Though it was incredibly difficult, since she looked so beautiful, like a porcelain figurine of the most delicate mold. The only difference being that the cold porcelain figure would be pale white and cold to the touch. Lissa, as always, had sun-kissed skin, though much lighter than when they were in France, and she was warm with anyone she considered a friend.
It was not easy to equate the rough, young boy she had appeared to be, though he’d known her a young lady, with the beautiful and tantalizing woman sitting next to him now. When she’d first stepped into the parlor, he’d been stunned at the exquisite beauty of what he thought a new acquaintance, every part of him appreciating the view. Her black, silky hair, no longer short, was caught up behind her head, so it framed her delicate face, accentuating her high cheekbones, small, sharp nose, and dark-brown eyes. But now he couldn’t see her eyes, as she stared at her hands as if she’d hadn’t heard him. He resisted the urge to lift her chin, as he would have never done so in the past.
She finally lifted her head of her own accord, her dark eyes filled with sadness. “I appreciate your effort. I tire of being what I am supposed to be. I wish desperately to put on pantaloons and live my life in the country somewhere.” She shook her head. “But I know that cannot be.” Her gaze drifted away, as if she dreamed often of such a place.
He did not like seeing her spirits so low. Even in war-torn France, he’d never witnessed her in such melancholy. Her vibrancy was dampened here, and it was difficult to accept. “Then perhaps you could help me with my current investigation.”
Her gaze snapped back to his and her eyes lit with the old fire he remembered. “Oh,oui. I would like that very much.” She grabbed his forearm. “Do tell me how I can be of assistance.”
Pleased that she’d overcome her despondency at his suggestion, he glanced at the duchess to see that she’d taken up a book and was happily reading. He leaned toward Lissa, the scent of apple filling his nostrils, reminding him of their close friendship. “I have seen an odd weapon and need to identify it, so I might ascertain what it could be used for.”
She cocked her head and squeezed his arm. “This is in regard to your work for Lord Harewood, no? Is it important to the safety of Dory?”
He stiffened at how quick she was in her deduction. Not necessarily pleased by it, but also not surprised. He answered carefully. “I am not sure yet how this weapon weaves into the threads of my investigation. Knowing more about it may help.”
“I see.” She let go of his arm. “Do you have a drawing of the weapon?”
“I don’t—I can tell you what it looked like, though my glimpse of it was not long, as it was transferred from one person to the other in a clandestine meeting.”
“Then it was not meant to be seen for some reason.” She paused as she thought. “Either it is to be used for nefarious purposes or it is not legal.”
“Or it could have been obtained without the owner’s knowledge.” He nodded, pleased at how quick she was to see the many facets of the situation.
“Tell me about it.” Her eyes seemed to darken with the intensity of her gaze.
Happy to have assistance, he held up his hands about a foot apart. “It was a long dagger, about this length, but not like any I’ve encountered before. There were large notches on one side of the blade about a finger width apart. There was some kind of pattern to the notches, but the lighting was faint. I wasn’t able to see it clearly. I’m postulating that the opposite side of the blade was sharp. The weapon had a cross guard and one side ring at the hilt. Does that sound like anything you know of?”
Lissa didn’t answer immediately, but she did roll her lips in as she thought, something he’d seen her do dozens of times in France—but this time it was different. He wasn’t sure if it was the dress or her age, but the movement had him waiting anxiously for her to release them, knowing her lips would appear redder. Finally, she let her lips return to their resting position, making her look like she’d just been thoroughly kissed. Unfortunately, it put the idea of kissing her into his head, an act that would probably horrify her.
“I do know of a couple of weapons that fit that description, but they are old, and not used anymore. If you could allow me to review my papers, I can sketch out the possibles, and perhaps you can identify which it is?”
He snapped his gaze from her lips to her eyes at her question. “That would be very helpful. You can send the sketches to Ravenridge. I visit with Lord and Lady Blackmore regularly.”
She shook her head. “Non. We meet in the forest between the estates. I want to see you again. Either we meet, or I cannot aid you.”
His gut tightened, but he wasn’t sure if it was with excitement or a warning. He had no doubt the limited physical activity at Silver Meadows was Lissa’s motivation. He could not in good conscience deny her. Besides, it did not appear he had anotheroption, beyond requesting Her Grace to allow him to comb through hundreds of books on weapons, which would take far too much time. It had taken him months of following Lord Leighhall to finally discover the man had other activities beyond bedding married and unmarried women. If there were more to be discovered, he did not wish to wait. “I am quite pleased to meet with you again, but you must be chaperoned.”
“Mon Dieu, not you too, Anthony. Do not speak to me about such idiocy. It is you and I. Friends. We need follow no such rules in the woods. We had no such chaperone when we looted the Grand Manse or filched the jewels from the Comte de Gondrin’s broken-down coach. Do not insult me so.”
As usual when she felt strongly, her French revealed itself. As much as he understood how hard her new life was for her, it was still best that she continue to live according to English Society decorum. “Very well, but you must bring a groom. I would not want anything to happen to you, or for you to fall and have no one about to aid you.”
She opened her mouth to argue, and he held up his hand. “No. I will not be gainsaid on this. Those woods housed the very man that shot me, and though he is gone, it only proves that no area can be deemed safe for a young, unmarried woman.”
Her bottom lip protruded a bit farther than her top as she met his steady gaze. “Very well. I shall bring a groom for appearances’ sake.” She shook her head. “There is so much more to life than appearances, but these English make them a priority. There are some things I will never understand.”
He frowned, not a little disturbed by her conclusion. “Surely before the war, you followed the dictates of the French gentry.”
She looked at him blankly as if she had no idea what he meant.
Understanding came to him. “Of course. I forgot that before the war you were most likely far too young to understand. Donot judge us English so harshly. We are not so far different from your French society.”
“I will try.” Though she didn’t smile, she did appear to relax. “It will take me a couple of days to thoroughly research this weapon. I will meet you at eight in the morning in the woods on the path that connects the two estates two days hence. We will solve this mystery.” Her shoulders straightened as if she were ready to vanquish any foe, which made him grin.
Though surprised by the early hour, he reminded himself that she was often out and about in France before the sun had even risen. “I very much appreciate your help.” He stood, prepared to take his leave.
Lissa jumped to her feet. “Do you not wish to stay for tea?”
Her eagerness to have him near touched him. The only other person to wish him near in the last decade had been Lord Blackmore, but now he had a wife, with a child soon to come. “I would very much like to stay in your company, but if we are not to meet for two more days, I must resume my investigation.”
