Page 38 of The Scholar's Key
“Ah, yes, that’s right. Except I do not believe I was there. I was just passing by.”
“That can’t be right,” Lady Lecher said, leaning forward. “For we both saw you at the Assembly Rooms last week. For the fancy dress ball.”
“I was there, yes,” Noah said, inclining his head. “Perhaps you have me confused with another, Lord Stephen. I am told that I have one of those faces that is often mistaken.”
“No, no, it was not the Assembly Rooms,” Lord Stephen said, tapping a finger against his smirk. “I believe you were going into an establishment. One on a… quiet street.”
Percy’s eyes turned towards him, as she realized just exactly what Lord Stephen was saying. The only thing was, Lord Stephen had no idea that she was well aware of just what he was doing there.
“Yes, I saw you through a window,” he continued. “You were quite close with a woman. Is she your betrothed?”
Feeling his aunt’s stare, Noah managed a brittle smile. “As I said, you must have seen another and thought it was me. I am studying every day and the only evening social events I have attended have been with my aunt and uncle.”
“And at night?”
“I remain in their home,” Noah said, giving him a hard look, until finally Uncle Albert mercifully entered the conversation, asking Lord Fairfax about an investment, even though the women were obviously not pleased with the turn of conversation to business matters.
Noah felt Percy’s eyes on him, and he looked up to meet her stare, surprised when she seemed upset. He had done nothing, and he had told her that.
So why didn’t she believe him?
And why did it matter whether she did?
CHAPTER14
None of this was going to plan.
Not their retrieval of the necklace, not her reaction to Lord Stephen, and certainly not what she was feeling about Noah.
Percy had to turn things around. And she was going to start tonight.
But first, she had to discover just what Noah was planning. She had a feeling that he was going to want to finish this as quickly as possible. The longer he waited, the more he would stew on everything. She was sure he would attempt to steal the necklace tonight.
She also knew that no matter what she asked him, he wasn’t going to tell her his plans.
It was the night after the ill-fated dinner party that she had been so excited about, and she and her parents had retired earlier than usual, for no social events were occurring that evening.
Mary had already readied her for bed, but Percy removed her nightclothes as quickly as she could before donning a dark navy morning gown she found in the back of her wardrobe, one that was not fit for company but would do for tonight when she hoped to be invisible. She tied a black scarf around her hair before slowly and carefully opening her bedroom door, ensuring no one was about before she tiptoed through the corridor and down the stairs, watching for servants as she went.
She wished she was adventurous enough to sneak out her window, but she knew that would not likely end well.
Fortunately, the house Percy’s family was renting was not far from Noah’s aunt and uncle’s home. She had discovered their address when they sent the invitation for dinner, and she had made sure that she knew where to find them. Keeping her head down, she was able to walk past the few people she encountered without notice.
Turning into the square, she slipped into the gardens, sitting on a bench in the dark. She looked over her shoulder every time she heard the smallest noise, trying to decide just what she would do if someone happened to discover her – be it a friendly surprise or a threat.
Fortunately, she didn’t have long to wait before she saw Noah emerge from the front door, smiling when he looked from one side to the other surreptitiously– for it was not as though anyone else would have any awareness of what he was doing but this was quite out of character for him.
He was dressed, as she was, in dark colours, and he kept his hat low over his eyes as he walked down the street. Percy left her hiding place to follow him, her skirts swishing as she hustled to keep up with his quick pace.
He turned a few times, and Percy wished she was more familiar with Bath so that she had an idea as to where they were heading. Finally, he stopped in front of a well-kept house of an average size, as he once more checked for anyone watching him before he continued around the back.
Percy raced across the road, catching up to him just as he stood on his toes to peer into the back window. She didn’t want to startle him but needed him to realize she was there as she raised her hand and tapped her fingers on his shoulder.
“Noah,” she hissed, and he whirled around in surprise, his hand on his chest.
“Percy!” he finally said with a gasp. “What are you doing?”
She placed her fists on her hips. “Did I not tell you to inform me as to when you were planning on stealing the necklace?”
