“I’m ashamed to admit Iwanted you from the first moment I saw you,” she saidsimply.
“And I you.” He drew in abreath. “Are you sure, Ashley?”
“Yes. I’ve had enoughsadness in my life.” She placed a hand on her breast which rose andfell with each quick breath. “I need something vital, alive, towarm me. I’m cold, Jack.”
He pulled her down onto the softcarpet. “We will create our own fire tonight.”
She cradled his cheek in her hand.“And tomorrow?”
“We’ll deal with tomorrow,tomorrow.”
Sometime later, he buttoned her dress,regretting losing sight of her lovely body. She was an exciting andabandoned lover although she had admitted her knowledge oflovemaking was limited. As they’d lain quietly while their breathsslowed she’d told Jack about her marriage. Lambourne had been herbest friend. They’d shared an interest in art, he an excellentpainter, but they had not often shared a bed. Then Jack had triedto put into words the reasons behind his need fortravel.
Ashley rang for coffee for him and hotchocolate for her and they returned to her father’s correspondence.She smiled at him and put a hand to her mouth to smother a yawn.“I’m not sure I can let you go on your journey now.”
Jack was reluctant to think of leavinghere but knew he must. They sifted through his lordship’sletters.
They found nothing. The last was fromLord Caindale stating he would call at Ivywood as soon as theyreturned from Paris.
“Did your father keep adiary?”
“Yes, I’m sure he did. Itwill be here somewhere.” She searched the valise, then turned itupside down.
“Give it to me.”
Jack checked inside. “Might besomething beneath the lining.”
He felt all around the interior.“Nothing there.”
Turning the bag upside down heexamined the bottom. Pressed the metal studs. Suddenly a falsebottom opened. A black leather-bound book fell out.
Ashley put her hands on her cheeks.“Heavens!” She came to lean over his shoulder as he turned thepages. He pulled her down onto his lap and moved the candelabracloser. As she leaned her soft fragrant body against him, they readit together.
Lord Butterworth wrote that he’duncovered a plot to assassinate Napoleon Bonaparte. He did notexplain how it was to be carried out. The general was to bepoisoned. Two men, Lord A and a Mr. W. were underlined with aquestion mark. But their involvement in the affair was notrecorded.
“I remember hearing ofBonaparte’s final words when he drew up his last will andtestament,” Jack said. “He said his death was premature,assassinated by the English oligopoly and their hiredmurderer.”
“His death wasn’t fromnatural causes?” Ashley tensed against him. “Something did happenin France. Father’s manner changed. He became distant andpreoccupied.”
“Who would he have confidedin do you think?”
“Lord Caindale. He visitedus in Paris.”
“Do you think your fathertold him?”
“They were closeted in thebookroom for some hours. And then we returned to England. Fatherwent to see someone in the government before we leftLondon.”
“Did he say who itwas?”
“No.”
He slipped an arm around her waist andstood to help her to her feet. “You’re exhausted. You must go tobed. There’s nothing more we can do about this now.”
“Yes, you’re right Jack. Ionly hope Uncle George is safe.”
“There’s a good chance heis,” Jack said.
~~~
