Page 98 of A Single Thread of Moonlight

“Not that good,” he murmured, in a way that made something clench in my belly.

Now his eyes were the ones darkening as they dropped to my mouth, his pupils dilated. I took an unsteady breath.

“I just want to know if he’s going to behave well with Sophia,” I said, returning us to steadier ground. “She’s in a fragile position.”

Nick’s gaze slid towards the couple. “You don’t need to worry,” he said with certainty.

“You know something!” I exclaimed, then bit my lip as several heads turned in our direction.

“Iris,” he said quietly, with a lazy grin. “I know everything.”

“Checkmate,” I replied sweetly, sliding my queen forward and pinning his king to the back of the board.

He looked down at the game as though he’d forgotten it existed.

“So now I owe you two forfeits,” he said.

“That I can collect at any time.”

“I’m not sure I can live with the suspense.”

“Don’t worry,” I said silkily. “I have a few ideas how to use them.”

His fingers tightened around the chess piece in his hand. “If you keep looking at me like that I’m going to ruin all our plans by kissing you senseless in front of everyone.” His voice was low, a rumble in his chest.

I felt heat rise to my cheeks, and I cleared my throat. “Well, I’m glad to hear that things will turn out well for Sophia,” I said. “She deserves it.”

Helena’s throaty, musical laugh filled the room.

“Would that everyone was getting what they deserve,” Nick said.

I sighed. It had been the most difficult part of these last two days. To know what Helena had done, and to keep up the veneer of civility. We were like sharks, circling one another now. She knew my secret and I knew hers, but neither of us could act. Not yet.

“I’ve been thinking,” Nick said slowly. “We should take another look at the will.”

“The will?” I frowned.

“You said that you thought there was a page missing. If we could find it, then that would be evidence of will tampering, if nothing else.”

“That’s true,” I mused. “Unless she’s destroyed it.”

“You’ve looked everywhere you can think of?”

“Yes. Although if my father had two secret hiding places I’m certain there must be more that I don’t know about.” I grimaced. “It seems that he was really as paranoid as Tookes said…” I trailed off.

“What is it?” Nick asked.

“Probably nothing,” I replied. “I just wondered if Tookes might know where else we could look. I’d be surprised if any of the house’s secrets got by him.”

Nick sat back in his chair. “Perhaps we should have a word with Mr Tookes, then.”

“More creeping about at midnight,” I said wearily.

“Not tonight.” Nick got to his feet. “Lady Scott-Holland,” he said, striding towards Helena. “I wonder if I might beg a favour?”

Helena looked up at him, a brief flicker of suspicion crossing her face before she arranged her features into something more like that of a gracious hostess. It was clear that she didn’t understand the relationship between Nick and me. I could only imagine the questions plaguing her. Did he know who I was? Or was he an innocent dupe? Or did his involvement mean she was wrong? Could she be certain that I was Iris Scott-Holland? Whatever the answer, she knew better than to risk alienating one of the leaders of society.

“Of course, Lord Wynter,” she said smiling at him.