Chapter Nine
Gavin reclined on the bed, his hands behind his head, while he waited for bathwater. He had spent most of the last hour trying to determine what Louisa was thinking. Not surprisingly, he had very little success coming to a conclusion. Sometimes she was so charmingly innocent it made his heart ache, and other times, she seemed to know much more about the world than he would have expected. But the most difficult thing to determine was how she felt about him. One moment he was certain she would never consider him as more than a friend, and then the next she would touch him—innocently, of course—and it would send such a strong jolt through him that he was certain she must recognize the connection between them.
He stood and moved to the window. He still hadn’t devised a way to avoid telling Louisa about his indiscretion with Sally. If there was any possibility of a future between them, he had to tell her the truth, but there wasn’t any way to explain himself. The duke and duchess were expected to arrive any day now, as well as the guests Louisa had invited on their behalf. It seemed unlikely that the duke would allow him to marry Louisa without telling her about the incident, but if he could show all of them how much he had changed, maybe even His Grace would be convinced to support the match and spare his daughter the pain of learning about a past incident that was no longer relevant.
His valet finally arrived, along with two footmen carrying warm water. “Thank you, Henry. You needn’t stay to help me dress.” Fitting his large frame into the bathtub, he leaned back and thought about the poem.
In his younger days, he had memorized some of Byron’s work, thinking he would recite it to attract ladies, but in the end, it seemed too silly even for him. Though the poem in the journal appeared to have been written by grandma’s paramour, it was certainly sappy enough to have been penned by Byron. He had always been quick to remember words, and the lines of the poem flitted through his mind as he bathed. Your sweet voice sings to me…Like music upon the swelling tide…Whilst nymphs dance upon the water…Harboring secrets in the deep…Rivers join whom they did first divide…Under the cold, translucent waves…We remain steadfast.
There were quite a lot of references to water in the poem. Could it be a clue after all? There was the River Wye as well as the stream that ran through the property. There might even be other ponds or lakes of which he was unaware. As long as he didn’t have to climb into that blasted well where the tiara had been hidden, he could deal with water.
Pleased to have come up with something of use to present to Louisa, he climbed out of the tub and got dressed quickly. It would be a huge disappointment for her if he had encouraged them to embark on an empty quest. At least now he had a glimmer of hope that there might be something out there for them to find.
They had continued their habit of eating a light dinner in the library. By the time Gavin arrived, all three ladies were already present.
He bowed. “My apologies. I hadn’t realized I was late.”
“You’re not,” Louisa said. “We were just early. I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve been sharing our findings with Isa in the hope that she might be able to assist us.”
Louisa’s beauty stole his breath. Surely she was not meant for someone like him, and yet, he wasn’t ready to give up his pursuit of her. He would give anything to have her as his wife. She was gracious, smart, capable, and yet still managed to be vulnerable. The combination was intoxicating. He shot Isa a smile and took his seat. “Not at all. Do you have any insights to share with us?”
“I’m afraid not. Louisa was correct that we never considered the necklace and earrings while we were searching since we were so focused on the tiara. I don’t remember any clues that might point to the other jewelry, but I’d be happy to read the journal again if you think it would help.”
Louisa shook her head. “I think we’ve been very thorough. Besides, Edward would not be pleased to discover that we’ve engaged you in yet another quest when you’re supposed to be here to rest.”
“If I may,” Gavin said, “I have a theory to propose. There are no fewer than five verses that reference water in the poem at the end of the journal. I think the poem might be the last clue. Are there any structures on the property built near the river or a stream? Or perhaps a pond or lake?”
Louisa scrunched her nose. “There’s a pavilion near the stream, but I’m not certain when it was built. There’s also an old structure along the river to the south.”
“Then it looks like we have a couple of places to scout tomorrow.”
Louisa shot him a dazzling smile that made him forget about their quest. If she were his, he wouldn’t trade her for any amount of treasure.
Shaking his head to clear it, he met Louisa’s eyes and asked, “Are there, by chance, any ruins that you know of?”
“No, though of course, none of us knew about the maze or the old well, either.”
“So what you’re saying is that we may have to search the entire property.”
Isa looked at them both. “It’s also likely that there isn’t anything to be found. You must prepare yourselves for that possibility.”
