Anne Barbour by Lady Hilarys Halloween

Author:Lady Hilarys Halloween
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Hilary and James exchanged startled glances. James, muttering under his breath, seized Hilary’s hand and hurried her from the room. Entering the library, they were greeted by the horrifying sight of Mordecai and Rufus seated cozily together near the fire, chatting together like old friends—in Latin.

“Cheeke!” James exclaimed, pushing into the room. The word sounded like a curse.

Mordecai, on hearing his name, swung about easily in his chair. He rose, hand outstretched. “Ah, James, you are returned to hearth and home. And the Lady Hilary.” He executed a polished bow. “I was devastated to find you away from home, dear boy, but your friend has been entertaining me—most satisfactorily.” He smiled widely. “I was, of course, surprised to discover him here—reading Latin, but then, I should have realized that it would not be surprising that a guest of yours would be fluent in that ancient tongue.”

“How fortuitous,” said James, with an aplomb that Hilary could only admire, “that you found a common language in which you could converse.”

Rufus chuckled and sent James a look of veiled triumph. “I’ve already told Mr. Cheeke,” he said before Mordecai could reply, “that I’m a teacher in—what is it? Spain.”

“Did you?” asked James in startled fascination. He had by now led Hilary to a chair, and taken one for himself. He crossed his legs and brushed an invisible speck of lint from his sleeve. “Did he,” he said to Mordecai, “tell you that we met in Seville about ten years ago when I was there to examine the ruins that were found in the area by Sir Cooper Walgrave?”

Mordecai looked oddly discomfited at this piece of information. “No, he did not, but that was to be my next question to him. I was wondering why you were keeping his presence a secret.”

James raised his brows languidly. “A secret?”

“Yes. My dear boy, your servants seemed unwilling to so much as let me in the house, and when your secretary walked in and found me in conversation with the good Mr.—ah, Rufio, his eyes fairly started from his head. His efforts to separate us were laughably obvious, and I was left with the distinct impression that he did not want me speaking with your guest.”

James opened his mouth, but Rufus forestalled him. “That’s nonsensical, but now, if you do not mind, I will be moving along.” He bowed to Mordecai. “Nice to have met you, Mr. Cheeke. You’re almost as knowledgeable on matters of Roman antiquity as my friend, James.” He smiled faintly as Mordecai flushed angrily and, bowing once more, he left the room.

James gazed after him dazedly and turned to Mordecai once again. “And where is Robert?” he asked, wondering why his secretary had elected to leave Cheeke and Rufus alone together. Damn, he added under his breath, wondering why God had seen fit to inflict Mordecai Cheeke on him just when he was on the threshold of what might be the historical discovery of the century. By rights, Cheeke should be away in Kent, investigating his damned temple to Ceres, or whatever.

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