“They would love that.”
He glanced around the room and smiled. A memory flashed in his mind.
*
Eleven-year-old Lisbeth flippedthrough the book about the ancient city of Palmyra, located in present-day Syria. The ruins had been discovered over a hundred years ago, and they were still finding new artifacts and secrets about the society.
Thirteen-year-old Thomas frowned at her. “You’ve looked at that book a dozen times. Why do you keep rereading it?”
She lifted her head and grinned. “Because someday, Serious Thomas, I’m going to discover something amazing, and the world will applaud me as an explorer and antiquarian.”
He grinned at Lisbeth, completely enamored with his friend. Her eyes narrowed, and she frowned at him. “Are you laughing at me?”
Thomas looked at her, shocked. “Of course not.”
Lisbeth looked at him skeptically. “Are you sure?”
He pulled her up from where she was lying on her belly, reading the book. “I promise I will always believe in you.”
Lisbeth hugged him tight, and Thomas squeezed her back. She whispered in his ear, “Good, because I expect you to be by my side.”
“Always, Lizzie.”
She released him and charged out of the room. “Come on. Let’s find some adventure.”
*
Lisbeth, studying him,asked, “What are you thinking about?”
Amused, he said, “I’m just remembering an eleven-year-old girl who said she was going to discover something amazing and the whole world would applaud her. She was right.”
She smiled. “That was so long ago.”
“It is a good memory.”
Lisbeth looped her arm through his. “And here you are by my side as you promised.”
“Always, Lizzie.”
She leaned into him and said, “Let’s go home. I think the ladies can manage without me.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Lisbeth and Thomaswalked to the door of the townhouse, laughing. The event for the epic had been a spectacular success. She was still grinning because they’d been given a spot in the Crystal Palace.
They would need to design a new exhibit for the space. She and the other board members had already started planning. As they reached the front door, it was yanked open. Morrison looked at her, a worried and terrified expression on his face. Fear clutched her heart. She and Thomas glanced at each other, alarmed.
“What is it, Morrison?” she asked.
He shook his head frantically. “The children are missing. I sent a footman to fetch you. He must have missed you.”
Lisbeth shook her head in shock. This couldn’t be. Why would the children be gone? “Perhaps they are hiding?”
Thomas ushered her inside and asked, “What happened?”
Benson sat in a chair in the foyer with blood dripping down his collar. Miss Ashby sat next to him with a bruise on her cheek. Lisbeth shook her head. “Tell us.”
Hoarsely Benson said, “I was in the garden walking the perimeter when I was hit in the back of the head with what felt like the butt of a pistol. When I woke, Miss Ashby was tied up, and the children were gone. I’m so sorry, Mrs. Easton.”
