Page 79 of Make Mine a Marquess

“I know.”

“I have no regrets,” she bravely repeated.

“I have one.”

She lifted her head to look into his eyes. A tiny frown marred her forehead. “Am I that one?”

He shook his head, his expression grim. “No. My cousin is.”

Chapter Twenty-One

“I think I know where Willard hid a second pack of letters,” Aram said.

His friend had met him in the library, where they’d shut the door and poured two tumblers of whisky. They both sat in leather chairs before the fireplace. It was a cool afternoon, and the coal brazier was lit.

“Where?” Landon sipped his whisky then glared at Aram over the rim of his glass.

He’d been restless and uneasy. Phoebe had slipped from his room in the early hours, leaving her delicate lavender scent on his pillow, along with a strand of long blond hair. He’d inhaled her fragrance as vivid images of their shared night flashed over and over in his mind.

“I believe the letters are in Miss Dawson’s room,” Aram said, interrupting his thoughts.

Landon set his glass on an end table and leaned forward in his chair. “How do you know?”

“It makes perfect sense. It’s the one room we haven’t searched. Between the two of us, we’ve searched this library, the study, Willard’s room, and many of the guests’ chambers. With the clues in the ledgers you’ve found and the saltpeter purchase order, we are close but still need to connect everything to Willard. It occurred to me that we are not looking in the most obvious place.”

“And you believe that we can find missing evidence in Phoebe’s room?” Landon asked.

“Where else would Willard hide it? Whether she knows about the letters or not, we must consider the possibility that they are hidden there,” Aram said.

Landon rubbed his jaw with his thumb and forefinger. Everything he’d learned about Phoebe led him to believe she had no knowledge of Willard’s criminal acts. But if the letters were hidden in her room, could he be wrong?

There was only one way to find out. He needed to be certain she wasn’t involved.

“I need to find a time she will not be in her room,” Landon said.

“Do you want me to do it?” Aram asked.

“No. It should be me.” Of that he was certain. If anyone were to rummage through her items, it should be him.

He’d slip into her room and be as quick and efficient as possible, giving no thought to their shared night. She deserved as much.

“I’ll occupy Miss Stanwell while you search.”

Landon’s eyes narrowed. “You have been spending much time with her.”

“Is that a problem?” Aram’s look was challenging.

“Careful, friend. I’ll give you the same advice you gave me regarding Miss Dawson.”

“Did you listen?”

“Point taken.” Landon picked up the decanter and poured them both more whisky. “Plan on occupying Miss Stanwell for a good while tonight.”

…

The fresh scent of oranges filled the glass and iron conservatory in the gardens. Phoebe and Beatrice had met in the orangery to see the fruit trees. Rows of other potted plants and bags of soil and gardening tools crowded a workbench.

The oranges hung low, ready to be picked. Phoebe leaned down to inhale the fresh scent. “I’ve never seen an orange tree before.”