To Trust a Thief Page 9

  He clutched the locket in his hands, unfamiliar guilt still coursing through him. Bryant was grateful their little interlude behind the drapes had afforded him the opportunity to see what was so important about this locket. But he found himself wishing over and over again that it wasn’t necessary to deceive her.

  Ensuring the attic door shut silently behind him, Bryant hurried up the stairs and across the room. He lit the single candle on the table and opened the locket. He looked it over, examining every inch. The frayed corner of the eye portrait caught his eye. With expert fingers he pried it away from its nest and lifted the folded paper from its hiding place.

  He took a sheet of paper and ink and within moments had made a copy of the map. Once done, he carefully put everything back together and slipped the locket into his vest. He studied the map for several minutes, but other than recognizing a building or two, and an area that looked like the Courtland family cemetery, he couldn’t make much of it. There was obviously another piece of the map that was needed to fully decipher it. That must be what Min was searching for.

  And what he needed to find first.

  Chapter Twelve

  Min spent most of the next day trying to find an opportunity to show Charlotte what she’d discovered. They hadn’t a moment to themselves to sneak up to the secret room. As soon as the evening meal had finished, they headed straight for the stairs. Min reached inside her neckline, reassuring herself that the locket was still there. She’d woken that morning to find it beside her on her pillow and now she was in terror that it would come loose again.

  “So,” Charlotte asked in an excited whisper, “where are we going?”

  “Up to the gallery,” Min answered, already climbing the second staircase.

  “The picture gallery? What’s up there?”

  Min simply smiled and hurried on. When they reached the gallery, Min halted in front of the ancient tapestry that hung between the portraits of Tabitha and Edward Courtland. Charlotte glanced at the painting of Tabitha, who was shown dressed in an elaborate Turkish costume, a king’s ransom in jewels decorating her neck.

  “Too bad the necklace was lost,” Charlotte said, nodding at the painting. “I bet it was a sight to see in person.”

  Min nodded and then pointed at a painting directly across from Edward’s. “I think that is Edward’s mistress. See,” she said, drawing Charlotte over to look at it. A young blond woman sat at an easel, a basket overflowing with star-shaped hoya flowers on her canvas. An air of sadness surrounded her, something about the slightly downturned mouth, a tightness around her green eyes. A silver locket with a large center pearl hung from her neck.

  “Min! That’s just like your locket.”

  “I know. There’s no nameplate like the others have, but her style of dress is right for the time period and it was painted by the same artist who did Edward’s.” Min gestured to a scrawled signature at the bottom of the portrait. “And with the locket… She must be Anne Benton, Edward’s mistress.”

  “Curious,” Charlotte said. She was about to say more but a loud creak from the floorboards above their heads made her jump. She grabbed Min’s arm. “Min!” she whispered. “What are we doing up here?”

  “I found a secret room.” Min laughed while Charlotte stared at her in shock.

  “I can’t believe you kept that from me all day!”

  “Shhh.” Min pushed the heavy tapestry aside, grimacing at the rattle of the ancient iron rings that suspended it on the bar. She gestured for Charlotte to hold it out of the way. At first glance, the door wasn’t visible to either of the girls, so Min ran her hand along the wood paneling, pushing here and there, trying to find the hidden lever that would open it. Halfway down the wall, about waist level on the left, Min’s fingers discovered a small groove that had been carved into the paneling.

  “What are you looking for?” Charlotte asked.

  “A way in.”

  “How did you get in last night?”

  “I, ah, sort of stumbled upon it,” Min said, not meeting Charlotte’s eyes.

  Charlotte’s laughter rippled through the empty corridor. “You mean you fell against the wall and went right through, don’t you?”

  Min groaned.

  “Oh, Min. Only you could literally fall into a secret chamber.”

  Min ignored her. “Open those drapes a bit more, Charlotte. I think I’ve found something.” She gestured at the window across from the paintings, turning to hide the blush that crept up her face at the memory of the other discovery she’d made behind those drapes.

