“Hidden behind one of the bookshelves. You’ll never find it on your own. I’ll have to show you.” She tried to shove out of his arms. He wouldn’t let her go.
“Och, lass. Don’t look at me that way.”
She didn’t mean to be angry with him, but so much time had already been lost standing here arguing. “How am I looking at you?”
“There’s so much pain in your eyes, as though a precious part of you were trapped inside that building, buried under all that marble. It’s just a building. The artifacts are just objects, no matter how important you think they are. They’re not living, breathing things. But you are. I almost lost you once. I won’t lose you again.”
“So you’ll break your promise to me, just like that?”
He clenched his teeth again. “I said it and I meant it. I want you by my side. In my bed. In my arms. Not ripping my heart to tatters worrying about you while battling a raging fire.”
“You’re wonderful, Ewan. I sincerely mean it. But you know you’ve lost this argument. I’m safer with you than without you. And your grandfather will need you to go with him to the Royal Society. He’s probably looking for you as we speak.”
He sighed and dropped his hands to his sides. “So help me, if you take a step from my side, I’ll—”
“As you’ve promised never to leave my side, I promise never to leave yours.” She smiled at him. “Still eager to marry a Sassenach bluestocking?”
He ran a finger lovingly across her cheek and groaned. “Never more eager for anything in my life.”
They hurried out of the library in search of Ewan’s grandfather and found him in the entry hall, donning his cloak. Relief washed over him as he spotted them. “There you are! I thought you might have gone off without me. I don’t know what the hell just happened, but the rafters shook and now there’s a red glow in the distance. It’s the Royal Society, isn’t it?”
Ewan put a hand on his shoulder. “Possibly. We don’t know for sure.”
“But I do. This is my fault. I’ve brought this destruction down on all of us.” His gaze softened as he looked at Lily. “Lass, I owe you an apology. You’ll have it properly from me, in writing, so that all will know that I was in the wrong.”
She stopped him, for there was such desolation in his eyes she felt as though he were punishing himself worse than she ever could. “It isn’t necessary. We have a building to salvage. And a birthday party to plan for you. We mustn’t let a case of explosives get in our way.”
Actually, it was three cases of explosives.
She turned to Ewan and saw that his brow was furrowed. He was thinking the same thought... had Lord Mortimer used all three cases? Or were more buildings about to crumble? Two possible targets came to mind, Lotheil Court and the Farthingale residence.
They had to stop Lord Mortimer.
The duke’s carriage rattled through the London streets with all the speed his horses, bred for power and endurance, could muster. The carriage drew to a halt about a block away from their destination. “Ain’t safe to proceed further, Your Grace,” the driver said. “Looks like ’alf the building toppled onto the street and it’s blockin’ our passage.”
Lily, Ewan, and his grandfather climbed down from the carriage and hurried the rest of the way on foot, pushing through the crowd already gathered. Ewan kept hold of Lily’s hand, his not so subtle way of assuring she’d remain by his side. Finally, they broke through the barrier of spectators and approached the building. Ewan held her back a moment while he surveyed the damage. Lily followed his gaze as it wandered from the street and upward to the imposing structure that rivaled the British Museum for grandeur.
Her heart shot into her throat. She’d never seen so much destruction in her entire life. She’d read about battles between ancient civilizations. She’d even read accounts of recent wars. Nothing had prepared her for the ruin that stood before her very eyes. The roof of the Royal Society’s new wing had fallen onto the street. The Roman statuary meant to decorate its cornices were shattered chunks of rock now partially blocking the street. The massive stone wall facing the street had completely crumbled and a red glow was visible from inside.
“Stand back, lass. It isn’t safe,” Ewan said as a gust of wind carried the smoky stench of fire toward them. A mix of sadness and the physical effect of stinging heat from the flames brought tears to her eyes. The air was too hot to breathe.
Ewan drew her back, for she was too distraught to consider obeying him. The new wing had been enormous, and now it was reduced to rubble. Fortunately, it had been left empty of exhibits, for none were to be brought in until after the duke’s party.