The Sign of Death by Callie Hutton (children's books read aloud .TXT) 📗

to stare at the two men. She had no feelings one way or the other about their sort of relationship; she just wished she didn’t know quite so much about them as she did now.

“Friends, this week our discussion is on The Lady in White. I hope the ladies did not find it too strong for their nerves.”

The women all shook their heads.

“In that case, let us start our discussion.”

Mr. Davidson raised his hand. “Before we begin, Mr. Colbert, have you received any more information on Mr. Burton? Will he or will he not appear?”

“The latest news is the publisher is certain he will appear.”

Several people smiled and nodded to each other. Amy felt her stomach sink to her feet. Papa had not said anything more about her appearance at the book fair since she handed him the last letter from the publisher threatening a lawsuit.

She’d been so thrilled when William disagreed with her papa in suggesting that they find a man to take her place. William was truly a remarkable man. If she ever were to consider marriage—she gulped at the thought—William would be her choice.

The meeting seemed to drag on forever, since Amy was anxious to speak to William about Miss Gertrude’s revelation regarding her blackmailer. She was also eager to find the ledger in her room to make sure she still had it. How it would have disappeared was questionable, since she had servants in the house at all times. However, common sense said there must be some way the author of the letter to Miss Gertrude had gotten her name.

Near the end of the discussion, Aunt Margaret took a seat at the back of the room and was mostly ignored by everyone as she sketched her drawing. She’d managed to angle herself so she could see Mr. Davidson’s face clearly.

Eventually, Mr. Colbert closed the meeting, and Amy, William, and Aunt Margaret left the room. Since Amy didn’t want Aunt Margaret to know too much about what she and William were up to, she decided not to speak about Miss Gertrude while in Aunt Margaret’s presence.

As their carriage pulled away, Mr. Colbert was helping William’s mother into his carriage. William noticed and snorted.

“Here is your sketch of Mr. Davidson,” Aunt Margaret said as she handed the drawing to Amy. “I just hope you aren’t going to use this to get yourselves into more trouble.”

Amy held it up to the lamp hanging on the wall of the carriage. “This is wonderful, Aunt Margaret.” She passed it off to William, who also viewed it.

“Yes. You are a very good artist, Lady Margaret. It appears your family is quite talented.” They chatted about the book they had discussed that night and would continue to read the coming week. Some books took two or three weeks to discuss to everyone’s satisfaction, whereas others required only a week. Since this book was more complicated than some of the other tomes they had read, it would most likely take three weeks.

Silence fell as the carriage made its way through the Bath traffic and onto the quieter streets where Amy and Margaret’s house lay.

“You are both so quiet,” Aunt Margaret said. “Is something going on that I don’t know about?”

Amy shook her head. “No. I don’t know about his lordship, but I’m just a bit tired.”

Just a few minutes later, they arrived. William helped Aunt Margaret out of the carriage, and when she waved him off, he climbed back in. “I have the feeling there is something you want to tell me.”

“Yes. I spoke with Miss Gertrude tonight—you might have seen us when we first arrived at the bookstore.”

“I did. She seemed upset, and I didn’t want to interfere. What happened?”

“What happened is something I do not understand. She said she received a letter earlier today from someone who claimed he knew about her secret and intended to keep accepting the money Mr. Harding was taking.”

William let out a low whistle. “That doesn’t seem possible. Unless Harding had a partner.”

“Either that or the ledger has been stolen.”

“Then let’s check.” He helped Amy out of the vehicle, and they both made their way to the front door.

Stevens opened it for them. “Good evening, my lady, my lord.”

Distracted, they both nodded and, without removing their coats, walked upstairs to the drawing room, where William waited as Amy took the stairs to the bedchambers floor.

Out of breath from hurrying and nervousness, Amy headed straight for her small office right outside her bedroom. She took a quick look around. Nothing seemed to be out of place.

She went directly to the drawer in her desk where she kept the ledger and gasped.

The ledger was gone.

William was pacing the drawing room, his hands behind his back, when she returned.

“It’s gone.” Amy flew through the doorway, panting. “I can’t believe it, but it’s gone.”

“How is that possible? There are servants here all the time.”

She shook her head, sat on the sofa, and placed her hand over her thumping heart. “I know. But there are times when the few servants we have might be out of the house, or in their rooms resting while on a break. Any number of things.”

“Which means someone’s been watching your house.”

“Correct. But how did they know it was here? It could have just as likely been at your house. I’m assuming it’s the same person who tried to get the ledger from Harding’s house, then went through the window and dropped it in the mud.”

“And shot at us.” William ran his fingers through his hair.

Amy rubbed her palms up and down her arms. “I don’t like the idea of someone being in my house.” She shuddered. “In my room.”

William reached out and pulled her to him. Wrapping his arms around her, he said, “Make sure you lock the door to your room every night.”

She nodded.

“And the windows.” He placed his finger under her chin and raised her head. “Who is at home now?”

“Aunt Margaret, of course, and I believe Papa. He said at dinner that he