“Men like Mr. Blackstone would never be here to court someone like me,” she explained to Anna, smiling. “So we can be sure that is not the reason he is here. Do you know what that means?”
Anna’s sour features changed instantly. She cast a furtive look back at Evangeline, who still appeared to be sleeping.
Anna looked back at Lina, and the excitement in her voice almost turned her whisper to a shout.
“Time for an investigation!” she cried. She started for her wardrobe, but Lina held her back.
“Anna,” she said, crouching down to look her in the eye as she took both of Anna’s hands. “This is a most dangerous mission, and I cannot allow you to go with me...”
Anna’s face began to fall, and her mouth opened in protest.
“...for if you do not remain here to make it look as though I am asleep in my bed, and tell Evangeline and Mrs. Gray that we have retired quite exhausted, then I cannot succeed. Your duty is most important to our success.”
Anna smiled. “And you must promise to tell me everything,” she said.
“Everything,” Lina said, kissing Anna’s forehead. “I promise most solemnly.”
Anna nodded gleefully, and spun around to busy herself at her task.
It was not the first time, after all, that Anna had helped Lina sneak off into the house late at night. Though usually, it was done in the name of fruit or cheese.
Chapter Five
Because the Harlowescould ill afford a governess, and because Mrs. Harlowe and Mrs. Gray had quite enough to do just keeping up the facade of the Manor and their social standing and their wealth, and because Lina was destined to marry a commoner anyway, she was left for much of her childhood to study by herself. It was why Lina’s embroidery, handwriting, and piano playing were all in such a disastrous state—not that it mattered. The Harlowes likely thought her slow-witted, but it was the result of Lina using her time to explore the vast Manor, and the many secrets it contained.
It was also why she was adept at least one thing, which was unlikely to ever be any use to her as a commoner: she could stealthily move about a sizable house unnoticed by all, and knew just where to place herself to overhear what went on in other rooms.
Which is how she arrived at the heating grate above the great stove of the secondary kitchen which was no longer used, where, by climbing atop the great stove and standing on her tiptoes, she was within reach of overhearing the two men, who, she was grateful, remained in the drawing room, speaking in hushed tones. As she had expected. She held on to the grate and strained to hear better.
“... as you require,” Mr. Harlowe was saying. ““But I can be certain that the girl has no option but to comply, and that shall be the end of it.”
There was a long pause, and Lina worried that the strange Mr. Blackstone’s voice would be too low for her to hear. But when she heard it, it was clear and low, and as before, it sent a sensation through her body that could not be described by any words in her possession.
“And what of the rumors that the girl is wanton?”
Mr. Harlowe appeared shocked by the sigh that came from him. “Mr. Blackstone, you may rest assured that they are merely rumors. Surely a man such as yourself knows how sharp the tongues of high society can be.”
