Page 31 of The Viscount's Code
“True,” she said, mulling over the fact of how things often turned out the way they should. “Tell me about Reeves.”
“Right now?”
“We are going to see him, are we not?” she asked. “I should know what to expect.”
She was also hoping that distracting him would help with his queasiness.
“He and my father were good friends in their youth. Reeves was always fascinated with codes and was trained by his father. When additional codebreakers were required for the war effort, he recruited my father, as he had always been proficient at puzzles as well. They renewed their old friendship. Since my father died, however, Reeves has been a recluse. Do not expect him to be friendly or welcoming to you. Especially since he did not know that you would be accompanying me.”
“But I will be arriving as your guest.”
“Of a sort.”
Hope decided to ignore that comment especially as he was, essentially, correct.
“Did he teach you, or did your father?”
“Mostly my father. But I spent some time with Reeves as well. He is brilliant and has studied nearly all of the codes that are known.”
“I see,” she said, biting her lip, wondering what was in store for her when they arrived. If Lord Whitehall, who was not exactly a polite conversationalist, was calling this man a rude recluse, she could hardly imagine how severe he might be.
“Is he married?”
“No, he never married.”
“Is he part of the aristocracy?”
“Does it matter?”
“I was simply wondering.” She kept the polite smile on her face, refraining from rolling her eyes. He always seemed to believe the worst about her, didn’t he.
“A second son. His home is not grand but comfortable.”
“I see.”
“Will that be sufficient for you?” he asked, and she couldn’t tell if his tone was cynical or teasing.
“Of course.”
“How will you dress without a maid?”
“Allow me to worry about that,” she said, even though this time, he actually had a valid concern. She had been thinking about it as well. She had tried to pack the gowns that would be easiest for her to fasten herself, but she had never had to do so before.
There was no better time than the present to learn.
And it seemed that there were going to be a lot of lessons in store for her. Perhaps the most pressing one? Patience.
CHAPTER12
Anthony had tried to resist her questions. But by the time the carriage pulled up in front of the inn in Bures, they had been talking for nearly the entire carriage ride. Anthony could hardly believe it. He never entered into conversations like this – with anyone. He said what needed to be said and had no desire for the rest of it.
But somehow, with Lady Hope, it was different. Easier. She had asked about his upbringing, his schooling, about his friendships with the other gentlemen in his circle.
She’d asked him his favorite food, his favorite dance, what he did in his leisure time. Most of her questions, he’d never even considered before.
After a while, he had even asked her some in turn, which she had seemed happy to answer. It wasn’t until they pulled up in front of the inn that he realized he hadn’t thought of the arrangements for the night.
Apparently, judging by the look on her face, neither had she.
