“That’s a good plan. And that gives us time to enjoy the afternoon in another room, like maybe the dressing room?”
His body reacted at her suggestion, but he refused to be distracted. “No, it’s a good time to rest so you are awake when everyone is asleep.”
She gave him her perfected pout. “I’ll never be able to sleep.”
“Then I suggest you read. I will be rejoining the men after a little more exploration.”
When they reached the top of the stairs, she dropped her hand from his arm and strode purposefully toward their room. “Exploration? Surely, I can help with that.”
Despite enjoying her company, he didn’t wish to risk her again. She meant too much to him. “Nothing exciting. Just the rooms I haven’t explored yet.”
“Oh. Very well.” She remained silent until she reached the door. She opened it, stepped inside, and halted, immediately turning to face him. “You said you were concerned that Leighhall is a great friend of the regent and therefore untouchable.”
He quickly closed the door behind him, moving to his travel trunk and opening it. “Yes. My fear is that if he is such a good friend, no matter what we discover about him, it won’t makea difference. I’ve never failed at providing my client with what they need, but if Leighhall is so well favored, there will be nothing to stop him from ruining Lady Harewood’s reputation.”
“Then why hide the weapons? If he truly is so protected, why not display them? He had the gun case in that small room. What’s different about the ones in his weapon room that he won’t show anyone, nor even let any servant in to clean it?”
Even as she made her point, hope rose in his chest. “That’s true. But we don’t know that he doesn’t allow a servant in. You only heard that through rumor.” He rummaged through his shaving case to pull out three keys, pocketing them before closing the trunk.
She wrinkled her nose before turning and walking further into the room, pulling off one of her gloves. “That’s true. It was terribly clean, from what I noticed. I could see that burly butler being allowed in. He looks as if he’d die protecting Leighhall.”
“Still, your point is sound. Why not display such a unique collection?”
She pulled off her other glove, palming her dagger. “Are they illegal here in England?”
He’d asked that very question of Mr. Stochbury at Talley on the Green, and at the time, none of the ones he knew of were outlawed, just out of use.
At the thought of Stochbury and his promise to introduce Lissa to the man, he stiffened. How could he possibly keep that promise now?
“Anthony?”
“Yes?” He found her standing by the bookcase. He’d completely lost track of their conversation.
“I asked if any of those weapons were illegal here in your country.”
“No. So again, why hide them? They are of no particular value.”
She pulled a book from the shelf and turned back to face him. “Then maybe they are stolen?”
Her explanation made the most sense, but even then, the regent would protect the viscount unless he’d stolen them from the king himself, which was unlikely, since the king had little interest in weapons. Now, the regentdidenjoy collecting weapons, which only made the connection between the two men that much stronger. “That may be the case, but even then, it would not be enough to keep Leighhall at bay.” He turned back toward the door. “I’m going to search his rooms. Maybe I’ll find something there that will aid us in our quest.”
“Are you sure you don’t wish me to accompany you? I may notice something you don’t.”
Even as she said the words, he had to tamp down a harsh refusal. He’d seen the way Leighhall’s gaze had latched on to Lissa. The last place he wanted her was in the man’s bedroom. “No, it’s better that I go. If we are both caught there, we will have broken one of Leighhall’s rules about exploring other bedrooms. It would not go well for us, I’m sure.”
She cocked her head as if trying to find another excuse to leave with him, but finally she sighed. “Very well. You go.” She waved him toward the door. “I shall see what folly Lady Fancy falls into.”
“I’ll look forward to hearing all about it.” He opened the door before the actual acts that might be described in such a book had him halting. “Or maybe not.” He quickly stepped out to the sound of her laughter.
What was he going to do about Lissa? Even as he walked toward the stairs, he tried to answer that question, but as he crossed the landing and moved up the steps to the other corridor of bedrooms, he didn’t have an answer.
A doorway opening behind him had him plastering himself against the wall. As Maria and her benefactor strolled towardthe staircase, he let out his breath. Now was not the time to be musing over Lissa. He needed to be alert in case Leighhall or the man’s valet decided to go to his room.
After the couple descended the stairs, Anthony moved quickly to the last door on the right. He tried turning the knob, but it was locked. Taking a ring of three skeleton keys from his waistcoat pocket, he inserted one into the lock. It took a few minutes and the second key, but finally there was a soft click and he turned the knob, slipping into the room.
Turning around, he found the bedroom appointed like any other viscount’s. Its wallpaper was gold with trees and bushes. The four-poster bed curtains were a dark-golden velvet, and the window curtains, which were partially open, illuminated two chairs at a small table on one side and a wingback chair before the fireplace. There were two armoires and a chest of drawers as well as a table for shaving.
Moving toward the bed, he found no manacles or devices, but that wasn’t what he searched for. On the bedside table there was a note, and he quickly unfolded it. It was nothing more than Leighhall’s mother informing him of her next visit. Studying the room, he saw nothing untoward about it, and everything was in its place except for the note.
