Page 58 of The Viscount's Code
“I do,” Anthony said. “Your father agreed that I could bring them, as he would be here to ensure that all was well. Of course, he will want to be present if we are to inspect them. I’m not entirely certain how Ashford will feel about that.”
“I’m sure he will understand.”
“It is a mystery, isn’t it, how your father came to be in possession of the book?” he mused. “His mother must have been great friends with Ashford’s grandmother.”
Hope saw his gaze catch something over her shoulder – something that must have troubled him, for his expression became completely closed off.
“We should continue on to see the others,” he said, all levity removed from his voice.
Her heart fell. She was enjoying this time alone with him and wasn’t sure there would be much more. “But—”
“Hope.”
Her father was behind her, and she turned to find him staring at her and Anthony, a frown on his face. “Go find your friends.”
She bristled at his command. “Anth—Lord Whitehall and I were just about to do so.”
“I would like to have a word with him first.”
“Father, I—”
“Go, Hope.”
She looked at Anthony, who nodded slightly at her as though to say he would be just fine, before she turned and went to find Cassandra.
She could only imagine what her father might have to say. And she had a feeling it wasn’t anything good.
CHAPTER23
“Lord Whitehall, I have asked you this before and I must ask you again.”
Anthony braced himself for the earl’s next words, which were more predictable than the sunrise.
“What are your intentions—”
“Whitehall, there you are!”
Anthony had never been so grateful to see Ferrington in his life. “We have been looking for you. Lord Embury,” Ferrington continued. “Didn’t see you there. A beautiful day for a beautiful ceremony, is it not?”
Lord Embury grunted in response.
“Ashford is looking for you,” Ferrington continued, speaking to Anthony now. “He’d like to look at the books this afternoon, before anyone leaves.”
Suddenly, Anthony wasn’t so happy to see Ferrington, for he hadn’t wanted to discuss this in front of Embury any longer.
“Tell me when you are doing so,” Embury said with a pointed look at Anthony that also told him he likely wasn’t finished with their previous discussion. “I will join you.”
Anthony had known he would be spending some time trying to solve this riddle while at Castleton, but he hadn’t planned on doing so much of it with Embury looking over his shoulder.
“He said later this afternoon,” Ferrington said. “But first, we will go toast the happy couple once more.”
Anthony was quick to walk away with Ferrington, leaving Embury behind them.
He wished the morning would last much longer, but it wasn’t long before he was requested to appear in the library with Ashford.
Anthony had just entered his bedchamber to collect the books before their arranged meeting time when a soft knock on the door was followed by Hope’s entry.
“What are you doing here?” he asked in a hushed voice. “Your father has warned me away from you yet again. I’m not sure that this is the best idea.”
