Page 81
“It probably is.”
His mouth curved. “I feel our mutual respect is progressing beautifully.”
“It would progress faster if you were less irritating.”
“I should hate to rush it.”
Judith laughed, and whatever had become too serious between them loosened without disappearing altogether.
Baines came to stand beside her at the table. “Very well. We devise three versions, perhaps four. Each must contain a distinctive phrase. We must control who is present when each version is spoken.”
“That may be more difficult than you think. Blackthorn has twenty guests plus servants and architecture designed by a lunatic.”
“You wish to accuse your ancestor of being insane?”
“I speak of Sir Lionel’s grandfather. He believed corridors betrayed a lack of imagination.”
“A man after my own heart.”
“He also placed a staircase behind a linen cupboard.”
Baines brightened visibly. “Did he, indeed? Where may I find it?”
“No.” She shook her vehemently.
“Judith…”
“You are not going into the linen cupboard.”
“I promise to behave.”
She gave him a look which, if he did but know it, promised future repercussions. “We could mention them at dinner.”
He shook his head. “There are too many variables.”
“During a game of billiards?”
“That is a better idea. Men expect military gossip there, and servants enter less often.”
Judith considered the guests. “Lord Cranford practically lives in that room.”
“So does Edward.”
“Edward is not a traitor.”
“Now you sound like I did when discussing you.”
Her irritation rose immediately. “Edward is my cousin,” she said sharply.
“And therefore you deem him incapable of treason?”
Curse him for being right, she thought, not because she suspected Edward. Yet blood was no better evidence of innocence than attraction. Judith exhaled slowly. “Very well. Edward is not exempt.”
Baines nodded, and she appreciated that he did not soften the point. “Thomas is. He is too young and would repeat false troop movements out of excitement before the traitor had time to do so. We would be investigating half Northumberland by supper.”
Judith laughed. “That is fair.”
“What is your opinion of Sir Lionel?”