Louisa’s face dropped. Though Isa was correct that they could be engaging in a fool’s errand, it was clearly important to Louisa, and that was all that mattered to him. He would not fail her if he could help it.
Just as they began to eat, a knock sounded on the door. “My lady, I’m sorry to interrupt, but a messenger just delivered this for you.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Wollard.”
It was from her mother. She broke the seal and read the short note. “All is well, but their return has been delayed. Mama estimates that they will be here by the end of the week.”
“Oh, dear,” Lady Kenworth said. “I suspect some of your guests may arrive before they return.”
“It is no matter. We are equal to the task of entertaining guests, even if it means we have to postpone our search for more clues.”
Gavin frowned. “Unless someone arrives in the next twelve hours, I think we should take advantage of what little time we have left to explore as much as possible. At least that way we should be able to narrow down the possibilities.”
“Where do you suggest we start?” she asked.
“I think we should divide the property into quadrants and search them one at a time, starting with the stream.”
Louisa nodded. “It seems a better plan than anything else we’ve come up with so far.”
There was one person who might be able to help them narrow down their search. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t thought of it sooner. “Has the land steward returned yet? Other than your father, he is likely the most knowledgeable resource regarding the property.”
“Of course. I don’t know why I didn’t think of him myself. Once we finish dinner, I will speak with Phillips. He’ll know Mr. Jeffers’s whereabouts.”
“In the meantime, I suggest you make preparations for the arrival of your guests. Do you have activities planned?” Lady Concord asked.
Louisa nodded. “As long as the nice weather holds, they can walk or ride the property, fish in the river, practice archery, and play lawn bowls and several other games.”
“I don’t see how they could be bored here,” Gavin added. “I can certainly lead them in a bird watching expedition. Perhaps some of them might like to practice drawing birds as well.”
“I think they would enjoy that.” Louisa shot him a smile that traveled straight to his heart.
“Do we have enough indoor activities to keep everyone entertained if it does rain?” Lady Concord asked.
Gavin shrugged. “It won’t rain the entire time they’re here. None of us deserve that sort of torture.”
Louisa nodded. “I should think. The men can play billiards and cards, and we certainly have enough novels for everyone to read. We can also hold poetry readings, or perform a theatrical. In the evenings, we can dance, or allow the ladies to exhibit their talents on the pianoforte. There’s plenty to keep us occupied.”
Lady Concord stood. “It seems we have everything in hand for the arrival of the guests, then. I’ll see you all in the morning.”
“Good night, my lady,” Gavin said, and the ladies echoed his sentiment.
As soon as the sound of her footsteps ceased, Isa popped up. “I’m rather tired myself. I think I’ll turn in now as well.”
Heat rushed to Louisa’s face. Though Gavin appreciated her sentiment, Isa might have attempted to make it seem as if she wasn’t deliberately trying to give them time alone together.
“Shall we seek out Jeffers tonight, or wait until morning?” he asked.
A loud knock sounded on the door, and a maid peered into the room.
“My lady, you have a guest.”
She drew her eyebrows together. “Who is it?”
“Her Grace, the Duchess of Blockey, and Lady Phoebe Silbury.”
“Lord help us. Was it necessary to invite her?” he asked. The woman was exceedingly predatory. She had propositioned most of the single men during the last house party he had attended at Walsley. The only reason she wasn’t labeled a pariah was because her father was a duke. Much would be forgiven by the ton if one possessed the correct title and a bit of wealth.
“It cannot be helped. They live nearby and there would be hell to pay if they found out we held a party and they were not invited.”
“I believe you will be forever indebted to me after this. I shall require some compensation from you after having to spend the week fending off Lady Phoebe’s advances.”
“You’re being awfully dramatic, and perhaps making unfair assumptions.”
He raised a brow. “I am?”
“What makes you think she has any interest in you?”
“I’m the only titled male in residence at the moment. There’s no one else for her to attach herself to.”
Louisa bit back a grin. “Then you better hope Lord Stowe and some of the other male guests arrive soon.”
With that, she turned on her heel and rushed into the corridor, leaving him to follow in her wake.
Briefly, he debated running away to his bedchamber, but Louisa would likely hunt him down and kill him if he did that, so instead he ran to catch up with her. He grabbed her arm and stopped her forward momentum.
