Edwina pressed her lips together as she debated over his question. “I suppose at this time my favorite book isSense and Sensibility.”
“That is the book written by A Lady, is it not?”
“It is,” Edwina replied. “Have you read it?”
He shook his head. “I have not.”
“Is it because it is written by A Lady?” she asked, almost accusatorily.
Miles’ face grew solemn. “No, it was Arabella’s favorite book as well. She devoured it the moment she acquired it.”
“Oh, I am sorry,” Edwina acknowledged. “I shouldn’t have assumed you were opposed to a woman writer.”
“Some of the greatest books are written by women.”
Edwina lowered her voice. “Do not let my uncle hear you say that,” she warned jokingly. “He might even engage in fisticuffs over that remark.”
Miles tipped his head. “I shall make note of that.” He gave her an expectant look. “You can do this.”
Her heart started racing at the mere thought of the task ahead. Could she really accomplish such a thing? “Can I?” she asked, trying to mask her nervousness.
“You can,” Miles replied. “Besides, I will stand guard while you search through the files in your uncle’s desk, looking for anything that might arouse your suspicion.”
“And if I find nothing?”
Miles shrugged. “Then there is your answer.”
Determined not to let her doubts consume her, Edwina squared her shoulders and forced herself to exude confidence. “I can do this,” she murmured under her breath.
“We just get in and get out. It is that simple,” Miles said.
Edwina eyed him curiously. “How is it that you are so comfortable with espionage?” she asked.
Miles smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “This is not espionage,” he replied. “You are simply searching for your father’s will among your uncle’s files.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“You never did ask what I did during the war,” Miles said. “I may have dabbled in espionage a time or two.”
“You may have?”
A cocky grin spread across his face, causing her to question what secrets he was keeping from her. “The less you know, the better,” he remarked.
Edwina couldn’t resist pressing for more information. “Is that all you intend to tell me?”
“For now,” Miles replied. “I do not want you to be distracted.”
“What if someone catches us?” Edwina asked, returning to the matter at hand.
Miles looked amused. “That is why you are searching your uncle’s desk and not me. You are not the least bit suspicious.”
She frowned. “Should I take that as a compliment?”
“I would take it more as a fact,” Miles replied. “You being in your uncle’s study is perfectly acceptable.”
“You are right.”
Miles offered his arm. “Shall I escort you to the study, my lady?”
