Page 21 of His Revelation
Bonnie chuckled dryly. “Of course she would. I have never fit her idea of what a perfect young lady should be. Can you imagine her reaction if we told her I wanted to buy a publishing house?”
“No.” Tiffany mock shuddered. “No, she cannot know of our plan.”
“And it cannot beourplan, sister, although I love you for thinking of it.” Bonnie squeezed her again to soften the sting of her admission. “We cannot both go, because one of us has to stay and lie to Mother about the other’s absence. And that will have to be me, becauseyouare the one who remembers which shop and which collection to pursue.”
It was Bonnie’s easy acceptance of the scheme which had Tiffany pushing herself upright once more, almost bouncing with excitement. “Do you really think it will work?”
“I think it is worth the cost of a train ticket. But, Tiffany, surely you are not considering traveling alone! Is there anyone we could ask? Mrs. Oliphant, the cook, perhaps?”
“No, Mother would surely noticeherabsence.” Tiffany frowned thoughtfully. “The vicar’s sister might be willing to accompany me?—”
“She rarely leaves the house, you cannot expect her to go toYork. You need to find someone adventurous who will not be missed here in the village…but someone who would not cause scandal if you are seen together.”
Tiffany gasped and grabbed her sister’s hand. “I could wear a disguise—maybe borrow some clothing from Annie or one of the other maids?”
“You are far too beautiful to go unnoticed, even in homespun.”
“Well then, I will—will rub dirt on my face or something! And I will find a companion to travel south with me who will not draw attention! We will be just two travelers, booking passage to York, then a stay in a hotel. It should not require more than a few hours to visit the shop and see if they still have the antiquities. Or, if they have been sold, to find the name of the buyer to contact him.” Tiffany considered the timeline. “Perhaps I will allot an extra night in the hotel, then return. Surely you can cover my absence for three days, no more. Claim I am indisposed with my courses, perhaps. You remember how bad they used to be?”
In her excitement, as she spoke, Tiffany had swung her legs off Bonnie’s bed, stood, and scampered across to her slippers, which she could now see in the dawn light. As she pushed her arms into her dressing robe, she turned back to her nodding sister.
“I can do this.”
“You certainly can.” Bonnie pulled her legs up and wrapped her arms around them. “You can organize and plan like a general.”
“It was what Mother raised me to do: be a lady in a grand household.”Do not think of Lysander. “And besides, it is not so hard.”
“Well, you knowIwill not object to you traveling. I think it is a wonderful idea, and I do not know how I will contain my curiosity, waiting to hear if you are successful! Just imagine…having enough money tobuymy own publishing house!”
It was the wonder in her sister’s voice which had Tiffany beaming. “I will do everything in my power to help you achieve your dream, Bonnie.”
Bonnie nodded smartly. “And I will love you all the more for it. Now, I will help you plan and pack, sister, butyoumust be the one to find a traveling companion.”
Smiling, Tiffany gave a happy little twirl, knowing she was making the right choice. “I will.”
When the rear door of the inn opened into the little garden, Lysander found himself sinking back into the shadows, which felt strange to him. But he didn’t want to be caught out here by anyone other than?—
Ah!
Tiffany practically skipped down the steps, wearing a blue dress which complemented her eyes so beautifully. Eagerly—and justwhythe hell was he so eager to see her? He’d have to examine that later—Lysander stepped forward.
“Oh!” She stopped short when she saw him and held up a finger. “I was wondering if I would see you today!” On that cryptic remark, she spun back around and ducked into the kitchen, emerging a moment later carrying a plate. “Here you are. It is not much, but I had Mrs. Oliphant put aside some buns from this morning, just in case. Did Annie bring out some food yesterday as I directed?”
Dear Lord, she was like a little ray of sunshine, wasn’t she?
Lysander had to swallow twice to make his throat work. “Aye, milady,” he croaked, although, truthfully, he’d already gone before any food may or may not have been delivered. “Thank ye.”
He hobbled forward—pleased with himself for remembering to do so—and took the plate from her hands. When he did, his fingers brushed against hers, and that spark traveled up his arm and settled into his chest.
He smiled.
Easy lad. Ye dinnae like her, remember?
Nay, it was getting harder and harder to recall, when she smiled and acted completely opposite of how he thought she should.
But now she was studying him, her hands on her hip and her head cocked to one side. “You took my suggestion and bathed, I see.”
Lysander, figuring he’d be a fool to pass up one of Mrs. Oliphant’s buns, even if he had only eaten breakfast not two hours before, already had the pastry in his mouth, and hummed in question. When she gestured at his face, he felt himself blushing.
