The Virgin’s Secret Read online

  “All I know,” Nathanial said slowly, his gaze locked with Gabriella’s, “is that I have never kissed her in the moonlight.”

  “Pity.” A half smile curved Quinton Harrington’s lips, and his gaze traveled over Gabriella in a most improper manner. She’d never especially considered how revealing men’s clothes were before, but now had the uneasy feeling he was seeing her without benefit of any clothing at all. “I would have.”

  “Quinton,” his mother said sharply. “This is not the time for your nonsense. And do light some additional lamps so that we may see her properly.”

  “I saw her rather well,” Quinton said under his breath, and proceeded to comply with his mother’s request.

  “Now, then,” the earl began. “Who are you and what are you doing here?”

  Gabriella hesitated. Apparently her courage wasn’t entirely up to this task, after all. She squared her shoulders and met the earl’s gaze firmly. “I am here to find proof that your brothers stole an artifact of no little significance from my brother. That theft ultimately led to his death.” She drew a deep breath. “My name is Gabriella Montini.”

  Nathanial stared. “That’s why you look so familiar. You bear a striking resemblance to your brother.”

  “Don’t be absurd.” Quinton snorted. “She doesn’t look the least bit like Enrico Montini. He was a good twenty years older and considerably darker in coloring than she.”

  “Montini,” Lady Wyldewood murmured, more to herself than the others, the oddest look on her face.

  “Not that brother.” Nathanial waved off Quinton’s comment. “The brother who confronted me in Egypt.”

  Good Lord, he still didn’t realize she was the brother who had confronted him. Gabriella sent a silent prayer of gratitude heavenward. “The brother you lied to and sent on a wild goose chase to Turkey?”

  “You what?” The earl glared at his younger brother.

  “I was protecting my brother,” Nathanial said sharply.

  Quinton shrugged. “Not necessary but appreciated nonetheless.”

  “Regardless, she looks exactly like that brother,” Nathanial said. “Are you twins?”

  “We are…like one,” Gabriella said, ignoring a twinge of conscience. It wasn’t exactly a lie but it certainly wasn’t the truth.

  Regina glanced toward her mother. “I thought she looked remarkably like Lady Carpenter.”

  “Yes, of course,” the older woman said thoughtfully.

  “I fear, Miss Montini,” the earl said in the cool tone of someone used to being obeyed without question, “that I require a more detailed explanation for your presence here tonight. Unless you would prefer that I send for the authorities.”

  “You can’t have her arrested,” Nathanial said without warning.

  Surprise widened Gabriella’s eyes. “Why not?”

  The earl stared at his brother. “Why not indeed?”

  “She has a legitimate complaint. Not with us,” Nathanial added quickly. “We did not take the seal. But someone did and has caused her irreparable harm. It doesn’t seem quite right to have her arrested.”

  Regina scoffed. “She did break into the house.”

  “Frankly, my lord, I would prefer to avoid arrest,” Gabriella added.

  “What seal?” Impatience rang in the earl’s voice. “I want to know what this is all about, and then I shall decide what should be done with her.” He turned to Gabriella. “Miss Montini, if you will.”

  She nodded, then paused to gather her thoughts. “My brother, Enrico, spent his life engaged in the same sort of work as your brothers. The study of archeology and the search for the lost treasures of the ancients.”

  “Is this going to be a long story?” Regina said under her breath.

  “Perhaps it would be best if we adjourned to the parlor, where we could all be seated.” Lady Wyldewood smiled at Gabriella. “I find my mind works much better at this time of night if I am not shifting from foot to foot.”

  “Yes, of course,” Gabriella murmured.

  Within a few minutes they were all seated in a large parlor, somewhat extravagant but tastefully furnished. A hastily dressed servant the earl addressed as Andrews, who Gabriella assumed was a butler, appeared with brandy. Lady Wyldewood and her daughter settled on one sofa, Gabriella sat on another. The earl and Nathanial each took a chair. Quinton remained standing, leaning idly against the mantel piece.

