by Laura Landon
Barnaby allowed Radburn to assist Millicent. They climbed the stairs, Millicent and Lord Radburn in the lead and Barnaby trailing behind.
They first reached the room that would be Millicent’s. But Radburn didn’t stop. He only indicated that the room was hers. Without releasing her, he continued down the hall until he reached a room three doors down from Millicent’s.
“This will be your room, Mr. Compton.” Radburn opened the door.
Barnaby thanked his host for his hospitality, then stepped inside, but did not close the door.
Radburn turned and escorted Millicent back to her room.
Barnaby watched the intimate exchange between Millicent and Lord Radburn. A knot clenched in his gut when Radburn leaned close and kissed her on the forehead, and escalated to a painful jolt when he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and brought her close to him.
The earl held her for several seconds, then released her. The two smiled at each other, then Millicent stepped into her room.
The light in the hallway shifted as Millicent closed her door, but Radburn didn’t move. Long seconds passed as he stood, just staring at her closed door. Barnaby grew more uneasy by the moment. Radburn’s behavior was strange. Almost predatory.
Barnaby stepped back silently and held the doorknob as he inched his own door closed without a sound. Two points were abundantly clear. The first was that time was of the essence. He had to find and destroy the explosives as quickly as possible.
The second was that, while it was only Barnaby’s intuition, Radburn seemed far more dangerous than even Millicent knew.
Chapter 5
Millicent was dressed for dinner, but no matter how often she told herself she had the courage to spend the evening with her betrothed, she couldn’t bring herself to leave her room. The thought of Radburn touching her again turned her stomach. The thought of him kissing her, even if only her hand, repulsed her more than she had anticipated it would. She’d convinced herself that she could go through with this. But now she wasn’t so sure.
“Are you unwell, my lady?” Sophie said from behind her. “Would you like me to tell his lordship that you are too weary to come down to dinner? I can tell him that the trip was too tiring for you and have a tray sent up, if you’d like.”
Millicent rose to her feet. “No, Sophie. I’m fine.” She checked her appearance in the mirror, then walked to the door. She hesitated with her hand on the knob, then opened the door and walked to the stairs to join Lord Radburn and Barnaby Linscott.
She saw him before she took the first step down. Her heart lurched, but instead of running back to her room as she was tempted to do, she smiled an open smile, then descended the stairs.
The Earl of Radburn waited for her at the bottom of the stairs and held out his hands. Her stomach turned as she reached out to the man she hated with every breath in her body and placed her hands in his.
“You look absolutely radiant,” he said, bringing her hands to his lips. “Did you have a good rest?”
“Yes, very.” He looped her arm through his and led her to a drawing room. Her gaze searched the room. She didn’t want to be alone with him. Not even for a short while.
She breathed a sigh of relief when she found Barnaby Linscott on the far side of the room.
Radburn was remarkably handsome in a frightening way, but Lord Linscott’s rugged good looks far surpassed Radburn’s charisma. Or, perhaps Linscott’s appeal was that she felt safe when she was near him.
“Millicent,” Linscott said as he lifted his glass in greeting. “You are a sight to behold.”
Millicent smiled in relief. “Thank you, Reggie. As are you.”
As if he understood her meaning, he held her gaze a moment longer than necessary.
“May I get you something to drink, my lady?” she heard Radburn ask. “Sherry, perhaps?”
She turned to focus on the man beside her. “Yes, my lord. Thank you.”
Radburn left her in search of sherry, and Millicent took the opportunity to sit in a cushioned chair rather than on the sofa, where Radburn would have had room to sit next to her.
“Did you find everything to your satisfaction, my dear?” Radburn asked when he returned and sat on the sofa across from her.
“Perfection, my lord. Westview Manor is splendid. The changes you’ve made have transformed your home into a masterpiece of elegance. You have excellent taste, my lord.”
“Please, Millicent. Call me Marcus. We are betrothed, after all.”
The endearing expression on his face and tenderness in his tone reminded her of another time. A time when his soft-spoken words had been a prelude to emotions quite different than the ones she felt now. But that was before she found out what he was capable of.
“If you like,” she answered.
“I’d like that very much.” He reached across the low table that divided them and placed his hand over hers.
Millicent looked down. It was all she could do not to snatch her hand away from beneath his. She turned that thought into a brilliant smile and willed her body not to squirm.
“You’ve recently made changes to Westview Manor, then?” Barnaby asked.
Millicent nearly sighed with relief when Barnaby drew Radburn’s attention away from her.
“Yes, my father had let it fall into quite a state of disrepair.” Radburn sat back on the sofa and waited until Barnaby took a chair. “You see, Westview Park, Eastview Park, and Northview Park are all extremely small compared to Radburn Oaks.”
“Your family’s seat, I presume?”
“Yes. Just a few hours north of London. A distance Father found much more agreeable than the Parks.”
“But you don’t?”
“Oh, I enjoy spending time in London once or twice a year, but I prefer being here. I can conduct any business that needs to be taken care of from here.”
“I’d be interested in seeing the changes you’ve made,” Barnaby said with a show of sincerity.
