Page 48 of Who Wants to Marry a Duke
“She won’t think anything, because she won’t know about it. No one will. That’s the point. Since plenty of people were aware that you were coming here for a visit, anyone could have done this. So, until your work is finished, the only safe place for you is somewhere no one expects you to be.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “And you think your estate is best for that.”
“Yes.”
“Oh, come now, Thorn, that’s—”
“Trust me, Grey and I have thought through our whole plan. I’ll take Grey’s phaeton to London later today. You’ll leave tomorrow, ostensibly to head home. Everyone will see Grey and Beatrice making a big show of packing you off in Grey’s carriage, accompanied by a maid. We’ll make sure the news is spread in Sudbury in case our villain is hanging about, hoping to try again if we decide to set up a new laboratory.”
He paced in front of the ruins. “But you’ll really be meeting me at Gwyn’s town house in the city. Gwyn’s husband, Major Wolfe, is an investigator of sorts, so I’ll send him up here to see what he can discover about the lad who did this.” He gestured to the destruction. “Meanwhile, in London I’ll personally oversee the purchase of more materials and equipment for your laboratory. With any luck, we can leave for Rosethorn in Berkshire, south of London, in a day or two.”
Her lips tightened into a line. “You realize that if anyone finds out I’m traveling with you, let alone staying at your estate, I’ll be ruined.”
“Did I forget to mention that Gwyn will be coming with us to chaperone? That’s the beauty of our plan. There’s no risk to you. Well, except the usual risk of exploding chemicals.”
She ignored his half-joking remark. “Have you askedeitherLady Gwyn or Major Wolfe to do this?”
“Not yet, but I know them. They’ll help.”
“And if they don’t? Or can’t, for some reason?”
“Then I’ll ask another member of my family—Heywood’s wife, perhaps. I don’t want to ask Mother if I can avoid it. We haven’t even told her we’re doing this and why.”
Nor had they told Olivia everything about their investigation. There was no reason to do so. Once this part of the investigation was finished, they wouldn’t need her.
In fact, while he was in Berkshire and she was doing her experiments, he planned to ask around about his father’s carriage accident. It had happened close enough to the estate that it had still been under the jurisdiction of the local constable. Until a year ago, he’d had no reason to look into it. Thirty years ago, no one had suspected foul play. Thorn still wasn’t sure it had been murder. But it was time to rule that out.
And perhaps that would keep him from spending every waking moment trying to seduce her.
“Anyway,” he told Olivia, “I’m certain Gwyn will travel with us and chaperone you. I’m family, and she knows you’re important to—” Thank God he’d caught himself before he’d said “me.” “To Grey and Beatrice.”
He could feel her eyes probing him.
“Onlyto Grey and Beatrice?” she asked softly.
God, shewouldask him a question like that. He stared out over the destruction. “And to the rest of the family, of course.”
Coward. But he knew better than to let anyone get too close, especially a woman whose favorite pastime was dancing with danger. If she had been inside the laboratory when that fellow had broken in . . .
Instantly tensing, he swung his gaze back to her. “Grey and I can think of no other way to protect you from whoever is trying to prevent you from doing your work. As long as the villain thinks we’ve given up, he’ll leave you alone. And that’s what we all want. Obviously you struck a nerve, and now the killer is focused onyou.”
“Wonderful,” she said dryly. “Just what I require to make my life complete.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, and meant it. “I’m sure Grey never expected this to be a hazardous proposition. I know I didn’t.”
“It’s fine. I knew what I was agreeing to.” She shivered. “Mostly, anyway.”
He searched her face. “Are you sure you’re ready to start all over again with a new laboratory? Or has this rattled your resolve?”
A faint smile crossed her lips. “You don’t know me very well if you thinkthat. There’s very little that rattles my resolve.”
“Nonetheless, we intend to put the laboratory closer to the house this time and post a guard.”
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll set fire to your expensive manor? You’re very brave, letting me play with chemicals so close to where you live.”
“I’m not brave at all. Every time I think of some chemical accidentally mixing with another and going ‘boom,’ my heart falters.” More for her than for any part of his “expensive” manor. “But since you seem determined to continue—”
“Which I am,” she said stoutly.
