A Most Dangerous Profession(56)

Her eyes sparkled, but she kept in character and merely said in a repressed tone, “We should take advantage of Lord Ross’s offer for a tour of the castle. It was quite kind of him.”

“I’ve already seen that ghastly entryway. I don’t think I could stomach more of the same.”

“I thought the entryway was beautiful.”

Aware that the servant could hear every word, Robert replied in a bored tone, “You would. Do as you will. It will be drafty. You might want to wear your pelisse.”

She murmured, “Of course.”

“I shall return to collect you at dinnertime.” He left the room and followed the butler.

His bedchamber was tiny compared to Moira’s, though no less luxurious. He suspected it was actually a maid’s quarters, though a generous one.

He opened his windows, which overlooked the courtyard below. The wind whipped his hair and the curtains on either side of him when he leaned out. He was high enough that no noises drifted up from the courtyard.

He leaned out farther over the ledge to look down the long, winding road. In the distance he could already see two heavily loaded coaches. Buffon has made excellent time, as usual. Robert had no wish to trust his cravats to Ross’s laundress.

Satisfied, he closed the window to wait on his servant.





CHAPTER 16





Diary entry by Michael Hurst from today.


One. More. Day. When will this ever end? I’ve been in this godforsaken place for almost six months and every day seems to last longer than the one before. William has supposedly arrived to free me, yet the sulfi cannot be bothered to meet with him. I attempted to ask that the matter be expedited but was rudely silenced by the sulfi, who seemed insulted by my desire to leave his house, even though I was brought here unconscious and trussed up like a wild boar, and have been held under lock and key and musket ever since.

Miss Smythe-Haughton has advised patience and has gone to speak with the sulfi herself, which is a complete waste of time. Still, at least she is no longer underfoot while I’m pacing my bedchamber from end to end. If I am not released soon, I will be forced to escape, musket-bearing guards or not.

Several hours later, Robert tilted his head to one side and stared at his reflection in the mirror, his gaze narrowing as he examined the intricate folds of his cravat. After a long, silent moment, he nodded. “It will do.”

Behind him, Buffon clasped his hands and gave a relieved sigh. “Oui! Very good, monsieur. I feared the starch would not be to your liking.”

“It’s well enough.” He deftly placed a sapphire pin in his cravat. “I am ready for dinner and there’s still thirty minutes to spare. I’ll wear my robe until it’s time to put on my dinner coat, so it won’t wrinkle.”

“Very good, monsieur.” Buffon went to the wardrobe and removed a brilliant red silk robe.

He lovingly carried it to Robert, who eyed it with disbelief. “Where’s my blue robe?”

Buffon appeared pained. “Monsieur, will you at least try the new robe? It is very fashionable and—”

“The blue robe. Now.”

Buffon’s lips thinned, but he went to the large wardrobe and, with a great show, lovingly hung the red silk robe inside. He yanked out a blue robe from the bottom of the wardrobe, muttering under his breath in French.

“That robe is not a rag.”

Buffon sniffed but held out the robe.

Robert slipped it on. “When you are done pouting, I have a task for you.”

Buffon had turned to put away the cravats that had not been used, but he paused, his dark gaze locking on Robert. “Oui?”

“It may not be pleasant.”

“Your tasks rarely are, monsieur. But you are here on a mission, which is why you are now pretending to be married to madame.”

Robert tied the belt on his robe, hiding a grimace. Telling his servants he was pretending to be married had seemed easier than trying to explain the true circumstances. For some reason, though, hearing his own words rankled. “It’s a very important mission; lives are at stake.” One in particular.

The valet draped the cravats over his arm and stood as if at attention. “What do you need of Buffon?”

“Information. Rumor has it that Ross has a secret chamber somewhere inside this castle.”

“Intriguing!”

“That item I purchased from Ross, the one I told you about?”