* * *
Mina snuggled downbeneath her cool sheets and nearly purred in contentment, like Sir Cinnamon, who was perched atop one of her pillows and purring enough in truth for both of them.
She now shared a secret with Julian. She’d be allowed to read to her heart’s content in his own library at Edgewood where nearly everything ever written about the Templars resided.
But first, she’d have to pass an audience with his estate manager, Mr. Beesley. And she’d have to be on her best ladylike behavior, Julian had warned, because the elderly man came from an era where women, particularly young women, were seen, but never allowed to express opinions. She’d also have to be accompanied by her governess. No sneaking off on her own.
She didn’t care for all of Julian’s rules, but she was willing to compromise if she’d be allowed to read whatever she pleased. She could be quiet for hours, if that’s what was required of her, if she didn’t explode first from the effort.
* * *
Julian wincedat the nonplussed look on Beesley’s face the next morning over breakfast when he broke the news of his promise to Mina.
“A young lady? In the library? Why would you ever consider something so…so…I’m not quite sure there’s even a word that describes the idea of allowing the Tindalls’ young hellion of a sister into your library.”
“But, you see, the reason she’s always misbehaving and acting out is she’s all alone over there most of the time with nothing more than a maid and a governess to educate her and give her guidance.” Julian stood and began to pace around Edgewood’s cavernous family sitting room where he and Beesley had been taking breakfast together ever since he was a lad. “She’s keen to learn more about the Templars.”
Beesley’s brows shot up like they hadn’t since wheat prices had plummeted back in ’23. “The Templars? Good heavens. Why would a girl child be interested in such a thing?”
Julian couldn’t stop the flush spreading to his face. “She may have overheard me talking to her father about my Templar studies.”
His old retainer settled back onto his chair and gave his beard a careful stroke. “I see.”
“Well…what do you think? I wouldn’t allow her here to use the library while I’m away without your blessing. And, of course, she’ll be accompanied by her governess, so she shouldn’t cause any problems you’ll have to manage.”
“I’d be happy to oblige Rumsford’s young daughter.” He gave Julian a meaningful look above his spectacles and added, “It’s time the sounds of children echoed through Edgewood again.”
Julian felt a sudden need to fiddle with his cravat and cover a second flush burning his face. “Right. I’ll ride over and ask for Rumsford’s approval.”
8
* * *
November 10, 1825
Montcliffe Abbey, Essex
Mina surveyed the piles of dusty volumes lined up in front of her on Julian’s library table at Edgewood and let out a heavy sigh.
The white-haired Mr. Beesley stared down over his wire-rimmed spectacles. “Will this be enough to hold your interest this afternoon, Miss Tindall?”
She could barely see the man above the piles of books, so stood on her tip-toes. “Is this all there is?”
His eyebrows took wing, and he looked as if he were going to give her a lecture. Then his features softened and a thoughtful look crossed his face. “I do have some additional texts in Latin…”
She frowned. “But I don’t know any Latin.”
“Would you like to learn a little before you bury yourself in studies of the Templars?”
This time Mina’s brows shot up. “Truly? You’d teach me?”
“Of course,” he said, raising a cautionary finger. “But you mustn’t let anyone else know you’ve been introduced to the secrets of Latin.” He raised his head toward Mrs. Phippen, who sipped at a cup of tea in a comfortable chair by the fireplace, and gave her a conspiratorial wink.
“Come over here, child,” he said. “We’ll start by counting to ten and then proceed to the days of the week.” After little more than twenty minutes of sitting on a stool at Beesley’s feet, Mina had mastered the counting system and Latin names for the days of the week.
He leaned back in his chair and slanted a worried look toward Mina’s governess. The woman shrugged her shoulders. “This was your idea. Don’t expect me to extricate you from the whirlwind that is Mina.”
He shook his head, raised himself out of his chair and headed for another part of the library. “Where are you going?” Mina’s voice quavered.
