"Many books are valuable, not because of the book itself, but because of what's subsequently been written in them. Sometimes it's the notational information that adds the value, but most often it's the identity of the writer."
"You mean inscriptions-that sort of thing?"
"Inscriptions, instructions, messages-even wills. You'd be amazed at what you come across."
"So at present it appears that the motive for the murder is some information noted in a book?"
"That's my best guess." The Grange gates loomed; deftly, he turned through them.
"What about the item Horatio wanted you to look at?"
"That remains a mystery. The fact that Horatio was killed just after he'd discovered it is looking more and more like coincidence. No one beyond myself and Covey knew he'd found anything. Covey knows no more than I."
"We'll have to search all the books."
"I have Covey doing that. He's used to handling old and valuable tomes-he'll be careful yet thorough."
He drew up before the Grange steps; the blacks pranced. Phyllida climbed down without assistance. On the steps, she turned and met his blue gaze. "Thank you." She didn't add anything more.
One black brow arched; he searched her face, consideration in his eyes.
She smiled, inclined her head, and turned toward the door. "Until next time."
She didn't look back to see how he reacted, but his wheels didn't start turning until she'd stepped over the threshold and Mortimer was closing the door behind her. Still smiling, she headed for her room. Why she was teasing him, she didn't know. She knew it wasn't safe.
She didn't know if she was teasing, either.
By the time she reached her room, her smile had converted to a frown. Lucifer was focusing on Horatio's books, which meant he'd be unlikely to go inspecting a writing desk. But he'd ordered new locks and he'd order them used, at least until the murderer was caught.
So she had a week's grace-the time it would take for the locks to arrive. She would have to search the Manor's upstairs rooms one night soon. Mrs. Hemmings had told her Lucifer had taken the room at the front right corner, leaving Horatio's room as it was.
Phyllida grimaced. "All I can do is pray that damned writing desk is not in the front corner bedroom."
Chapter 11
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Not to be outdone by the Fortemains, the Smollets had arranged to host a dance that evening. It was a large affair with guests driving in from miles around. Many Lucifer hadn't met; he spent half the evening being introduced and exclaimed over-he was the main attraction, after all.
While doing the pretty, he kept an eye on Phyllida. She'd arrived in good time with her father, brother, and Miss Sweet. Lady Huddlesford had swept in later, Frederick at her heels. Percy Tallent had not appeared.
In her gown of bronze silk, a simple gold chain around her throat and gold drops in her ears, Phyllida was the least fussily dressed woman in the room, and easily the most stunning. She drew many men's eyes, yet few, Lucifer realized, properly appreciated the sight. Cedric, Basil, and Grisby-those he paid most attention to-clearly viewed Phyllida as a desirable chattel, one that, if possessed, would add to their consequence. None of them seemed to see her at all. Fools, the lot of them.
Her expression serene, she did her best to ignore them, chatting instead with the many others present-doubtless dispensing aid and succor in various forms. Yet she could not entirely avoid her would-be suitors.
She danced the first dance with Basil, their host. By dint of superior strategy, Lucifer avoided the reciprocal fate; Jocasta Smollet danced the measure with Sir Jasper. Phyllida then danced a cottilion with Cedric; later, he saw her going down a country dance with Henry Grisby.
Her attitude at the
conclusion of the dance-that of relief that her duty had now been done-failed to puncture Grisby's self-absorption. Less than impressed, Phyllida retreated to speak with the Misses Longdon.
From the side of the room, Lucifer watched her, and considered his best avenue of approach.
"There you are!"
He turned as Sir Jasper joined him.
"Wanted to ask-have you uncovered anything about this blackguard who stabbed Horatio?"