Page 36 of How to Fall for a Scoundrel

His lips twitched. “No. Rule number seven is,If it looks too good to be true—”

“—it probably is,” Ambrose finished succinctly, and the two men shared an amused, conspiratorial smile.

“Besides,” Harry said, “no need to go to all the bother of picking the lock when I have the key right here.” He reached into his waistcoat and held up a small, iron key.

“Where did you get that?” Ellie sighed.

“Willingham had it in his pocket when we met him earlier. I assumed anything he had on his person was something he probably wanted to keep safe. Like the key to his wife’s jewelry box. Or this safe.”

Ambrose snorted. “Good lad.”

“I’m going to pretend you haven’t told me that,” Ellie said sternly.

The lock opened with a smooth click, and the door swung open to reveal a small, rectangular object wrapped in cloth. Harry took it, and Ellie couldn’t hold back her gasp as the tiny, jewel-encrusted gold cover was revealed.

Even in the partial moonlight from the bedroom it looked impossibly opulent.

“How lovely!”

Harry nodded in satisfaction. “Time to go. We can look at it more closely when we’re away. Ellie, put it in your pocket. Your skirts will conceal it.”

Ellie took the book with reverent hands. It was even smaller than she’d expected, perhaps only six inches high, and the gold metal cover studded with precious stones felt cold and bumpy against her fingers. Sheslipped it through the slit in her skirts and into the pocket she wore underneath, secured with a ribbon around her waist.

A heady thrill of excitement made her blood pound.

Harry closed the safe and replaced the painting, then turned to Ambrose. “I’m staying at Cobham House.”

The other man smiled. “Oh, I know. I’ll pay you a visit in a day or two.” He patted his pockets. “As soon as I’ve dealt with tonight’s little windfall. Miss Law, it has been a pleasure. I hope to see you again soon.”

Ellie smiled, unsure whether she ought to return the sentiment or not.

Harry put his ear to the door, and when he judged the coast was clear, he turned the knob and ushered her out into the corridor.

She glanced back, to see if Ambrose was following them, but he tilted his head toward the bedroom window.

“I’ll make my own way out,” he whispered with a wink. “The same way I came in. Over the rooftops.”

Harry closed the door, and together they hurried to the top of the stairs. A peek over the bannisters confirmed there were no guests below, so he took her hand again and drew her down the steps.

Her skirts clung to her legs, and the book bumped against her thigh with every step. Ellie was sure her face was pink with guilt, but she followed Harry’s lead as they turned the corner.

Another couple was there, clearly sneaking off for a littleamour; the woman’s giggles and the man’s staggering gait indicated neither was particularly sober. They disappeared into a side room just as a larger group could be heard approaching.

Ellie panicked; she pulled on Harry’s hand and tuggedhim into an alcove partly hidden by an enormous flower arrangement.

His big body followed hers, and she let out a wheeze as his solid chest came into contact with her own. He ducked his head, enclosing her with his body, shielding her from view, and Ellie inhaled the magical scent of him; a heady mixture of skin and his unique cologne that made her senses swim.

She wanted to press her nose into his cravat and fill her lungs with the smell.

The excitement of the evening was clearly addling her brain.

The men grew closer, their voices loud and obnoxious, and to her dismay she recognized Willingham’s nasal tones.

“The billiard room’s this way, Larkin,” he brayed. “Ten pounds says I beat you.”

“Done,” another replied.

She shot a desperate glance up at Harry. She could barely see his face in the semidarkness, but she could sense his amusement at her panic.