Page 96 of A Little Bit Dangerous
Aramis tugged the cuffs of his coat. “Might I play the fallen angel here to cause mayhem? You and Christian can be the voices of reason.”
Perhaps keen to forge friendships, Isabella agreed.
They made a plan before alighting.
Isabella drew Christian aside. “Aaron seems rather subdued since we left the conte’s mansion. I believe he blames me for almost getting you all killed.”
Christian cupped her cheek. “It’s not that. He’s spent years planning your father’s demise. I suspect he feels robbed because he didn’t deliver the fatal blow. If there’s one thing my brother despises, it’s the feeling of inadequacy.”
“I see.”
“He’ll come to accept it in time.”
“Surely he can put the ghosts of the past to rest now.”
Christian’s heart melted at her naiveté. “It would take more than Lawton’s death to bring my brother the peace he deserves. I fear his troubled soul will haunt him for an eternity.”
Cornelius Brown’s arrival brought the conversation to an abrupt end. The man was too busy inspecting his pocket watch to notice five people loitering outside the museum. He almost jumped out of his skin when he locked eyes with Isabella.
“Mr Brown.” She stepped forward. “I trust all went well in Bath. While I find Roman artefacts a little underwhelming, I’m told they fetch a handsome price.”
“To find Roman ruins on English soil is reward itself.” The curator observed her red silk dress and loose hair and frowned. He cast a curious eye over Christian’s brothers. “I trust all is well, Miss Lawton.”
“Oh yes. I came merely to tell you our splendid news regarding the Egyptian artefacts. You must forgive my odd appearance. The investigation was concluded this past hour. Might we talk inside?”
The man shifted uncomfortably. “I’m a little short of time. I’m to inspect the exhibits before we open at nine.”
“Don’t you want to know if the artefacts are genuine? It may surprise you to learn what we discovered in Lord Oldman’s Egyptian crypt.”
She pestered the man until he had no choice but to welcome them through the doors and into the elegant hall.
She persuaded him to lead them to his office. It was a vast room filled with books, marble busts and expensive walnut furniture.
“We won’t keep you.” Isabella gestured to the padded chair opposite the desk and sat down before the curator spoke.
Christian and his brothers remained standing.
“We have Snell in custody,” Christian said, keeping his tone even. “We found a horde of fake artefacts in Lord Oldman’s basement, though he assures us none were sold to clients.”
Cornelius Brown paled. “You mean there might be forged pieces amongst my exhibits?”
“It’s doubtful, sir.” Isabella was quick to put him at ease. “You might find the truth shocking, but Captain Snell was smuggling women inside the crates. Last night, we attended an auction where these poor souls were being sold to the highest bidder.”
“Good Lord!” The curator failed to meet her gaze. He stared at the papers on his desk. “How dreadful it must have been for all involved.”
“Yes, you’ll be sorry to hear that the ghostly figure you encountered worked as a maid for Lord Oldman. We’re still gathering evidence, but believe she came to England on the promise of work, though did not expect to be employed by a tyrant. The man’s cruelty knows no bounds.”
The curator cupped his throat. “You think Lord Oldman killed the poor creature? She was frantic when she accosted me in the courtyard. Mumbling gibberish. Though now I think of it, she spoke with an accent.”
“We’re still trying to establish the facts,” Christian said.
Isabella glanced at Aramis, who took it as his cue to intimidate the witness. He perched on the desk and folded his arms across his broad chest. “What exactly did the woman say to you?”
“It might help with the investigation,” Isabella added.
Brown’s bottom lip quivered. “I was so scared I can hardly remember. She mentioned the artefacts. Spoke of sinister goings-on—Egyptian curses and the like. Said not to trust the men who sold the treasures from Amarna.”
Aramis frowned. “You’re a grown man of reasonably athletic build. Do you expect me to believe you were afraid of a woman?”
