Page 52 of The Viscount's Code
“These things have a way of getting out.”
She was right about that, but Anthony didn’t have any wish to disappoint Hope at the moment.
“Faith,” Hope said, reaching out and placing a hand on her arm. “Doyoupromise to keep this secret? For now, at least?”
Lady Faith stilled as she looked from one of them to the other. “I will not tell anyone of what has happened, but nor will I deny it if I am asked about it.”
Hope pressed her lips together. “That is all that I can ask for.”
“If Father finds out—” Lady Faith’s look of warning was directed at Anthony once more, but he was prepared for this. He nodded in agreement.
He did not want to be married, could not offer much. But if he was pressed, he would marry her. For he was beginning to realize that he would do practically anything for Hope. He just prayed he’d have time to set all to rights first.
* * *
Their returnto Newfield Manor had, so far, gone according to plan. Hope rode with Faith the rest of the way, stopping to pick up her maid. They had to bribe the ladies’ maids to keep the secret, although they shared with them the story that Hope had been to see another of their friends and had met them at the inn. Hope was aware that the story was now so complicated that she might have a hard time remembering the various threads of the deception. It made her rather nervous, but she was too deep into this now.
She had done what she had to do, and the books remained safe.
Anthony followed a few hours behind them, the coincidence in their arrival date noted but not questioned.
The mothers were all in a flutter as they began to prepare for their next foray – Cassandra and Devon’s wedding.
Hope didn’t see Anthony for the rest of the day, and even at dinner, she did her best not to speak, allowing Faith to answer questions about their journey and their visit, for Hope had nothing to say about it, having not actually been there herself.
She did pay attention when her father began to ask Anthony about the progress he had made during his visit.
“My friend was actually able to help significantly,” he said. “I believe we have broken the code and solved the next clue.”
“You were able to do so without my book?” her father asked, fixing an eye upon him, and Hope felt a churning in her belly as she wondered if her father knew that Anthony had taken it.
“I shall have to review it tomorrow,” Anthony replied without a change in his expression.
“How about tonight?”
“I am rather tired from the journey, if you don’t mind,” Anthony said. “I do not travel well.”
Hope hid her smile. He didn’t – although she had certainly found a way to keep his mind off his stomach over the bouncing roads.
He glanced at her quickly, his face reddening as he turned his eyes away hurriedly, obviously understanding what she was thinking.
So she was the one affectinghimnow. That was interesting. Very interesting indeed.
* * *
Anthony had been awake lateinto the night, replacing the book into its binding. He had been as quiet as possible as he had opened the desk, retrieved the cover, and then replaced the inside pages before returning the book. He was sure that he had gone unnoticed, and fortunately, when he met up with Lord Embury the next morning, the earl did not seem to hold any suspicions as they opened the desk together.
They lay the books out on his work table in the library, and as they took a seat, Anthony explained Reeves’ theory. Lord Embury seemed intrigued.
He agreed to give Anthony some time with the books, returning a few hours later to check on Anthony – who, of course, had already figured out the clue with Reeves, although he hadn’t been able to admit it to Embury.
“A song?” Lord Embury said, his bushy eyebrows rising, and Anthony hesitated. He wasn’t sure that it was for him to share the broken code with anyone – even Hope’s father – but he also didn’t see the harm. If he had no idea what he was supposed to do with the next clue, how would Lord Embury?
“A Spanish song,” Lord Embury mused, rubbing his chin. “It could be tied to Ashford’s grandmother – she came from Spain to marry the duke.”
“Perhaps Covington will have an idea, then,” Anthony said, wondering what Gideon would make of it all.
“Perhaps. We make for Castleton in a few days,” the earl said, pausing as he sat back in his chair to stare at Anthony. “What will you do after the wedding?”