  Charlotte complied and light from the window poured in. Someone had carved a small star in the paneling. The imperfection was nearly smooth and a bit lighter than the rest of the wood surrounding it. Whoever had carved it had done the work a very long time ago. The girls looked at each other and smiled in excitement. Min took a deep breath and pushed on the star.

  The panel swung in to reveal the small room Min had stumbled into the night before. Charlotte gasped in astonishment. Min made certain the tapestry was back in place before she followed Charlotte inside. She closed the door behind her. When she turned around, Charlotte was already at the window gazing out.

  “Look at this place,” Charlotte said, bouncing on the seat. “It looks as though no one has been in here for years!”

  “Perhaps it was a meeting place for Edward Courtland and his mysterious lover.”

  Charlotte laughed again. “I suppose. Hardly seems likely, though.”

  “Why not?” Min looked around the room. “Why else would someone have a secret room full of comfortable furniture?”

  “Well, you’ve got me there. Let’s see what’s under all these sheets,” Charlotte said, grabbing the nearest one and yanking. A small table with an inlaid marble chessboard was revealed.

  “Nice,” Min said, grabbing a sheet of her own. Within seconds, all the furniture lay exposed. Min tossed the last sheet onto a pile in the corner.

  “Well, isn’t this cozy,” she said, gazing around the room. The small table sat near an elegant chaise lounge. An overstuffed chair was positioned on the other side of the table and a small empty bookcase leaned against the wall near the door. A rug in desperate need of cleaning covered the floor.

  The girls squealed in delight for a moment, then collapsed laughing onto the cushion-covered window bench. A cloud of dust rose and Charlotte sneezed violently.

  “This place certainly needs a good cleaning, that’s for sure.” She grabbed one of the sheets and scrubbed at the windowpanes.

  Min nodded, rubbing her nose. “No help for it now, though. We’d better get going before we are missed.”

  Charlotte nodded, dropped the sheet, and stood, pulling Min up with her. Her face puckered in a frown and she reached out to brush at Min’s dusty skirts. “Hmm. We might want to freshen up a bit before joining the others.”

  Min took a few swipes at Charlotte’s clothing and laughed. “You might be right.” They dusted themselves off until there was no trace of where they had been.

  With one last look around the room, Min pulled the door open and gestured for Charlotte to exit first. She went through and Min gave the door a yank, making sure it closed with a quiet click before she ventured out from behind the tapestry.

  Charlotte stood stock still on the other side, her face pale and frozen.

  “Charlotte, what’s the mat—?” Min’s voice trailed off as she saw at what, or rather whom, Charlotte stared.

  Bryant stood framed in the window, his arms clasped behind his back. His eyebrows rose as Min emerged. “Good evening, ladies.” His eyes locked onto Min’s face, a small smile tugging at his lips.

  “Good evening, Mr. Westley,” they murmured.

  “I believe you are expected in the library for evening announcements.”

  “Yes, Mr. Westley,” they muttered.

  Min grew uncomfortable under his scrutiny and darted a glance at Charlotte, who was looking between the two of them with a small frown pucker
ing her brows.

  “I suggest you make your way downstairs before you are tardy.”

  “Yes, sir,” Charlotte said. She grabbed Min’s hand and turned to leave, but Bryant stepped forward.

  “One moment, Miss Sinclair. I’d like to have a word with you.”

  Min froze, her pulse jumping. Charlotte hadn’t let go of her hand. Min gave her a small nod and Charlotte reluctantly released her. Min’s attention riveted back to the man towering over her.

  “I’ll wait for you downstairs.” Charlotte’s untrusting eyes glared at Bryant.

  Bryant and Min stood in silence, eyes locked on each other, until Charlotte’s echoing footsteps faded away down the stairs. Then he stepped closer, leaving only a breath of air between them. Min looked up at him.

  He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Are you going to tell me what’s behind the tapestry?”

