Page 67 of The Viscount's Code
As Anthony saw the Rowley brothers off the following morning, he could tell that they were curious as to what his note from Hope included.
It was not that he didn’t want to share its contents with them.
It was that he hadn’t yet read it himself.
As he had said goodnight to the men the night before, his first instinct had been to run to his room and open it up, to read whatever it was she had to say to him. But then he had stopped, wondering if doing so would change everything.
What if she had written that she never wanted to see him again? What if she had said she blamed him for everything, that she agreed with her father, that she had seen who he truly was after he had left without saying goodbye?
Even though it would be for the best if she had, he couldn’t bring himself to open it and determine if he was correct.
So he left it, folded, on the table beside his bed.
Now he sat in his chamber, looking back and forth between the folded note and the key, which he held in one hand, turning it over and over as he read the inscription, trying to recall anything from the books that might be relevant.
“A precious stone, a gift of love, a flicker of flame. What could it be?” he murmured the words in English. “What could itbe?”
He paced back and forth, wondering why nothing was coming to him, until it occurred to him that there was a block in his mind – and that block was Hope’s note.
“Damn it,” he said, finally pacing back over to the nightstand and picking up the note. He unfolded it slowly, annoyed that his fingers were practically shaking as he did so.
Anthony,
By now you will have received the key and, knowing you, have likely solved the inscription. I wish you had been here to accompany me. As I played the song to unlock the key, I knew it would have been so much better had you been here with me. I understand why you left, but know this. My heart is yours. It is now and always will be. It chose you, and it is up to you what to do with it now. I am yours if you will have me. The song unlocked the key, the key to my heart. I love you and always will.
I will be at Castleton for the next week before returning home.
Love always,
Hope
He let the note fall from his fingers to the floor. She loved him. He had known that she cared for him, as she of course would not have given herself to just any man, but to know that she was giving him every piece of her, no matter what her father said… it caused a great twinge in his chest, one that led to warmth spreading out to every part of his body.
That was love. He had known he loved her, but he hadn’t understood how much his soul was entwined with hers, that, no matter what happened in the future, they would always belong together.
He had thought that staying apart was the right thing to do. When she had stood there, staring up at him, it had taken everything within him to push her away. But knowing he could prevent any ridicule, and also knowing that even if he hadn’t been able to, she’d have given it all away anyway – any defenses that he originally had began to crumble down around his feet.
A small bit of hope began to creep in that perhaps – just perhaps – now that he could prove his family’s innocence, her father would agree that he was the man for her – despite his insistence otherwise.
He looked down at the key now. The key to Hope’s heart. The key to love.
The ruby embedded in the key shone back at him. A ruby. Love. Hearts. Could it be a necklace? Wasn’t there a ruby jewellery set somewhere in the Sutcliffe family? Could the key have something to do with it?
There was only one way to find out. He had to return to Castleton – and to Hope. He only prayed she would still be there when he made it.
He called out to his butler to find his valet to pack for him, and to ready his horse. He had a journey to make.
* * *
Anthony wason the road within the hour. He hadn’t taken much with him and had told his valet that he would either return soon or send for him so that he was unencumbered, but for the belongings packed into the saddlebags. He knew the way well, the road being rather straightforward. There was one shortcut he decided to take, however, once he neared Castleton.
Instead of staying on the road, he saw the opening in the path and cut across one of Ashford’s fields. His eyes caught a flash in the trees beside him, but when he slowed his horse and turned to look, there was nothing but manicured hedge. He must be seeing things, especially now, when he was so close to Hope and insistent that nothing else must come between them.
As they came up to a hedgerow, he kicked his heels into his horse’s side, urging Wildheart to jump up and over. His horse, well-trained, did so with grace, and when Anthony realized just how close he was to Hope, he began to urge his horse even faster.
He was nearing the next hedgerow when he heard the first shot. Wildheart reared back at the noise, not prepared for it. Anthony whipped his head around, trying to determine from where it was coming.
He should have used that time to concentrate on his horse, for when the second shot sounded, his horse was already nearing the next hedgerow, and the noise caused Wildheart to buck Anthony right out of his seat.
