Delaney stood in the dark, quiet hallway. She held her breath as she inserted the heavy brass key into the lock of her father's private study. She turned it slowly. A soft, firm click echoed in the silence.
She pushed the door open, stepped inside, and closed the door securely behind her. She turned the key from the inside, locking herself in. She did not want any wandering servant to stumble upon her.
She struck a match and lit a single, small candle she had brought from her room.
The weak, yellow light slowly pushed the shadows away, revealing the state of the room.
Delaney let out a quiet, disgusted sigh.
The room was incredibly messy, exactly as the kitchen maid had described it. The velvet chairs were pushed out of their proper places. One chair was completely knocked over onto its side. Empty brandy glasses sat on the edges of tables, leaving sticky rings on the polished wood. Books were pulled hastily from the shelves and left open on the floor.