“I’d be happy to give you a tour. Perhaps later.”
Barnaby nodded, then concentrated on drinking his brandy. Thankfully, Millicent didn’t have to endure Radburn’s attention for long. The butler announced that dinner was ready, and Radburn escorted them in to what he called the “small” dining room, which was anything but small in Millicent’s eyes.
Dinner was superb. Every dish served had been prepared to perfection, and Barnaby kept Radburn engaged with lively conversation.
Millicent was relieved but knew she had to relax around Radburn or her standoffishness would draw attention. And that was the last thing she wanted.
Finally, their host placed his napkin on the table, indicating the meal was at an end. “Would you care to join me in the drawing room?” he asked.
Millicent caught Barnaby’s eye and noticed his quick nod of assent. “That would be lovely,” she answered.
Radburn rose to escort her from the dining room to a beautiful salon decorated in shades of burgundy, gray, and cream. “Oh,” she sighed when she entered, “what a delightful room.”
Radburn rocked on his feet as he let his eyes roam over the room. “I’m glad you like it. It’s one of my favorites in the house.”
Millicent stepped into the center of the room and turned in a circle. “What a unique shape it has,” she said, noticing the unusual layout.
“It’s in the shape of an octagon,” Radburn answered. “I’ve always been fascinated with architecture and unusually shaped structures. See how each wall lends itself to its own conversation area, and yet all feel a part of the whole. Hm? Yes, well tomorrow I’ll show you some of the other rooms I particularly enjoy. One is circular in design, and another triangular.”
“How fascinating,” she said, walking the perimeter of the room. When she returned to the center of the room, she again sat in a chair where there wasn’t room for Radburn to sit beside her.
“Do you find some benefit in these unique designs?” Barnaby asked.
“Ah,” Radburn sai
d, accepting a glass of brandy from a footman. Barnaby took a glass of brandy, and Millicent accepted a glass of wine.
“How astute, Mr. Compton. Yes, there are benefits to every design, as well as restrictions. The benefit to the circular room, as I will point out when we go there tomorrow, is the narrow hallway built behind the wall that enables the staff to move from one end of the house to the other without being observed. There are also several doors, some quite invisible, which are hidden in the walls.”
“For what purpose?” Millicent asked.
“Mostly so the staff may come and go without interrupting the conversations of my guests.”
“Are there doors hidden in the walls of this room?” Millicent asked.
Radburn sat back against the cushions and grinned. “Yes. Four. Do you see them?”
Millicent stood and turned a slow circle. Next, she made her way to the wall and retraced her steps around the perimeter. Several times she reached out and touched the floral paper, then brought her hand back when she found nothing. When she’d gone around the room, she stopped, then turned to face Radburn. “Are you sure there are four exits here?”
“Yes, my love.”
Each of the eight walls was decorated with a panel of damask upon which was fixed a wall sconce, a portrait, or in some cases a series of curio shelves. Radburn rose from the sofa and walked to one of the paneled walls. “One,” he said, pushing on the damask panel. A door opened, then shut when he pulled it back. A curio cabinet was attached to the door, and not a single item swayed, dipped, or clinked as the door swung open and closed.
He walked to the next panel but didn’t stop, then went on to the third and pushed again. A second door opened, taking with it the lovely crystal wall sconce that was attached to it. The glittering pendants that hung from the sconce swayed silently, not making a sound.
Radburn—or his designer—had thought of everything.
He walked to the next panel and stopped, then pushed. A third door opened. He continued walking but didn’t stop at the next panel, or the next.
Barnaby waited to see where he was going to stop. He had correctly guessed the location of the first three doors but was unable to discern the fourth.
Radburn walked back to his chair, scarcely disguising an impish grin. “I shall leave you to discover the fourth. If you can.” He winked.
“How ingenious,” Barnaby added as he studied the entirety of the room.
“You rascal,” Millicent said playfully.
“Am I safe in guessing that those doors lead onto the terrace?” Barnaby asked, indicating a set of multipaned double doors on the far side of the room. “Or are they false exits that lead to secret rooms?”
Radburn laughed. “I assure you that building hidden passages was never my intention.”
“Of course not,” Millicent added, as if agreeing that Barnaby’s comment was a silly stretch of the imagination. But she knew that Barnaby was serious.
As if to prove that the doors were used by Radburn’s staff, a panel to their right swung open, and a man entered the room. The man wasn’t dressed in livery, but in a finely tailored jacket and trousers. He wore a white linen shirt with an immaculately tied cravat and obviously held a position of importance in Radburn’s household.
“Please, excuse me,” Radburn said as he got to his feet.
Millicent attempted to listen to Radburn’s conversation, but their whispers were too soft to be heard across the room. The two men spoke only a few words, then the man left and Radburn returned.
“I’m afraid I must leave you for a while. Something important has come up that I must see to. May I rely upon you to entertain Millicent in my absence, Mr. Compton?”
“Of course,” Barnaby answered. “There’s nothing I would enjoy more.”
“Thank you. This should only take a few moments. I’ll return as soon as possible.”
With that, Radburn exited the room, using the same door through which the messenger had entered.
