Page 24 of The Viscount's Code
As he mounted his horse to return, however, he was reminded that he would have to spend the ride with Lord Embury – and Lord Embury alone – and braced himself for the warnings that were sure to come after the debacle at the roundabout, but he found himself pleasantly surprised once more.
“Thank you,” Lord Embury said gruffly, and Anthony looked up at him with question.
“For what?”
“For saving my daughter. I know she was not in immediate danger, not like the boy, but… I appreciate what you did for her.”
“Of course,” Anthony murmured, keeping his gaze ahead. The truth, one that he didn’t like himself, was that he was willing to do whatever it took to keep her safe. Even if she didn’t seem particularly prepared to do so herself.
It wasn’t his role, that was for certain. But somehow, he seemed to want it to be.
* * *
Anthony could tellsomething was amiss the moment they turned into the drive of Newfield Manor. The butler must have seen them coming, for the doors were open, as would be expected, except, instead of staff prepared to help them disembark and prepare for the dinner ahead as well as additional hands to see to the horses and carriage, it was a fretting housekeeper with her hands in her apron, an equally displeased butler, and footmen with grim expressions that awaited them.
“My lord,” the butler said, striding down the drive, awaiting the earl as he threw his leg over the side of his horse and jumped to the ground. “I have some distressing news.”
“What is it, Humphries?” Lord Embury said urgently.
“It appears that there was a thief in the house.”
“A what?” Lord Embury practically shouted, those thick eyebrows coming into a low vee over his forehead. “What are you talking about? What was taken?”
“That is what is most strange,” the butler said, “for it appears that nothing of note is missing. One of the maids went into clean your study and noticed that it appeared rather dishevelled. Books were scattered about, papers on your desk strewn around. We did not think you would have left it in such a state; however, we did not think much of it until we went into the library. Books were everywhere. We have tried to set everything back to rights as best we can, but from what I can tell, some books are missing from your study shelves.”
“Which ones?” the earl thundered.
“I’m not entirely sure,” the butler said, his expression appearing contrite. “I do not know their titles well enough, but there were certainly empty spaces upon the shelves.”
“This is preposterous!” The earl exclaimed, as the rest of his family appeared from the carriage, concern on all of the ladies’ faces. “Why would someone come into Newfield Manor? And how could it have happened with all of the servants about?”
“I suppose they took advantage of you being out, my lord,” Humphries said. “I have questioned the staff, but no one saw anything.”
Anthony exchanged a look with Lady Hope and Lady Faith. He knew exactly what the thief had been after, but he didn’t feel at liberty to say, not in front of the staff as well as the mothers. The intruder had been after the book, but whether he had found it or not remained to be seen.
“Lord Embury, why do we not go look for ourselves?” he said with a meaningful gaze, and the earl caught it and nodded.
“Very well.”
As they entered the house together, Anthony kept his voice low.
“Someone is looking for the book – or books.”
“I gathered,” the earl returned. “But who would even know of it?”
“I don’t know,” Anthony said, shaking his head. “Do you recall Lord Covington and Lady Cassandra telling us they thought someone was shooting at them as they searched for the clue? It leads me to wonder if someone else has discovered this treasure hunt.”
“Or someone who already knows of it has ulterior motives.”
Anthony looked at him in some surprise. “Only our friends are privy to it.”
The earl lifted a brow. “How well do you know your friends?”
Anthony said nothing as they continued on to the study. He thought he knew them quite well, but then, did anyone ever know anyone else as well as he thought he did?
He supposed someone could have talked to another party as well, which would have sparked interest.
Somehow along the way to Harwich and back, it seemed that he and the earl had become… allies, if nothing else. He wasn’t sure if it was due to his actions at the roundabout, or if it was because he had agreed to the earl’s terms when it came to studying the books, but apparently the earl somewhat trusted him, whether he was pleased about it or not.
