Sins, Secrets and Spies, page 5
“Don’t you believe in knocking?” he demanded. “I assume-“
“The police are here,” she exclaimed, interrupting him as she closed the door. “I know where to put you, but we don’t have much time.”
“What did they say?”
“What did they say?” she repeated, incredulous he wasn’t thanking her for the warning, or hurrying to finish dressing. “That they were looking for two strangers, and a carriage had crashed, or rather, there’d been an accident.”
“You must hide us,” he declared, swiftly donning his shirt.
As they’d been speaking, the count had dashed into one of the bedrooms and returned carrying a suitcase. Verity noticed there was a second bag sitting by the couch.
“Follow me,” Verity said urgently.
Moving back towards the door, she did a quick check of the hallway, then signaled for them to follow.
Leading them to the end of the passageway, she turned down a wide hallway, and stopped outside an arched door. Pushing it open, she entered the bedroom she’d once shared with Jack. All the furnishings were covered with white sheets, and refusing to yield to any nostalgic feelings, she walked swiftly across to the fireplace.
“You’ll be safe here!”
Turning the head of one of the concrete lions guarding the hearth, a panel in the wall slid open to reveal a secret room.
“When I close it up you’ll be in pitch black, but there’s no time to fetch a lantern. You’ll just have to wait until I return.”
“Thank you,” Dantae said, gratefully. “I’ll not forget this.”
“Thank me later,” she said, panic starting to set in. “The police may be on a tour of the house with Lambert as we speak. Constables can be surprisingly persistent.”
“Not too persistent, I hope,” Dantae muttered as the two men hurried past her into the dark chamber.
Turning the lion’s head she watched the panel close, and pausing for a second to catch her breath, she headed out the door. As she turned down the hallway that would take her to the stairs, she could hear voices, and reaching the gallery she stopped to look over the balcony. The two constables were still speaking with Lambert.
“I’m sure Lady James will be down shortly,” Lambert said firmly. “I don’t feel the need to have someone fetch her.”
“What is it, Lambert?” she asked, starting down the stairs. “Has something happened?”
“Ah, my lady, it appears a carriage was found disabled on the main road last night. These officers have been dispatched to find the owners.”
“So early?” she remarked as she walked across to join them. “Who discovered it, and why this urgency?”
“Not sure, your Ladyship. We were just told to find the owners,” one of the policemen replied. “I’m Sergeant Jones, and this here is Constable Dobson.”
“Welcome to my home,” she said graciously. “I’m always happy to help the police.”
“Have you seen any strangers wandering in these parts?”
“I’m barely out of bed. Lambert, have we had any strangers come to our door this morning?”
“As I have told the officers, no, nor have I seen any strangers on the grounds.”
“What about below stairs?” the younger Constable Dobson asked. “Maybe they came to the back door.”
“Possibly,” Verity said, “but if one of the staff opened the door to a stranger, they’d inform you, wouldn’t they, Lambert?”
“Of course. They’d be in trouble if they didn’t.”
“There was that awful storm,” she said thoughtfully. “Whoever was in the carriage must have found shelter somewhere. I’d try some of the other homes nearby. There’s the Peabody estate, and the Dunhill’s in the opposite direction.”
“Best if we had a poke around,” Constable Dobson insisted. “You understand, to satisfy our Captain.”
“A poke around!” Lambert exclaimed. “You wish to poke around Wilshire Hall?”
“We have been instructed to carry out a quick check,” the sergeant said hastily, “just in case they might have snuck in.”
“I can assure you…”
“It’s perfectly all right, Lambert,” Verity said patiently. “These officers have a job to do, but I would suggest you escort them. With all the rooms in this house I wouldn’t want them to get lost. Now if you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, I’m going into the dining room to have my breakfast.”
“Perhaps you could start questioning the servants,” Lambert suggested, pointing to the door that would take them below stairs. “I need a quick word with her ladyship, and then I can show you around.”
“Thank you, Mr. Lambert. Good day, Lady James. Come along Dobson, don’t dawdle.”
Verity turned and headed into the dining room, comforted by the knowledge that Lambert would be with them, and deeply grateful for his indefatigable loyalty.
The breakfast had been laid out, but seeing two additional place settings on the table, she quickly picked up the plates and silverware and put them on the sideboard. Making sure she hadn’t missed anything, she scooped up some scrambled eggs and roasted tomatoes, and had sat back down just as Lambert walked in. He looked worried.
“Take the sergeant and his constable wherever they need to go,” she said softly. “The count and Dantae will not be discovered.”
“I see,” he said with a slight smile. “Thank you, my lady. I wasn’t sure…”
“What about the stables? Do the grooms know to keep quiet?”
“I haven’t had the chance to get out there,” he frowned. “I shall nip out now.”
“Perhaps you should send Mrs. Danby. She can go while you’re showing the sergeant upstairs. Yes, I just realized you must keep them in the house so Cyrus has enough time to hide the wheel. Send Mrs. Danby after they leave the kitchen.”
