A Simple Case of Seduction

“Two people searching is quicker than one.” She was right. The least amount of time spent in Lord Gibson’s house the better.

But did she really think he would allow her to enter the lord’s premises unlawfully?

“You’ll wait outside while I search the study.” Robbery carried a more severe sentence than loitering. Not that he would get caught. “Should we be discovered, we may have no option but to run.”

Daphne failed to reply, which meant she’d do what she pleased regardless of his opinion.

They continued in companionable silence. The night was cool, calm, peaceful. Yet the refreshing breeze on his face brought no relief to his chaotic thoughts.

For a man who’d spent his childhood living in a fantasy world of his mother’s creation, he’d come to realise daydreams were for the misguided. Dreams were for those too weak to face the harsh reality of life. So why did fanciful notions of love, marriage, and a family home in the country continually fill his head?

“Look, over there.” Daphne’s voice broke his reverie. She pointed to the grey shadow in the distance. “That must be Lord Gibson’s house.”

“When we get a little closer, there’s a stone wall around the perimeter, but it’s low enough for me to lift you over.” Touching her without his body flaming would be the greater task.

The distinct lack of light spilling out from the tall windows on the facade suggested no one was home. They followed the gravel path around the house, though were careful to walk on the grass verge. After peering through the windows in the east wing and discovering the drawing room and then the ladies boudoir, it became apparent that the masculine rooms were located in the west wing.

Once they’d passed the billiard room, common sense told him the next room was sure to be the study.

“This is it,” Daphne said cupping her hands to her face and pressing her nose to the glass. “How are we to get inside?”

Daniel scanned the frame. “Breaking one of the small panes is an option.” It had to be done with skill and precision to avoid waking the household.

“With their master away the servants will be in their beds, or playing cards around the kitchen table while drinking his port. Either way, I doubt they’ll hear a thing.”

While examining which pane to remove, he noticed the brass catch had been left open. “There’s no need to break the window. Some fool forgot to lock it.” Daniel used the heel of his palm to push up the sash. “Wait here. Once I’m inside, pass me the candle and tinderbox.”

He climbed through the gap, padded over to the door which he presumed led into the hall, and turned the key in the lock. The sudden sound of flint striking steel captured his attention, and he swung around to see Daphne leaning over the empty grate, trying to light the charcloth in the tinderbox.

“I told you to wait outside,” Daniel whispered as Daphne blew on the piece of glowing fibre. “Be careful. Blow too hard, and a spec of cloth might fly up and catch the drapes.”

“Why do you think I’m lighting it down here? I’ve done this a hundred times before.” She blew a handful of times as a cloud of smoke wafted into the room.

“You’re blowing too hard.” Daniel fanned his hand in front of his face for fear of choking. “We’re liable to alert the whole household with our incessant coughing.”

As the cloth ignited, she took the candle from the inside pocket of her pelisse and dangled the wick in the flame. “Here,” she said handing him the candle as she blew out the flame in the box. “Find a holder.”

Daniel did as she asked. With the room cast in a golden glow, he scanned the mahogany desk as it was always the best place to start. He placed the holder on top and tried the drawers only to find them locked.

“Gibson may have taken the key with him.” Daniel moved the chair and ran his hand under the wood in the recess. Nothing.

Daphne came to stand in front of the desk, brushing ash from the grate off her hands. “Why take it with him when something so small could be easily lost.” She examined the ink pots on the desk, removed one of the gilt lids and picked out a small key from inside the glass holder. “This might be what you’re looking for.”

Daniel jerked his head back. “How did you know it would be in there?”

“No one would lift the lid on an ink pot without just cause in case they got ink on their hands.” She offered him a sweet smile. “And a man doesn’t need four pots on his desk.”

“Indeed.”

Trying not to show his slight embarrassment for not finding the key first, Daniel unlocked the middle drawer and peered inside. Other than a quill knife, a magnifying glass and a leather pouch full of sovereigns, there was nothing of interest. He moved to the row of drawers on the right, relieved to find the same key worked in the lock.

“I’ve found nothing so far,” he said.

“I’m not really sure what we’re looking for.” Daphne wandered about the room, picking up books and flicking through

the pages, examining the tiny door on the rear of the mantel clock. “Gibson would be a fool to leave written proof of his duplicity.” She moved to the row of rosewood bookcases lining the far wall and sniffed.

Daniel found a pile of papers in one drawer including a legal document pertaining to land the lord had recently acquired in France. There was a vowel for the price of fifty pounds owed by a gentleman named Biggs. A copy of a supplement from The Gentleman’s Magazine dated 1820.