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Served the countess right for hiring a novice for such a gruesome task.

“I’ve asked my friends to act as sentries, Morris.” Broden gestured to Kendra to help herself to the tea cart’s contents.

Ah, so he had heard her stomach’s relentless complaining.

“We’ve reason to believe an assassin is nearby,” he said.

The butler’s jaw slackened, and his eyes rounded for only a second before he composed his features. “May I ask if the children are any danger?”

Broden had liked the stuffy chap from the onset, but that his first concern was for the lasses raised him higher in his estimation.

“We dinna believe so, but it wouldna hurt to assign yer most trusted footmen to guard the nursery. Men who are loyal to me.” An unspoken message passed between him and the majordomo.

“Just so, my lord.” A flicker of understanding sparked in Morris’s eyes, and he dipped his head. “You are aware of the secret passageways in the house?”

“Aye, though I’ve no’ toured them myself, as yet.”

Secret passageways?

Not unusual in larger mansions or castles. Throughout history, people had used those sorts of passages for everything from clandestine assignations to smuggling or spying.

Kendra inspected the study more thoroughly. Were there any in here?

“One leads directly from her ladyship’s bedchamber to a hidden panel in the library,” Morris offered.

Broden jerked his full attention to the prim servant. “The library? Next door?”

“Indeed, my lord.” Did Morris’s lips twitch the merest bit?

Was that a glow of triumph in his placid gaze?

He’d seen to it her ladyship met with her comeuppance.

Another reason to treat servants with respect and dignity. They knew absolutely everything that went on in a household, and far better for them to be one’s allies than foes. Something the countess would’ve done well to practice.

Broden tore to the study door, calling beneath his breath, “Follow me. Morris, have my men at the ready outside the library’s exits.”

“Yes, my lord.” The staid fellow practically flew down the passageway. This was probably the most exciting misadventure he’d ever participated in.

Definitely no love lost between him and the countess. The truth was, from what Kendra had witnessed of the woman, she’d behaved like an abusive virago.

“There are three doorways into the library, plus the hidden passage,” Broden said as they rushed along. “One leads to this corridor. Another provides an escape onto a terrace paralleling the lawns and gardens. And another very small door is situated on the far side of the upper gallery. I presumed it led to an attic or storage area of some sort.”

What if they were too late?

Had the countess flown already?

Once outside the library, Broden lifted a large finger to his lips. “If she’s already inside or in the passage, we dinna want to alert her.”

Kendra’s heart beat wildly in her breast.

Perhaps the countess would attempt to send a message to Oswald. Surely if she were working in conjunction with him, she knew his whereabouts. The despicable weasel.

Broden cautiously depressed the handle, and the well-maintained door slid open without a sound. He turned sideways and leaned to peer into the room. Lifting his hand, he motioned them forward.

“’Tis empty,” he whispered.

Not more than fifteen minutes had passed since Lady Montforth had stormed from the study. Nonetheless, Kendra worried her lower lip, afraid they’d missed her. Well, even if she had sneaked out to send a message, she’d have to come back.