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Wonderful. The six on one he’d feared.
“Wish me luck,” he murmured.
Wearing a subtle smirk, William inclined his head. “You have my very best wishes. Shall I have the footmen load the carriage?”
He observed an enormous pile of luggage through the window. Adrian might have to lend him a second cart. “Yes,” Asquith answered. “If you would be so kind.”
Mr. William announced Asquith, and six pairs of eyes turned in his direction. Instinctively, he lifted his hat to cover his heart. He glanced over his shoulder.
“What a relief!” He turned back. “From your identical expressions, I thought a highwayman might have followed me inside.”
Eliza stepped forward. “Good morning, Asquith. Adrian and I wish to offer our thanks for escorting Lenora to Asquith House.”
He narrowed his eyes. Eliza had used her just-a-little-bit-too-formal ‘Lady Redver’ voice.
“Before you collect my sister, Millie and I would like a word.” Eliza matched his slitted gaze. “Now.”
He sent a suspicious glance toward Lenora, but her eyes were wide with alarm. The request surprised her, too.
But why should she look so uneasy?
Had she told them about the secret meetings after all? Was Eliza about to bring Adrian’s wrath down on Asquith’s head?
“Of course,” he said politely. He would soon find out.
Eliza took his offered arm. And, to his surprise, Millie took the other one—one he hadn’t extended.
Had outside bystanders observed, they would have seen him being forcibly escorted from the hall, his hat clutched in his hand, flanked by two militant-looking ladies.
Eliza opened a door, and then Millie shoved him into a darkened room. The music room. The one with extra paneling to deaden any sound.
Eliza parted the curtain fabric, admitting a sliver of illumination. Then, both sisters stepped in front of him and folded their arms.
“What has Lenora told you?” he asked.
The sisters exchanged an incredulous glance.
“What should she have told us?” Eliza asked.
“Heaven only knows!” He recovered quickly. “Do you think I can divine what goes on in her head? But you both look murderous.”
“Us? Murder you? Here?” Eliza pressed a hand to her heart. “Why, the blood might soil the Broadfield!”
“Ugh!” Millie shivered. “Who’d want to play a bloodied piano?”
“Indeed,” Eliza agreed. “Rest easy, Asquith. Your life is safe... for now.”
“If,” Millie added, “you promise to be kind to Lenora.”
Asquith stiffened. “I am always kind.”
“You are always dutiful,” Eliza corrected. “Very different. Especially in Lenora’s case.”
Especially? Asquith leveled Eliza a look. “What intentions do you imagine I have?”
“We think,” Eliza said, “you plan to escort her to your mother’s, then head to the Albany, and maintain a distance for the whole of her visit.”
That was, in fact, his plan. “And why should I do differently?”
