He wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her to him. He gently brushed his fingertips over her silky soft cheek before settling a finger under her chin. Slowly, he lowered his head to hers, while allowing her a chance to escape if she wished until their lips all but touched.
He settled his mouth delicately over hers. Suspecting she’d never been kissed and not wanting to frighten her after a moment of contact he lifted his head. Looking into her eyes he saw abiding love in them.
“My darling, we must be careful, as I did promise to be a gentleman,” he whispered.
“Yes,” she replied softly.
“Trust me, once we marry everything will only get better.”
“So I’ve heard and read.”
“Then, before we’re found out shall we continue the hunt for decorations for the ball? After which I wish to converse with your father about plans to build an orangery at my, soon to be our, country estate. I can only imagine the interesting discussions we’ll have in it,” he teased, giving her a leer to which he loved her response, her cheeks turning a lovely pink.
“I agree. And as we have a good selection from here let’s adjourn to the greenhouse to see what the head gardener has available.”
“Your wish is my command, dear Brittany.”
After reviewing the flowering plants and talking with the head gardener, Samuel led her back to the mansion. As they entered the luncheon gong sounded. With a glance he noticed her cheeks were only pink but from the slight chill in the air not from the event of earlier.
Chapter Eighteen
After a pleasant meal Samuel waited while Brittany departed the dining room for the kitchen. He was happy she’d taken it upon herself to assist in reviewing the menu for not only the next few days but the midnight buffet for the ball.
Now alone with the earl he glanced over to him, “Eli, Brittany is quite fond of your orangery. Regrettably, I don’t have one at the estate and before you ask why, trust me, it’s a long story. I wondered, do you still had the architect drawings as I’d like to look them over?”
“They’re in my office. Might I suggest we adjourn there and look them over? I should warn you, for one to be done correctly the most important aspect is the location.”
Together they made their way to the earl’s office. Strolling in Samuel waited while the earl retrieved the plans from a pigeon hole behind the desk. When he saw how large the drawings were he started to clear off the mahogany table which overlooked the forecourt.
“Excellent idea, Samuel.”
Over the next hour they poured over the different elevations. Slowly, Samuel came to understand the reasoning for having the orangery near the kitchen. That way, in cold weather, the heat in the pipes wouldn’t dissipate. This fact, confirmed what Brittany had told him earlier.
“When you had yours built did the kitchen garden need to be moved to a new location?” Samuel asked, not sure if his would have to do the same.
“Part did. It all depends on where the garden is and how big you wish the orangery to be,” Eli answered.
Samuel didn’t know and would have to find out. First though, he should have the area surveyed and an architect start designing the structure. He looked at the bottom right corner of the top sheet. There he saw the man’s office was in London.
“Eli, with your permission I’d like to contact the same gentleman who did yours and see if he can go to my estate and come up with plans.”
“Of course, then we can greet Cole and Miss Crocker as I see their coach is entering the courtyard.”
With the letter composed, sealed, and set on the table outside the earl’s office, Samuel and Eli went to the ground floor to greet the travelers.
“Cole, I’m happy you’re none the worse off from your excursion with Miss Crocker,” Samuel teased.
“We had a very pleasant time, thank you,” she interjected before Cole could answer. “Actually, for a gentleman of the ton he’s quite well read and versed on many subjects. One of which being my favorite, the ocean and ships.”
“More importantly, I see you were able to obtain a copy of the Hersey book. Did you have any trouble?” Brittany stated.
“Not at all. Seems we were the only ones interested,” Cole said, handing over the copy.
Samuel started to reach for the tome but stopped. “Shall we review both after dinner as it’s getting late and we’ll be dressing soon? This way we may compare them at our leisure.”
“Agreed, as we want to take our time in creating a false book,” Brittany added, to nods of approval from the others.
Over dinner Samuel recommended that he, along with Brittany, Cole and Sally, should continue to study the original book.
“This way only a few of us will possibly be in danger. Also, once we examine the margin notes then decide which of the four of us should write in the false one,” Samuel explained.
“My question, where to keep it? The book should be found easily,” Sally said.
“If I might,” Brittany started. “The diversion should replace the real one in the safe.”
“That is an excellent recommendation. So where do we keep Lady Brittany’s?” Samuel asked, finishing the last bite of his trifle.
“Why not in your suite?” Cole said.
“Yes, and move the book from one suite to another every night when finished. This way we, with apologies to our host, hostess and Lady Wallace, will be the only ones knowing its location,” Samuel declared, to the approval of everyone.
“Then, ladies and gentlemen, I believe it’s time you start trying to understand why this book is so desirous,” Barbara announced, rising from her chair which brought the men to their feet.
Now alone with only the select few Samuel stood, strolled to the earl’s desk and picked up the original book. Looking to the others he grinned, returned to his seat and set it on Sally’s lap then turned to Brittany.
“As we all know each other and to make discussions flow smoothly I suggest we use Christian names,” Samuel recommended.
He smiled on getting nods of approval from the others.
