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Suddenly, Diana’s face paled and she reached for Gabrielle’s hand. Gabrielle gave it to her, astonished to find Diana’s flesh ice cold. “You don’t have to do this,” Diana said. “You don’t have to go.”
Gabrielle saw a movement in the doorway. Cressy stood watching them.
Speaking to both of her dearest friends, Gabrielle said, “If not me, who?”
Chapter 6
Ramsey stood in the entryway of Montagu House and wondered if he’d made a colossal mistake. This couldn’t be right. A master forger employed at the British Museum?
He glanced at the slip of paper again. He’d scrawled the wordsBlakeandMontagu Houseafter his midnight interview with a rather unsavory gentleman who had asked a ridiculous amount of blunt to part with the information Ramsey needed. Forgery was a hanging crime, so there was reason to be cautious. And because Ramsey could not hope to enter Paris without very authentic-looking papers, he’d paid the exorbitant fee.
He was prepared to pay again now, once he found this Blake.
“May I help you, sir?”
Ramsey turned to find a small, white-haired man in a black coat approaching him.
“The exhibits are this way.”
“Actually,” Ramsey said, tucking the paper back in his silk coat, “I’m here to see Mr. Blake.”
“Mr.Blake?” The man’s eyebrows rose slightly. “May I ask the nature of your business?”
“He and I are old friends,” Ramsey lied. “I had hoped to reminisce, perhaps take him to dinner, as it’s drawing near that hour.” It was indeed almost half past five, but Ramsey had no intention of taking Blake to dinner. He had post-horses waiting and must leave for Dover immediately. The schooner on which he’d booked passage to France sailed in only a little over twenty-four hours. It could take eight or more hours to reach Dover.
“Old friends,” the white-haired man echoed. “I suppose you went to school together.”
“Yes,” Ramsey said, trying to sound enthusiastic. “We did.”
“I see.” The older gentleman gestured for Ramsey to follow. “Let us see ifMr. Blake is still inhisoffice.”
Ramsey had the feeling he’d said something wrong. Perhaps the bit about school had been too much? But he had little choice but to follow the older man now as he led Ramsey through narrow corridors, up a steep flight of stairs, and through a dark passage where the ceiling was so low Ramsey was obliged to duck to avoid bumping his head. At the end of this gloomy stretch was a weathered brown door. The white-haired gentleman knocked on it briskly, then turned the handle. Ramsey half expected to find a prison cell. Instead, one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen looked up from a desk piled high with yellowed parchment.
Her eyes caught his attention immediately. Even in the dismal, windowless room, the color was striking: violet. Not blue, but a true violet. And so large they all but dominated her face. And what a face—porcelain skin, pink lips, high cheekbones, and swallows’ wings for eyebrows. Her hair, a thick, glossy black, was knotted severely at the nape of her neck, but Ramsey could imagine her with it down about her back and shoulders. Any man would be seduced.
“Yes?” she said, her elegant brows furrowing. “What is it, Mr. Strooper?”
Strooper moved aside to indicate Ramsey. “This gentleman claims to be acquainted withMr.Blake.”
“I see.” Her lips tightened, and she gave Ramsey a cursory glance. “I’m afraid you must have the wrong person, Mr….?”
“It’s Lord, actually,” Ramsey said. “I’m the Earl of Sedgwick.”
She rose, and Ramsey noted her body, even clothed in a drab gray gown that matched the office, did not disappoint.
“My lord.” She curtsied. “Welcome.”
“You are correct that we are not acquainted, Miss Blake.” He glanced at Strooper, who frowned at him. “I am sorry I was not honest with you, sir, but I need to speak to Miss Blake about a desperate matter.”
He glanced back at the woman in time to see some flicker of understanding flit across her face. “It’s fine, Mr. Strooper,” she said. “I’ll speak with him.” She gestured Ramsey inside and indicated a small, crumbling chair opposite her desk.
But Strooper did not move aside. “I don’t like to leave you alone with his lordship, Miss Blake.”
“That’s very kind of you, Mr. Strooper, but I am sure all will be fine. And if Lord Sedgwick attempts to do me some harm, I take comfort in knowing the walls are so thin anyone and everyone would hear me scream.”
She gave Ramsey a pointed look, and he had the feeling she was not merely reassuring Strooper but warning him.
“Very well.” Strooper moved aside, and Ramsey crouched down to enter the tiny office.
