The Charmer (Assassins Guild Book 1) by C.J. Archer

Author:C.J. Archer [Archer, C.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-03-02T08:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

The large study on the first floor of Sutton Hall hadn't changed much since Phillip's time. The wood paneling was not covered by tapestries or portraits to soften its masculinity and coffers of varying sizes squatted on the rushes near the wide desk. One of the coffers was triple padlocked as it had been when Phillip was alive. The only difference Susanna could see was the man behind the desk and the torn pieces of paper scattered across its surface and on the floor.

Jeffrey set his pen down in its stand and gathered up the pieces. "I don't have any more timber."

And good afternoon to you too, Cousin. "I don't want more timber. I simply wanted to thank you for what you've given me already. Your man, Monk, is a good worker."

"Is he?" he said absently.

"He's strong and efficient, much like Mr. Holt."

"Your thanks are welcome but unnecessary." He screwed up the bits of parchment into a wad and threw it onto the desk. It rolled off and fell to the rushes where it broke apart. "Is there something else?"

She sat down even though he hadn't asked her to sit. "Yes. I want to know more about your man, Monk. You tell me he's trustworthy—"

"Then what else do you need to know?" He rubbed his forehead and sighed heavily.

Infuriating man. "I need to know why he's been wandering into my outbuildings for no reason. I have not directed him to do so, yet he's been seen exiting the brewery and the bakehouse, and he spent longer than necessary in the stables too. Can you be sure he's not up to something?"

The look Jeffrey gave her was one of strained patience and exhaustion. She'd never seen him look so wretched. "Susanna, I understand that your feminine nerves make you worry excessively and that you cannot help that, but—"

"Oh good lord, Jeffrey, this is nothing to do with my femininity or my nerves. It is a simple question regarding a man in your employ. Anyone would be equally cautious under the same circumstances."

"Anyone would not be equally cautious. Any man would accept his help and let him roam where he wanted to. He and I are both doing you a favor, are we not? I can't see what harm there is in letting him take a look at your outbuildings. Perhaps he is observing their construction. Have you asked him?"

"No. Nor have I asked him why there is a letter in his pack from Lord Whipple."

His gaze flickered down to the scrunched up pieces of paper on the floor and back again. It was such a rapid move that if she hadn't been looking for any sign of recognition, she wouldn't have noticed it. "A letter?"

"Yes. A letter of introduction addressed to you, as it happens."

"Ah. Of course." He leaned back in the chair and stretched his legs under the desk. "Susanna, I'm appalled at your behavior. Why were you reading a private letter not meant for your eyes?" He shook his head.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.