He skillfully guided the horses around a sharp turn. “Nervous?”
“No. You handle your horses very well. You know, I used to drive Papa’s curricle.” She could refer to the past now with only a little sadness. She knew her father would rest easier if he could see how well things had turned out for her.
“Then you shall have your own vehicle.”
When they approached the house, she gazed at it with fresh eyes. No longer her place of employment, it would soon be her home. A magnificent one with the windows sparkling, the paths swept, the early drift of autumn leaves raked into piles and burned by the gardeners, smoke spiraling into the sky. She shivered. There was a distinct chill in the air.
Redcliffe assisted her down and tossed the reins to Jack, who had hurried out to greet them.
In the entrance hall, she took off her bonnet and pelisse, then she and Redcliffe climbed the stairs to the attic.
Once the door closed behind them, Redcliffe pulled her into his embrace. “Remember when we first came here?”
Resting against his chest, she listened to the rumble of his voice. “How could I not?”
“It was difficult to keep my mind on our search. I could think of nothing but you.”
She pulled away and attempted to frown, but smiled. “It was bad of you to bring me here without another servant to chaperone us.”
“You might have said no.”
She laughed. “How could I?”
“Did you want to refuse?”
“No. And you knew it.”
His thumb traced her bottom lip. “I believe I did.” He lowered his head and kissed her. With a soft moan, he drew her close again.
She pushed away from his arms. “Shall we examine the desk? The staff are waiting for us to come down. If we are gone too long, they will guess the reason.”
With a resigned nod, he gently put her aside and turned to the desk. “It must be this one. There’s nothing else here that fits Alberic’s description.” He knelt before the oak desk with the damaged leg. “But before, I found no evidence of a secret panel.”
He prodded the ornamentation along the top of the desk. “Nothing there.”
Olivia had found a small round protuberance among the carvings. “What’s this?” She pressed it. A panel fell open.
It revealed a locked door. “Well, look at that,” Redcliffe said. “No key. Give me a hairpin.”
Olivia pulled one from her hair and handed it to him.
He jiggled it in the lock. Minutes passed as she held her breath. Finally, a click. The door swung open. Three small document drawers occupied the space. They were too small to hold much of value. Redcliffe pulled each of them out. All of them were empty. “Nothing here. It’s not looking hopeful, is it?”
Disappointed, Olivia stepped closer. “What’s behind them?”
Redcliffe drew the three drawers out in one piece, revealing a large space behind.
Olivia gasped.
A cloth bag had been tucked inside.
Redcliffe drew it out. He untied the drawstring and upended the contents onto the desk. Jewelry, coins, and banknotes spilled over the surface.
He picked up a large ruby brooch, and she selected a long rope of beautiful gray pearls. A magnificent diamond tiara had lost its luster.
“I wish I could apologize for doubting my uncle. These are impressive.”
“No wonder Pike was so keen to find them.”