  Min jerked back. She swallowed, unsure if the tremors running up her spine were from being caught or from his breath stirring against her skin.

  Part of her wanted to tell him. Wanted to help him. The same part that had made her cradle his injured hand. That wanted to kill his father for what he’d done to him. That wanted to help him ensure the safety and comfort of his family.

  That hungered for his touch.

  But another part of her wanted to ensure the safety and comfort of her own family, and of Arthur, just as desperately.

  That part kept her silent.

  She shook her head and stared right into his eyes. “There’s nothing behind the tapestry.”

  Bryant stepped around her. He went to the tapestry and shoved it aside. Min held her breath while he inspected the wall, slowly releasing the tapestry when he found nothing. He turned back to her, hands on his hips.

  Min clenched her fists in her skirts, refusing to squirm under his gaze. Finally, he stepped toward her. He trailed his thumb along her bottom lip, letting his palm cup her cheek for a moment before he moved away. He’d removed his gloves and Min’s head spun with the sensation of his skin against hers.

  She turned toward where he leaned against the wall. And waited.

  “I propose a truce,” he said, folding his arms across his chest.

  “A truce?”

  “Yes.” He watched her for a second and then shook his head, an exasperated sigh escaping his lips. “Look, I’m running out of time here. We both know we are after the same thing. Perhaps we can help each other find it.”

  “Assuming I know to what you are referring…what are you proposing?”

  “I’m proposing,” he said, his slow smile sending bolts of heat flashing through her, “that we share.”

  “We share?”

  “We combine our resources. Split the results.”

  Min stared at him. The necklace wasn’t solely hers to split. She owed Arthur. He needed it as much as she did. She had no right to trade away his share. However, her father was getting worse by the moment. She needed to know what Bryant knew, plain and simple. Besides, if she found it first…

  Her gut twisted at the underhanded thought. But she owed her loyalty first and foremost to her family. And to Arthur. She’d figure the rest out if they ever found the blasted thing.

  Bryant took her hand and brought it to his lips, pressing a searing kiss to the inside of her wrist. “Think about it,” he whispered.

  Then he turned and walked away, leaving Min trembling and confused in the darkening corridor.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Bryant waited for two days before Min gave him a decision. Watching her stumble around the ballroom made him feel a little better. She obviously wasn’t getting any more sleep than he was. Then again, tripping over her own feet was something Min did on a regular basis.

  When class ended, he stood at the door, gallantly kissing each girl’s hand as she left. Inwardly, he rolled his eyes. He couldn’t wait to find the treasure so he could clear out.

  Minuette and Miss Kensington were the last to leave. Miss Kensington gave him a cool good-bye. But Min lingered, pressing her hand into his. He bent down to kiss her hand, stroking her palm with his finger. He loved the way she trembled when he touched her. He wanted to peel off his gloves so he could feel her skin beneath his. Instead, he held on to her hand for as long as was polite, drawing lazy circles on her palm before reluctantly letting her go.

  She slid her hand from his and whispered, “Picture gallery. Eleven o’clock.”

  Bryant nodded once and watched her walk away, hope and excitement thundering through his chest. But he had a small matter to attend to before he could meet the enchanting Minuette in the picture gallery.

  …

  Dinner was torture. Min had made her decision but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had made a mistake. Though they did say two heads were better than one, and with Arthur and Charlotte, they technically had four. Plus, there was plenty of treasure to go around. But even so…

  It didn’t help that Bryant avoided making eye contact with her, which started a whole new round of doubts. Exasperated, Min told herself to stop and turned her attention to her meal.

  Just before dessert, Bryant stood and excused himself.

  “Pardon me, ladies, but I have some personal matters to attend to. If you will excuse me,” he said with a slight bow to Lady Courtland, “I will say good night.”

  Bryant turned away and strode out of the dining room, his boots echoing in the hall. Min’s eyes followed him as he left, a small, worried frown creeping onto her face. Charlotte stomped on Min’s foot under the table. Min scowled, rubbing her throbbing toes against the back of her other leg.

