“Is it?” My hand fell from the cut-glass knob.
The space between us felt as wide as a canyon but my feet still itched to get farther away.
“It is.”
“I wasn’t going to…” I wasn’t sure what I was about to deny doing and stopped. “It’s locked.”
He fussed with his cravat for a moment before pulling free a silver key, dangling from a chain round his neck. “It’s one of the only doors in the manor kept that way,” he said. “As a duke, there are many sensitive papers that need to be kept under lock and key.”
It was a simple explanation. “Of course.”
“Your sister undoubtedly does the same with hers.”
I nodded.
He slid the key back under his shirt. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
I took a step backward, unwanted memories of the illustrations flashing in my mind. “No. Thank you. I…I should be getting back to my room. Back to sleep,” I clarified, finally acknowledging the lateness of the hour. I offered out a quick smile before turning toward my rooms.
“Bad dreams?” he asked, calling after me and forcing me to look back.
“Hmm?”
“You’re up late. Did you have bad dreams? I shouldn’t wonder after everything that happened today.”
“No,” I said swiftly, stopping him before he could press again about what I’d seen in the poison garden. “I…I was up late, reading the books you loaned me and…there were phrases I didn’t know,” I said, grabbing onto the excuse as it came to me. “About the flowers. Botanical terms. I thought I’d go to the library.”
“The library,” he repeated in a tone so even I couldn’t tell whether or not he believed me.
I nodded, falling into the story. “For a dictionary. I wanted to be able to ask you questions about the books later without sounding foolish.”
Gerard smiled, looking pleased. “You didn’t find it?”
I cocked my head, not following.
“The dictionary.”
I glanced down at my hands, only holding the candlestick. Quick as a wink, he removed the key once more, unlocking the study door before I could stop him. He ducked inside and returned with a thick tome.
“This should be able to help with whatever you’re looking for,” he said, offering it out to me.
I cradled the oversized book to my chest. “Thank you. This will be most helpful.”
Gerard nodded, remaining on the threshold of the study.
“What are you doing up so late?” I asked, edging back toward my rooms. “Or early? It feels early, doesn’t it?” I licked my lips, trying not to prattle as more images from his hidden cache of books returned to me.
“Late, I think,” he said. “I just left the greenhouse. There’s a bit of correspondence I need to get out at first light.”
“I’ll let you get to that, then,” I said, grateful for the conversation coming to an end. “Thank you for the dictionary.”
“Of course. Good night, Verity.”
“Good night, Gerard,” I echoed as he began to edge the study door shut.
I was nearly to my room before he called out. “Don’t read too late into the night. Dauphine’s soiree is tomorrow. I’m sure you’ll want to look your absolute best for all of the excitement.”
“Of course,” I said, turning back to glance at him.