When Radburn was gone, Millicent turned to speak to Barnaby, but he held up one finger to stop her.
“Would you care to step out onto the terrace?” he asked.
“But of course,” she answered. “It’s a beautiful spring evening.”
Barnaby held out his hand, and Millicent placed her hand in his. The feel of their flesh touching sent currents racing to every part of her body. Some new emotion tugged at her heart and drew her to him as if he were a magnet and she metal. It was so comforting after the friction she felt when touched by Radburn.
They walked to the wide-paned French doors, then stepped out onto the terrace. Neither of them spoke as he led her to the three steps that took them into the garden, then down a cobbled path that carried them away from the terrace. When they were far enough from the house that they couldn’t be seen or overheard, he stopped. He turned her toward him and pulled her into his arms.
Millicent went willingly. She stepped into his embrace as if within his arms was the one place she knew she would be safe.
“You’re trembling,” he whispered as he moved his hands over her shoulders and down her back.
“I’ll stop soon.”
“Does Radburn frighten you that much?”
“He doesn’t frighten me. He disgusts me.”
He held her for what seemed an eternity, yet when he released her, she longed to return to his embrace.
They followed the cobblestone path through the garden. “I need you to do something for me,” he said.
She tilted her head to look at him.
“I need you to ask Radburn to give us a tour of the estate. Perhaps tomorrow afternoon.”
“Of course. Are you hoping to see something that will indicate where the ammunition storage is located?”
“Actually, the opposite. I’m hoping that he will avoid the area where the explosives are located.”
Millicent smiled. “I see.”
Barnaby placed his arm around her shoulder and brought her closer to him. “Are you sure you want to continue with this mission? You can break off your engagement, and I’ll get you out of here. I can return alone.”
She separated herself from him. “No,” she said firmly. “I refuse to allow you to think of me as some sort of delicate flower. I am not. I’ve been a part of this mission far longer than you have. It took me months to get to this point with Radburn. And I did it without any help from anyone.”
“I apologize, Millicent. I’m just not used to working with females. Nor am I used to letting them risk their lives.”
Millicent softened her tone. “Don’t consider me risking my life, Barnaby. Consider me taking risks to accomplish a goal.”
Barnaby’s smile shone in the darkness. When he reached out his arm, she took it.
There was a small scrolled bench beneath a large tree in Radburn’s garden. He led her to it. When they were seated, he reached for her hand and held it. “What relationship did your father have with the Earl of Radburn?”
“None, with the current earl. He was a business acquaintance of the former earl. Marcus’s father. In fact, I think they might have been partners in several ventures.”
“Do you know what those were?”
“I believe they were shipping ventures, but nothing of any significance. Father owned several ships. I’m not sure, but I believe Lord Radburn commissioned Father’s ships on occasion to bring cargo from the West Indies.”
“Could that cargo have been munitions?”
Millicent shook her head. “Father would never have agreed to carry war materials to England.”
“What if your father didn’t know?”
Millicent had to consider Barnaby’s words. Was it possible that the late Earl of Radburn used her father’s ships to carry contraband to England without her father knowing?
She lifted her gaze. “Do you think that could be the reason Father was killed? Do you think he discovered what the late earl was doing and it cost him his life?”
“I don’
t know,” Barnaby answered. “It’s just one possibility.”
“It’s plausible. My father didn’t have an enemy in the world. I’ve considered everything but couldn’t come up with a reason someone wanted him dead.”
“I have no proof, but it’s a thought.” Barnaby smiled at her, then rose. “It’s probably best we return before Radburn comes in search of us.”
Millicent took Barnaby’s arm, then strolled with him back to the house. When they reached the terrace, Radburn was standing at the railing.
“Did you get your business taken care of?” Millicent asked as she released Barnaby’s arm and moved with apparent eagerness to Radburn.
“Yes. I’m sorry to have neglected you, my dear.”
“Nonsense. You didn’t at all. Reggie and I enjoyed our walk in your garden. We’ll have to explore it again when the sun is shining, and you must come with us.”
The wary look he had focused on Barnaby softened. She looped her arm through his. “Do you have business to attend to tomorrow?” she asked when they entered the house.
“Nothing that can’t be put off if I can spend the day with you.”
She lifted her eyes and smiled. “Then you must show me your estate. And no little walking tour, either. I believe a carriage ride is in order, don’t you agree? Reggie and I are most anxious to ride over Westview Park. We are prepared to be duly impressed.”
Radburn looked pleased. “I would be delighted to show you around. We can leave midmorning, and I’ll have Cook pack us a picnic lunch.”
“Oh, how wonderful,” Millicent said, then released Radburn’s hand. “If you gentlemen will excuse me, I think I’ll retire so I’m well rested for our adventure.”
“Allow me to escort you to your room,” Radburn said.
“Please don’t bother, Marcus. I can find my way. I know you and Reggie would rather have a cigar and a nightcap before you retire.”
“Then allow me to walk you to the stairs.”
“Very well.” Millicent forced a smile to remain on her face.
They left the room, and Radburn walked her across the foyer to the stairs. “Good night, Marcus,” she said, then turned to walk away from him.