The Conundrum by Alice Wallis-Eton

Author:Alice Wallis-Eton
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2016-02-17T22:00:00+00:00

16

Eleanor

* * *

LOUD CONVERSATION ERUPTED as the men plotted how to gain access to her father's study and find the French letters. Eleanor ate her dinner. Despite being somewhat plain, it tasted better than anything her father's imported French chef prepared. Oh, there was a thought; perhaps the cook was in on the plot? Or did he just make little marzipan fruit? Returning to the meal at hand, she considered that the potatoes were exceptional and she wondered if tomorrow she might be let loose on a whole new vegetable. Pumpkin, perhaps?

As the meal wore on, the men came up with more and more fanciful ideas to sneak into the estate. Such as masquerading as travelling gypsies or offering to sweep the chimneys. Eleanor ate her meal, waited until everything was finished, and then dabbed at her lips with her napkin.

"Your assistance is not required in this matter. I will retrieve the letters on my own." She laid down the napkin, but it may as well have been a gauntlet tossed to the table. Three outraged males started opining about why this was most certainly not an undertaking for a woman.

The fourth man, the one at her side, simply narrowed his gaze and said one word. "No."

She let them argue, it certainly wasn't the first time a man had yelled at her and she was quite inured to it. Although Eleanor did wonder how long they would continue to argue. After a raucous fifteen minutes, Ianthe solved the issue by picking up a serving spoon and banging it against a heavy brass cowbell that sat on a dresser. The men fell silent like schoolboys called to attention in the classroom.

A grudging admiration for the courtesan crept into Eleanor's soul. There was something about this woman, her forthright manner and the way she handled men. Perhaps in the new life she intended to forge, Eleanor should make the effort to friend such a woman. There were other skills that were just as handy as using a blade, like getting the attention of a bunch of rowdy soldiers.

Ianthe smiled at Eleanor. "I do believe you have their attention now."

Eleanor nodded her thanks. "My father's study is locked at all times, unless he is in it. I am the only one who knows how to gain access and I am the only one who knows where I last saw the letters. I can also, if caught, give the staff a plausible explanation for my presence in the house. It makes sense for me to go."

Aibne simply looked at her and repeated the same word. "No."

Eleanor placed her hands palm down on the table and gathered her thoughts. Did these men really think they could stop her? "I am going and that is the end to the matter. You lot would be stopped before you even gain the front hall, and that's assuming you make it past the night dogs."

Seamus poured another beer and watched. Eleanor had the distinct impression the aloof man was enjoying the show.

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