[Victoria Alexander] The Virgin's Secret (Harringt(BookZZ.org) by Mom Read Free Book Online

desk. She sniffed in disdain at the extravagance, although it did serve her purposes.
    Gabriella closed the door quietly, crossed the room and took the lamp, then moved it to the secretary‟s desk. She did need to see what she was doing, after all. She pulled a long thin piece of flexible metal hooked on one end, similar to a flattened crochet needle, from where it was
    tucked into the lining of her coat. Xerxes had spent much of the day teaching her how the insignificant tool could be used to open a lock. It was a handy skill to have.
    It took her but a minute or two to trip the lock. She grinned with satisfaction. This had been surprisingly easy. She slipped the metal tool back in its hiding place and pulled open the center drawer. It was filled with neatly arranged pens and stationary and the other accoutrements a man who dealt in the correspondence and business of an earl might need, but there was nothing of significance. She pulled open the larger of two drawers on the right. Here were files, well organized, tidy and clearly labeled. Her confidence surged. Thank God the earl had the
    intelligence to hire an efficient secretary.
    She flipped through the files. They all had to do with the earl‟s affairs. None of the precisely labeled files indicated anything regarding the work of the younger Harringtons. Perhaps she would have better luck with the drawers on the other side of the desk. She shut the open drawer, reached for the next—
    “Sterling?” The door swung open. “Are you still—”
    Gabriella jerked her head up and met the startled gaze of Regina Harrington.
    “Good Lord!” Lady Regina called to a point behind her. “Come quick! We‟re being robbed!”
    Gabriella‟s heart lodged in her throat. One thing they hadn‟t planned was an escape route. But then she hadn‟t planned on being caught either. She raced for the nearest window.
    “Help! He‟s getting away!” the girl screamed.
    Gabriella fumbled with the window sash.
    “Oh no you‟re not!” Lady Regina yanked an ancient broadsword off the wall.
    “Oh yes I am.” Damnation, why wouldn‟t it open?
    “Don‟t think you can break into my home, take whatever you wish and waltz off! Not bloody
    likely!”
    “Your language, Lady Regina,” Gabriella muttered, pounding on the sash. It was bad enough to be caught, but to be caught by a spoiled brat was an added insult. “Your mother would be
    appalled.”
    “My mother would do exactly what I‟m doing,” Lady Regina said staunchly, struggling to
    brandish the heavy sword with both hands. “Apprehending a brigand!”
    “Oh, for goodness sakes.” And stupid as well as spoiled. “Aren‟t you afraid?” Gabriella tugged at the window sash. It wouldn‟t budge. “I could be dangerous.”
    “I doubt that.” Lady Regina scoffed, lowering the sword, which seemed too much for her.
    “You‟re no more than an inch or so taller than I and you‟re a rather frail looking sort.”
    “I‟m not the least bit frail,” Gabriella said under her breath, and beat her fist against the sash.
    “But I am desperate.”
    “Nonetheless, someone will be here at any moment to assist me.” The faintest trace of unease sounded in the girl‟s voice. “A servant or my brothers or someone.” She glanced over her
    shoulder. “Nathanial and Quinton were right behind me.”
    “Well, they‟re not behind you now, and I suspect most of your servants are asleep.” For the first time, Gabriella noticed the girl was wearing a ball gown. “Are you just now coming in? At this hour?”
    Miss Harrington stared. “I was accompanied by my brothers. It‟s not at all uncommon for a ball to last—that‟s none of your concern! You‟re a common thief!”
    “I‟m not the least bit common.” Gabriella sniffed, and tried the window once more.
    “There will be no escape that way. That window sticks.”
    “Regardless, unless you are willing to stand aside and allow me to leave by the door, I am going out the window.”