“No, the servants talk too much. I don’t think the entrance would be from the library or billiard room.”
Lissa grabbed the foot post as she sat straighter. “So maybe the parlor or the dining room areas, usually the domain of a wife?”
Even as she said the words, her chest rose with excitement, which he couldn’t ignore. “Yes.” He forced his gaze upward. “Those are two excellent places to start.” Except the parlor was being used. “Let us investigate the dining room.”
She hopped off the bed. “If someone asks why we are there before dinner, we can simply say we were looking for it.”
“As I said, Leighhall invited us to explore, so no need for an excuse.” And if he needed one, he’d just pull her in for a kiss and no one would think twice…except maybe him.
Chapter Ten
Lissa ran herfingers along the gold wallpaper, hoping to find a crack or feel an airflow that didn’t belong, but so far nothing appeared out of the ordinary. That, however, didn’t dampen her spirits. Though they’d been investigating the room for nigh on two hours, she loved the mystery and the anticipation of discovery. Feeling like she did was how it had been in France. She craved a life such as that now as well. She just couldn’t give it up.
Even after hearing Delilah’s story, she nevertheless wished to move forward toward an independent future while still supporting her grandmother. If she had to, she could follow Delilah’s route for a short while, but as she had additional skills, she doubted that would be necessary.
“Have you found anything?” Anthony’s voice carried across the large room.
She answered as they had planned so no one would suspect. “You have hidden it too well.”
“I can’t find yours either.” He sighed. “I will not admit defeat yet.”
He sounded so sincere, she laughed. “Nor will I.” She continued running her hands along the wall until she reached a large china cupboard. The glass doors and mirrored back made it appear there was twice the amount of crockery inside. She gave it a cursory glance, as the china was unremarkable, andcontinued to the other side to lay her hand against the wall. That was when she noticed the cupboard was anchored to the wall. How odd. The piece was far too large to be moved without at least two men. There was no reason to anchor it.
Curious, she walked back to the other side to find it also anchored. Not a little confused, as it would be much easier to steal the china from inside than to take the cabinet, she crouched down to see if perhaps the legs were uneven, making it necessary to affix the furniture to the wall.
“What do you see?” Anthony’s voice had her looking over her shoulder.
“Nothing remarkable.” She was about to get up, but since she was already on the floor, she knelt down and looked beneath the furniture. Her breath caught at the sliver of an opening in the wall. She ran her gaze along the width of the cabinet and found another sliver. Reaching beneath it, she pressed her fingertips to the opening. Cool air met her skin, and she shivered. Could this be it?
Pulling her hand out, she sat back on her heels and studied the cabinet.
“What have you found?” Anthony stood above her, his voice low.
“I’m not sure.” She looked up at him. “Beneath this furniture, there are two breaks in the wall wide enough to be a doorway, but the china cupboard is affixed to the wall.”
He cleared his throat before offering his hand. “Here, let me help you up so we can investigate further.”
She took his hand and rose before studying the cabinet. “I think we should open it.”
“I agree.” He took hold of the knobs on the glass doors and opened the cupboard. “It looks like a typical china cupboard.”
She licked her fingers then ran them along the back in the area where the breaks in the wall were. She definitely felt air. “The back of this must open somehow.”
“Let me check.”
Not excited about stepping away, but well aware he had more experience with hidden doors, she backed up and let him move into the opening.
As he ran his hand along the back, she kept looking over her shoulder to make sure no one was about. But when she heard a click, she snapped her head around to see his hand beneath the shelf with a china tureen.
“I’ve got it.” His words were whispered, but the excitement in his voice was obvious. Slowly, he pulled, and the back of the cabinet shifted to the right, revealing the wall.
She looked over her shoulder again before whispering in his ear, “No one is near.”
She actually saw the shiver that raced up his back before he stepped forward and pushed against the wall. It didn’t budge. He ran his hand along one side and found a latch covered in wallpaper, but a keyhole could be seen if looked for. He pulled a slender lever, but it didn’t move.
She had pins in her hair she could use to unlock it. Her heart sped at the opportunity to explore further, but the sound of voices froze her. “Someone comes.”
She stepped back, prepared to cause a distraction while Anthony closed the hidden door.
