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from her thoughts. She hadn’t even answered when the door opened.
    “My lady.” Jemma eased in quietly, shutting the door firmly. Her hand rested on the frame only a moment before she broke for her mistress.
    “Did you find what they are plotting?”
    “No, Lady Eloise,” she said hesitantly. “Lord Lenister’s man, Orlando, is quite closed-mouthed, even with all my persuasion.”
    “Jemma, I did not ask you…”
    “No, my lady, but I did not mind the attempt. Quite a handsome sort. And not all in vain. Non , not if I have my way.”
    “Jemma!” Eloise exclaimed with a wave of misgiving. She released the curtain , letting it fall back into place.
    Jemma giggled. “I said only that I couldn’t find out what they have plotted…yet. On the other hand, I did discover that your Lord Lenister received a package today from his estate. One of his friends has appeared. His name is Seamus McMann. His lordship seemed extremely pleased with the package and there were letters.”
    “Letters?” Eloise uttered under her breath. Letters were wonderful means of collecting information. “You know this how?”
    “Orlando thought it better that I hide than for us to be found in an embarrassing situation to himself,” she said with a saucy grin. “And the men have set a meeting for this evening down at the Red Wind Tavern in Dover. I believe you will soon receive notice that you will be dining alone this night.”
    Eloise nodded. Pressing her finger against her temple, she thought for a moment. “Let me know immediately when all is clear.”
    “What? You aren’t planning to attempt to find the letters?”
    “Why not? If all are gone and you can keep his valet entertained.”
    “It is not what an English lady would attempt.”
    “But exactly what a French woman would do,” Eloise replied, her desolate mood dissipating quickly.
    “What are you trying to find out? To be honest, my lady, I like the gentleman.”
    “Jemma!” Eloise cried. “How can you contemplate it is for the best ? How far have I come to obtain my goal? For you…my family?”
    “Yes, my lady,” Jemma tentatively said. “But if you marry the earl, could you not accomplish what you want?”
    “I can’t believe my ears. The man has threatened my family to obtain his wants. My brother has thrown his hands up in despair over my situation , giving me to a man I’ve only just met! There is more here than meets the eye. I have to know whether he is using me for more than he proclaims. You know well what is at stake.”
    Jemma slowly nodded. “You are right, my lady. I will be back after the men depart.” She curtsied to Eloise and exited as quietly as she entered.
     
    Eloise pressed her hand against the board by her mirror. A door opened wide into a secret corridor. Eloise smiled , thankful she had played hide and seek with her youngest sister, Lucy, and nephews. Height Point was an interesting old manor with an assortment of secret winding corridors leading from one room to another.
    The children had told her a wide variety of wild tales of lords and ladies, and mistresses; Eloise was certain secrecy entailed in their meetings. Lord Lenister rested in one of the guest rooms attached to her corridor. In fact, it was not by accident but rather by her design. She edged down to his door. Listening carefully for any noise, she pulled the lever to his door after hearing nothing suspicious.
    Slowly , she edged into the room. She waited only minutes after Jemma returned with the news that the men had departed. Eloise reasoned they would not be returning until late night, but she wasted no time.
    She walked comfortably within the large room. She had been in the room many times before but it had never been occupied and especially not with Lord Lenister. She glanced around the room quickly. Where would he keep what she was looking for?
    She bit her bottom lip. What had she expected? For him to leave it out on his bed ? Drawers! She looked over at the desk