  Once everyone was served, the earl glanced at Gabriella. “Miss Montini, if you will continue.”

  “Very well.” She thought for a moment. “My brother found an ancient Akkadian seal, made of greenstone I believe. This sort of seal is cylindrical in shape. It’s incised with symbols. They were quite common in the ancient world. When rolled across wet clay, the carving produces an impression. It can be a message or a story or have religious significance.”

  The earl nodded. “I am familiar with them. My father had a collection. It’s in a case here somewhere.”

  “The seal Enrico found made a reference to the Virgin’s Secret, and had a symbol carved in it for the lost city of Ambropia,” Gabriella continued. “While it’s been mentioned in the writing of the ancient Greeks, there has never been solid evidence of its existence. The very name means ‘immortal place,’ and even that is a Greek interpretation of a far older name that has since been lost. It has long been thought to be nothing more than a legend or a myth.”

  “As much as Troy or Atlantis or Shandihar have been or still are believed to be nothing more than stories,” Nathanial said.

  “But Enrico believed his seal went beyond merely being the oldest discovered written reference to Ambropia.” She leaned forward and addressed the earl. “He thought it was one of a set of seals that together would reveal the location of the city itself.”

  “The Virgin’s Secret,” Nathanial said softly.

  Lady Wyldewood raised a brow.

  “The city was said to be under the protection of an ancient virgin goddess,” Nathanial explained. “Her name too has been lost.” He shrugged. “Until now, it’s only been a story.”

  “That is a find,” the earl murmured.

  “Is there a great deal of treasure in this city?” Lady Regina asked.

  “The treasure, dear sister, is in the knowledge of history to be obtained,” Nathanial said firmly.

  Gabriella stared. Was it possible that she had misjudged him?

  “Although gold and jewels and items that will fetch small fortunes are always nice.” Quinton grinned and sipped his brandy.

  Obviously she had not misjudged that brother.

  “Go on, Miss Montini,” Lady Wyldewood said.

  “When Enrico went to present the seal to the Antiquities Society,” Gabriella said, and took a bracing sip of her brandy, “he discovered it had been stolen and a seal of no great significance substituted.” She paused. “It was most distressing.”

  The earl nodded. “I can well imagine.”

  “From what I heard of the story,” Quinton said, “Montini became somewhat enraged. Made all sort of wild charges and accusations.” He shook his head and looked at Gabriella. “The members of the Verification Committee do not take that sort of thing well.”

  “No, they don’t.” She blew a long breath. “His behavior, coupled with the fact that the seal in his possession was not as he had claimed…well, his reputation was shattered. He became determined to find whoever had taken the seal and recover it.”

  She got to her feet and paced the floor, absently wringing her hands. “That was over a year ago. Enrico left London for Egypt, Turkey, Persia, wherever those few he had told about the seal might be found.”

  “Including my brothers?” the earl asked.

  “Yes, among a handful of others. His letters grew…” She hesitated. Was it disloyal to reveal just how odd Enrico’s letters had become? Or, at this point, was it necessary? Perhaps it no longer mattered. “They became less and less rational. His search consumed him. Then six months ago I learned he had
died.”

  “Do you suspect foul play?” the earl asked.

  “I was told he died of a fever, but yes, I suspect everything,” Gabriella said simply. “I have become a most suspicious person.” She resumed her seat. “Now, it is up to me to recover the seal and restore my brother’s reputation.”

  Regina scoffed. “But you’re a woman.”

  “Regardless,” Lady Wyldewood said, “I suspect Miss Montini is up to the task.”

  Gabriella’s gaze met the older woman’s. “It is my responsibility.”

  “I see,” the earl said thoughtfully, then glanced at Nathanial.

  “I can assure you, I have stolen nothing.” Sincerity rang in Nathanial’s voice. Even so, it was her experience that the very best liars were those who sounded sincere.

  The earl’s gaze, along with that of everyone else in the room, shifted to Quinton.

