14
" Don’t you agree?”
“Indeed,” Robert answered without thought, and then sharply shook his head. “I beg your pardon. You were saying?”
“That Mr. Warner is a thorough investigator, and despite his doubts, I believe he will succeed in ferreting out our master criminal.” She stared up at him from the settee, looking quite at ease.
“Master criminal?”
“Yes, Les and Morley could hardly be accused of the cleverness needed for such a planned endeavor.”
“Yes … no…” With a frown, Robert scanned the room. “Indeed, a master … Where is Mr. Warner?”
Lydia laughed, a delightful carillon. “Robert, my dear friend, you were woolgathering. I thought as much; your expression was rather blank.”
“Was it?” Robert was very glad to know that he did not look the lovesick calf he felt. "
― Cindy Anstey , Duels & Deception
15
" I have come to a conclusion.” Lydia tried to stifle a yawn.
“Have you, indeed?”
“Yes. I have decided that I do not like adventures or surprises. Highly overrated.”
Robert’s soft chuckle drifted through the dark.
“More of a misadventure, my dear Lydia, and certainly not a surprise, which are generally thought of as pleasant things. No, best label today a shocking misadventure and not rule out surprises altogether.”
“My father thought them overrated, too.”
“What? Surprises? No, no. Surprises are unexpected guests, a beautiful flower among the rocks, or a woodland trail that opens up to an astonishing vista.”
“Lovely when you put it that way, but there are some surprises that are not pleasant in the least.” Lydia’s thoughts remained fixed on her father. “Hence my lack of appreciation. "
― Cindy Anstey , Duels & Deception
17
" Robert gestured Lydia ahead of him across the threshold of number nineteen. Once inside, the atmosphere was entirely different from his previous visits. Silent calm had been replaced by chatter, laughter, and scolding that bounced into the three-story entrance from various regions of the house. There was a smell of newly lit fires, and the accompanying puffs of smoke, as well as the enticing aroma of cooking wafting up from the kitchens. It was a bustling, busy household.
Shodster stepped into the hall and rushed toward Robert, hands outstretched ready to take Robert’s hat and cane.
“Thank you, no. Miss Whitfield and I are going for a walk.” Robert took a half step back. “We will be leaving shortly.”
Looking to Lydia for confirmation, Shodster nodded. “I do beg your pardon, Miss Whitfield. I was not here for the door. It will not happen again.”
“Worry not, Shodster.” Lydia shrugged. “I learned how to open a door some time ago. The trick is to turn the handle.”
The butler blinked at Lydia’s lightheartedness. “Yes. That would, indeed, be the trick. "
― Cindy Anstey , Duels & Deception
