Page 40 of Lord of Fortune
“I wouldn’t say regularly. How about occasionally?”
There was a bit of silence before she asked, “Is this one of those times?”
“No.” Not yet. But now that he had confirmation Foliot was involved, things would become…challenging. He gazed at her intently, hoping to reassure her. “I won’t let anything bad happen to you. If I think things are too dangerous, I’ll say so. You have my word.”
She nodded before turning her head toward the window. It seemed they’d finally arrived at a place of trust. He was glad.
“You never did say where we’re to go next,” she said, returning her alluring gaze to his.
“I need to talk to Kersey.” Penn had grown up with Gideon—or Kersey, as he was usually called.
“Who is that? Lady Stratton mentioned him.”
“He’s her son. Viscount Kersey and apparent descendant of Sir Gareth, Knight of the Round Table. He was working for Foliot, and he stole the flaming sword from my sister after she found it.” His voice hardened as he recalled the tale that her husband Elijah had told him.
Cate hadn’t wanted Penn to know the depths of Kersey’s villainy—threatening Cate and Elijah, tying them up, stealing the sword, which she’d dedicated her life to finding. But Elijah had revealed every detail. He didn’t care that Kersey was their distant cousin and that they’d grown up as family. He’d wanted Penn to know the truth and that Elijah would do whatever necessary to keep Cate safe. Penn was glad his sister was married to such a man.
“Is this another case of stealing an artifact, like my grandfather and the heart?” she asked.
He knew that bothered her, that she was conflicted about wanting to protect and support her grandfather’s memory, but that she didn’t like the idea of people just taking artifacts. He didn’t disagree, which was why he sought to share them with the public in a museum instead of profiting from them. “My sister had planned to give it to the Ashmolean. Like me, she thinks these sorts of objects should be studied and available to all people.”
“But the Order stopped that,” she said with a hint of derision. Oh, he liked her more and more all the time. “Where is it now?”
“Somewhere safe.” But he might have to use it to make their next move. “I may need it to persuade Kersey to help us.”
“And you think he can help us get to Foliot?”
He noted she said “us,” but he had no intention of allowing her anywhere near Foliot. The man wasn’t above killing people to achieve his ends. Elijah’s brother had been killed by Camelot in their pursuit of the tapestry that had ultimately led Cate to finding the sword.
“He’s the only lead I have. I do believe Septon when he says I can’t just arrive at Foliot’s house and simply ask whether he possesses the White Book of Hergest and your grandfather’s dagger.”
“No, I don’t suppose you can.” The coach slowed as they arrived at Elijah’s town house. “Do you know how to find Kersey?”
That was the problem he faced. Kersey had gone into hiding, probably somewhere in Wales, and right now, the only thing Penn could think to do was lure him out with the sword. But first he should speak with his father. There was a chance he’d know Kersey’s location, or at least have some insight. Father had always gone out of his way to treat Kersey as a member of their family, knowing that Kersey’s own father was so horrible.
Penn was anxious to continue the hunt, and if he were alone, he would. But he wasn’t alone, so they’d leave first thing in the morning.
The door to the coach opened, and Penn climbed out. He offered his hand to Amelia. “Would you care to change and join me for dinner?”
She gave him a smile that sent heat all the way through his toes. “I insist upon it.”
* * *
Amelia should have been exhausted, but she was energized. She couldn’t help but feel excited. It was like reading an exceptionally engaging mystery novel—each day, they learned new things that took them closer to their goal. A goal she wasn’t entirely sure she understood anymore, and yet she didn’t care.
She wanted to find her grandfather’s dagger, but instead of keeping it for herself, she wanted it to be in the museum alongside the heart. Assuming the heart was real. She wasn’t sure what she believed, not after all she’d seen and heard.
But most perplexing—and yes, exciting—of all was the person she was sharing this adventure with. From the moment she’d trained her pistol on Penn Bowen, something within her had broken free. It was as if she’d come out of the dark and was now basking in the light.
She shook her head to banish such ridiculous thoughts.Focus on our objectives, not Penn.
Amelia smoothed the dark green skirt of the only formal gown she’d brought, the one she’d worn for dinner at Septon House. Culley, who’d traveled with her from Septon House, came forward with another hairpin. “You’ve got one errant lock back here,” she said, tucking the hair up and pinning it in place.
“Thank you.” Amelia hadn’t wanted to redress her hair. It wasn’t as if she were going to a dinner party or a ball. Still, dinner in an earl’s London town house was almost intimidating. And maybe it would have been if the earl had been in residence.
She made her way down to the dining room and stopped at the threshold. The table and set-up was much more formal than the one at Septon House. The room was quite large, with a long table running its length. One end was set with sparkling silver and crystal and immaculate linen.
Penn stood near the chair at the end wearing the same suit of stark black that he’d worn at Septon House. However, tonight, he sported a dark blue waistcoat shot with gold thread. As with the other night, his shirt and cravat were impossibly white, particularly against the dark tone of his skin.
