Bennett’s eyes roamed over the room before meeting Miles’ gaze. “I can safely say that Edwina is not here.”
Miles resisted the urge to look heavenward. He didn’t know if Bennett would be a help or a hindrance in this search.
But he didn’t have time to wonder. His first, and only, concern was finding Edwina.
Edwina crouched in the shadows just outside of her uncle’s study, her heart thudding in anticipation. The heavy door was closed, but she could see a flickering light and the shadow of a figure moving about from under the doorway. She had been waiting for what felt like ages for the person to leave so she could discover their identity.
What were they doing in there?
She considered going to find her uncle or a footman but couldn’t risk missing the person’s departure. No, she was on her own. Slowly, she stepped out of the shadows and approached the door. With a steady hand, she turned thehandle and pushed it open just enough to slip inside before leaving it slightly ajar behind her.
The room was dimly lit with only one candle burning on the desk. Edwina saw a figure crouched down behind it and her heart leapt into her throat. Gathering her courage, she reached for the iron poker from the hearth and demanded, “Who is there?”
To her surprise, Mr. Stanley’s head popped up from behind the desk. “Lady Edwina?” he exclaimed.
Edwina let out a sigh of relief. “Mr. Stanley,” she said. “What are you doing here?”
With a sheepish smile, he rose to his feet and showed her a file in his hand. “I came to retrieve a file from Lord Dallington’s desk that I had forgotten earlier.”
“Oh,” Edwina said, placing the poker back by the hearth. “I thought someone was breaking into my uncle’s study.”
Mr. Stanley chuckled. “No need to worry, my lady. It is just me.”
Feeling foolish for suspecting foul play, Edwina allowed herself a small smile. “I find myself greatly relieved.”
“Dare I ask how the soiree is going?” Mr. Stanley inquired.
Edwina’s smile faltered. “I have had better days,” she admitted.
Mr. Stanley’s eyes crinkled around the edges. “We all have good days and bad days. It is how we make the most of each that truly matters.”
“I just wish that my father was here,” Edwina said wistfully.
“Your father was a good man,” Mr. Stanley remarked. “We were lucky to have him for as long as we did.”
Edwina nodded. “I agree.”
Mr. Stanley reached down and retrieved the ledger on the desk. “Now if you will excuse me, I have work I need to see to.”
Her eyes dropped to the ledger in his hand. “You are taking my uncle’s ledger?” she asked.
“I am.”
Edwina furrowed her brow. “But he doesn’t like anyone to touch it, including Bennett at the moment.”
Mr. Stanley tucked the book securely under his arm as he spoke. “I understand your concern. But this is important business that must be attended to. I shall return it shortly.”
Her gaze flickered from the book to Mr. Stanley’s face. “Does my uncle know that you are taking his ledger?”
“He does,” Mr. Stanley replied. “Who do you think gave me the key to his desk where he keeps it locked up?”
As her eyes scanned the bookshelf, Edwina noticed a gap where a book should have been. It was the one that held the spare key to her uncle’s desk.
“Did he give you the key or did you use the spare key?” she asked, trying to hide her growing suspicion.
Mr. Stanley smiled. “You are being rather inquisitive tonight, but I assure you that everything is aboveboard.”
A sense of unease stirred within Edwina, though she couldn’t say why. Mr. Stanley had never given her a reason before not to trust him, but his responses seemed too contrived.
