Page 27 of Mistress of Darkness

Chapter 13

As Gwen slowly opened her eyes, she almost had to squint. The morning sun had risen high above the horizon, its bright light spreading across the silk bed covering, over the wool rug, as it filled the room. She stretched, her muscles aching from the exertion of the previous night—not exactly the kind of exertion she’d been planning. Though the evening had been far from what she’d envisioned, today was a new day. A mischievous smile crept over her face as she rolled over, but her smile disappeared when she found the bed empty.

She pushed herself upright and scanned about. The bedchamber was empty as well. “Robert?”

He poked his head out of the dressing room. “Gwen, you’re awake.” His smile was radiant and his dark eyes sparkled, particularly in the warm sunlight. “Good morning.”

A sigh of relief escaped her. “Good morning.”

“I have the distinct feeling it’s going to be a good day,” he said, still looking at her from the dressing room. She realized with some disappointment that he was already dressed.

She smiled a little quizzically at him before patting the bed next to her. “I’m sure you’re right,” she replied, but to her consternation, he didn’t move.

Instead, he waggled his eyebrows and said, “I’ve found something.” Then he disappeared again into the dressing room.

Found something? What could he have possibly found in–

Gwen’s heart leapt to her throat as she threw the bedding aside and jumped to the floor. She only remembered to grab her dressing gown at the last moment.

“What is it?” she said breathless, joining him in the small room.

“Look for yourself,” he said, pointing with a pen knife. There was something stuck in the wood of the wall’s paneling. “If you stand aside, the sunlight will come in.”

As she did so, the object there positively glinted. “It couldn’t be a nail, could it? Perhaps one that’s bent on its side? It’s so shiny.”

“We’re going to find out,” he said, his voice as excited as she felt. “But I had to fetch the pen knife. Whatever it is, it’s wedged in tightly.”

Using the tip of the small blade, he began to chip away at the wood paneling around the object. She waited in suspense as he worked the knife in a tiny circle around it, moving so carefully he might have been a surgeon. As she watched, the tiny wood splinters fell to the floor, and a vague, if rough, outline began to form. She had not been far off the mark when she thought it might be a nail bent on its side. Finally he began to dig beneath it, using the blade as a lever. With a small pop, the shiny object sprang from the wall and landed on the floor at her feet.

She picked it up. “Why, it’s an earring,” she said, astonished.

Though the hook had been lost, there was no doubt it was an earring. It would have dangled from the ear, long and incredibly ornate. Perhaps two dozen small, circular stones were arranged in what appeared to be a cascade of flowers. She held it up to the sun, watching as small rainbows danced inside them. Now she could see that most of the stones were crystal clear, but some had yellowish and pink castes.

“Heavens,” she said. “I do believe these might be diamonds.” She laid it in his outstretched hand.

After a few moments examining it, he looked up at her grinning. “I believe you’re right. It is a diamond earring, and a rather elaborate one.” He glanced over his shoulder at the small divot he’d left in the paneling. “The question then becomes, how on earth did it get there?”

“And who did it belong to?” she added as a new dread settled in her chest. “Robert, someone tried to kill you last night. I think the owner of this earring, whoever it may be, could be responsible.”

“Really?” He folded the knife closed and pocketed it. “I don’t see the connection.”

“Honestly,” she admitted. “I don’t either. It’s just a feeling I have. Perhaps something that I’ve read in the journals.”

He also pocketed the tiny piece of jewelry in his waistcoat. “Thackery said I was sedated. If someone had wanted me dead, why not poison me?”

She frowned at him. “You’re splitting hairs. It’s only a matter of degrees. Who can say what would have happened if you’d drunk more?”

“The fire could have been an accident,” he countered. “Started by a candle I might have knocked over.”

Now he was starting to make her angry. “Then we shall go down to the library and see.”

* * *

By the timethey went to the library, Parks had almost finished cleaning it. Robert did his best to disguise his disappointment at his valet’s prompt and fastidious action.

“Your papers appear in good order, sir,” the valet said, indicating the bundle.

“Good,” Robert said and exchanged a look with an obviously displeased Gwen.