“That doesn’t make sense,” Gray said. Then he pointed toward the body. “Look, what’s that in his hand?”
Stenfax crouched down again and saw what his brother indicated. A piece of torn paper sticking out of Kirkford’s clenched fist. He pried his fingers open gently and pulled it loose. They held it up together, looking at it. It was an odd jumble of letters, not spelling out anything Stenfax understood.”
The brothers exchanged a look. “It’s code,” Stenfax said. “The book is in code,that’swhat Kirkford meant.”
“And since he didn’t understand, I think we can safely assume that Roger would need to break it, as well, before he could use it against anyone, including Felicity.”
A small fraction of relief pierced the horrified feeling in Stenfax’s chest. “So we may have some time,” he murmured.
“A little, anyway,” Gray said. “We should take this to the Earl of Stalwood. He worked with Dane for years. He can help us with the code.”
He shoved the paper in his pocket just as members of the guard burst into the room and chaos descended. Stenfax stepped away as they approached and began to question them. His score with the new Duke of Kirkford had been settled, but he felt no joy in it. Elise might be safer, but now he would have to tell her, and Felicity, that this mysterious book was out there.
And he didn’t look forward to that.
Elise watched Rosalinde pace the parlor, looking at the clock over and over again. “I have no idea why Gray is so late.”
“He is never late?”
Rosalinde shook her head. “Not without sending me word. And he looked very…well, he was acting suspiciously when he departed, so I wonder what trouble he’s gotten into.”
“Come sit,” Elise said, patting the settee beside her. When Rosalinde did so, she turned in her place a little to face her. “I knew Gray as a boy, you know.”
Rosalinde’s worried expression softened a little. “Yes, I know. He has told me many a tale of you and Felicity following him and Stenfax and Asher around.”
“I’m sure until recently I was a reluctant part of those stories, considering his feelings for me,” Elise said.
Rosalinde squeezed her hand. “Gray is the most loyal brother I’ve ever met. He fought hard against Stenfax’s marriage to my sister just because he felt you had hurt Stenfax in the past. It nearly tore us apart.”
Elise smiled at her. “But you survived. And I will tell you that thinking of the boy I knew all those years ago, I never would have thought he would be capable of the love I see him display with you, Rosalinde. You have truly captured his heart and made him a different person.”
“I hope that is not true, for I adore the person he is in every way. Flaws and all, just as he does me.” Rosalinde tilted her head. “Perfection is not required, nor is molding ourselves to be something new or never making a mistake. But owning up to our mistakes is paramount. Which is what you did today.”
Elise sighed. “And I got an engagement to a man who doesn’t know what to do with me out of it.”
“You love him,” Rosalinde said softly.
Elise looked at her. Unlike Felicity or Gray or Stenfax, she had no history with this woman. Nothing preconceived or bitter from the years that had separated them. And there was something in Rosalinde’s kind and beautiful face that inspired honesty.
“I never stopped loving him,” Elise admitted, her breath catching. “Never once in all this time.Thatwas my prison, not anything that bastard Kirkford ever did or created.”
“Youwillovercome this,” Rosalinde whispered.
The door to the parlor opened and Gray entered, followed by Stenfax. Both women jumped to their feet, though for Rosalinde it was in relief. Elise was just surprised. Stenfax hadn’t seemed to want to see her again today, and yet he was here, staring at her evenly.
“Where in the world were you?” Rosalinde asked as she kissed Gray openly and rather shamelessly.
He let her for a moment, then pulled back with a grim look for Stenfax. “I’ll explain, but come with me. Stenfax must tell Elise something.”
Elise stiffened as she stared at him. Tell her something? That couldn’t mean anything good. Not when he looked slightly sick.
Rosalinde took Gray’s arm, giving Elise one last concerned look before they left the parlor. As they shut the door, Elise stepped toward Stenfax.
“Are you ending our engagement?” she whispered.
His lips parted in surprise. “No, Elise. Of course not.”
Relief flowed through her and she somehow managed to stay on her feet as her knees wobbled. Stenfax stepped closer, taking her elbow to steady her. That touch spread warmth through her entire body, and she looked up at him slowly.
