“Then I should tell you that Lord Harewood is worried that since he married your friend, Viscount Leighhall was not able to complete his plan against her. Since the viscount neverforgets what he considers a slight, Lord Harewood would like information on the lord to ensure he does not make any further attempt to hurt Lady Harewood’s character.”
Even as Anthony explained the situation, she felt herself burning with anger. Poor Dory was helpless in the situation and never invited the problem. It was a feeling she, herself, had felt many times. “Then have you determined what would make the errant viscount toe the line?”
Anthony pulled his head back, clearly surprised by her question. “I will not know that until I can determine what his secrets are.”
She cocked her head. “But if his secrets are only from a particular mistress, they would not be of great value. However, if he is concerned about his standing in Parliament, then learning a secret about that would be better. If we know what he values, then perhaps we can narrow our focus.”
“That is very true.” At his excitement, his horse shuffled, pushing into hers.
Quickly, she guided hers away before halting.
He moved closer once again. “That is something I need to think about. In the meantime, you did say that you have identified the strange weapon?”
Having completely forgotten about her research, she hastened to pull the sheets of paper from her vest pocket. “I have two possibles.” She separated the pages, holding out one in each hand for him to peruse.
“That’s it.” He pointed to the one in her right hand. “What is it?”
She looked at the paper. “That is a sword breaker.” She gave him the paper and folded the other one, returning it to her pocket.
“A sword breaker? I’ve never heard of this. What do you know of it?”
She pointed to the paper. “I know that some collectors are having these made, so it could be a question of whether it is from the seventeenth century, where it wasn’t used often, or if it was made in this century. It is amain gauche—left hand—weapon to be used when fighting with swords.”
He studied the drawing. “I can see how these cuts between the arrow-shaped steel separators could capture a sword, but can it actuallybreaka sword?”
She shrugged. “It is difficult to know. I imagine in the time period they were used, when swords were more likely to break, they could. However, capturing a sword is more advantageous than breaking one, as your opponent would be open to a thrust.”
He lifted his gaze to meet hers. “That’s true. I forget you have so much knowledge on weapons. So I have one last question for you about this. Why would someone obtain such a weapon?”
That was something she’d been thinking about as she galloped across the fields. “I believe it depends upon the age. If it is an authentic sword breaker, I imagine a person wishes it for a collection. I have seen two country estate houses since arriving here that have elaborate arms displays.”
“And if it was forged today?”
“If it is a new version of this old weapon, then it may be wanted for battle of some kind. It’s not for the purposes of a stealthy assignation, but rather a defensive weapon that also can serve in an offensive capacity if one were expecting to be attacked with a sword, which seems highly unlikely here.”
His gaze moved back to her drawing once more. “Unless it is not to be used here in England—or if it is, a challenge is expected to be thrown down.” He folded the paper along the creases she had made. “Thank you for this. You have given me much to contemplate.”
“Myself as well, especially as it pertains to Dory.”
He slipped the paper into a pocket in his own vest, which didn’t quite button over whatever he’d used for padding his torso. “I do not think it directly relates to Lady Harewood. So there is no need to worry.” Turning, he mounted up.
Quickly, she pulled herself up onto her own mount, so as not to be forgotten so quickly. “What is our next step?”
He stiffened, but he didn’t shake his head this time. “I don’t know, as I can only follow and watch for now. I will send you word when we can next meet.” He lifted the reins in his hands, turning his mount around.
She gave him a hard look and spoke in a strong tone. “Do not forget me,mon ami.”
At her French, he halted, turning his head to look at her. “I promise, I will not. You have already proven invaluable to me.”
Convinced he was sincere, she gave a nod. “Until then.”
She flicked the reins and headed back toward Silver Meadows with a new hope filling her. There had to be a wealthy merchant looking for a wife somewhere in Lord Leighhall’s travels, and if not, she’d just have to find out what the lord hid as soon as she possibly could. In the meantime, she would look forward to escaping the confines of the Belinda School for Curious Ladies.
As she came upon her groom, he mounted up. “Glad I am to see you, my lady.”
She bit her tongue and handed him another coin. “We’d best make haste if we are to get back to the stables without being seen.” She didn’t wait for him to acknowledge her statement, but sent her horse into a gallop across the field.
As soon as they arrived, she left her mount in the groom’s skilled hands and headed for the servants’ entrance. When she’d first arrived at Silver Meadows, she had chosen the room closest to the servant stairs. Her choice had proven well made morethan once. No one noticed one more servant in such a large household.
