Page 91 of The Lady Glass
“Is it safe?” Mr. Plasil asked.
“I believe it is now.” There was still a ball going on downstairs, and there were guests milling about, but the greatest threat had been eliminated. “We will stay inside if it makes you feel any better, and we won’t be long.”
“Shall I come along, just to be certain?” Mr. Plasil said. “Nothing good happens after midnight.”
Theresia set a hand on Mr. Plasil’s arm. “This time nothing good happenedbeforemidnight. You needn’t worry about a short walk in this full house.” She looked up at Rolland with a questioning stare. “That is, if the captain promises to speak of only pleasant things. I’m not certain I am strong enough for anything else.”
He knew what she meant, but hoped this was going to be the most pleasant conversation she could imagine. She had nothing to fear. “You have my word.”
Together, she and Rolland slipped back into the corridor.
The words that tumbled out were not the ones he’d planned to say. “When you realized it was Lewis, why did you not come find me?” Did she not know that he would do anything to keep her safe?
He watched her visibly swallow. “I was afraid seeing you would... hurt too much.”
The hurt he understood all too well, even if he wished she would’ve responded differently. “How did you know it was him?”
She hugged herself. He would have done the honors for her, sweeping her into his arms, but there was an unexplainable tension still radiating between them. They needed to talk first, even if he wasn’t the best at that sort of thing.
Theresia dropped her arms, running her hands down the sides of her beautiful gown, now torn along the bottom hem. “It was Lewis’s behavior that first gave him away. You said your friends were relentless in their efforts, but Lewis never seemed to be. He was never wary of anyone. He exuded an unnatural confidence. I thought it his personality at first, but for someone who loved puzzles, he did not seem anxious to solve this one. He was outwardly focused on the upcoming ball, flirting with Miss Yearsley and having a good time.”
What she said made sense. Lewis had always desired entertainment, but this had been excessive. Rolland easilyrecalled the conversation about wanting to play croquet with Miss Yearsley over discussing their next strategy. For a man who had sorted out many difficult cases, Lewis had been more placating than productive for the entire house party. Rolland had chalked it up to Lewis falling in love with Miss Yearsley.
“His was also one of the few bedchambers I hadn’t searched,” Theresia continued. “I knew he had an express interest in the crystal too. When he pulled me aside at the picnic, he pressed me about the bohemian treasure, though he claimed to be rescuing me from that very conversation.”
“I had no idea.” Rolland hated to think of all the clues he’d missed.
She gave him a sheepish smile. “He distracted me with a story about how you’d joined the navy, talking about how your devotions would always be there now. I thought he was cautioning me, but he was venting his own frustrations. In truth, I thought nothing of it until I realized his voice was that of the Frenchmen. I played it over and over in my head, and soon his English and French were like a song, the tones a perfect match.”
“I knew you could do it. I am glad I trusted my instincts.”
Her smile was small. “You had greater faith in me than I did. Will you forgive me for not realizing it sooner... and for not coming to you?”
“It is your forgiveness I want to beg. If I could undo what you’ve endured this night, I would.”
“What we’ve both endured.”
They stared quietly at each other for a moment, the difficulties of the night preying on them as much as the relief from having it all behind them.
“Are you certain neither Mr. Stewart or Lewis hurt you?” he asked, studying her profile. Mr. Stewart would be punished by law, but it would take some time to let go of his anger toward both him and Lewis.
“Just a few bruises and scratches. Nothing that won’t fade in a few days.”
“If anything bothers you, Granger is quite the nursemaid.”
She ducked her head to hide her amusement. “How is your shoulder?”
He shrugged. “I haven’t thought much about it, so that has to be a good sign.”
“I’ll ask Granger later for a full report.”
He smiled, not doubting her, and motioned for her to walk with him toward the staircase. When he passed the secret passage, his grin faded. “I’d take you through the passage again to avoid the guests, but I don’t think you’d want to relive that experience anytime soon.”
“I think facing Lady Caspar would be a far easier feat to endure.”
His hand brushed against hers, and the temptation was too strong. He wanted her to know she wasn’t going to face anyone alone. Capturing her hand, he slid his fingers through hers, reveling in the rightness of it.
She glanced at him while they walked toward the stairs. “What if someone sees us?”
