Page 33 of The Lord's Compass
“Yes, well, when the lords spend more time away from their estates, having their fun, it makes it hard for them to know what is needed,” she said, warming to her topic. “ButDonRaphael has been here a great deal lately.”
“I can see why, as the property is so beautiful,” Faith said.
“Truth be told…” Lola said slowly, her gaze meeting Faith’s again, “will this stay between us, my lady?”
“Of course,” Faith said, her lie slight for the only other person she would tell would be Eric. Now that she had opened the door with Lola, there was no stopping the flood of information.
“DonRaphael is looking for something.”
“Is he?”
She nodded slowly. “Something worth a lot. He told us he’ll hire more staff when he finds it, so we should keep an eye out for it.”
“What are you looking for?” Faith asked, attempting nonchalance. “Maybe we can help.”
“No,” Lola said quickly. “He can’t know I told you about this. Neither can Abello.”
“I promise I will not say a thing,” Faith said, holding her palms up. “You seem like a lovely young woman, Lola, and I just do not want to see you working so hard.”
“Thank you,” Lola said quietly. “I think what he’s looking for is in the house or on the grounds. A treasure, maybe, though that sounds crazy.”
“Crazier things have happened,” Faith said with a smile. “If you can unfasten my gown, I can do the rest myself, Lola. Thank you so much.”
When the maid left, Faith walked into Eric’s bedroom, opening the door without knocking.
“Eric, Lola has?—”
She stopped abruptly, for she was in too much shock to continue.
For there was Eric, lounging back on the bed, as naked as could be.
CHAPTER11
Eric had jumped when the door opened.
But his surprise was worth Faith’s expression when she took a good look at him.
“I-I’m sorry,” she said, slowly backing away. “I should have knocked. I was just—that is I—I was going to tell you about Lola. What she said, that is. I—I’m just going to go.”
When she whirled around, he stood, lifting his wrapper off of the chair next to him.
“No need, I’ll cover myself,” he said, although he didn’t rush to get dressed. Oh, how much fun they could have together if she would let go of some of her reservations. “Tell me about Lola.”
When Faith turned around, it took everything within him not to comment on the bright pink of her cheeks, but he said nothing as she told him of her conversation.
“So they know there is a treasure,” he said, stroking his chin. “Interesting.”
“Do you think the actual treasure is here?” she asked. “And if we find it – would we be stealing it?”
He took her hand and tugged her over to the bed, sitting down next to her on it. He kept her warm hands between his as he looked into her eyes.
“At this point, we are just helping our friends. I say we find out what we can, and then let Ashford and Lady Covington decide what they want to do as it is their family who is involved. Is that fair?”
She nodded. “I suppose.”
He waited for her to say something else, to show any inkling that she was interested in what more could come from this opportunity that was placed between the two of them, but she stood abruptly and began to back away.
“Goodnight, Eric. Sleep well.”