  Charlotte smiled sweetly in return. “Susan asked you a question, Min,” she said, her eyes flashing a warning.

  Min turned to Susan, a pretty and shy girl from the neighboring town, and said, “I’m terribly sorry. My mind must have wandered a bit. What did you say?”

  “I asked if you’d heard the stories Katherine has been telling us about Lady Courtland’s father-in-law and his mistress and the mysterious missing necklace. Do you really think there could be a treasure hidden somewhere in the house?”

  Min hesitated. Everyone had heard the stories, naturally, but she wondered why Katherine was stirring interest all of a sudden. A twinge of unease crept through her mind, but she kept her tone lighthearted.

  “Oh, I shouldn’t think so. After all, if there were a treasure, I’m sure the family would have found it long before now.”

  Several of the girls nodded in agreement. “I suspect you are right, Minuette,” Susan said. “But it does make a fine story, does it not? I’m rather curious about those paintings she mentioned.”

  “Paintings?” Min asked, grabbing her water to help force her bread down her suddenly tight throat.

  “Yes, the one of the mysterious woman that faces Lord Courtland’s,” Susan answered.

  Min was going to kill Katherine.

  “Oooh, and Katherine says that Lady Courtland is wearing the Courtland necklace in her portrait. I’d love to get a good look at it. Let’s all go and have a look after dinner, shall we?” The other girls nodded enthusiastically.

  Min glanced at Charlotte with a strained smile. Charlotte very helpfully shrugged her shoulders and returned to her dessert. Min groaned inwardly but didn’t want to make a fuss over Susan’s suggestion. After all, if she argued the point too fervently, someone might become suspicious about why she didn’t want anyone up there. Let them have their look, she concluded. Hopefully it would satisfy their curiosity and that would be the end of it.

  But just in case… “That sounds fun,” she agreed with the girls. “We’ll just have to be careful and make sure we stay in a group. We wouldn’t want the ghost to get us, after all.”

  “There’s no such thing as ghosts,” Susan said, though she didn’t look too sure.

  “Oh, I wouldn’t bet against it,” Min insisted. “I’m not superstitious, mind you. But I do sometimes get the feeling that I’m being watched when I’m up
there.”

  “I’ve been hearing strange noises,” one of the girls chimed in. “And the other night, I could have sworn I saw a light in one of the attic windows.”

  Min shoved another forkful of food in her mouth to hide her smile as the girls began buzzing, some exclaiming in semi-mocking terror, until Lady Courtland called for silence.

  Min thought she saw Katherine glaring at her from the corner of her eye, but when she turned to her, Katherine was busy muttering something to Agnes.

  Yes. It would definitely be wise to keep an eye on Lady High and Mighty.

  All thoughts of Katherine, paintings, and ghosts fled as Min caught sight of Bryant striding through the hall toward the front entrance. He was leaving and she did not know where he was going or why.

  Well, that just won’t do.

  Her eyes darted about the table. There had to be something… Her hand reached out for her water glass, very neatly splattering its contents all over her dress in the process.

  She squealed and jumped from her seat. Charlotte gaped at her.

  “Oh dear,” Lady Courtland said, her long-suffering tone clearly illustrating her exasperation with Min’s accidents. “Well, you’d better go get cleaned up.”

  “Thank you, Aunt Laura,” Min said, already hurrying from the room. As soon as she was out of sight of the dining room, she cut across the huge hall and into the salon. The French doors leading to the gardens were the closest exit to the stables. If Bryant was leaving, he’d need his horse.

  Min shivered as the cool night air hit her. But she pressed on, hurrying to the stables just in time to see Bryant ride out the front gates.

  “Blast!” Min muttered, heading for her favorite mare’s stall. She tossed up a prayer of thanks for Bryant’s timing. The stable hands would all be at dinner in the kitchen while the house’s inhabitants ate their own meal.