“What?” she asked, pushing to her feet and stretching her back gently. “What do you think?”

He swallowed. “If Solomon hid his relationship to Maitland, it’s because he knew what they were doing was wrong. He wasn’t some imprudent fop Maitland played for a fool or tricked into action. Solomon was a full partner in their schemes.”

Her brow wrinkled. “I suppose that is possible,” she said. “But we don’t know it for certain. I know the late earl didn’t protect his reputation much, but did your brother care for his power? Lord his title over those around him?”

Jasper snorted out a humorless laugh. “God, yes. He loved to crow to me that I was only a second son, not as worthy as he was because he had our father’s title and his lands. He loved being an earl over all else.”

She shook her head. “I’m sorry he took pleasure in cruelty,” she said, that kindness offered to him once again, even if he didn’t deserve it. “But that might be just as much an explanation as anything else.”

“What do you mean?”

She shrugged. “A man like Maitland was far below him in stature. If he put their meetings in his books, their apparently close bond might have come to light.”

“He could have seen it as lowering himself.”

“Perhaps.”

“You are kind to offer me a lifeline in this sea of…” He looked around with a shudder. “…shit. But either way, Solomon continues to prove himself entirely unworthy. I wish I could shake him now, try to scream some sense into him.”

Her expression softened. “I’m certain you do.”

He turned away. “If the journals are of no use, I suppose you and I must plan our next move.”

“Your letters from Reynolds mentioned that you had some of your brother’s things stored here at the estate after his untimely death.”

“Yes. And more than that, Maitland had expressed an interest in buying some of those things after Solomon’s death.”

Her lips parted. “You think he believes this…this treasure might be amongst the items?”

He nodded. “Perhaps.”

“Then I think that has to be our next move,” she said. “I’m surprised you didn’t pursue it before.”

He hesitated as emotions he didn’t normally allow flooded his entire body. He cleared his throat. “I don’t like to…to look at those things. I refused to do so after my brother’s death. Reynolds took care of it all.”

She stepped closer. “Too painful?”

“I would lie,” he said. “But I promised I wouldn’t do that anymore.”

She reached out and took his hand. It was the first time she’d voluntarily touched him since she discovered his duplicity, and the warmth of her fingers on his was almost enough to buckle him. Somehow, though, he didn’t and merely stared at their interlocked hands.

“You cannot avoid this, Jasper,” she said. “You cannot hide from the truth of him, or the truth of your feelings anymore. Not when so much is at stake.”