“I am happy with our arrangement, but will follow your preference,” she said.
“It was only that I heard you were to go to the country residence soon, so I thought we could discuss what will be required of you there.”
Returning to the country residence? Who had said that?
“I am unsure of what my plans are,” Evelyn said, biting her lip. It was an option, yes, but after last night, she had nearly forgotten it entirely.
“I understand how these marriages work,” the dowager duchess said in what was likely supposed to portray a kind manner. “If you ever need to discuss what it might look like, please do ask.”
That, Evelyn would most certainly never do.
“Well, I must find Asher,” she said, maintaining her forced smile, “Good day, your grace.”
With that, Evelyn turned, walking away as fast as she could without making it obvious that she was practically running.
She finally found Asher in the sitting room, and a slight thrill ran through her as she wondered whether he was waiting for her. The morning sun shone on him where he sat in the corner of the sofa, reading his newspaper, and highlighting the beautiful bone structure of his face.
She wasn’t sure that she would ever become used to it.
“Good morning,” he said, a smile lighting his lips when he saw her, and she had to fight the urge to run over and jump into his lap, to continue what had occurred between them last night.
Fortunately, she suppressed it.
“Good morning,” she said. “Verity was here.”
“I heard,” he replied, folding his newspaper and providing her with his full attention. “How was she today?”
“She was fine,” she said. “Verity is always fine.”
“Much like you.”
“I suppose,” Evelyn said, waving his words away, for she had much more important things to discuss. “She had a conversation with Lord Eastclere – her cousin.”
“Of course,” Asher said, leaning forward in interest.
“She told me something about the Paragon Diamond. Apparently, it contained a hidden chamber.”
“Within the diamond?”
“Yes. It was designed decades earlier within its setting, originally for notes regarding the diamond’s origin.”
“However…”
“However, the marquess believes that it might have later been used for other purposes, and he wonders if perhaps the reason the diamond was stolen was not for the diamond itself, but for what was hidden inside of it.”
“Which was what?”
“He didn’t know.”
“How could he not know?” Asher exclaimed. “It was in his possession.”
“She didn’t say. But she did note that only a select few knew about the compartment. Including your father and Lord Norwood, both of whom wanted the diamond.”
“Interesting,” he murmured.
“She also gave me this,” Evelyn said, pulling out the folded document from her skirts, laying it flat on the table before her.
It was a blueprint of the vault that had been sabotaged in the robbery.
