She gazed over the edge, then took a quick step back, moving away from him. “Could he have climbed up the ivy?”
“It’s possible. And gained entrance through a window in the guest wing.”
“There are no broken panes.”
“Could a window have been unlocked? Although Williams assured me they secured everything after the last break-in.”
Her eyes widened. “Someone broke in before?”
“Before I arrived.”
“We heard there were sightings of candlelight moving through the rooms after the earl died. It started the rumor of a ghostly presence.”
He stood aside as she stepped back into the attic.
“Surely this must absolve the staff,” she said as he ducked his head and entered after her through the low doorway.
How relieved she looked; and he wished he could tell her it did. “He’d have to be strong and agile to climb that creeper.”
“We are not short of such men in these parts.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Mm. Well, where shall we begin?”
She pointed. “I will start this end, and perhaps you could begin at the other?”
“No. Best we work together. If you find anything even remotely interesting, show me.”
“Very well. Some of this appears to have remained undisturbed for centuries.”
“The chests bear searching for anything my uncle might have stashed there, be it documents or this cache of jewels everyone believes we will find. The chests, desk drawers, bureaus, wardrobes, and the bedchamber furniture.” He pointed. “We’ll begin with those.”
She checked the locket watch she wore on a gold chain around her neck. “I’m needed downstairs at four o’clock.”
“At which time we will stop.”
He walked over to a large heavily carved oak desk, the legs gouged with deep cuts. He didn’t like to speculate on what had gnawed it. While she opened a chest, he pulled out drawers.
“This is full of old curtains.” She dragged one out and unrolled it. “A very fine damask in quite good condition, with only a few stains. What a waste.”
He smiled, admiring her practical nature as he opened the bottom drawer of the desk. A stack of yellowed paper was inside. His pulse quickened as he brought them out and spread them over the desk. “What have we here?”
She hurried over to him. “Is it important?”
He held the papers up to the light, catching a hint of her perfume. “I’m not sure what they are. The writing is too faint to read.” He shoved them back in the drawer. “Too old.”
“Oh.” With a sigh, she returned to the chest and pulled out another bundle of fabric. A metal box fell out of the roll and hit the floor with a bang.
Dominic moved to pick it up at the same time as Miss Jenner. They bumped into each other in their haste. Their eyes met and fingertips touched. Startled, they glanced at each other, then he chuckled. Her lips lifted in a smile.
“Allow me.” With the lingering sensation of her soft, fragrant body having brushed against him, he levered off the lid.
She peered inside. “Reels of cotton, needles, buttons, hooks, and eyes.” She put them to one side with the damask.
“What do you intend to do with those?”
“They will be useful. I’ll give these to the laundry maid. The maids’ dresses often require a needle and thread. The men’s clothing, too.”
They moved on, working silently, his gaze constantly drawn to her.
