Page 8 of Beguiling the Baron

Would he?

She pulled the window to and spun on her heel, catching a resigned expression on her mother’s face. She ignored it. “I’m going right now in search of him.” Before my courage fails me.

“But you don’t know where he is,” Mama pointed out.

“Well, I know where he won’t be. With Polly. She told me yesterday she barely sees him from one week to the next. I shall boldly penetrate the forbidden east wing, and if I don’t find him there, he’s probably in that horrid folly tower Mrs. Dunne told us to stay away from.”

“Not without good reason, I’m sure.” Mama raised an eyebrow in warning.

“Polly’s starting to speak up a bit more now, and I need her to trust me. If I bring out the birch switch and act the martinet, she’ll only retreat into herself again. I’m sorry, but for Polly’s sake I must do this.”

It was for her own sake as well, though she cared not to admit it. It wasn’t pleasant, being ignored.

“I promise not to be cross,” she reassured her mother. “By the time I’ve tracked down the lion to his lair, the exercise will have made me more equable.”

Leaving Mama to the excitements of the North Wiltshire Gazette, Tia left the breakfast room and headed for the main hallway. Once there, instead of turning left toward their wing of the house, she spun to the right and stood for a moment facing down the door into the east wing. With its thick oak panels and iron studs, it resembled the gate of a fortress. For a moment she feared it might be locked and barred to her, and she’d have to find some other way in.

But when she applied her hand to the ring, it turned easily. A lift of the latch, one foot forward, and she was in Terra Incognita.

Not only unknown but also forbidden.