“Hardworking, reliable. Does odds and ends. He can keep a secret.”
“Very well. But don’t speak about it to anyone else. Even your lady. If Montoni catches wind of our plans, there’s no telling what he could do.”
“I won’t breathe a word. But mind you, I’m not sticking my neck out and snooping unnecessarily. I didn’t work my way into this position just to find myself out on the street.”
“Perfectly understandable.”
Annette sent me a conspiratorial wink before shuffling out the door. When I found myself alone once more, I took up the locket and spared one more glance at the couple before replacing it in the pocket where I’d unearthed it.
I came upon Fournier as he was bustling down the hallway on a Friday evening, suitcase in hand.
“Fournier,” I strode quickly over to catch up to him. The man paused and looked back at me uncertainly. I tried for a smile as I scratched the back of my neck. “I wanted to make it clear that I didn’t seek the valet position.”
Fournier grinned. “Ah. Still hung up on that, are you? No need to worry. In truth, I was glad to leave that position behind.”
“You were?”
“Of course. My lordship is very particular, and I was always worried about bumbling something or other. Second Man is easier by far.” He reached out and shook my hand jovially. “No hard feelings, Dupont.”
He turned and headed up the hall once more, and I watched him go as Mrs. Blake also made for the door, suitcase in hand.
“Mrs. Blake? Where is everybody going?”
Mrs. Blake smiled. “Ah, you’re one of the unlucky ones who gets to stay behind. The family gives the staff a night off once a month. They even spring for an inn in town for us. Quite generous of them.” She shrugged at my surprised look. “There’s turkey in the icebox for your dinner. The family ate early tonight, and I’ll be back by eight tomorrow to have breakfast ready, although it’s usually served late on such days.”
“Oh, alright then.”
“Alright then,” Mrs. Blake echoed, turning once more for the door. I watched her leave before walking to the kitchen. It was dark and small, but once I lit a candle, it was much more inviting. I found the turkey and some rolls for a sandwich and was just sitting down to eat when Annette breezed in.
“Is it to be turkey again?” she grumbled, rummaging about the kitchen. “Mrs. Blake needs to be a little more creative, if you ask me.” She started a fire and set a kettle on the stovetop. “Some tea will be nice now, won’t it?”
She sat down across from me and assembled a sandwich for herself.
“It’s just you and me then?” I asked.
“Just you and me until Father Schedoni arrives.”
“And then?”
“And then it’s you, me, and Monseigneur Schedoni.”
I rolled my eyes. “Thanks for that. I know basic addition.”
“It was unclear.”
I snorted and we sat in silence for the rest of our meal, Annette offering me a bitter black tea that I added honey to. When the bell rang for the library, we looked at each other.
“Are you prepared for a long night?” she asked as we made our way to the staircase.
“I’m not sure what’s expected of me.”
“Schedoni will show you. The rest you’ll manage.” She hesitated. “It’s not pretty. You have to be strong. Hargrove was a squeamish man, but he bucked up when he needed to.”
I frowned. “Wait. Hargrove attended to Henri on these nights? Not Fournier? I assumed it was the valet’s duty.”
Annette shook her head. “No. Count Morano chooses who attends to him. He chose you.”
“Well, then. Lucky me.” I paused. “Tonight would be a good night to procure information.”
