Page 35 of Lord of Fortune
Some of the pieces of the puzzle that they knew began to connect in her mind. “My grandfather visited Wynnstay. Is it possible he studied the tale of Ranulf and Hilaria in the White Book of Hergest there? Unless the book has been missing for a very long time.”
“No, it hasn’t, and itwasat Wynnstay before it was lost. Yes, I would guess Gardiner did study it there.” Septon’s brow furrowed.
“What is it?” Lady Stratton asked.
“I’ve seen the book myself, and I didn’t think it would lead anyone to find the heart—or the dagger. However, now I must wonder.” He pounded his fist on the arm of his chair. “Bloody travesty it was lost.”
Penn had walked back toward Septon’s chair as he’d spoken. “How was it lost?”
“It was sent to a bookbinder in London, and a fire in Covent Garden destroyed the man’s business, including the White Book. That was in 1808.”
“Not so long ago.” There was a bead of excitement in Penn’s voice. Amelia didn’t know him terribly well, but he liked the hunt—no, he probably loved it, fed off it—and this information was something he could chase.
Septon reached for his glass. “Mackinley was the bookbinder if you want to go to London to try to speak with him.”
“You said the fire destroyed his business.”
“It did, but he’s rebuilt.”
Amelia looked up at Penn. “But if the book is lost, what’s the point?”
His eyes gleamed, and the corners of his mouth ticked up. “Don’t give up too easily. Until Mackinley himself tells me the book burned up, I will keep a bit of hope alive.” He turned to Septon. “It’s curious, isn’t it, that the book may have led to the heart and it burned in a fire.”
Septon held up his hand. “Don’t even think of laying this on the Order. We wouldneverdestroy an antiquity.”
“That I believe,” Penn said.
Septon drank the contents of his glass before getting to his feet. “I think this is a bit of a fool’s errand, my boy. I’ll be thrilled if you find the book, of course, but the heart in the Ashmolean is real. It’s been handed down from female descendant to female descendant. The Order has always tracked it.”
“Until it was taken by Jonathan Gardiner.” Penn gave his head a shake. “I don’t think the Order is as in control of everything as they’d like. If they were, they’d have the dagger and they’d have Dyrnwyn.” He said the last with a bit of superiority.
“In a way, we do have Dyrnwyn,” Septon said softly. “You’re just keeping it safe for us.” He held his hand for Lady Stratton. “Come, my lady, let us retire.”
Amelia stood along with the countess. “Thank you for allowing me to visit.”
Lady Stratton gave her a warm smile. “Any friend of Penn’s is a friend of ours.”
They all said good night, and their host and hostess left the drawing room. Amelia wasn’t quite ready to call it a night, and since Penn wasn’t heading toward the door, it seemed he wasn’t either.
“When are we going to London?” Amelia asked.
Penn chuckled. “Tomorrow morning, unless you think that’s too soon.”
“Not at all. It’s probably unwise for us to travel together, however.” She’d meant it from a sense of propriety, but given what had nearly happened upstairs, she realized there were perhaps deeper risks. “I’ll go in my coach.”
He inclined his head. “We’ll stay at my brother-in-law’s town house in Mayfair. He’s the Earl of Norris.”
“Your brother-in-law is an earl?” She’d never met an earl.
“Yes.” Penn moved toward her. “You look concerned. Don’t worry, he’s a nice enough fellow, if a bit stodgy. He was in the army. Anyway, he won’t even be there. He and Cate are still in Cornwall for another week or so, I think. And then, I believe, they’ll return to his estate in Wootton Bassett.
That made her feel slightly better, but only slightly since Penn was suggesting they stay together. Although, wasn’t that what they were doing now? She’d come here knowing full well they’d be staying at Septon House. Together.
But that had been before he’d almost kissed her. Before she’dwantedhim to kiss her.
Penn took another step, lessening the distance between them. “You seem hesitant. I want you to come.”
“Iwantto come. I just wonder if it’s what Ishoulddo.”