“As we’ve studied the book along with the cryptic messages I would suggest Sally, you and Cole look through it,” he declared.
“I agree,” Brittany said, giving him her hand to assist in standing.
Together they strolled over to the table he’d used earlier to study the orangery plans, which he saw were still out.
“Yes, my dearest. These are the plans for the one here. Now that I’m familiar with these drawings they do make sense to me, thus I now can understand how it’s built. I’ve posted a letter to the architect requesting he inspect my mansion with the intention of building one.”
He wanted to continue but in an instant Brittany had her arms around his neck, her lips close to his.
“Behave, you two.” Samuel glanced past Brittany to his friend.
“Cole, nothing has happened, yet,” he barely got out before descending his lips to hers for a chaste kiss. “Now something has,” he whispered, bringing a faint giggle from Brittany.
“I think we’d best do as he says, not that I’m sure he or Sally would say anything,” she said, releasing her arms from his neck.
“Good. Now to these plans,” he began, needing to divert her attention from his lips. “I’ve no idea when the man will arrive. I did point out the urgency as this is to be a wedding present.”
“I don’t know how to express my gratitude for you doing this for me.”
“Trust me, once we’re married I can think of many ways you may. I thought we would stay through the New Year. Then, we retire to our estate and wait while it’s built, which I suspect from what your father said could take months.”
“And of course with me constantly showing my appreciation?”
“Naturally.”
From the other side of the room they were suddenly distracted by a screech of joy.
“Excuse me, but if you two have finished playing patty-cake can you bring me a pencil and f
oolscap,” Sally directed to Samuel.
“Yes, and will you also explain why you’re so happy?” Samuel declared.
“Yes-yes in a minute. I, actually Cole and I, need to confirm what we found. The reason why this particular book is so important.”
With Brittany sitting beside him, hand in hand, Samuel watched as Sally, with Cole’s able assistance, started scribbling on the paper he’d given them. Silence, save the scritch-scratch and whispers between the two, filled the office until Cole and Sally raised their heads, smiles on their faces.
“No wonder none of the notes made sense to either of you. Each one is an anagram. Some are ships while others are names of men in Nigeria,” Sally easily explained.
“And the circled villages are where they are located?” Samuel asked.
“Correct. From what we can gather they are kidnapping locals and selling them to the shipmasters as slaves,” Cole interjected.
“If I might, how would Hersey have all this information if he’s supposedly never been to Africa? The reason I’m asking, from the few chapters I’ve studied he’s gleaned facts from other books. Fortunately, for us he made insignificant changes to make them seem original but still I don’t believe he ever left England,” Brittany declared.
Samuel knew she was incorrect in her statement about the man never having been in Africa. If he told her what he knew that could be a disaster in more ways than one. First, his investigation would be ruined and more importantly he’d lose Brittany forever. He did know Cole would never say anything about him and his work for the Crown, as Cole did also. His problem, how to make it appear he was speculating that the man had actually been to Africa.
“Not wishing to start an argument but how do we know he never did? From what I understand, the man had been all but banned from London by the ton, for some reason which is not spoken of. Thusly, he spent the past several years in hiding. Could he possibly have snuck off to Africa?”
He studied Brittany’s features along with that of Sally’s as they digested his words. From what he could see they were in agreement with him.
“Yes, that is possible but still doesn’t explain who made the handwritten notes and why?” Brittany asked.
“And to complicate matters neither Sally nor I can tell if the notes were written in a man or woman’s hand,” Cole stated.
That still didn’t tell Samuel who the leader of the ring was, then he remembered back a few days ago.
“Brittany, remember when we took the carriage drive in Hyde Park and witnessed Hersey arguing with Mr. Winterbottom.”
“Yes, about what we’ve no idea. It could have been anything from how much he should receive for selling the book to the weather. You don’t think he could somehow be involved in this slave thing, do you?”
“Right now, I wouldn’t want to leave anything to chance,” Samuel retorted.
“If he is involved wouldn’t his finances show it,” Sally queried.
“That’s true. Possibly. I can send a letter to my man of business, and you do the same Cole, to investigate Mr. Winterbottom.”
“Samuel, that would work normally but we have the same person or weren’t you aware. If we send him a note over both our signatures that should spur the man on,” Cole recommended.
“Then, I say we do that and have a rider leave at first light. This way he would get into London by afternoon if well mounted. Thus, within a few days we will have our answer but in the meantime create the false book,” Brittany suggested.
“Why wait until the morrow. I’m confident my groom, Quinn, would be more than willing to ride through the night on my beast. Tempest is the only horse strong enough to make the journey without faltering. And before you ask, the man is above reproach and always up for a challenge,” Samuel declared.
“Then, let’s do. I’ll have Peter notify your man to be ready to depart within the hour,” Brittany told them, stood and marched to the bell on the desk and rang it.
Forty minutes later, with Quinn on his way to London, the four adjourned to the family parlor. There Samuel, with assistance from Brittany, explained to the others what had been learned along with the actions taken.
