“Book code?” he asked, rising with a suppressed yawn and moving to Dane’s side. “What is that?”
“See how there are numbers here and also letters?” Dane said, pointing to the jumble of both slashed across the one and only page from the book that Stenfax and Gray had been able to retrieve months ago.
Asher nodded. “Yes, I see it. What does it mean?”
“It could be page numbers and line numbers from a book. The letters could be a coded positioning.” Dane leaned back and rubbed his eyes. “When Stenfax and Elise return from their outing, I’ll have to ask her what her late husband’s favorite book was. Not that the bastard sounded like a great reader.”
“It’s as good as an idea as any,” Asher said, returning to his place. “Where were they going today?”
“Felicity and her mother were hosting them and Gray and Rosalinde for tea.” Dane got up and paced away from the table. “Celia and I were also invited, but she made an excuse for me.”
Asher pressed his lips together.Hehad not been invited. Of course he hadn’t. Not by Lady Stenfax. And not by Felicity after last night.
“Mr. Seyton?”
Asher turned to find Stenfax’s butler in the doorway, a folded paper in his hand. “A message for you.”
Asher crossed the room and took the missive with a smile. He turned it over to open it and as he read, his stomach leapt to his throat. “It’s from Hendrix, my connection in Fitzgilbert’s household,” he said.
Dane was on his feet immediately. “What does it say?”
“Money is about to be on the move, if Fitzgilbert’s behavior is reflective of past times,” he said, handing it over. “We need to go now.”
Dane nodded and they made for the foyer. As they waited for their horses, Asher sent his friend a look. Dane was even more serious than ever. It was always that way when Fitzgilbert was mentioned.
“I haven’t brought it up, but it doesn’t mean I didn’t notice your behavior, and Gray’s, when I told you my father worked for Fitzgilbert twenty-five years ago,” Asher said softly.
Dane didn’t look at him. “I know you did.”
Asher waited for more explanation, but it didn’t come, and he let out a sigh of frustration. “You won’t say anything?”
“Not yet. Not now.” The horses were brought up and Dane turned toward him. “Iwilltell you my suspicions, Asher. I will. It is not for lack of trust, just for…I don’t want to cause you unnecessary pain. Nor my wife and her sister.”
Asher wrinkled his brow. He didn’t understand that cryptic message one bit. But this wasn’t the moment to push on it, so he simply swung up on his horse and followed Dane from the drive into the busy street.
If they were lucky, this entire situation would soon come to an end. And then he would be able to decide how to move forward. And what to do with his growing feelings for Felicity.
The courier delivering Fitzgilbert’s letter was easy to follow. He took his time, like nothing mattered. There was nothing anxious or driven about him.
“He’s just a hired man,” Dane mused as he and Asher followed him at a safe distance. “He isn’t deeply involved in whatever Roger Beckford is doing with the book.”
Asher nodded. “I happen to agree, but you’re the expert. Why have you come to this conclusion?”
Dane maneuvered his horse carefully, his gray eyes intensely focused. “There’s no urgency to him. He’s being paid to carry a letter, he has no idea what’s in it, no stake in what happens to it once it’s delivered.”
“That was my observation, as well.” Asher gripped the reins tighter. “Look, he’s turning there.”
The other man had angled his horse off the main street and into an alleyway that went behind a worn down tavern.
“That’s the Hunted Rabbit,” Dane said. “A lowly place, but not known for criminal activity. Come on, let’s see what we can find.”
They turned their horses down the same alley, but hung back in the shadows of the building. Farther up, the courier got off his animal and climbed a rickety ladder that was attached to the backside of the building.
Dane marked where he stopped and whispered, “Third floor. Fifth door on the right from where the staircase would be inside.” Asher gave his friend a look and Dane shrugged with a sheepish smile. “Training dies hard. Come on, let’s go in.”
They tied their horses in the alleyway. Asher looked down at himself, at his fine clothing. “I’m going to stand out,” he muttered.
Dane was already stripping off his own jacket, tearing away his cravat and generally making himself rougher. “Good,” he said. “That will play in our favor. You go in first and head to Beckford’s room. You have a gun, yes?”
