Oddly, he blushed, a faint pink climbing up his cheeks at her praise. “It was not true courage, Thea. I know how to swim, and I just went out there and fetched him back.”
“If I say you have courage, then you do,” she replied tartly. “And you brought back the evidence that someone tried to kill my brother again.”
“And you are still thinking the Duke of Bradford is behind these attempts to kill him?”
Thea nodded, stepping back and strolling to a nearby table to lean against. “Freddie and I also have a theory, Liam.”
“Pray tell.”
“We think that the killer is lurking about in this house, using the old tunnels in the walls to learn things and to hide.”
Liam sucked in his breath. “Now why did I not think of that?”
“Too busy playing the hero and saving lives, no doubt.”
“Perhaps I may be of assistance in that regard,” he went on, ambling closer to her. “I know of a few trusty lads in your household. If I have your blessing to inform them of this, we can unobtrusively keep a watch on things.”
“That would be wonderful, Liam. It would certainly make me feel much safer.”
Wishing he would take her in his arms and kiss her, Thea stared up into his face, the face she was learning to love. But she dared not ask him to kiss her, despite their moment of complete privacy. She knew Freddie would never consent to let her fall in love with Liam, never give his blessing to their marriage, if indeed they both were headed in that direction.
“You had better go, Liam,” she whispered. “We cannot be caught in here alone.”
“I know,” he breathed. “Tonight by the lake?”
“Yes, unless Freddie forbids it. He might after the incident today. But I will try to get word to you if that happens.”
Liam bowed low. “Until then, Miss Miller.”
Thea watched him leave the big chamber with its leather armchairs, shelves upon shelves of books, tables with lamps and decanters of wine, port, brandy or sherry.I cannot help myself. I am falling in love with him.
* * *
Two days later, Thea sat in the house’s solar, embroidering a flower design on one of her petticoats. She liked to sew here, as the light was best, and it was where she and her mother used to sit. They would talk of anything and everything as they worked their needlecraft, and this was the room where Thea felt closest to her mother. As she worked, she almost felt her mother’s presence beside her.
A small knock on the door heralded a visitor. “Come,” she called, not even looking up.
The door opened and Liam stepped inside. Thea raised a welcoming smile for him but received none in return. Instead, his green eyes and expression seemed cold, hard, as he bowed low. “Miss Miller,” he said, his tone stiff. “You have a visitor.”
“Who –” she began, but the door swung wider. Her smile faded as the Baron of Ampleforth stepped into view.
Thea covered her shock with a cough. Robert’s own grin sprang out as he crossed the threshold and bowed. “Miss Miller,” he said, his blue eyes shining, his good looking face open and happy.
“What are you doing here, Baron?” she asked, setting her needle and hoop aside to stand.
He brought a small box out from behind his back. “If I cannot woo you formally,” he said, strolling closer, “then I will do so informally. I brought you a gift.”
“You cannot be here,” she said, frantic, appalled at his audacity. “I have no chaperone.”
The Baron jerked his thumb toward Liam. “The footman can act as our chaperone. There is another just outside, out of view, and the door will remain open at all times. I have no desire to ruin your impeccable reputation.”
“But you should still not come, pop in uninvited or unannounced.”
“Save I have your brother’s permission to do exactly that.”
He stepped closer, and Thea moved an equal step back to maintain their physical distance. “Whatever Freddie said,” Thea snapped, growing angry, “you are invading my privacy and my space. I do not appreciate your attention, Baron.”
“Will you not please call me Robert?” he asked, “as you used to do?”
