Page 71 of Dukes Are Forever
"My father wanted to see me. Something about Lord Corvus officially applying to court Hattie as a thrall, and how I wasn't to make a fuss about it. He was called away for a moment, leaving me alone in his study, and I realized there was a rising sun symbol embossed on his fireplace. Out of curiosity I examined it and the fireplace swung open, revealing a hidden study behind it."
Now she had his attention. Malloryn suddenly looked lethal as he leaned toward her. "The fireplace just happened to swing open?"
"There was a small latch. It caught my eye, and then my curiosity."
"And?"
"There's a secret study hidden behind the fireplace. I spent years in that house and I never even knew it was there," she blurted. "I didn't get much time to examine the place. I knew Father would be returning at any moment. But I saw maps of London on the desk inside, with little red crosses marked over certain places. Hardcastle Lane was one of them. The opera was another. The Ivory Tower. There were some factory schematics underneath it. More detailed drawings that appeared to design some sort of device. I'm not mechanical-minded, so I have no idea what it is. A detailed list of supplies, including large quantities of Nobel's Blasting Powder—"
"Explosives," Miss Townsend said abruptly.
"I think so. I barely had time to look at any of it. But I think... I think my father's involved in your Rising Sons. He's always hated you and was furious when I told him we were to be married. It made no sense at the time, for what father would not desire his daughter to be made a duchess? But now? After this? The only reason I can find for such intense dislike is that he's involved in the Rising Sons and he knows exactly who you are and what you do."
"And if he has maps and plans in a secret study in his house, then it's highly likely he's one of the masters behind the scheme," Miss Townsend murmured.
"Describe the study, and the fireplace," Malloryn demanded.
So Adele did.
"You're thinking this is a job for Charlie and Lark?" Miss Townsend asked, when she'd finally finished.
Malloryn paced by the window, scrubbing a hand over his mouth. "Yes. I need to know what Sir George is up to."
"There's more," Adele said. "You're not going to like it."
"I don't like any of this, particularly the part about you sneaking around your father's study when you suspected he's working for my enemy."
"I couldn't help myself. The rising sun symbol was right there in front of me." And she'dneededto know. All those years of sanctimonious lectures. All those times he'd told her women and children should be seen and not heard. The expression Sir George had worn when she'd told him the Duke of Malloryn had compromised her and then offered marriage.I am done with you, he'd said, as if he'd simply closed the book on their life together.
But some part of Adele wasn't done with him, and the second she'd seen that symbol every inch of her had run hot and cold.Ignore me now, you bastard.
"What was I supposed to do? Pretend you hadn't enlightened me? Twiddle my thumbs and try not to wonder if my father is involved in a plot against the queen? If I did so, then you'd be no closer to finding the Rising Sons."
He had no answer to that.
"I think you're enjoying this." Malloryn slid his hands into his pockets, his gray eyes glittering.
Adele couldn't resist a small smile. "Only a little."
"Go on," he said.
"This is where Devoncourt comes in," she said. "As I was leaving I encountered him on the stairs. I don't know why he was there. It did strike me that he might have been following me, but I think it more likely they're coconspirators. He knows my father. They're quite friendly. It's how we met. He was circling around Hattie, and I didn't like it."
"So you were flirting with him." Malloryn gestured, as if to say,very well, get on with it.
Reaching inside her bodice, she withdrew the crumpled invitation. "Devoncourt wants me to go to a private soiree with him tomorrow night."
She'd expected him to be furious.
If anything, Malloryn's expression only tightened. "Why?"
"Because he thinks you're going to suffer a seeming accident sometime soon, and I'll be left a merry widow, or somesuch. I might be lonely, judging by the sympathy dripping from his voice. I may have given the impression I find you cold and distant, and he assumed I was looking for more entertaining companionship."
"Namely him," Miss Townsend mused.
"It did seem that way," she replied. "He always asks about you. Wants to know where you are and what you're up to. And in the next breath he's hinting that you're madly in love with your mistress and there are rumors you're planning on casting me aside, or locking me away in an asylum. Anything to drive a wedge between the two of us."
"Oh, he's good." Miss Townsend seemed impressed.
