“Which bedchamber is my sister’s?” Cooper asked.
Seth pointed to it.
“Wow, she’srightnext door.” Cooper snickered. “I bet that’s driving her mad.”
It was drivinghimmad.
Seth unlocked his door and stepped into his bedchamber, Cooper at his heels.
The drawn drapes darkened the room and cast shadows on a collection of dinner and tea trays that accumulated during his self-imposed isolation. The plates and flatware clinked as he nudged a dinner tray out of his way with his foot to make space for Cooper.
Two days’ worth of clothes lay rumpled and in a disorderly pile in a corner of the room. Scraps of parchment shrouded the desk, some crumpled into balls and thrown, some retrieved and flattened out when he thought better of it. Seth placed the book he borrowed from the library in the middle of the desk.
His bed was perfectly made. Seth couldn’t bring himself to look at it, let alone lie in it. He had considered sleeping on the floor, but decided against it. It didn’t matter where he slept, he wouldn’t find rest here. Not with ghosts in his armoire and the woman he loved in the room next door.
Perhaps he would take Sabre and a bedroll and camp outside tonight.
“What a mess.” Cooper whistled. “Normallyyou’rethe tidy one. Open a window at least.”
Cooper cast open the drapes, illuminating the room with the bright white light of morning. Squinting against the violation, Seth moved to the washstand.
“Be my guest.”
Cooper tugged at the metal bars in the window, frowning when they didn’t budge.
“Small wonder you spent your summers with us.”
Seth often wondered what the elder Viscount Cooper said to bend the Earl’s ears enough to loosen the grip on his reins. Whatever it was, Lord Bolderwood had allowed Seth to spend his summers fishing, playing, helping in a kitchen, and being part of a family. Two months of a normal childhood a year, and back to training. Summers with the Coopers kept him sane. Now that he was older, Seth suspected that was the entire point.
So much for that.
He poured water from a pitcher, washed his face, and brushed his teeth. Another reason he was glad to be interrupted earlier. While hereadied himself, Cooper sorted through the stack of papers on the desk, opening the drawers with mild curiosity.
“Where’sThe Bible?”
The Biblebeing the collection of drawings and schematics for each component of the rifle and telescope, financial ledgers, inventory of supplies used, and a copy of their contract. Everything they would need to present to a potential buyer should they run into one. They flipped through the folio with Duke Kendall yesterday, and Seth took it for safekeeping. Without their work being patented and the increasing interest in the telescope, there was a significant risk of theft.
Toothbrush in his mouth, Seth opened his armoire and unlocked a hidden latch far in the back. A flap of wood popped open, and he removed the folio before closing the compartment with aclick.
If the hidden compartment surprised Cooper, he made no outward response. He took the folio and turned to give Seth privacy, perusing the schematics as Seth dressed. The sound of moving paper and rustling fabric filled the silence. When Seth finished and stood in front of the mirror, Cooper turned to him.
“You look like you’re on death’s doorstep,” Cooper said. “A wash and a shave won’t fix that, but you know what will?”
“No.”
“Sun and exercise! I’m sure your horse will appreciate it as well.” Cooper closed the folio with a clap and set it on the table. “After we lose the style competition you’re going to show me the best hunting spots on the estate so we’re prepared for tomorrow.”
Unable to tame his cowlick, Seth reached for the old container of pomade that Cooper gifted him, and combed the cedarwood scented balm through his hair.
“How is that working out for you?” Cooper asked.
“Surprisingly well.” Seth couldn’t help the smile that came to his lips. He would have to buy his own pomade, in a fragrance thatCassandra wouldn’t associate with her brother. What a thrill it would be to have her notice. Of course, he would have to do some research to select something meaningful. A language for plants and flowers. Who would have known? Already plans were whirling in his head, but first….
“I want to talk to you about your sister,” Seth started, but Cooper shook his head and raised his hands in a staying gesture.
“I’m going to stop you.” He crossed his arms. “I already know what you’re going to ask, and the answer is no.”
“No?” Seth’s voice sounded hollower than he intended.