Page 51 of The Tempting of Thomas Carrick
Norris, who hadn’t frowned earlier, was frowning now. “Why on earth would an adder go down there? Where the stone is cold? They’re only just out of hibernation—they should be heading to where it’s warm.”
And that, Thomas acknowledged, was a highly pertinent point. In that season, no self-respecting adder would have gone slithering down into the cold stone bowels of the manor. That was simply too hard to swallow, so…
Beside him, Lucilla shivered. “I don’t care why it went there, as long as it’s gone by the end of luncheon. Alice and I were in the middle of a making, and we need to finish it today.”
Despite her shiver, by the end of that declaration, her tone had firmed to resolute.
Thomas waved her forward. “In that case, let’s eat.”
* * *
After luncheon, a rather short and subdued meal, Thomas escorted Lucilla back to the still room. Alice was already there, sorting various leaves on the central table. A footman with a stout broom was perched on a stool in the far corner; he didn’t look bored, but then he was watching Alice.
Pausing before the open door, Thomas quietly said, “I meant to ask before—were you and Alice in the still room all morning?”
Lucilla met his eyes, then shook her head. “We went out to the herb garden.” She looked at Alice. “We gathered those leaves to prepare a decoction she’ll need to know how to make.”
“So the room was empty for a while.”
She nodded.
He glanced at the door; it was fitted with a heavy lock. “I take it the room wasn’t locked.”
“No. Alice said Joy never locked it, so I didn’t insist.”
“Do you know where the key is?”
She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. He had to look away.
“There’s a key hanging on a peg inside—I think that’s it.” Before he could say anything, she went on, “At Casphairn, we always keep the still room locked.”
He nodded. “A sound practice. I think it best that we institute it here. I’ll mention it to Manachan. Perhaps you could tell Alice that we’re changing the rules.”
Lucilla dipped her head. “Ferguson mentioned that he’s already instructed one of the carpenters to fix a strip to the bottom of the door.”
“Good.” Thomas stepped back; he met Lucilla’s eyes when she glanced his way. “I’ll be with Manachan if you need me.”
She held his gaze for a moment, then in her usual regal fashion, inclined her head. Then she raised it, walked forward, and gently shut the still room door.
Thomas turned and walked away. And started mentally organizing all the information he had to report to Manachan—who, when all was said and done, was still the laird.
* * *
He returned to the still room in the late afternoon. Lucilla and Alice were clearly tidying up. Pausing in the doorway, he caught Lucilla’s eye. “If you’re finished here, there are several matters I’d like to discuss with you.”
She glanced at Alice.
Alice smiled. “I can finish the tidying.”
Setting down the paper-wrapped packets she’d been gathering, Lucilla nodded. “Be sure to lock the door and take the key. Keep it with you—don’t leave it anywhere.”
Alice’s expression sobered. “I won’t.”
Lucilla sent a smiling nod toward the corner where the footman was still sitting on his stool, then went to join Thomas. Stepping into the corridor, she studied his face. “Did you learn anything about what’s going on when you went riding this morning?”
He glanced along the corridor, which remained empty, but rather than answering, said, “Let’s go for a walk.”
Outside, where they ran much less risk of being overheard. She nodded. “After spending all afternoon down here, some fresh air would be welcome.”