A short while later, when all the questions were asked and answered Samuel escorted Brittany to the second floor, said his adieus then retired to his assigned suite.
Chapter Nineteen
“Good morning, Sally,” Brittany said as she slipped through the adjoining door from her suite.
“And to you,” Sally responded, throwing her bedcovers off.
“While you take care of your morning toilet I’ll order two trays, if you wish?”
“Yes, but not just tea and toast. I’d like ham, roast beef, eggs and toast along with tea,” Sally declared, before closing the door to her private room.
“Then, I’ll have our maids bring the same for myself. No point in not enjoying the same as the men whom I suspect are breaking their fast as we speak,” Brittany called out.
Brittany returned to her suite and instructed Aggie to have the trays brought to Sally’s room.
“Certainly, m’ lady.”
She returned as Sally emerged from taking care of her needs.
“Do you have any plans with your Lord Cole?” Brittany teased, then added, “If not, I thought we might take the carriage into town as I’d like to get some new ribbons for several of my bonnets.”
“To begin with, my dear friend, he’s not my Lord Cole even though he seems to hang on every word I say. As for accompanying you, I’d love to. I wish to see if I can find a new evening gown,” she replied.
“Very true and I might need to see if there is material which would make a warmer riding habit. Of course, I’ll make sure Lord Samuel receives the bill since it wouldn’t be fair for father to pay for it,” she said with a giggle, as Aggie along with Sally’s maid entered with their trays.
“Aggie, I’ll need my walking boots along with a spencer and warm pelisse. Miss Crocker and I will be going into town in a little while.”
“Certainly, m’ lady,” Aggie said, curtsied, then slipped out with the other maid.
“Good, now that we have everything arranged all we need is to ask father for a carriage along with footmen to carry our purchases,” Brittany declared.
After popping the last bite of ham into her mouth Brittany started chewing but stopped as an idea came to her. Glancing over to Sally, she smiled.
“Do you think mother and Lady Wallace would care to join us? We can make it an adventure and have luncheon at the tavern. The owner’s wife always sets a marvelous table.”
“Most certainly. Shall we hurry to finish, change and go find them?” Sally said.
A short while later dressed in the simple maroon morning gown with green leaves sewn at the neckline she and Sally slipped down the back stairs. Brittany had chosen this way as being the quickest path to her mother’s private sitting room.
As they stepped onto the corridor Brittany turned to her friend and smiled hearing her mother and godmother discussing something. What they were talking about, or whom, she couldn’t clearly understand as the voices were partially muffled. What they were talking about had to be amusing when she heard her godmother giggle.
With a gentle ladylike knock on the doorframe Brittany led Sally in. After giving her godmother the requisite kiss on the cheek, then doing the same to her mother she and Sally took seats together on the divan.
“Now children, what might we do for you?” her mother queried.
“Sally, I mean Miss Crocker, and I were planning on going into town. I wish to purchase some new ribbons for several of my bonnets. She desires to visit the dressmaker to look over any new plates that have arrived. We were wondering if you both would care to join us. After shopping we could take luncheon at the tavern.” Brittany explained their plan.
Patiently, with bated breath, she waited as her mother shared a look of understanding with Lady Wallace.
“As everything is now set for the Christmas Eve ball t
his will be a pleasant diversion. It would also give the men something to wonder about. Now darling, go ask your father to have a carriage brought around.”
Excited that she would be spending time with her best friend, mother and godmother, Brittany couldn’t withhold her excitement. Without a thought she leapt up, dashed across the room and gave her mother a hug. Realizing what she’d done, displaying childish behavior, she quickly collected herself, stood straight then dipped her head in embarrassment.
“I’m sorry for my action, it won’t happen again. I pray you forgive me,” she humbly begged.
“Of course, you’re forgiven, my dear. Now run along and ask the earl to order the coach. Make sure he instructs the stablemaster to put heated bricks in so our feet stay warm,” the countess directed.
“Yes, that’s a wonderful suggestion as my old bones don’t appreciate the chill as well as you younger ladies do,” Lady Wallace said, in jest to Brittany and Sally.
In silence Brittany and Sally made their way down the corridor to the earl’s office. As they approached Brittany heard her father, Samuel and Cole talking. She wasn’t able to hear the words explicitly but as they got closer she could, and she became disturbed by what she heard.
“Samuel, from what you were able to decipher before and now with this new information how would you suggest we proceed?” Brittany easily knew her father spoke, but about what she didn’t know until—
“I’d rather wait to find out what else Sally can discover before we take our evidence to the Crown.” This voice belonged to Samuel.
“Understood. The reason I’m asking is certain people, of which we are aware of who they are, wish a hasty ending to this slavery ring.” Again Brittany knew the words were from her father.
Her breath hitched. With a sideways glance to Sally she saw the poor girl pale at the horrific words. Quickly, Brittany put her finger to her lips on the off chance Sally might give them away.
“Eli, I can understand their impatience, however they must temper it for without finding the ringleader bringing the slavers down now will accomplish nothing.”
Lady Brittany's Love Page 10