AllFreeNovel
Share Us
More giggles and sidelong glances.
“Will you join me, Lady India?” he asked.
Indy nodded. “With pleasure. It was lovely to meet you, ladies.”
“Don’t forget your promise,” called Lucy as Indy left with him.
“I won’t,” said Indy over her shoulder.
“What promise?” Raven asked.
“They don’t approve of the plans for the pineapple gown. They want me to choose from their French fashion plates.”
“Most ladies take these matters quite seriously.”
She glanced at him from under her lashes. “They do, don’t they?”
“I’ll escort you to your chamber. Have you had supper?”
“Only pastries.”
“I’ll have something sent to your room.” They walked up the stairs. “Here we are.”
“Where are you, in the other wing?”
“I’m right,” he pointed at the next door. “There.”
“Surely not.” Her eyes widened with alarm. “That can’t be. Surely Lady Sterling would never allow such an impropriety.”
“The guest wing is being refurbished and these are the only two rooms ready.”
“Splendid,” she muttered. “Just perfect. Tomorrow I’m finding new lodgings.”
“Or I’m happy to leave.”
“These are your friends, you should stay. I can’t take much more of Lucy’s wedding fever, so I’ll be the one to leave.”
A maidservant passed by and bobbed a curtsy, keeping her head down as she walked past them.
“I’ve something to tell you,” said Raven. “About our search.”
Here was where he diverted her attention away from Le Triton and toward Beauchamp and other less likely and far less dangerous suspects.
Indy entered her chambers and Raven followed, shutting the door behind him.
She traveled the perimeter of the large room, opening doors and sweeping aside curtains. His training in espionage had taught him to do the same in a new environment; map every potential entrance, exit, and hiding place.
“What are you looking for?” he asked.
She moved to the fireplace and warmed her hands over the flames. “I was making certain that there was no adjoining door between our chambers.”
“If there was a door I would keep my side locked in case you decided to drink more whisky and rip my shirt open again in the middle of the night.”
“I didn’t rip open your shirt—you did. In your sleep.” Her gaze lingered on his cravat and collar. “Have no fear, Raven.” One side of her full lips slid into a smirk. “Your virtue is safe with me. Now what did you want to tell me?”
“Something Sir Charles told me tonight made me suspicious. He said that the Louvre has received several recent shipments for the Egyptian exhibit. When we go to the Louvre tomorrow, I want you to interview Beauchamp alone, while I slip away and search the premises.”
“Why don’t you do the interviewing and I’ll do the searching?”
