Page 171 of Storm of Bells
‘What’s this about?’ I demanded.
‘This isn’t the place for such a discussion.’Taking hold of my arm again, he manoeuvred me down the corridor. Iallowed it, for now. We didn’t have any time to waste. Only oncewe’d reached a secluded alcove did I dig my heels in.
‘So, tell me? What’s the matter? That look inyour eyes…Do you know something I don’t?’
‘Indeed.’
My eyes narrowed. ‘What?’
‘Many things. But one matter in particular.’His eyes sparkled with ice-cold anticipation. ‘For a while now,I’ve been suspecting that Dalgliesh is hiding something big. Nothis usual criminal activities that are easily enough hidden, butsomething political. Something that could crack the very base ofhis power.’
My eyes flared in answer to his. ‘And youthink that inside that manor Dalgliesh has been frequenting…?’
‘Indeed. According to my spy’s reports, therewe shall find his darkest secret.’
‘Then why haven’t you gone in there yetto…oh.’ Understanding flashing in my eyes, my gaze dropped to thering of keys in my hand. Then, slowly, they rose to meet MrAmbrose’s glacial gaze and I offered the keys to him, hanging froman outstretched finger.
‘Fancy an early wedding gift, my dear?’
A cold gleam appeared in Mr Rikkard Ambrose’seyes and he grabbed hold of my face.
‘Miss Linton?’
‘Yes?’
‘I feel intense, irrational affection foryou.’
‘Sir, you have such a romantic way ofphrasing things.’
‘Let’s take a little trip, shall we?’ Pickingthe keys from my hand, Mr Ambrose held them aloft. ‘I feel a suddendesire to take a ride with my bride!’
The TrueStory
‘Where are yougoing?’
‘Back to the manor.’ Pulling up my dress, Isped up as much as possible. ‘I’ve got to change into my trousers.I can’t ride a horse in this thing!’
‘We can’t do that. Not enough time.Karim!’
The bodyguard appeared beside us. ‘Yes,Sahib?’
‘Have a carriage brought around!’
‘A carriage?’ I protested. ‘But—’
‘I have timed several instances of yourchanging your garments, Miss Linton. Let me assure you, we donothave sufficient time.’
Grumbling and muttering something aboutinsufferable men, I followed Mr Ambrose to the driveway in front ofthe manor. Halfway there, Karim came racing down the road on thebox of a carriage. Not far behind came Lady Samantha, red-faced andwide-eyed.
‘Quick,Sahib!’ Karim barked, throwingopen the carriage door. ‘We’re being pursued!’
‘Rick!’ the marchioness called out. ‘Rick,wait, don’t! The wedding is tomorrow! There’s no need to dothis!’
‘To do what?’ Mr Ambrose demanded, throwingKarim a look as he hoisted himself up into the carriage. ‘What isshe going on about?’
Karim’s face morphed into a painful scowl.‘I, um…may have come rushing in there shouting for a carriage foryou and theSahiba. She seemed to come to the mistakenconclusion that you and Miss Linton had the intention ofeloping.’
‘E…what?’
