Page 80 of Lord of Fortune
It took a moment for his actions to sink into her brain. She glanced at the others. Kersey was fixed on the heart, but Penn’s parents quickly looked away, as if they’d been caught staring at something they shouldn’t.
Amelia inwardly winced. She doubted they’d be able to categorize their relationship as just professional any longer. And here she was, a married woman.
Suddenly, she wanted to get away from all of them, to run from the sensation of the walls closing in around her. Her life had drastically changed in the course of a day. Last night, she’d lain with Penn, hopeful for a future they might have together. A future that, for now, would never be.
“I can get the book,” Kersey said.
She was grateful for the intrusion on her thoughts and for the distraction from Penn’s solicitude.
Penn dropped his arm from her shoulders. Had he realized his faux pas? He angled himself toward Kersey. “How?”
“I’d rather not get into the specifics,butI know Foliot.” He said the last rather darkly and with more than a hint of remorse.
“How is that exactly?” Penn asked. “I’d like to know how you came to know him.”
Kersey exhaled, then moved from the table to a chair at the end. He sprawled into it before answering. “He approached me several years ago—when I was at Oxford. Preyed on me is perhaps a better description,” he said wryly. “He knew my father was interested in antiquities, especially books, and that Stratton was woefully uneducated about them. He offered to tutor me, and I accepted.”
“That is how the Order grooms potential members,” Rhys said, taking a few steps away from the table. “Septon explained it to me once because I asked. I wondered why I hadn’t been approached.”
Penn turned his head toward his father. “And why was that?”
“Because I didn’t exhibit sufficient interest in Arthurian legend specifically.”
“Neither did I,” Kersey said.
Rhys’s gaze softened, and his lips curved into a slight smile. “But you’re a descendant of one of the knights. Your interest in Arthurian legend or even antiquities isn’t required.”
Amelia found that a bit odd. “At all? If a person didn’t even show a passing curiosity, why would the Order think they would care?”
“They make contact to ascertain whether the descendant might develop an interest, if not a passion,” Rhys said.
Kersey made a sound that was part grunt and part scoff. “That sounds like precisely what Foliot did with me.”
“Only Foliot is more than just a member of the Order,” Penn said. “He’s the leader of a villainous faction inside it.”
“Which I didn’t know.” Kersey didn’t say this defensively, but as a matter of fact. “He never told me I was a descendant—merely hinted that I may have a connection. I didn’t know for sure until I picked up that sword.” His gaze flicked to the weapon lying on the table.
“Is there a chance Foliot doesn’t know for sure?” Rhys asked.
Kersey shook his head. “Not anymore. The men we met tonight saw me wield the sword. They’ll undoubtedly report that back to Foliot.”
Amelia tensed, waiting for Penn—or anyone else—to ask about the men. She didn’t want to talk about Thaddeus right now. She didn’t want Penn to learn about him in front of his parents.
She still couldn’t believe he’d shown up. Had he written that note? She hadn’t recognized the handwriting, but she honestly couldn’t say if she’d know it if she saw it. Had he been following her and Penn from Oxford or perhaps even longer? Her skin crawled thinking of that.
“I’m not convinced you should get the book,” Rhys said with grave concern. “It will be dangerous, and I don’t trust Foliot.”
“I could go,” Penn said.
Fear constricted Amelia’s chest. She knew Penn did dangerous things, but she couldn’t let him. Before she could protest, his mother beat her to it. “No, you can’t.” Her gaze darted to Kersey. “And I don’t want you to go either.”
Kersey arched a brow. “Because my father is dead, and I need to assume the earldom? That can wait a few days.”
And that was Amelia’s cue to leave. None of what needed to be spoken next was her business. “I am suddenly quite fatigued. I’d like to retire.”
Penn gave her a knowing look, his eyes burning with intensity. She had the sense he wanted to say something, to do something. But he’d already done enough. It had to be evident to everyone their relationship went much deeper than finding a treasure.
Too bad it had to end.
