Page 70 of Lord of Fortune
“Er, no.”
Kersey was a bit taller than Penn, but their frames were similar with broad shoulders and narrow hips. He was perhaps a few years younger than his half brother, and while their hair was a similar dark brown, Kersey’s eyes were a storm-heavy gray instead of Penn’s striking blue.
“He’s not here and yet you are. Why would he arrange to meet you here instead of at Oxford?” Kersey shook his head. “I suppose it’s none of my affair.”
Her mind warred with itself over what she knew and what she ought to disclose. It certainly wasn’t her place to tell this man about Penn’s parentage or where he’d gone. She could, however, talk with him about the White Book. That was, after all, what she and Penn had come here to do before everything had fallen to pieces with the Earl of Stratton’s death. Penn would want her to pursue their quest, she was sure of it. “Actually, itisyour affair. I came here with Penn in the hope of finding you.”
Kersey’s eyes widened briefly, and the gray lightened with surprise. “Perhaps that’s why I was summoned. The note from Rhys didn’t say specifically.”
It wasn’t, but again, it wasn’t her place to enlighten him. She neither confirmed nor denied his assumption. This was a pivotal moment—she could become the seeker that Penn had groomed her to be, pursue the hunt her grandfather had started and been unable to finish. Or she could say nothing and await Penn’s return.
There wasn’t really a choice at all.
“My grandfather was Jonathan Gardiner.” This elicited another flash of surprise in Kersey’s expression. “Penn and I are looking for the White Book of Hergest. We believe Timothy Foliot has it in his possession and that you can perhaps help us obtain it.”
All that was rather moot, she realized. Or at least it could be since she had a clear path to the book—if she believed the note. And yet, she couldn’t go to this meeting at dusk on her own as the note demanded. Only a fool would embark on such a dangerous folly.
How she wished Penn hadn’t left!
It took Kersey a moment to respond. “I’m familiar with this book. However, I can’t help you get it. I’m probably the last person Foliot would care to see,” he said wryly.
“Right. Because you stole that sword from Penn’s sister.”
He flinched slightly. “You heard about that.”
“I did. I understand you may not be entirely trustworthy, but you’re the only hope we have.”
He studied her a moment, his eyes narrowing shrewdly. “It sounds as though you and Penn are quite close.”
“We’re working together to find the White Book of Hergest.”
“Why? What’s so special about this book? I know who your grandfather is, so I wonder what it has to do with the Heart of Llanllwch.”
She didn’t necessarily want to get into the specifics—Penn’s belief that the heart was fake, the theft of the dagger, or anything else. Especially if Kersey couldn’t help them. “Since you can’t provide assistance, I’m not sure there’s any point in my telling you.”
“You’re a cunning thing, aren’t you? I see why Penn would like you.” He pushed away from the tree and took a step toward her. “Perhaps Icanhelp. I’m familiar with Foliot and his…organization. Which I’m not particularly proud of.” His gaze darkened. “But there’s a lot I’m not particularly proud of,” he added softly.
Somehow, she’d been thrust into the thick of this family, and she wasn’t sure what she thought of it.
“Ah well, I can’t change the past. I can only do my best to repent.” His gaze flicked to her skirt. “What was the paper you found?”
Her pulse quickened. “I didn’t find it.”
“Yet you were reading it out here.” He lowered his voice dramatically. “Is it a secret? Maybe a love note from Penn?” He smiled to show he was teasing. At least she thought he was teasing.
“It isn’t from him,” she said.
“You didn’t answer my question about why you’re meeting Penn here. If you’ve been working together, why isn’t he here?”
She fumbled for an excuse but could only think to say, “I didn’t meet him here. We arrived together. He’s gone on an errand with Egg.”
“And left you at Hollyhaven with his parents.” He cocked his head to the side. “I’d say he set out to do something dangerous and didn’t want you to accompany him. Perhaps he went to find the White Book on his own.”
“I don’t believe that’s what they’re doing.” She prayed Kersey wouldn’t ask.
“Well, since I am here and you and Penn are in need, perhaps I can assist you. I suppose we must wait for Penn to return.”
Except if she really wanted the White Book, she could trade the heart for it at dusk. And that was what she and Penn wanted, what her grandfather had wanted. However, her grandfather had also found the heart. Could she really turn it over to the Camelot group? She realized she wasn’t entirely sure it wasn’t fake. It seemed Penn had impacted her in many ways.