“Yes, my lady. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Lambert,” she said gravely, “I sense this is the right thing to do. I believe it’s what Jack would have done, and while I may not know everything about them, I know enough.”
“Thank you, my lady. You can depend on me.”
With his usual nod, he turned and moved swiftly from the room, but as she sat back down, she took a long deep breath.
“Did I tell you the truth?” she murmured. “I know nothing about them. They could be spies working against the crown. But Dantae has touched me. Dear, Lord, I pray I haven’t just made a foolish mistake.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Verity thought the two policemen would never leave, but when they finally climbed on their horses and trotted away, at least they’d left satisfied. Far better they take a while and do their job properly, than have doubts and return for a second check. Waiting a full five minutes until after she’d seen them disappear from sight, she moved back up the stairs and into her former bedroom, but this time she took a minute to glance around. Nothing had been changed since she’d ordered the room draped and closed. Though she felt a wave of sadness, she managed a soft smile, then moved to the fireplace, turned the lion’s head and watched the panel slide open.
“They’re gone,” she declared. “It’s safe to come out.”
“It felt like forever,” the count said as he stepped from the chamber. “How much time were we in there?”
“About forty-five minutes. I was surprised how thorough they were, but there were rooms they didn’t even get to. I think they gave up because I was so cooperative and they were tired of wandering the halls with Lambert.”
“Thank you, again,” Dantae murmured as he passed her and moved across to the window. “This room looks over the back of the house.”
“Yes, I prefer where I am now. I can watch over the drive and observe the comings and goings.”
“Do you have many of those? Coming and goings?”
“I entertain, and I have visitors,” she replied, thinking of her various lovers, “but now, gentlemen, I suggest we go into the library.”
“Why the library?” the count asked.
“The library is quiet and private, and it’s the perfect place for us to have the conversation.”
“The conversation?” Dante repeated, moving towards her. “What conversation is that?”
“The one in which you’ll tell me about yourselves. I’ll have Lambert bring in something to eat. You had no breakfast.”
“Perhaps, Dantae,” the count said tentatively, glancing across at his secretary, “it should be you to do this talk.”
“Yes,” Dantae said thoughtfully, “but Verity, if breakfast hasn’t been cleared, might we not simply eat in the dining room? Then you and I could go into the library.”
“I did ask Lambert to leave things as they were in case the policemen wanted something. Most of it should still be on the buffet.”
“Good. I admit to being very hungry,” the count declared, reaching back into the secret room behind the panel and pulling out the bags.
Again Verity was confused. Why hadn’t Dantae fetched the cases? Wasn’t he the count’s secretary? Knowing she’d soon learn their story she kept her thoughts to herself, and led the two men back to their apartment.
“I’ll go down and have fresh coffee and tea brought in,” she offered as they reached their door, “along with some freshly cooked eggs and sausages.”
“That’s very kind of you,” Dantae said, stopping in the hallway as the count went inside.
Returning his gaze, she felt a light flip in her belly, and couldn’t figure out why he was having such an effect on her.
“You’re most welcome,” she managed, then lowering her voice, she added, “but I do expect some answers.”
“As do I,” he said soberly. “I shall see you shortly.”
As he turned and walked into his room, Verity frowned, completely confounded.
“He wants answers from me?” she muttered, wishing the flip in her belly would stop flipping. “What is he talking about?”
She could hear the muted sounds of the two men talking. Though she was tempted to lean her ear against the wall to listen, she thought better of it, and heading off she made her way down the stairs and into the dining room, pulling the cord for Lambert.
“Is everything as it should be, my lady?” he asked as he entered.
“It is, and thank you for your help. The count and his secretary are back in their apartment, but they’ll be down momentarily for a much needed breakfast. Can you please have fresh eggs and sausages brought up, and hot urns of tea and coffee.”
“I shall see to it at once, my lady. May I ask, do you anticipate them staying any length of time?”
“After we’ve eaten, I shall be having a talk with the secretary, Mr. Fellini, in the library. I’m sure I’ll have the answer to that question, and many others.”
“Thank you, my lady. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll return to the kitchen and have cook set to work immediately.”
* * *
A short time later, when the count and his secretary joined her, they had changed into finer attire. The garments they’d been wearing when they were planning to leave had been plain. Being so frantic she’d paid it little attention, but now she realized they’d been planning to make themselves appear as commoners. The mystery was growing.
“I don’t know for how long you’ve been traveling, but if you have clothes that need washing, please feel free to leave them on your beds. I’ll tell Mrs. Danby to have them collected,” she offered as they piled their plates with the hot food.
“Thank you,” the count said gratefully. “That would be most helpful. While you and Dantae are talking, I’ll put them out.”
Having already had her breakfast, Verity was only drinking tea. As they chatted about the English winter, famous for its long months of rain, she noticed the count was smiling and convivial, but Dantae maintained a somber demeanor. When they’d finished eating, the count was the first to offer his thanks, then rising from the table he left the room. Lambert was standing against the wall in his usual spot, with Timothy, the first footman, near the buffet.