“Just to show you the lengths I’m willing to go to for you, why don’t you retreat to your bedchamber? I’ll greet them and have your housekeeper see to their needs.”
“You know I can’t do that. I have to take my mother’s place in her absence.”
“I can tell them you’ve already retired for the night. They’ll be none the wiser. Besides, we both know they brought an entourage with them, and yet failed to send a rider ahead to give us time to prepare for their arrival. We’ve already given them more consideration than they deserve.”
Her expression wavered for a moment. She definitely wanted to do as he said. “It would be odd for you to be the one to receive them. They’ll expect me in lieu of my mother.” She sighed and her shoulders slumped. “I cannot avoid my duties, but you ought to make a run for it while you can.”
“No, I will suffer along with you.”
“It’s really not necessary.”
“Not to worry. I’ll make you pay me back later.”
“Oh?” She released a throaty laugh that made his stomach tighten. “We’ll just have to see about that.”
“You can count on it.” He held his hand out, indicating she should lead the way.
“They really ought to have given us some idea of their arrival,” she muttered. Fueled by righteous indignation, she somehow managed to speed down the corridor while maintaining a ladylike, if alarmingly fast, walk. He, on the other hand, had to skip through every third step to keep up with her.
“Your Grace, Lady Phoebe. It’s a pleasure to see you. I’m afraid we didn’t receive the message that you would be arriving tonight, or we would have been waiting for you.”
Phoebe raised her brows at him, then turned her glare on Louisa. “Does that mean our rooms aren’t ready yet?”
The duchess glared at her daughter, presumably due to her rude behavior. Clearly they had had their fill of traveling in the carriage together.
“Of course not, Lady Phoebe,” Louisa said sweetly. “I’ll show you to your rooms now.” She turned on her heel and marched back down the corridor, mumbling over her shoulder, “If I don’t find cause to strangle you along the way.”
Gavin snorted, then coughed to cover the sound.
“Are you unwell, Lord Thornbrook?” asked the duchess.
“I’m quite all right, thank you, Your Grace. Just a tickle in my throat.”
“In that case, what are you doing here?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Why are you alone with Lady Louisa?”
“Oh no, we are not alone. Lady Concord and Lady Kenworth are both here, but have already retired for the night. I was still in the library reading when you arrived, so naturally I came to greet you, not realizing that though Lady Louisa was already above stairs, she had come back down to greet you herself.” He hoped she would accept his manufactured excuse.
“I see,” the duchess said.
She still seemed suspicious, but not enough to continue questioning him, thank goodness. When they reached the top of the staircase, Louisa was already showing Lady Phoebe to her room. He decided to stay where he was and wait for Louisa. He knew better than to get near Lady Phoebe’s bedchamber.
“Good night, Your Grace.”
“Good night, Lord Thornbrook.”
She continued down the corridor, and soon enough, Louisa was coming back his way.
“What are you doing lurking in the corridor?”
“I wanted to see you to your bedchamber.”
“That’s highly inappropriate.”
“Nevertheless, please allow me walk with you. After all, I’m heading to nearly the same place.”
“Fine.” She continued her charge down the corridor, stopping only when her hand reached the latch to her bedchamber door. “I’m sorry to be so cross, but I’d rather be searching for the jewelry than entertaining my family’s guests.”
“You needn’t worry. I’ll help you.”
“You will? You’re volunteering to entertain Lady Phoebe?”
“I admit that wouldn’t be my first choice, but yes.” He took her hand in his and nodded. “I’ll do whatever you want me to do to help you.”
He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead, catching the scent of roses from her hair. “I’d do anything for you,” he whispered in her ear and was inordinately pleased by her shiver.
Her eyes wide, she turned the handle and backed into her chamber, closing the door softly behind her. It had taken every ounce of his willpower not to follow her in, but she wasn’t ready for that. One of his favorite things about her was how she managed to be both innocent and worldly, with exactly the right amount of each.
“Are you still standing outside my door?”
He grinned. “Maybe.”
A musical laugh sounded through the door. “You need to leave now.”
“I’m going.” He resisted the urge to whistle as he strode a short way down the corridor to his bedchamber. Maybe, just maybe, he had a chance to win her heart. Though he loathed the idea of spending any amount of time in the company of her father, if Louisa was willing to marry him, he could spare a month each year for them to spend at Walsley.