineering project for the family firm, is quite happy to putter around in his laboratory.”
“And what do you do in your laboratory, sir?”
“For the most part, I conduct experiments and design devices and machines that will probably never have any practical applications.”
Without a word she collected her skirts and went up the steps. He followed, a great sense of urgency flooding through him. He knew that his entire future was at stake.
At the top of the steps Amity moved out onto the balcony and stopped in front of the door. He took the key out of his pocket and inserted it into the lock.
Amity watched without saying a word as he opened the door, turned up the lamps and stood back so that she could enter the chamber.
