Page 3 of The Viscount's Code
Best of luck. Anthony wished he’d kept his mouth shut when he had recognized the potential of a code in the book they had unearthed. Now they were all counting on him to solve this mystery. And while he had recognized a code existed, he wasn’t sure he had any chance of breaking it. He had never been nearly as intelligent as his father, unfortunately. If he was, perhaps he could have cleared his name years ago.
He watched Hope speak to her mother, who was standing with his own. Hope glanced toward him once again, and he could only imagine how much she must be regretting their agreement for him to come visit.
Anthony was rather concerned as well – for the fair Hope with her soft blond hair, her deep blue eyes, and porcelain skin was all he had ever wanted and exactly what he couldn’t have. Her beauty made Ferrington’s revelation all the more surprising. What was it about LadyFaiththat would attract a man over her sister?
Every other man he knew was enamoured with Lady Hope – a group he refused to join, as he was far from the man for her.
“Anthony!”
He had been so focused on his ridiculous musings that he hadn’t been paying attention to the room around him.
“Yes, Mother?” She was standing by his side.
“Lady Embury has invited us to visit their estate within a fortnight.”
His mother was wringing her hands together nervously. He hated how unsure of herself she had become since their father’s death and the accusations that had been brought against him.
“Would you like to accept?” he asked, even though he knew he was supposed to be encouraging the visit.
“I am not entirely sure,” she said, hedging. “It would be lovely to spend time with Lady Embury. We’ve been friends since we were girls, of course, and it has been some time since I have been to their country home. It is just…”
“Just what?”
“Since your father died, I haven’t quite felt like myself.”
Anthony softened at her words, and he reached out and placed a hand on her arm.
“Then perhaps a visit with an old friend is just what you need.”
She hesitated before nodding, a small smile flitting across her face for just a moment.
“Perhaps you are right,” she said, straightening. “I shall tell Lady Embury we will be there within a week, if you are agreeable.”
“I am. I need to return home to see to a few matters, but we are in such close proximity to Newfield Manor, I see no issue.”
“Wonderful!” His mother brightened, and Anthony hoped desperately that Lady Embury would be considerate and not raise any topics that would cause his mother’s smile to fade. “I shall go inform her of the good news.”
Anthony shoved his hands in his pockets, watching her as she returned to Lady Embury, who was standing with Lady Hope herself. Her eyes caught his once more, and he found himself nearly lost in their ocean blue depths.
“Not for me,” he murmured to himself, wondering how many times in the coming days he would have to repeat that utterance. “Not for me.”
CHAPTER2
“You seem nervous.”
“I’m not nervous.” Hope crossed her arms over her chest, trying to convince herself as well as her sister that there was nothing to fear. “We shall be spending most of our time with Lady Whitehall, who seems rather lovely.”
“She is beside herself.”
Hope stopped pacing to look at her sister, who was sitting at her writing desk, pen scratching upon the paper, obviously completely unaffected by their upcoming visitors.
“That is not kind.”
“It is the truth,” Faith said, flipping to her next page. “The woman can barely speak without seeking approval. It is a wonder that Mother is still friends with her.”
“It is hardly a wonder. Mother far prefers friends and acquaintances who will sit still and listen to her instead of trying to interject a word themselves.”
“Also true,” Faith acknowledged, and Hope couldn’t help a small sigh. Faith was actually quite a bit like their mother, although she would never actuallytellher sister that, for she was sure the comment would be met with derision.
