plunged into her. He had taken her with passion, with urgency, with no account of inexperience. He had never deflowered a virgin, until now. But he knew in the cold clear morning light that, contrary to all appearances and beliefs, Venetia Fox had come to his bed a virgin. And he remembered what had passed between them in her parlour, of the way she had come so close, then pulled away. He had thought it a deliberate and cruel teasing on her part—now he understood better. He needed to speak to Venetia. He raked a hand through his hair and rang the bell for his valet.
* * *
The theatre was empty and in darkness. The draught almost guttered the candle in her hand as she unlocked the stage door and opened it, letting Robert slip inside.
‘How went it?’ he asked as they walked down the corridor to her dressing room.
‘Well enough.’ She did not look at him, did not want him to see the truth in her face, just led him inside and sat the candlestick down on the dressing table as he closed the door.
‘You found what we sought?’
She shook her head. ‘He does not have them, Robert.’
‘I hope you were thorough in your search.’
‘I found his safe box, looked inside at that which he values, those things that he holds dear and most secret.’ She felt her heart warm in the knowledge that thing was her. ‘There was nothing of what was taken from Rotherham.’
‘Did you check the bookshelves?’
‘Linwood’s library is bound in the same leather as Rotherham’s, and there are many books within it. I saw nothing that stood out as having come from elsewhere.’
‘Like finding a needle in a haystack.’ He touched his thumbnail to his lips, rubbing the tip of it between his teeth.
‘He does not have the pistol. You said yourself what that would mean—it proves his innocence.’
‘Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. He may have hidden it elsewhere.’
‘Or not at all.’
Her brother hesitated before saying, ‘We still have his confession to you...’ Robert’s eyes met hers and she saw the unspoken suggestion in them.
‘No, Robert,’ she said firmly and shook her head.
‘It is enough to have him arrested. I have checked with a man of law.’
‘I will not go to the police.’
‘Even though he has admitted that he burned our father’s house to the ground?’
‘That does not mean he killed Rotherham,’ she ground out.
‘You forget, Venetia—the witness who saw him leaving Rotherham’s house on the night of the murder. The witness who has, so conveniently for Linwood, disappeared.’
‘The witness may have been mistaken. Or maybe he had a wish to implicate Linwood in the matter.’
‘He is an honourable man and a most credible witness. Trustworthy. There can be no doubt that it was Linwood he saw.’ Robert’s gaze narrowed. ‘I think you protest Linwood’s innocence a little too strongly.’
She glanced away awkwardly before forcing herself to meet his gaze once more. ‘Not at all.’
‘You look different somehow, Venetia.’
Her heart skipped a beat, at how much Linwood’s loving had changed her.
He studied at her more closely. ‘You have done something differently to normal.’
‘A new day dress and matching pelisse,’ she said. ‘From Madame Boisseron.’
‘Very elegant. It suits you well.’
She gave a small half smile and was thankful that the light was so poor that he could not see the blush that was warming her cheeks.
‘I take it you got out in time.’
She hesitated for a second too long.
‘Venetia?’ he pressed.
‘Linwood came back early,’ she conceded.
There was a silence.
‘I was able to...manage the situation,’ she said, unwilling to reveal to her brother just what had really taken place.
She saw him swallow and give a single nod.
‘Does he suspect you?’
‘I do not believe so.’
He smiled. ‘I did not doubt you could do it.’
She could not return his smile. His words made her feel uncomfortable. She knew she should tell him, but what had happened between her and Linwood was too tender and private. She lifted the candle and, moving to the door, opened it. ‘It is done. He does not have what you seek. I will be a part of this no more, Robert.’
‘As you wish. You have played your role well, Venetia. And Linwood is none the wiser. You are a credit to your profession.’
His words sullied what had passed between her and Linwood, making it seem like something else. She felt sick at the thought. ‘You should leave before you are seen.’ She began to lead him along the corridor towards the