Page 22

“I could use your assistance, James.”

“Of course, my lord.”

“My mare is without. She’s traveled a good distance tonight and will need a rub down, some food, and water.”

“I’ll see to her myself,” James said. His brow creased. “But if you don’ mind me saying so, my lord, you look like you could use some help yerself.”

Jonas managed a weak smile. “You think so, do you?”

James cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Bella birthed her foal not more than an hour ago. Seein’ as mother and baby are gettin’ along well, I sent the lad who was helpin’ me back up to the loft to get some rest. I’m at yer disposal if you need me.”

Somewhere in the fog that was his brain, Jonas knew that he should be delighted by the news of a healthy new foal, but instead, he could focus only on his good fortune in finding James alone in the stable. “I would happily entertain any suggestions you may have on how I could enter the house unnoticed,” he said.

“Well, that takes us back a few years, don’t it?” James’s impish grin was just the same. “I reckon you might use the same method we used afore.”

Jonas stared at him. It should not be this hard to think. He had vague memories of arriving at the servants’ entrance late for dinner because he and James had dallied too long at the river. The housekeeper, Mrs. Beecham, had whisked him away, through the kitchen, up the servants’ stairs, and into his bedchamber without his parents being any the wiser.

“Mrs. Beecham? Won’t she be asleep at this hour?”

“I daresay,” James said. “But if we can rouse her, I’m thinkin’ she’ll be yer best bet for getting you indoors on the sly.”

Jonas rubbed his forehead. “On the sly? If I didn’t know better, James, I’d think you’ve been associating with thieves and scoundrels.”

James chuckled softly. “Yes, my lord.”

Jonas caught sight of his sleeveless coat and offered a chagrined look. “You could say the same, I realize, but it’s not quite what it seems. Nevertheless, the fewer who set eyes on me in this state, the better.”

“I understand, my lord.” His gaze shifted to Jonas’s arm. “And I’d say the sooner you have that injury looked at, the better as well.”

Jonas grunted his agreement. “Any ideas on how we might attract Mrs. Beecham’s attention?”

James raised an eyebrow. “Do I have yer permission to climb the ivy?”

“All the way to the attic?”

“I’m not that much bigger than I was the last time, and the housekeeper’s bedchamber hasn’t changed.”

Under normal circumstances, Jonas would never agree to have one of his employees scale the manor’s three-story-high walls. But this was not a normal circumstance, and time was not his ally.

“If the vine begins to give way, you are to abandon your scheme immediately. It won’t do to have both of us laid up like this.”

James grinned. “I’ll be up and down again in a jiffy.”

Lacking the wherewithal to argue, Jonas moved to follow him out. “If you fall, I may not be fit enough to come to your rescue, but I will rouse the servants no matter my condition.”

“You just head for the servants’ entrance, my lord. I’ll ’ave Mrs. Beecham there in no time.”

With efficiency born of experience, James brought the horse into the stable, led her into the nearest empty stall, and with a second promise to return quickly—this time directed at the travel-weary mare—he took off across the courtyard at a run. Moving more like an aged member of the House of Lords, Jonas followed after him. By the time he reached the manor’s rear wall, James was nowhere to be seen, but the loud rustle of leaves coming from high above told him that his head groom was making short work of the climb.

Jonas leaned heavily against the wall. Rapping, followed by the creak of a window being opened and urgent whispered voices filled the silence. Then the rustling started again, and vibration quivered down the ivy vine at his back. Suddenly, there was a thump, and James landed on his feet beside him.

“She’s comin’ down right away.”

“I’m most grateful.”

James grinned again, his teeth shining white in the moonlight. “Not too shabby for bein’ outa practice.”

The scrape of a bolt being drawn back on the nearby door drew their attention. The door opened a crack.