  “Why are you all staring at me? I did not steal Montini’s seal. I haven’t stolen anything.” Quinton sipped his drink, then added in a low voice, “Recently.”

  “Sterling.” Lady Wyldewood turned to her oldest son. “Can’t you do something about this? You’re on the board of the Antiquities Society.”

  The earl shook his head. “It’s little more than an honorary position, Mother. And only because Father held it before me. Were it not for the significant funding we provide, as well as the possibility of funding in the future, my welcome on the board would be limited.”

  “Well, we should do something to help her,” Lady Wyldewood said firmly.

  Gabriella drew her brows together. “Why?”

  Nathanial studied her. “Yes, Mother, why?”

  “It seems to me that until this situation is resolved, and the reputation of Miss Montini’s brother restored, it hangs over all our heads. The longer Miss Montini continues her efforts, the more likely it is that her brother’s suspicions as to the possible identity of the thief or thieves will become common knowledge. The Antiquities Society would not look kindly upon that.” Lady Wyldewood met Nathanial’s gaze. “While you are not dependent upon the society for funding, you do need to remain in its good graces for reasons of credibility. Your own reputations are at stake.” She shifted her gaze to Quinton. “And yours has never been entirely spotless.”

  Quinton shrugged.

  “Aside from the especially unwise decision to try to find information in our house in the middle of the night—”

  Unexpected heat washed up Gabriella’s face.

  “—and being discovered—”

  “Not part of the plan,” Gabriella said quickly.

  Lady Wyldewood pinned her with a firm gaze. “And yet it may well work to your advantage.” She addressed the others. “As I was saying, Miss Montini strikes me as an intelligent young woman. If I were her, I would use a weapon I don’t believe she realizes she has to ensure our assistance.”

  The earl’s brow furrowed. “What weapon, Mother?”

  “If it were to become publicly known that two of the members of this family are suspected of thievery, it would bring scandal down upon us all.” Lady Wyldewood shook her head. “It is in our best interest to resolve this quickly. Even a hint of something like this would have a devastating effect.”

  Lady Regina gasped. “It would ruin my prospects for a good marriage! My very life! We would all be disgraced!”

  “I see.” The earl considered Gabriella for a moment. “Would you accept our help? It would be an uneasy truce, of course. I very much doubt that you trust us, and I cannot say we trust you.”

  Gabriella shook her head. “Quite honestly, my lord, I don’t know what to say. I did not expect such an offer.”

  “Let me ask you this, my dear,” Lady Wyldewood said. “Was Enrico your sole financial support?”

  “Yes,” Gabriella said without thinking. Again, it was neither an actual lie nor the complete truth.

  The older woman studied her. “You have no other family?”

  “No.” Aside from English relations she’d never so much as heard from, that, at least, was the truth.

  “Except for the brother I encountered in Egypt,” Nathanial said.

  “And I have had no word from him since then,” Gabriella quickly said. “He is no doubt still in Turkey. Although he too may be…” She paused. She’d always considered herself an honest sort. Yet the lies that fell from her lips came with surprising ease. “…gone forever.”

  Suspicion glittered in Nathanial’s eyes. He obviously wasn’t stupid. It was only a matter of time before he realized the truth about their first meeting. What would he think of her then? She ignored the annoying question. Nathanial Harrington’s opinion of her was of no consequence.

  “Then it’s agreed.” Lady Wyldewood nodded. “As they are the ones most affected, Quinton and Nathanial will assist Miss Montini to find the seal and restore her brother’s good name.”

  Quinton scoffed. “I have better things to do than help her.”

  “I don’t,” Nathanial said, then shook his head. “I do, but I can’t think of anything more important than recovering an artifact of such significance. To prove Ambropia actually existed would be to rewrite history.” He blew a long breath. “It’s the stuff careers and reputations are made of.”

  “My brother’s reputation,” Gabriella pointed out.

  Nathanial met her gaze. “Without question. It is his find.”

  “I suspect such an artifact would have a great monetary value as well,” the earl said in an overly casual manner. “It would bring a small fortune from museums or collectors.”