“Would you care for anything else?” she asked, hoping Dantae would say no. She was anxious to move to the library and finally hear his story.
“That was excellent,” he replied. “Thank you, I’m quite satisfied.”
“To the library then?”
“Is it still drizzling?” he asked, turning his head to look across at the windows.
“I’m not sure. Lambert, is it still wet outside?”
“I’ll check, my lady,” he replied, moving swiftly to the nearest window to peer outdoors. “No, it appears to have stopped. It is very foggy however, so it will be damp.”
“Thank you, Lambert,” Dantae said. “In that case, I would like to walk through the back garden to that folly I saw.”
It hadn’t been a request. His voice had held a surprising air of authority, and while she would have preferred the comfort of the library, Verity found herself wanting to follow his lead.
“We can do that,” she agreed. “I shall need my heavy velvet coat. It’s still in the foyer. Would you check, please, Lambert?“
“Of course, my lady.”
Lambert left the room, and they sat quietly as Timothy cleared their plates and disappeared through the servant’s door, then Verity leaned across the table.
“Dante, why do you wish to go to the folly rather than stay in the house? The library is much more comfortable.”
“I have no doubt,” he replied, his blue eyes locking hers, “but comfort is the least of my concerns. The library may appear to be private, but that does not necessarily mean that it is. If I’m to tell you certain things, the folly is far more secure.”
“Oh, I see.”
“I do not enjoy being at another’s mercy, especially in circumstances such as these. There are reasons I do not wish to trust you, and quite frankly, I’m not sure I can.”
“How can you say that?” she said indignantly. “Haven’t I just proven myself?”
“To a degree, but only to a degree, and you have an impulsive streak. Impulsive streaks can prove inconvenient.”
He was looking at her in a peculiar way, and without warning her stomach flipped again.
“I’m not sure how to respond to that,” she replied, wishing it would settle. “To be honest, I’m rather shocked by what you just said.”
“At this point, there is only room for the truth. Is that not what you wanted? Are you changing your mind?”
“No, but—”
“There can be no doubt,” he said, cutting her off. “You should not ask to hear things if you’re not ready.”
“But I am ready! You just took me by surprise.”
“The truth is often surprising,” he remarked, sitting back in his chair. “One must learn to deal with surprises calmly. This morning the arrival of the police was a surprise, and you were anything but calm. It is when a situation is precarious that calm becomes imperative.”
She wanted to respond, but words were failing her. His demeanor had become forbidding, almost scolding, and she was sure he was scrutinizing her every word, yet she was feeling even more drawn to him. His opinion of her mattered. It mattered a great deal.
“Mabel had taken your coat to your room, but she has fetched it, my lady,” Lambert declared, walking into the room.
“Thank you, Lambert,” she said, grateful to shift her gaze from Dantae to her butler.
Rising to his feet, Dantae stood still as she did the same, and though she wasn’t looking at him she could feel his impenetrable gaze. As she began walking towards the door Lambert was already holding open for them, she could feel Dantae’s eyes following her. It was unnerving. She was sure that he somehow knew she was filled with a hot, carnal longing, and a sudden, surprising need to be in his arms. Entering the foyer, she walked across to Mabel, waiting with the velvet coat in her hands. Slipping it on, Verity looked across at Dantae. His expression had softened.
“This way,” she said, heading towards a hallway he’d not yet been down. “Well be going through the East Wing to the back gardens.”
“I look forward to seeing more of this lovely home,” he remarked, falling into step beside her. “Can you tell me its history?”
“Certainly,” she replied, and began chatting about how her husband had inherited the estate from a distant uncle. By the time they stepped outside and started down the path to the folly, she was feeling calmer.
Reaching the imposing replica of a medieval castle, Dantae was pleased to see the door was thick, heavy wood; it would be soundproof. He watched as Verity pushed down the prodigious metal handle, but the door refused to budge.
“Allow me,” he offered, moving beside her.
“It hasn’t been opened for some time. I haven’t been in there for, goodness, at least a couple of years.”
Leaning his weight against it, the door gave, and stepping inside, Dantae, found himself in an impressive room. A long, rough-hewn wooden dining table sat in the center with bench seats on either side. There was a scattering of pedestals boasting a variety of sculptures, and a wide couch with an abundance of dark burgundy and gold cushions was set against the wall. Stained glass windows offered only a small amount of light, but he was able to see a bucket of logs sitting in the shadows next to the oversized, gothic fireplace.
“Isn’t this interesting,” he remarked, pushing the door closed. “I think a fire might be in order. I hope there are some matches in that bucket.”
“There should be. A fire is an excellent idea,” she agreed, unbuttoning her coat. “There’s also a lantern around here somewhere.”
It took Dantae only a few minutes to start the fire, and Verity found the lantern on the floor near the end of the table. With the exception of the hard benches, the couch was the only place to sit, and as they sank into the puffy cushions, Verity felt her pulse begin to race. The handsome Italian had settled next to her, but not a cushion’s width away. He was close to her, very close.
