Her heart instantly thumped in her chest. It was amazing how Alister could make all the ugliness of the past three years with Roger melt away by a simple glance. Reluctantly, she returned to the subject at hand. “Whatwereyou hoping to find?” she amended.
“A map of Weston Manor.”
Lyra blinked. That certainly hadn’t been what she’d been expecting. “Why?”
“I think whatever Roger was trying to hide is hidden somewhere on the estate grounds.”
“Like what?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m not even sure if my theories are correct, but when I compare the numbers on the cipher to the information in Repton’s horticulture book, I can’t find a connection.”
She frowned. “Then how do you even know they’re related?”
“Because if I’m right, then the clue doesn’t lie inside the book at all, but rather it’s the book itself.”
“How?” Lyra breathed.
“Sketches and Hints on Landscape Gardening?” He shook his head before going on to explain further. “The title itself is a giveaway. Then, of course, there are the illustrations that Repton included to showcase his talent. While Weston Manor isn’t included among the drawings, I would imagine Repton was paid a tidy sum to omit it.”
“I had no idea Roger could come up with such a complex strategy.”
Alister lifted a brow. He had a theory on that as well, but he didn’t voice it. “Considering he was likely trying to protect treasonous secrets, it’s no surprise what some people can accomplish when faced with prison or the rope.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “The problem I’ve found is that without a map of the property, we have no way of knowing if what I suspect is true.”
Lyra was silent for a moment before she said, “While Repton may not have added our gardens in his book, hedidsketch a design.”
Alister stilled. “Do you have any idea what happened to it?”
“Of course.” She smiled slowly. “It’s in Roger’s safe at Weston Manor.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“You got in rather late last night.”
Lyra had her teacup halfway to her lips before it paused mid-air. She calmly took a sip before she set it back on the saucer and turned her full attention on her mother. By the considering look Lavinia wore, Lyra was not going to be able to avoid the issue. At least they wouldn’t have to worry about being overheard, for most of Lord and Lady Harville’s guests had concluded their breakfast and dispersed to find other activities.
“I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to go to the greenhouse to look around.” At least it wasn’t a complete lie, although she thought it best to leave out the part about how she hadn’t been alone.
Unfortunately, her mother was not so discreet.
“I know you were with the duke.”
When there was a decided pause, Lyra merely replied, “I see.”
She didn’t know what else Lavinia expected her to say, for she certainly wasn’t going to blatantly admit that she’d run off to partake in a torrid midnight affair with Alister—or that they were embroiled in a delicate case that involved her husband and possible treason against the Crown.
“I am a grown woman, Mother,” Lyra finally said when it was apparent Lavinia was waiting for some sort of explanation.
“That may be, but you are also a recent widow. There might be talk—”
“I don’t care.” To soften her words, Lyra reached out and took her mother’s hands in her own. “I don’t mean to be crass or indecent. Truly. But after a lifetime of loneliness and heartbreak, if I choose to indulge in a few moments of stolen happiness now, please don’t condemn me for it.”
Lady Eversleigh’s face promptly fell. “You know nothing good can come of this,” she whispered harshly.
Lyra glanced down at their intertwined hands. “I know, but I can’t seem to stop myself.”
Lavinia sighed heavily. “Your father had that same effect on me.”
It wasn’t often that Lyra heard her mother talk about the former Lord Eversleigh, for it was a sour subject. Not only was he unfaithful during their marriage, but he dared to flaunt his indiscretions in front of her. Unfortunately, it was those sins that eventually brought about his downfall and caused a rift within the family. After his death, in which her mother carefully concealed the sordid truth of his demise from the public eye, she grew cynical, becoming the cause for Roarke and Mara’s separation for seven years.
