“I actually haven’t thought about it,” he answered.
“You could use Mother’s dagger,” Eleanor said. “It’s a beautiful piece. She gave it to me a few years ago, and I’ve kept it with me in my jewelry case.”
“She meant for you to have it.” Reed’s voice took on a surprisingly gentle tone. “I suppose I could use whatever heirloom Father used. I imagine it’s gathering dust somewhere in Huntington Park.”
“Oh!” Eleanor suddenly exclaimed. “Speaking of Huntington Park, I never got to tell you about my plan with Bridget. As I said, as she is arriving in England tomorrow, I’ve actually set it up for her to go to Huntington Park.” She quickly explained to their guests who Bridget was. “Poor girl’s never been outside Scotland or even Caelkirk. I thought it would be a soft landing, plus it will be a chance to get to know her. I’ve already sent a note to Grandmama about Elise and Julianna, and she’s agreed to meet them there. Now that we have three ladies to launch into society, it would be best if we had a few days to get them ready.”
Reed’s face turned inscrutable, but before he could say anything, Holden entered the room announcing that dinner was to be served.
Though the meal was formal, Elise was glad that it went off without a hitch. For one thing, Eleanor was a good hostess and gave them directions on who was to be seated where. Jeremy was seated at the head of the table with Eleanor at the other end. Reed sat on her right and Cross on her left. Julianna sat next to Cross while Elise found herself being directed to sit right next to Reed. At least I won’t have to worry about staring into his eyes, she thought as she sat down on the plush chair.
The rest of the meal proceeded normally, and although the atmosphere was light, she couldn’t help but feel awkward. Though she was sitting next to Reed, he didn’t engage her in any conversation. She tried not to take it personally since he didn’t seem to like to talk, period. If Jeremy or Eleanor asked him a question, he answered in monosyllables.
Of course, based on his attitude the entire time they were here, it could be that he thought them beneath them. He had that haughty, bored air about him that made it seem like he’d rather be elsewhere.
“So, to continue our conversation from earlier,” Eleanor began. “We shall leave for Huntington Park in the morning. We should be there by luncheon, and Bridget should arrive at the same time. We shall stay for a few days, while Grandmama and I decide which balls and social events we can attend. I do hope you don’t mind another day of travel?”
“Not at all, my lady,” Cross said. “We look forward to it.”
“Will you be joining us, Hunter?” Jeremy asked.
Reed shook his head. “I’m far too busy. Besides, I have an important meeting with a prospective partner in a few days.”
She glanced at Julianna and Cross, their eyes briefly meeting. They were probably thinking the same thing: Without him around, it would be easier to search the premises.
Dessert was served, and once the plates were cleared away, Eleanor stood up and declared they should have a nightcap in the library. As they all got up, Julianna stumbled back.
“Ooohhh!” She pressed the back of her hand to her forehead. “Oh my …”
“Are you all right, Miss Anderson?” Jeremy looked at her with concern on his face.
“Yes, Lord Winford.” She made an exaggerated sigh. “I’m afraid our … trials for today have made me lightheaded and …” She staggered back, and Elise managed to catch her before she bumped into the poor footman who was holding the back of her chair.
“You poor dear,” Eleanor said. “Well, why don’t you go upstairs and get some rest?”
“Thank you, my lady.” Julianna turned to Elise. “I’m feeling so weak, would you mind helping me up the stairs?”
“Of course.”
They excused themselves as they left the dining room, Elise holding on to Julianna’s elbow to support her. As soon as they were at the foot of the staircase, she shrugged off Elise’s hand. “Finally, I thought that dinner would never end.”
Elise raised a brow. “What’s going on?”
“I hoped I wasn’t too obvious.” She scratched at her head and muttered a curse. “Why the hell do I need so much damned hair? Anyway, I figured this would be our only chance to check Eleanor’s room for her mother’s dagger.”
“What?” She couldn’t believe Julianna had been faking it. “You want us to search her room?”
“Well, I’m going to sneak into her room. You just have to stand watch outside and make sure no one comes in while I’m searching.”
“You can’t mean …” Her heart pounded in her chest. “Why not let Cross do it?”
“Because he can’t go in there without having seen the room first, and if he gets caught in Eleanor’s room, who knows what Lord Winford would do? Besides, this is our last chance.”
She had to admit that Julianna had a point. Julianna could simply claim she had been lost, not trying to seduce the earl’s young countess. “All right, tell me what to do.”
They climbed up the stairs and turned left into the family wing of the house. “I snuck around before dinner to scope out the floor and that”—she pointed to the second to last door—“is her room. I’ll go in, and you stay out here. If any of the servants come, just tell them to go away.”
“Go away?”
“Yeah. Just scare them off.” She glanced around,
