The viscount’s face shimmered in her mind, his image bringing comfort to her. And more. She felt safe.
She stood up, shock numbing her. How could this man affect her so? He was merely a pawn in a plan to free her father. Nothing more. She wouldn’t allow for more.
“Something troubles you,Beti?”
India turned to see Udaya’s troubled gaze resting on her.
“No. Nothing.”
Udaya rose and patted India on the shoulder. “I will be in the garden should you require my assistance. Kavi and I are breaking our fast there.”
India smiled and captured Udaya’s hand in hers. Giving it a light squeeze, she said, “Enjoy yourself. I am planning to visit Artemis this morning. I want to show him the bracelet.”
“His lordship bade me to tell you he would return later. He is at the docks seeing to the final details of our departure.”
“Thank you,” India murmured, guilty for the relief she felt. It would make it easier to speak frankly with Artemis if the viscount weren’t in attendance.
An hour later, India stepped from a hired carriage and hastened to the ramshackle door of Artemis’ book shop. She tapped impatiently and waited for him to answer.
The door opened jerkily and Artemis’ wrinkled face appeared. “What are you doing here again, gel? They’re watching. You should be more cautious.”
“If you aren’t interested in seeing Gabriel’s Bracelet, I’ll be on my way.” She had no patience for Artemis’ cranky yammerings today.
He wrapped gnarled fingers around her wrist and pulled her forward. “You have the bracelet?” he demanded, his eyes alight with excitement.
He poked his head out the door and scanned the street before slamming the door and securing a series of locks. He motioned her to follow him toward the back.
When they were seated at his desk below the bookshop, he leaned forward. “Show it to me.”
She pulled it from her trousers and held it out to him.
He lifted it reverently from her palm and ran his fingers over the rough surface. “So beautiful,” he murmured.
He glanced at her over the bracelet, his gaze piercing. “What’s this about your father being dead?”
She flushed. “I received a letter from him a few days ago. Until then I thought him dead.”
“And this journey, is it to uncover the city or is it to find your father?”
She sighed and leaned back wearily in her chair. “I am sure you know of my deception. The viscount asked for my help before I knew of my father’s captivity. I refused, but then I realized he was the key to finding my father.”
“So you are using him in order to travel to Spain and find Phillip.”
His words, so blunt and matter of fact made her wince. “Yes, I suppose that is the whole of it,” she muttered.
She tucked her hair behind her ears and fiddled with the ends. “I’ve pondered whether or not to just tell him the truth. He seems a decent man. Someone I could trust. Someone I want to trust. I can’t imagine he would allow my father to languish if he knew the whole story.”
Artemis nodded and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Yes, he does seem a good man. But have you considered that involving him any further would place him in grave danger?”
She sat up in alarm. No, she hadn’t considered the consequences of telling Ridge about her father and his abductor’s demands.
“I can see you haven’t,” Artemis said smugly.
He dug around in the piles of books and paper on his desk and drew out a stack of letters tied together with ribbon. He tossed them toward her, and they landed with a thud on the desk in front of her.
She looked questioningly at him.
“Go on and open them,” he directed. “I think you’ll find them interesting. I spent an entire night compiling them.”
