She gave the answer in her heart. What else could she do? “I’ll marry you, Richard.”
Triumph blazed in his eyes. Then he leaned in, murmuring in her ear.
At his question, she had to tamp down a giggle.
“I don’t think that any more. In fact,” she whispered back, “I’d say you’ve laid the title of Viscount Killjoy permanently to rest.”
Chapter Thirty
Early next morning, Richard accompanied Violet to see her brother. Not wanting to add to their sins, they confessed what they’d discovered last night, telling Kent about the map and hidden passageway. Kent didn’t appear best pleased by the news that the pair of them had been skulking around unchaperoned in the dead of night; luckily, Mrs. Kent was there to intervene.
“The horses have bolted, darling,” she murmured to her husband. “No use slamming the barn door now.”
This gave Richard the opportunity to officially ask for Violet’s hand. He still couldn’t believe that she’d said yes to him, that she was going to be his. And he had their burning passion to thank for it. He was no Casanova by any stretch of the imagination; that inspired bit of naughtiness in the passageway had surprised even him. Yet Violet had that effect on him, unleashing an inner wildness that felt strangely… liberating.
And she was going to be his viscountess.His.His insides billowed with warmth as he looked at her beautiful, blushing face. He felt as impatient as a Thoroughbred at the gates—and equally restless. For he couldn’t deny that the pleasure of her acceptance was accompanied by a strange apprehension.
What he wanted was within his grasp… but she wasn’t his yet. Nothing was set in stone. Promises made could be broken; it wasn’t the first time a lady had accepted his offer.
Violet said yes, he told himself.Leave it at that.
After a brief discussion with the Kents, they all agreed to keep the engagement under wraps until after the party. There were too many distractions at the moment, the most pressing of which included speaking to their host.
Thus, with the Strathavens in tow, they hunted Billings down in his study.
“We believe we know why Monique was in the library,” Kent said without preamble. “And why she was killed.”
“Well don’t just stand there. Spit it out,” the banker said.
“First, I have a question. Do you keep valuables in this chamber?”
From the way Billings’ eyes shifted, the answer was clear. “Why?” he said.
“Because we believe Monique might have stolen something from this room.”
The banker’s lips formed a hyphen. “Impossible. I have a footman guarding the entrance to this room day and night.”
“One of the entrances,” Kent corrected.
“What do you mean? There is only one door.”
“That you know of.” Richard spoke up. “Last night, we discovered a hidden passageway between the library and this study. I believe the entrance is behind that panel by the hearth.”
“You can’t be serious,” Billings said incredulously.
Going over to the hearth, which was nearly identical to the one in the library, Richard searched the roses on the plinth. He pushed two of the petals down. There was a clicking noise… and then the panel separated from the wall, revealing the gaping darkness behind.
“Heavens, how exciting,” the duchess breathed.
“That’s one way to describe it, pet,” Strathaven said wryly.
Billings turned paler than a banknote. Without another word, he headed back toward his desk and past it, to the painting of the dead game on the wall. He reached for some hidden mechanism in the frame. The painting swung open, revealing an iron box concealed in the wall.
Removing a key from his pocket, Billings inserted it into the lock.
When the compartment opened, Richard saw a collection of velvet boxes within. With methodical precision, Billings removed each one, piling them upon his desk. He opened the lids: there was a dazzling array of jewelry—necklaces, bracelets, even a diadem. In the morning light, gems glittered in a rainbow of colors, precious metals gleaming.
The banker patted his brow with a folded handkerchief. “Everything’s here and accounted for. I purchased these for Gabriella at an auction, outbidding several members of the aristocracy.” Satisfaction threaded his voice. “It was mentioned inThe Times, I believe.”