  “Yes, it would.” Gabriella bristled. “But I fully intend to donate it to the collection of the Antiquities Society.”

  “Very admirable, my dear,” Lady Wyldewood said, “and I have no intention of trying to convince you otherwise, but I am well aware of the precarious nature of the finances of men who follow the path your brother did. Unless they have independent wealth or family money, as my sons do, they depend upon grants and funding from museums or organizations like the Antiquities Society.” Concern shone in Lady Wyldewood’s eyes. “With one brother dead and another missing, your finances must be uncertain at best.”

  “I will admit…” Gabriella chose her words with care. “…my discovery of the state of our finances after Enrico’s death did come as something of a shock.”

  “I’m not surprised.” The older woman nodded. “My husband was not merely a patron of the society, but he had a passion for the study and the artifacts of ancient man as well. Many a dinner here included men like your brother and long discussions late into the night about their work and their adventures. It has been my observation that such men are more concerned with the past than the present and give little thought to financial stability. I doubt that your brother was substantially different.

  “Therefore…” Lady Wyldewood cast her children a decided look. “I propose that until this situation is resolved and the seal recovered, Miss Montini stay here as our guest.”

  “What?” the earl’s brow rose.

  Lady Regina scoffed. “How absurd.”

  “Insane but interesting,” Quinton said.

  Nathanial nodded slowly. “I think it’s an excellent idea. We don’t trust her, she doesn’t trust us. How better to keep an eye on one another than if we resided in the same house?”

  “How better indeed,” Quinton said under his breath.

  Gabriella scarcely heard him. The very idea of living in the same house with Nathanial Harrington—who danced as if he had been her partner always, and brought out a flirtatious demeanor in her she hadn’t known she had, and made her wish, if only for a moment, that they were not on opposite sides—struck her as exceptionally dangerous. “I don’t know…”

  “Mother.” The earl’s brow furrowed. “I can’t believe you’re inviting a complete stranger to stay in our home.”

  “She’s not exactly a complete stranger, Sterling.” Lady Wyldewood’s gaze met Gabriella’s. “I knew your mother.”
<
br />   Gabriella lifted her chin. “I know.”

  “Did you?”

  Gabriella nodded. “After my brother died, I found a packet of letters written to my mother. One was from you.”

  “I was so sorry to learn of her death, and then your father’s.”

  “It was a very long time ago,” Gabriella said with a shrug, as if it didn’t matter.

  The countess’s expression remained serene, but there was the tiniest glimmer of amusement in her eyes. “You should have come to me directly about all this, you know, rather than resort to the clandestine methods you employed tonight.”

  Gabriella had the good grace to blush. “My apologies.”

  “I look forward to having a long talk with you about your mother. I suspect you have a lot of questions.”

  A lump formed in Gabriella’s throat. She hadn’t considered that Lady Wyldewood might want to talk about the mother who had died giving her birth. She rarely thought about her mother at all, and only dimly remembered a portrait her father had that, along with the rest of his furnishings and possessions, vanished among his relations after his death. The only thing his relatives had no use for was a little girl. She swallowed hard. “That would be most appreciated.”

  “It is decided, then.” Lady Wyldewood rose to her feet, and the others followed suit.

  Living with the Harringtons hadn’t been part of her plan, but it would certainly serve her purposes. What better way to find the secrets of scoundrels than to live among them? Although, she amended the thought, Lady Wyldewood was very likely as genuinely nice as she appeared.

  “The hour is late and I for one would like to retire,” the countess said. “I will have a room prepared for you. You may send for your things in the morning.” She cast an appraising glance over Gabriella. “I assume you have more appropriate clothing?”

  Gabriella nodded. “But I should send a note now. The…lady I have been residing with is a very old friend…of my brother’s.” Which was, at least, partially true. “She will worry if she finds me missing in the morning.”

  “Most thoughtful of you, my dear.” The countess nodded approvingly, then glanced at her daughter. “Are you coming?”