To say that Robert was unprepared would not do the moment justice. He had been kissed before, naturally, for no lively man could survive to the age of thirty without a little dabbling in the petticoat line. He had enjoyed a number of very pleasurable kisses over the years, and not regretted any of them. But he had instigated them himself, indeed in many cases he had had to work very hard to bring them about, and thus the reward was all the sweeter. This kiss was bestowed on him without the slightest effort, and at a moment when his thoughts were entirely with his lovely Olivia.
After a moment of surprise, therefore, which held him immobile, he gently disengaged himself.
She was surprised, but not embarrassed. “What is the matter?”
“I did not agree to this, and it is most improper, Miss Grayling.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “Youarestuffy!” Rising to her feet, she said loudly enough to be heard throughout the room, “Really, Lord Kiltarlity, I am surprised at you. Do you kiss all your female acquaintances?”
Leaving him open-mouthed in astonishment, and reducing the surprised Dr Williamson to silence, she flounced from the room. The sleeping gentleman grunted awake and looked around curiously before settling down and closing his eyes again.
Robert was too angry to consider his actions carefully. He raced after Miss Grayling, catching her up not far down the corridor.
“What was that all about?” he said curtly.
“You insulted me,” she said calmly. “There is a price to be paid for that, Lord Kiltarlity.”
He sighed. “You are a wicked girl, Miss Grayling, but I am not to be caught by stratagems such as this. Where is your brother, do you know? He was not in the library.”
“Are you going to tell tales of me?”
“I am going to return you to Lord Grayling’s care, for clearly you are not fit to be left alone. Why do you not have a chaperon with you, by the way?”
For the first time, she looked uncertain. “She had to leave. My former governess stayed on as a companion and friend, but…” She looked up at him with troubled eyes, seeming very young suddenly. “We could not afford her. Julian is all to pieces, and needs to marry money, and very soon. That is why—”
“That is why what? Who does he have in his sights?”
She licked her lips, hesitating.
But Robert knew. “Lady Olivia. I am right, am I not? She is his target.” No wonder he had been so ready to accept Robert’s request for him to watch over her!
“She has thirty thousand pounds,” she said apologetically.
He muttered an oath, and tore off in the direction of the dining room, but Olivia was gone. Only the servants were there, busy tidying and clearing.
“May I help you, my lord?” the butler said.
“No… I do not think— Unless you know where Lord Grayling may be found?”
“I couldn’t say, my lord. The library, perhaps?”
That was no help, for he was certainly not there. Where would he have taken her? Somewhere private, no doubt, to woo her with sweet words and kisses. The very thought of it brought him to boiling point.
He swept out of the dining room, almost knocking over Miss Grayling, who was lurking outside the door.
“What are youdoing?”he cried, his rage overcoming all gentlemanly politeness.
“I beg your pardon, but I wanted to tell you… they might be in the secret room,” she said. “Julian said something about it last night… an opportunity, he said.”
“Opportunity! I will knock his opportunity down his throat when I catch up with him. Where is this secret room?”
“This way.”
She led him a circuitous route through the house and up a winding stair, then into a large chamber Robert had not seen before. At the far end, a large, moth-eaten tapestry covered a section of wall.
“The door is behind the tapestry,” she said. “Shall I…? Or do you prefer to…?”
Robert had no time to respond, for the tapestry rippled and two figures emerged from behind it — Lord Grayling and Lady Euphemia Howland.
