Dominic picked up an old china beer mug and examined it. “I wonder why this is here. Seems in perfect order.”
She took it from him and turned it upside down in her slender capable fingers, and with the hint of a smile, showed him the crack in the bottom.
With a grin, he opened the doors of a French wardrobe. It was empty, and he moved on. He discovered more papers in a bureau drawer. Sitting on a satin chaise lounge, he examined them.
She came over to him. “What are they?”
“Sit down, and I’ll show you.” He patted the seat beside him, stirring dust.
She shook her head. “As I don’t wish to change my dress, I’ll remain standing.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “It’s only a little dust.”
She ignored him. “Are they of interest?”
He shuffled the papers, glancing through them. “Letters, years old. I’ll keep them to read later.”
She turned back to the wardrobe where she’d pulled out a bundle of clothes and made a neat pile. No doubt with something in mind for them.
Did she fear he’d have her in his arms once she sat down? He smiled. Chaises had a well-earned reputation for assignations.
A half-hour later, they’d searched a third of the attic space. Olivia eased her shoulders, then consulted her watch. “It’s four o’clock. I must go down.”
Dominic wiped his hands with his handkerchief. “We’ll continue at the same time tomorrow. Thank you for your assistance, Miss Jenner.”
She shook out her skirts, then took his arm to descend the small rickety stairs to the next floor.
While she continued down the servants’ stairs to the kitchen, he remained to examine the stair treads, searching for some sign of where his uncle fell. It didn’t take him long to find the rusty blood stains splattered over a step and the banister. He went slowly up again, then down once more, checking to see if he’d missed something that might have caused his uncle to trip. Nothing. Had Uncle Alberic become distracted and lost his footing? Dominic accepted he might never know what happened.
He made his way to the gallery floor and down the grand staircase, crossing the great hall. A man stood in the entry.
Dominic hurried in.
“Your footman has gone to find you, Dom.” George greeted him with his infectious grin. “So, you’re still above ground? I grew worried when you failed to return to London. I expected you to grow tired of this place by now.”
“What are you doing in these parts?” Dominic embraced him, surprised and pleased to see a familiar, friendly face. “Come into the library. I can offer you an excellent cognac.”
They crossed the great hall. His dapper cousin brushed dust from his sleeve as he looked around. “Bit of an ancient relic, isn’t it? I thought so on my last visit.”
“I wasn’t aware you’d been here.”
George turned to look at him. “I’m sure I mentioned it. I’d hoped Uncle Alberic would remember me in his will.”
“Yes, so you did.” Dominic opened the door for him to enter the library. “But I assumed you’d written to him.”
“He wouldn’t have read a letter from me.” George cast himself down in a leather armchair. “Had a few loose screws, Uncle Alberic.”
Dominic turned from the drinks tray. “I’m interested to hear how you found him.”
“Not much to tell. He didn’t accept who I was at first. Then viewed me as one of his blood-sucking, distant relatives. Rude old fellow told me to get out. So, I did. Hell of a long way to come to be treated like an outcast.”
Dominic handed him the cognac, surprised his uncle had acknowledged George at all. “From what I hear, that sounds about right for the old earl.”
“But what are you still doing here, Dom? You can’t enjoy it. No decent society and the accommodation is somewhat shoddy.”
“It’s improving.” Dominic felt obliged to defend the old house. “The company is thin, I grant you. My fault. I’ve been caught up with the estate.” He thought briefly about Miss Jenner. “And now you’re here.”
George chuckled. “Good shooting? Stables well stocked?”
