Verity smiled. “So, you admit I am of some use to you in this investigation.”
“I admit that you continue to surprise me.” The gentleman’s languid gaze caressed her face and body. “Let us pray you do not become a dangerous distraction.”
Silence descended yet an excitable energy filled every inch of the confined space.
Mr Trent bowed his head and muttered something incoherent before inhaling deeply when their eyes locked once again. “Did you happen to notice the books on Mr Bradley’s desk? Well, one specific book?”
“No.” She had been more engrossed in the man’s stoop. “The man has more books than a circulating library.”
“He had a copy of Vathek on his desk. From the paper slipped between the pages, some parts of the text are important to him.”
“How observant of you.” To say she was impressed was an understatement.
“When a man has lived amongst liars, he learns to look elsewhere for clues.”
“Then it is true that one’s struggles bring great rewards.” The need to compliment his character took hold. “You are an extremely competent and logical man, sir. Strong of mind and body. There is a lot to be grateful for it seems.”
His jade-green eyes flashed hot. “Every man has a weakness, Miss Vale.”
“And yours is that you might appear overbearing at times.” He could be quite forthright when wanting his own way.
“On the contrary, mine is that I have developed a sudden penchant for innocent maidens desperate to prove a point.”
Warm heat coiled in her stomach. It took a moment for her to gather her wits. “Well, we are friends. I should sincerely hope we like one another.”
“Indeed.” His rigorous gaze left a scorching trail over her skin. “We should return to the matter of Vathek and Mr Bradley’s ownership of the book.”
The book was considered fashionable amongst those with an interest in gothic horror. Mr Bradley’s gloomy library might have been drawn from such a novel. “A man interested in literature might be keen to examine popular works of fiction.”
“Or does his copy contain the same warnings as the one you received from Mr Vale?”
The comment jolted her in the seat. “But the likelihood of two men marking the same passages is nigh on impossible. Did you not say Mr Bradley’s brother died two years ago?”
Mr Trent rubbed his temple while lost in thought. “Perhaps Mr Vale was not the person who marked the book. Is Vathek not meant to rouse terror in its reader? What if someone sent the book to Mr Vale as a warning and he passed the message on to you?”
Verity considered the possibility, but there was a flaw in Mr Trent’s logic. “That would mean whoever sent the book accused Sebastian of being an atrocious murderer. My cousin may have sunk below expected moral standards, but he would never take another’s life.”
Doubt surfaced.
Devious men knew to hide behind an affable facade.
“And what of your brother?” she continued, for he had made no mention of Mr Farrow receiving a similar book. “Did he mention reading Vathek? Does he own a copy in his library? Can you put your hand on your heart and attest to his character? Swear Mr Farrow was not a murderer?”
Mr Trent’s hypnotic eyes widened. “Miss Vale, you certainly have no issue being frank.”
“Forgive me, sir. Words often leave my mouth before I engage my mental faculties. It drove my family to despair. Like children, ladies should be seen and not heard.” Like dogs, ladies should do their owner’s bidding.
“You mistake me, Miss Vale. Your freehearted speech and unrestrained logic are traits I admire. Particularly in a woman who might use her looks to her advantage instead.”
The velvet tone of his voice stirred the hairs at her nape. “Then you do not object to my opinion?”
“On the contrary, I value any comments you wish to make.”
Verity swallowed the nervous lump in her throat. He was the first person to make such a claim. “Then it is clear we have two courses of action.” They were, no doubt, obvious to him, but she liked having a voice. “You must discover if Mr Farrow possessed a copy of Vathek.”
His expression grew wary. “Agreed.”
“And we must make enquires into the character of Mr John Layton.” That said, she had not informed him of her suspicions regarding Mr Wincote. “After you left me that night in Shepperton, I considered the countenance of all the men who attended the house party.”