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“I see your point.”
Clara gave him a meaningful stare, as though she weren’t done making it, but someone else coughed slightly.
Jacob looked over to see the butler standing with his hands folded. “My lord.”
“Yes?” Jacob asked. Was the man about to object to his plan to have his aunt and a maid as chaperones? Damn. That would make this more complicated.
But his questions were forgotten as the butler drew in a deep breath, glancing at the housekeeper who gave a quick nod. “I took the liberty of checking the household accounts we use to pay various services. They are flush with enough money to run this house for several months.”
Jacob’s brows drew together. “What the…”
“Interesting,” Clara murmured.
It was far worse than interesting. Why would the solicitor have lied to him? But then again, no evidence as of yet supported the man’s claim that the viscountcy was destitute.
For a moment he wondered if he ought to stay in London and investigate. He could check Emily’s father’s books. But was it his place?
Then again, he was taking Emily out of the city with this clandestine method so perhaps it was warranted.
Emily came down the stairs once again, clutching her reticule to her chest.
She looked a bit wild, her eyes wide and he stopped to stare at her. The effect was not unattractive.
Clearing his throat, he looked over at the butler again. “Emily could use a refreshment before we begin our journey. Perhaps Aunt Clara could rest in the sitting room just there and you could show me to your father’s study. We’ll take tea there.”
Emily’s eyes widened even further but she softly answered. “All right.”
He looked over at the butler who jerked his chin in acceptance, the look almost imperceptible.
CHAPTER FIVE
Emily sat in the chair of her father’s desk as Jacob looked over her shoulder.
She’d thought that they’d come in here so that Jacob could raid the brandy. But what was actually happening was a complete surprise.
They were studying her father’s books.
Which ought to have concerned her. Jacob did not have the best reputation and she was a woman alone.
But of all the things she was scared of currently, Jacob was not one of them. “It doesn’t make sense,” he murmured his breath tickling her ear.
“What doesn’t?”
“These books show steady profits and expenditures that are well within the viscountcy’s means. So did the last. But why would Mister Barrow lie?”
Emily shrugged. “To frighten you away?”
Jacob stiffened behind her before her let out a menacing growl, the rumble moving through her. “Christ. You’re right.”
Was she? No one ever told her that she’d made some great insight. It was…refreshing. “Really? You think? Do you think he knows of your reputation and that’s why?”
“Maybe.” Jacob withdrew, a look of pain tightening his features.
Did he not like the way people saw him? She could understand that.
She rose, closing the book. “Have we found what we needed?”
Jacob gave a tight nod. “Once I’ve got you in Wingate’s care, I’ll come back to the city and investigate this matter further. I trust him and so did your parents. You’ll be safe.”
