He lifted his gaze to the servants’ rooms and the attics above him. Why go up there? Could his uncle have hidden his valuables in the attic? Seemed a strange place to choose. Or was he rambling and half out of his mind?
Dominic brushed a leaf from his sleeve. Why hide them anywhere? If he was concerned about a thief, it was far easier to place any monies and valuables mentioned in his will with the trusted family solicitor.
He left the fountain and crossed the stone paving. As Alberic did not get on with Dominic’s father, might he have hidden his money out of spite? But his father was already dead. Would his uncle’s animosity extend to his son? Who knew what went on in a deranged mind?
Leaving the courtyard, he walked along the neat garden paths. Miss Jenner was right. There would be quite a show next spring. Would he be here to see it? Or would all this change his plans and drive him back to Town? He shook his head. He wouldn’t leave until he had some answers.
What caused the rift between the two brothers? Whatever it was about, it lasted the rest of their lives. A sudden desire to know sent him striding to the house. He would write immediately to his sister, Evelyn.
Michael stood at the open door. With a nod, Dominic passed through into the great hall. He paused in the ancient lofty space. A rabbit warren of passages lay behind the walls of this old house, designed for servants to tend to their chores without intruding on the family. His father had mentioned hidden doors leading to secret rooms. Even a priest’s hole was built during the reign of Elizabeth I when Catholics were persecuted. It hadn’t interested him at the time, but now, with an intruder revealing some knowledge of the house, he needed to do some investigation of his own.
On entering the library, he walked along the walls of bookshelves, trailing a hand over the polished oak. No hidden doorway opened at his touch.
He dropped his hand and turned back into the room. He didn’t have time for this. Miss Jenner would join him in a thorough search of the attics tomorrow. A start, but with a house this size, it could take him until Christmas to cover it all.
*
While Olivia wentabout her chores, her mind remained fixed on the afternoon’s meeting in the attic with Redcliffe. Why had he chosen her instead of a footman? Admittedly, Jack was not well enough, but Michael…she shook her head. Her pulse leaped at the thought and her breath quickened. Even while she struggled against his allure, her spirits rose at spending time with him alone.
She’d never felt like this. So up and down and unsure of herself. She considered herself to be a steady sort of person, not one to be in danger of succumbing to a rake’s charm. If she had understood herself, her weaknesses, would she still have come here? Of course, she would have. She was being nonsensical. All thoughts of him must stop, she told herself with a mental shake.
“Polly, there’s a coal smudge you’ve missed on the marble.”
“Sorry, Miss Jenner.”
She simply had to come to Redcliffe Hall. It was the only way open to her for a safe future, and she was perfectly able to withstand anything the earl threw at her.
Polly looked up from gathering her cleaning cloths. “Is the mantel clean, now, Miss Jenner?”
When Olivia failed to answer, the maid stared at her with surprise.
Olivia gathered her wits together. “Oh, yes, Polly. You’ve done well. We must move on. There’s much to do before luncheon.” She glanced around the guestroom she’d just searched. If she’d discovered the missing valuables or the old earl’s letters, it would have put an end to all this. The mystery solved would stop the thieves. It would also stop the staff muttering darkly among themselves, as they had at breakfast. And there would have been no necessity to search the attics with Redcliffe tomorrow either. Now, why wouldn’t that please her? Vexed with herself, she left the room.
Chapter Eleven
Alighted lanternin his hand, Dominic climbed the short flight of steps that led from the top floor to the attics. He opened the door, holding the lantern aloft. The light revealed a cavernous room smelling of mice and dust, and crammed with aged rugs rolled up against the walls and furniture from a century ago, or older.
He made his way to a door at the far end that gave access to a section of the roof. Opening it, he allowed fresh air to flow in, though it did little more than stir the dust motes. He stepped out into the humid air. The slates glistened in the sun from an earlier shower of rain.
Could the intruder have entered the house this way? Three stories from the ground it seemed unlikely. Dominic walked to the edge and looked down over the low parapet. A rope-like creeper covered most of this wall and the west wing. Damn, he had not considered this possibility when he’d searched for the intruder’s means of entry. A sure-footed man might climb up the creeper to the guest wing and enter through a window. Miss Jenner first saw a light in one of those bedchambers. He would have the locks checked on all the windows.
At the thought of her, Miss Jenner appeared in the doorway. Concern creased her smooth forehead.
“Ah, there you are.” He had the absurd desire to say something amusing, to make her smile. She was so earnest, that she would think him mad.
The maid’s apron she wore, tied snugly around her waist, offered a pleasing image of her womanly curves. He cleared his throat. “I have made an interesting discovery.”
A keen light brightened her eyes. “What is it?”
He offered her his hand. “Come and I’ll show you.”
“Out there?”
“Yes. You won’t fall. I’ll hold onto you.”
She stared at him uncertainly, hesitating before she put her hand in his and allowed him to help her out onto the narrow walkway.
He released her hand but took hold of her arm. It felt oddly right to be here beside her, to be touching her. Their eyes met, and for a moment, he thought she might pull away. “Look down. What do you see?”
