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“Why?”
“Because I am more determined than ever to do the right thing by you. The law may have scant regard for your rights, but my sense of honor will not allow me to compromise you further than you have already been compromised.”
“But my reputation would be past saving at this point, Deo, if people knew the truth.”
“That’s irrelevant. I do know. Don’t argue with me, please, Em, I am fixed on this, and you won’t change my mind.”
“Very well,” she said meekly and leaned in to kiss him. He kissed her, unable to resist; the temptation of her was overwhelming. He broke the kiss and tipped her off his lap, determined to do the right thing if it killed him.
“Go and dress. I’ll see you at breakfast,” he said gruffly.
She nodded, moving toward the bedroom door. She paused and looked back. “Thank you,” she said softly and slipped from the room, closing it behind her.
He sighed, closing his eyes. He loved her so much his chest ached with it. This would all be sorted in a couple of days. Then they could be comfortable.
*
After breakfast they repaired to the library to continue their work on the finds, and it took Emily all of five minutes to notice her sketchbook was missing.
“Deo, did you move my sketchbook?”
“No,” he looked up from the desk. “Where did you have it last?”
“I’d swear I put it here,” she said, pointing to the pile of papers in the middle of the trestle table at which she was working. “Annis’s sketches from the excavation are here, but my sketchbook with all my drawings in it isn’t.”
“It must be here somewhere,” he said, rising to help her look. “Perhaps it fell on the floor and a servant picked it up and put it somewhere when they were cleaning?”
Half an hour later they were still unable to find it.
“Perhaps Annis or the duke took it to look at something?” offered Em, feeling very frustrated and a little put out.
“Unlikely, but we will ask,” said Deo, heading for the door.
They found Emrys and Annis in the schoolroom with the children. Neither had touched her sketchbook, and they were concerned that she couldn’t find it.
The duchess they found in the parlor with the housekeeper going over daily accounts and menus.
Deo said, “Sarah, can we have a word?”
“Of course, we were just finishing up anyway. Thank you, Mrs. Williams.” The housekeeper curtsied politely and left the room.
“What is wrong?” asked Sarah.
Deo frowned. “I’m not sure, yet. But Em’s sketchbook has gone missing.”
“Oh, that is odd. Do you think the servants might be responsible?
“I hope not. It may just have been misplaced, but so far we haven’t been able to find it.”
“Do you want me to ask the servants?”
“Not yet. I don’t wish to accuse anyone of anything without evidence,” said Deo.
“It truly may have just been misplaced. Perhaps I’ve misremembered where I put it,” said Emily.
“Rob wouldn’t have taken it, would he?” asked Deo.
“He didn’t mention anything, but we can ask him. Did you ask Emrys and Annis?”
