She looked at the bed. “I am sure if we give it some thought we can find a way.”

“My lord, my lady?” Rennie called.

Eleanor pushed herself away from the wall. “We are in here.” Just before the door opened, she said, “What do you think of taking one of the dressing rooms and turning it into a bathing chamber?”

Her lips were still rosy from his attentions, but she was a cool as a cucumber. “I think that is an excellent idea.”

She flashed him a smile that almost brought him to his knees. “Excellent. We can also see about having water piped in. That way no one is wasting time carrying buckets from the kitchen.” She glanced at Rennie. “Speaking of the kitchen, will it require new fittings?”

“Cook has grumbled about it,” Rennie said, giving the bed a good look. “Let me show you the main parlors and other rooms before we go downstairs.”

Eleanor took out her pocketbook again. “An excellent idea.”

John followed along behind, watching the sway of her hips and considering ways to get her alone for longer than a few minutes. He wanted her hair down so he could run his fingers through it. He’d had a small taste of how soft her skin was and he wanted more. Soon. He’d find a way soon.

“Do you have any secret passageways in this house?” Eleanor asked. “Merton has one in his, and we found one in Worthington House when my sister renovated it.” Her lips formed a pout. “Unfortunately, they removed it.”

The question took John aback. The house was certainly old enough to have a secret passage. “I don’t know. We should ask one of the servants.”

Rennie coughed. “There is one, but it’s not been used in well over half a century. The previous housekeeper told me it was boarded up when your father got stuck in it. Everyone’s forgotten about it. I don’t think her ladyship even knows the passage exists.”

That was interesting and helpful. “What rooms does it connect?”

They reached the hall, and Rennie turned into the corridor off the breakfast room, his study, and the library. “It goes from the library, my lord, up to your apartments, and down to the cellars. I think it was meant as a way to escape if trouble ever came.”

Eleanor looked as if she was hanging on the housekeeper’s every word. “May we see it?”

“If I can remember how to open the door, my lady.” They walked into the library and Rennie led them to the fireplace.

“All the best passages are next to the fireplace,” Eleanor assured him. “It was easier to build them there.”