“We should,” he agreed.
“Let’s go,” Gabe said, walking through the gate.
“Freya would love this garden,” Michael said, studying the color everywhere.
As a door was open, they stepped inside and into an elegant library. Soft grey walls and subdued blue carpets greeted them.
“I’d expected more color,” Nathan said, turning a circle on his heel. “This is elegant and tasteful.”
“Unlike me,” Plunge said, appearing in the doorway. “Follow me please, gentlemen.”
They did as Plunge asked and climbed the elegant staircase with a few paintings and very little ostentatious decoration.
“Strange how we have been in many tense and dangerous situations and yet this one is terrifying me the most,” Nathan said softly as they reached the top.
“This way,” Plunge said, waving to a door.
Zach wanted to see Mary, so he was first to enter the room. She was standing beside a window. Hands clasped before her, expression stony.
“Where do your family think you are?” he asked her.
“Riding with Dimity, Freya, and Lord Raine,” she said in a cold voice which he knew was meant to put distance between them. For now he’d allow it.
“I’m sure you’ve become quite adept at lying.”
Her chin raised, and he wanted to grab her and hold her close. Then kiss her. He really wanted to do that.
“If that is the case, then I will send word that we will pick up Dimity on the way to your place,” Lord Raine said.
“Oh no—”
“She will ask no questions.” Gabe gave her a gentle smile. “Trust me, Mary.”
“My butler will be hovering, so give him instructions to send a footman to your house,” Plunge said.
Gabe left the room briefly, and Zach heard his brother speaking. He then returned.
“Sit, Mary. The cat is out of the bag. There is little to be done about it but make the best of the situation and hope the Devilles will hold their counsel,” Plunge said.
Like the entrance, the room was elegant. Soft ivory walls and dark curtains. Polished floors and subtle rugs to walk on. The furniture was old and expensive.
“I’m not sure what question to ask first,” Gabe said.
“To start with, I would like to know how long have you been leading a double life, Viscount Montgomery?” Zach asked.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN
“Many years,” Monty said.
Mary sat next to him and across from the other men in the room. She’d risen early and left word that she was riding with Dimity and others in the park and would return after her time with the duchess. No one in her household was awake or would be for some time, therefore they could not challenge her.
She’d been desperate to see Monty and tell him what had happened last night. Warn him that it was possible the Devilles would approach him next now that her cover was exposed.
Her note to him had been received, and he was there awaiting her when she arrived at the park. He’d then scolded her for leaving home without first speaking with her family. Then he’d admonished her for leaving the house alone last night.
“Why?” Lord Raine asked.
“The telling is complex, so all you need to know is I was approached by a man called Walters many years ago before I took up the obligations to my title. I had no close connections, as every one of my relatives were deceased. He asked me to work for Alexius and follow in my father’s footsteps. But his wish was I did so as the effeminate fool I became.”
