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“They are now that you have returned. I trust you will stay on the island for a spell this time?”
She nodded. “It is possible. Regardless, we will have to visit at length in the next few days. Maybe we could go underground and work on the Golden Chamber in the baths? Have you made any more progress in that area since I was down there with you last?”
“Flugbusters—the last time I went down I fell asleep against the serpent mosaic and didn’t wake up until well after dark.” His lips went into a frown. “A moonless night too, so I took some bumps on my way back to the castle. I should have just slept down there. Haven’t been down in the baths since.”
“Oh, well, we shall have to correct that.”
“My bones do me no favor these days, sweet Eliana. The stairs to get to the lower rooms have become too much for me.”
Elle bit her lip. “That is a shame—I know how much you enjoy them.”
His raised his cane again, jabbing it toward Rune. “Who are you?”
Rune glanced at Elle and she nodded, angling her head to the marquess.
“I am Rune Smith, your lordship. I am accompanying Lady Raplan on a quest she has embarked upon.”
“A quest?” Lord Kallen’s look swung to Elle. “What quest?”
“It is actually why I was hoping you could take us down into the baths. There has been a box discovered, and it looks very much like the box in the mosaics in the Bronze Chamber. Except the real box is small—it fits into my hand. I was hoping to explore the mosaics in that chamber a bit more with you to see if we can discover any clues as to where the real box may have come from or why it exists.”
“This…” The deep wrinkles on the lower half of his face curled around his frown. “This is unexpected. I never imagined such a thing possible.”
“Neither did I. It seems quite improbable, but there it is. My niece—you remember Lady Troubant—had the box at Seahorn Castle. It was a surprise to me, but it looks exactly like the one in the baths.”
“Did you bring the box with you? Can I see it?”
“I did not. I thought it safest back at the dower house. But I will bring it on our next visit.”
Lord Kallen nodded and his hand lifted to his chin, stroking the few stray wiry hairs that must have been missed in his last shave. “I have not spent enough time in that chamber to offer any clues. Nor can I accompany you down there because of my gout. Not with that ladder. And you know it’s not safe in there for you alone, Eliana.”
Her bottom lip jutted up in a frown and her gaze went to Rune. “Well, possibly Mr. Smith can accompany me and look after my safety as I search the chamber?” She looked to Lord Kallen. “Would that suffice?”
His weathered grey eyes shifted to Rune and he glared at him for long silent seconds. So long she thought he possibly fell asleep.
With a start, his gaze swung to Elle and his eyes narrowed at her. “Is that man to be trusted?” He pointed at Rune as though he wasn’t but three feet away from them.
Her answer was immediate. “Yes. He can absolutely be trusted. I assure it. My niece and her husband, Lord Troubant, can assure it.”
“Fine.” His fragile lips pulled to a tight line. “I will allow you and Mr. Smith down there on one condition.”
“What is it?”
“The Summer Moon Ball is three days hence.”
Her gut sank. “The Summer Moon Ball?”
“Yes. You may have access to the baths as long as you attend the ball. It was going to be terribly droll without you.” He looked at Rune. “Mr. Smith, you may attend as well, if my dear Eliana deems it fitting.”
Rune opened his mouth, but Elle gave a quick head shake. His mouth closed and he nodded with a weak smile.
“If that is the bargain, then that is the bargain.” She squeezed his hand once more. “I will come—although you know I would have come just to see you.”
“Yes, but then you would have slipped out.” He reached out and patted the side of her face. “I want you at the ball the entire evening. I want you dancing. I haven’t seen you dance in years at it.”
“That is because most of the single gentlemen on the island are no longer single.”
“Flugbusters, there are still plenty of single men on the isle. And I miss your face when you are dancing. I miss the glow.”
