“Yes?” he prompted.
“’Tis nothing.”
“On the contrary. I would guess it was an insult.” He watched the color flood her cheeks, ruefully acknowledging that for all of Talia’s lack of blue blood she had already proven to be a better countess than a great many of his ancestors. Including the current dowager Countess of Ashcombe. “The only question is whether it was intended for me or my mother.”
Her blush deepened and, grabbing a shawl from the armoire, Talia headed for the door.
“I am ready.”
He hurried in her wake, catching her arm as she marched down the main corridor.
“This way,” he said, tugging her into a small salon and through a narrow doorway hidden in the wall.
In silence they navigated the smothering darkness of the secret hallway that Gabriel had discovered during his search for Talia. The lack of dust and spiderwebs had warned him that the current occupants were familiar with the cramped corridor, but he doubted they actually patrolled the passageway.
Not that he was willing to lower his guard.
Pulling his loaded pistol from his pocket, he led Talia through the darkness until he at last slowed and pushed open the door to the vast library. He paused, ensuring that there was no one near before crossing the Savonnerie carpet to pull open the door leading to the terrace.
Earlier he had used the steps leading from the garden to the terrace to enter the palace. Now, however, he came to an abrupt halt as he caught faint sounds drifting from the nearby shadows.
“Damn.”
Talia moved to his side. “Guards?” she whispered.
“Yes.”
He attempted to pull her away, but she was already peering over the edge of the terrace.
“What are they—” She gasped as she caught sight of the soldier leaning against the fountain with a maid kneeling in front of him, his low moans of pleasure filling the air. “Oh.”
He jerked her back into the library, annoyed that she had been exposed to such lewd behavior. Did Jacques have no control over his men?
Weaving a path through the gilt chairs covered in red velvet and the heavily scrolled desk, Gabriel pulled open the door to the connected room.
“Where does this lead?”
Talia shook her head. “I am not certain.”
Gabriel cautiously entered what appeared to be an antechamber with a massive black marble fireplace and brocade chairs seated near a round table that held a jade and ivory chess set.
They had just crossed to the opposite door when the sound of footsteps in the main corridor had them both stiffening in alarm.
“Gabriel,” Talia breathed.
“I hear them.”
With long strides he crossed to yank aside the crimson curtains and pushed open the window sash.
Talia was swiftly at his side. “What are you doing?”
Gabriel leaned over the sill, surveying the garden two stories below.
“It is not far to the garden.”
“Are you mad?” Talia rasped.
“I will go first.” Gabriel tossed the small bundle he carried to the flower bed below the window before turning to grasp Talia’s hand. “Once I’m certain no one is near, I will whistle and you can join me.”