As they climbed the stairs, Moira said, “Robert, it might be useful if you have a headache this evening.”

“And excuse myself early?”

“Yes. If I can convince Ross that I must see his secret collection, and that I would find that very exciting, I think he’s fool enough to show it to me.”

“Why wait until dinner?”

“Because I think he will be more foolish after some port.”

“Ah. I will see to it that he imbibes more than his usual amount.”

“Good. Few men can refuse a true challenge.”

“Moira, I don’t like you spending too much time alone with Ross, so pray be cautious. He’s not a nice man.”

“Ah, but I’m not a nice woman.” Moira patted her skirt. “And I have my pistol.”

“You have it with you now?”

“I had a band made for the holster so I can strap it to my thigh.”

That made for an interesting image. “Very well. I’ll leave you alone with Ross after dinner, but only for an hour. I will be awaiting your return in your bedchamber.”

“Hopefully I will have something significant to tell you.” She smiled at him, and he was struck anew by the directness of her expression. She trusts me. The thought unexpectedly made his chest tighten in an odd way.

She paused by the steps that led to their bedchambers. “If all goes well this evening, I should have the necessary information to find the onyx box.”

He bowed. “Until later, madam.”

CHAPTER 18

A letter from Captain William Hurst to his sister Mary, sent today from Egypt.

Mary,

I hope this finds you well. I write to tell you that I have at last secured our brother’s freedom! Michael is resting comfortably upon my ship. He appears healthy, although he claims to have gained weight from too much rich food.

All is not well, though, as the sulfi who held Michael prisoner appears to have become enamored of Michael’s assistant, Miss Smythe-Haughton.

Michael refuses to leave without her, even though I pointed out the dangers. The box we gave the sulfi is not the original one, and it is only a matter of time before the deception is discovered.

If we see no progress in freeing Miss Smythe-Haughton within the next day or two, I shall forcibly bring William home. Personally, I don’t believe his assistant needs saving. From what William has told me about that redoubtable female, we should be more worried about the sulfi.

Because of the ruckus caused by Buffon’s carefully lit fires, Robert was able to wander freely about the castle for the next hour and a half until calmer heads prevailed and it was noted that none of the footmen were at their stations. Slowly, the hallways filled up once more with liveried men and Robert was forced to call off his search.

Later, while getting ready for dinner, he admitted to himself he was getting frustrated. That damned hiding place had to be in this castle and it had to be large enough to hold a number of artifacts . . . but where? He studied the map to no avail; the castle was too large to simply guess at a location. They needed more clues.