Page 27 of A Scoundrel in the Making

She laughed and said, “Perhaps you are correct,” then entered the passageway.

Reade followed.

The stone passageway wound upward at a gentle angle, then turned into a narrow staircase.

Abigail broke the silence “What do you do?”

“Do?” he repeated.

“Do,” she said. “As in, for work.”

“Ah. Well, not much, I suppose.”

“I should have known.”

“Really?”

“I forgot. You are a rake.”

“You are certain?” he asked.

“Do you prefer being called a rogue? Or perhaps a scoundrel.”

“What man isn’t a scoundrel?”

She glanced over her shoulder at him, then faced forward and said, “I wouldn’t think of arguing with you.”

“Oh, but you would, if so inclined.”

“Don’t you get bored?”

He couldn’t help a laugh. “I have no time to get bored, Abigail.”

“Of course.”

He didn’t like the sense of finality in the simple ‘of course.’

She fell silent. They ascended what he felt certain had to be at least two floors. He would have expected Abigail to get cold, but despite a cool draft across his face, he was forced to remove his coat due to the exertion of the steep climb. At last, they reached a short corridor that ended abruptly.

Abigail began tracing her fingers along the walls as she had done earlier. Reade donned his jacket and began inspecting the opposite wall. A tiny click sounded. He looked at Abigail. A large section of the stone wall stuck out a tiny bit. She pressed a finger to her lips, then dragged the door open an inch. A sliver of light fell across the floor. Abigail opened the door a little more, leaned into the opening and looked, then straightened.

“Just as I thought, Mr. Russell’s chambers.” She pulled the door open all the way.

Reade took the two steps to the door, placed the torch in the righthand holder, then used the snuffer hanging beside it to extinguish the flame. Reade followed her through the open door and into the room. A fire blazed in the hearth.

“We are fortunate he isn’t here,” Reade said. “The fire has been stoked. He intends to return soon.”

“Aye.” She pulled the passageway door closed, then started toward the hall door.

Reade followed close behind.

Voices sounded in the hallway.

Reade halted alongside Abigail.

“I promise, you needn’t worry,” a male voice said in the hallway.

Reade looked sharply at Abigail.