Eliza showed Adrian the warning before breakfast.
He read it twice.
"Who knew about the ledger?"
"You."
"My aunt."
"And whoever was listening."
Adrian looked toward the servants' staircase.
"Don't tell anyone else."
Eliza almost laughed.
"My room was searched. I think we've passed secrecy."
His jaw tightened.
"I'll find it."
"You can't order the truth to appear, Mr. Vale."
"Adrian."
She stared at him.
"We should not do that."
"Do what?"
"Make this feel more familiar than it is."
Something passed between them.
Neither named it.
By afternoon, Adrian was in town examining county property records.
Eliza remained at Wintermere.
That was when Cecily found her in the conservatory.
Cecily wore pale blue and carried no coat despite the cold glass room.
"You and Adrian have become close."
"No."
"That was quick."
"We haven't become anything."
Cecily walked between the dead winter roses.
"My father says servants often confuse attention with affection."
Eliza's face burned.
"I haven't."
"Good."
Cecily turned.
"Because Adrian doesn't have the luxury of marrying for affection."
The sentence struck harder because it was spoken without cruelty.
Cecily looked tired.
Almost sad.
"My father's money saves this house," she continued. "Adrian knows that. Lady Margaret knows it. Every tenant whose family depends on this land knows it."
"Then why warn me?"
Cecily's expression shifted.
"I didn't."
Eliza studied her.
For the first time, she believed her.
That evening Adrian returned after dark.
He found Eliza in the kitchen.
"The county record is missing."
"Missing?"
"The deed transfer book for 1869 was removed years ago."
"By whom?"
"No record."
Eliza looked toward the ceiling.
"The ledger disappears. The public record disappears."
"And my aunt refuses to explain."
Mrs. Bell entered suddenly.
She carried an old tin box.
"I shouldn't do this," she said.
Neither spoke.
Mrs. Bell placed the box on the table.
"Your father gave this to my husband before he died, Miss Hart."
Eliza could barely move.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because he made us promise."
Inside was a rusted key, two letters, and a miniature photograph of Thomas Hart standing beside Adrian's father.
On the back were written three words:
PARTNERS. WINTER OF '69.
Adrian picked up the first letter.
It had been written by his father.
Thomas—
Ashford knows about our agreement. Do not bring the deed to Wintermere. Margaret believes she can negotiate with him, but I no longer trust—
The page ended.
The second letter was unopened.
Addressed to Lady Margaret Vale.
Eliza looked at Mrs. Bell.
"She never received this?"
"No."
"Why?"
Mrs. Bell's eyes filled.
"Because the man carrying it died before he reached the house."
A sound came from the doorway.
Cecily stood there.
She had heard everything.
And in her hand was the missing ledger.