I tightened my hands in my lap to resist throttling him. I changed the subject before I said something I would regret. “You must have seen Emmett’s paintings? During our search, we found Isabel in several of them.”
“Yes, I’m aware. She makes for a pretty muse. It’s a shame she’s always hanging around with that Violetta. If Isabel becomes my wife, she will have to go.”
I exchanged a meaningful look with Maxwell. “So, she stands a chance to make it through the competition?”
A knowing grin crept across Ambrose’s face and he leaned back, lifting his arms to showcase his biceps. “Jealous, are we, Lucian? I do believe I like this side of you.”
“Can you blame me?” I asked sweetly.
“I haven’t found fault in you yet,” Ambrose admitted, eyes roving over me. “If I send Isabel packing, would that please you?”
“No, actually.”
Ambrose frowned. “No?”
I bit my lower lip. “We may have need of her.”
Ambrose’s eyes widened. “Youwantme to keep her around? Truly?”
I threw an arm over the back of the sofa. “We need you to press her for information. I’m afraid she won’t answer questions willingly … unless they come from someone she has a vested interest in pleasing.”
Ambrose slid a hand over his face. “That sounds tedious, but I suppose I can see what I can glean from the girl, for Emmett’s sake. If she takes a moment to stop talking about herself, that is.” He paused. “The next ball is going to be held at Foxglove Abbey. We’ll be staying on for a few days. Are you sure you can tolerate her presence for that long?”
I glanced to Maxwell. For the answers to who those men were, I would endure nearly any unpleasantness. “I believe I can handle her.”
Much of the party moved to the back lawn that afternoon for archery practice, and rather than join them, I took this as an opportunity to explore the house. To earn the required tokens, I should have charmed the crowd, but I had a feeling that political advantages would be the only thing to move the needle in this competition, and I had little to offer in that regard. I would have to figure something else out. And anyway, I didn’t know when next I would have such an opportunity to look for clues pertaining to the vampire hunters.
One thing that had been bothering me was how Ambrose had appeared so suddenly outside the dining room. I’d looked up the hallway before stepping out from the closet. It made me think that perhaps there was another hidden room in the vicinity. And so, I found myself outside the dining room, inspecting the wall. There were a handful of paintings on display, of grassy meadows and rolling hills, and I wondered briefly if any were Emmett’s. They weren’t, as far as I could tell. I supposed that would be encouraging his talent, something the duke wouldn’t approve of.
I scowled. I didn’t understand how someone could be so obtuse as to not let his own son foster a remarkable talent.
I scoured the wall once without success, taking down paintings as I came across them, hands roving the simple white wallpaper as if some invisible button might be felt, but that wasn’t very likely. My eyes drifted toward the ground, where baseboards climbed from the floor a few inches. If nothing was hidden behind the paintings, that was the only place to hide anything meaningful. I squinted as I walked slowly along the wall, bent double as I sized up every ridge and nick along the wall. Just when I’d reached the end and was about to turn the corner to the dining room, I saw it. A small circular button that was indented slightly into the base wood. Ensuring no one was around, I pushed on the button.
A hidden panel in the wall slid out seamlessly from the wall with a soft click.
I smiled, then darted within, finding a handle to pull it shut behind me. I paused in the darkness as my eyes adjusted to the room I found myself in. I should have thought to bring a lantern, but I spied a small stream of light farther in the room, and from that slight illumination, I could make out the walls, at least.
Approaching the stream of light, I lined my eyes up with two spy holes, frowning as I found myself peering in at the dining room from another vantage point. I scowled, pulling away. That was hardly helpful.
Glancing farther into the room, I saw no other peepholes, nor doors. Just as I was about to proclaim this discovery a total loss, I heard a noise from the dining room. I returned to the spy holes and watched a maid appear from a servants’ staircase.
It gave me an idea.
I left the hidden room and strolled into the dining room as the maid was arranging flowers at the center of the table. When she noticed me, she stiffened and paused to curtsy to me. “My lord,” she murmured.
I sent her a winning smile that made her blush prettily and leaned on the table with a sigh. “I’m so sorry to bother you, but do you know Nancy, by chance? She’s Lady Grafton’s maid.”
The girl nodded once, unable to meet my eyes.
“Oh, good. You see, she was supposed to supply me with a copy of the room assignments for the guests. With this new challenge, I need to be strategic in making friends, especially since I hardly know anyone here.” I let out a defeated sigh. “You haven’t seen her lately, by chance?”
The girl shook her head. “No, I’m sorry, my lord. She likely accompanied Lady Grafton and the duchess into town to see Lady Luna.”
I closed my eyes and put a hand to my forehead. “I wish it hadn’t slipped her mind. I have only a few days to speak to the others. I would hate to be eliminated during such a challenge. I already feel terribly lonely as the outsider. You understand.”
The girl hesitated, but nodded, finally meeting my eyes with sympathy. “I do understand. I …” She paused to bite her lower lip. “I could give you my copy. I can always share with someone else.”
I widened my eyes. “You would do that for me? I wouldn’t want to put you out.”
