They reached the study and Gideon finally released her hand to cross the room and draw the drapes so that no light would be seen from this room. Knowing they were safe for now, he lit a candle and handed it to her. “Hold it up while I search through his desk.”
The chore didn’t take him long because the desk was surprisingly empty of papers. Invitations and bills were all he found. “There’s hardly anything here. Doesn’t make sense.”
“Perhaps if we search his bedchamber,” Genalynn suggested. “My father often worked up there in his declining years. Perhaps his brother does the same.”
“Perhaps.” Gideon nodded. “Before we leave here, is there a safe hidden in the walls?”
“No. My father never had one built down here. Too obvious. But he does have one in his bedchamber. I’ll show you.”
“Wait, this first.” He doused the candle and opened up the drapes, putting them back exactly as he’d found them. He then took Genalynn’s hand. “Lead the way.”
To his relief, the viscount’s desk had papers strewn all over it. He repeated the routine used in the study, closing the bedchamber drapes so the room would appear dark once they lit the candle, and only then lighting it.
But a quick search of the desk revealed nothing of significance. “Where’s your father’s safe?”
“Over here.” She lifted the carpet and carefully pried two loose floor boards. “This is where my father kept his strongbox. I see some papers in here. Oooh, and lots of money.”
Gideon knelt beside her and tossed her a grin. “Glad you are with me, my lady. I never would have found this on my own.” He took a moment to peruse the hidden stash of papers, having little care for the money. The viscount had either just been paid off or was about to use those funds to pay off someone else important.
He hoped the papers would reveal who.
“Hen’s teeth. This has everything. The Irish earl he’s supplying with weapons. His English contacts. All I’m lacking is the name of the spy in the home office, but we might be able to figure it out now that we know who the principals are in this operation. I must get this information to London as fast as possible.”
She placed her hand on his when he attempted to put everything back. “Won’t you need this proof?”
“I can’t take it with me yet. Your uncle will immediately know he’s been found out and warn everyone. He’ll burn all the proof and go into hiding. No, we need them to believe they’re still outsmarting us. I’ll grab these documents once we have our soldiers in place and can seize him and his confederates in Ireland.”
He gave her hand a light caress. “I’m sure there’ll be a medal in it for you.”
She laughed softly. “Don’t tease me. We’d better get out of here.”
“I’m serious. I’m going to recommend you for England’s highest honor. You’ve just helped me bring down a serious rebel plot against the Crown. What do you think of that, Lady Genalynn?”
But he didn’t give her time to answer.
He suddenly heard footsteps on the stairs.
He placed a finger to her lips to warn her to be silent, then quickly put the papers back exactly as he’d found them, restored the footboards, and straightened out the elegant carpet. He blew out the candle, set the drapes back in the position he’d found them, and hauled Genalynn with him behind the door just as it opened and two guards stepped in.
Keep her safe.
He had her in his arms, one hand lightly covering her mouth. He wasn’t worried that she might scream, but he could feel her heart beating wildly and knew even the slightest gasp or hitch in breath would alert the guards to their presence.
One held up a lantern as he peered in. “I don’t see anything, Gilly. Are ye sure ye heard something? His lordship’s bedchamber hasn’t been touched.”
“I thought I heard floorboards creaking.”
Suddenly, something crashed outside. The two men rushed forward to peer out the window. “It’s the bloody fox again! He’s got one of his lordship’s chickens. Blast, now they’ve all got out. I knew the latch to the coop wouldn’t hold. We’d better round ‘em up or it will be our hides he’ll whip.”
As quickly as they’d stormed into the chamber, they ran out and closed the door behind them.
Gideon still had his arms around Genalynn, so he could feel the heave of her chest and the long, ragged