Conduct Unbecoming of a Gentleman (11 page)

Adron didn’t fully trust her, but he couldn’t denounce her as a thief without proof. Sighing, he drew a piece of foolscap from his desk drawer. He must be cautious. Having taken her to bed blinded him to her faults but he would reserve judgment until he could question her about the disappearance of the jewelry.

Rhonda hurried along the hallway, her fists clinched at her sides, her teeth grinding in anger. Fright brought her close to fainting. She knew what the examiner would find—every piece of entailed jewelry would be worthless paste. Her heart pounded and she regretted allowing Percy to persuade her to go along with his plan to exchange the entailed jewelry for paste.
What if she were caught?

Robert had made a new will, leaving everything to his
precious
wife and Rhonda had gone a little crazed. With everything slipping away, Robert’s wealth, his investments in the Funds, his other properties, she’d acted in blind anger. Now her trickery would come to light and Adron would turn from her in disgust. Why had she allowed a momentary weakness to bring her to ruin? Adron’s love and respect, the most important element of this debacle, were at stake. There must be something she could do to protect herself, but her mind seethed with resentment and she couldn’t think clearly.

Images of Laurel ruling over Landings rolled through her mind and Rhonda boiled with helpless rage. Laurel had succeeded in stealing not only Robert’s affections from her but his wealth—no, her wealth—as well. After all, Rhonda considered herself to be the last true Laningham. Before Robert had fallen for that little tart, Laurel, Rhonda had envisioned a time when all she craved would be hers and hatred toward her sister-in-law welled up anew.

Rhonda blamed Laurel for everything, even Robert’s disability. Tears of self-pity gathered in her eyes and she angrily dashed the moisture away. At least, Percy was on her side. He would do anything for her.

Stepping inside her chamber, she pulled the door shut behind her. The yellow silk hangings and satin spread, did nothing to sooth her. She sank onto the bed with her head in her hands.

A rapid tattoo sounded at the door. “Rhonda.”

Bounding across the room, she swung the panel wide and gazed up into Edmond’s moss-green eyes. “What if someone sees you?”

“Who?”

“The servants, anyone you daft creature. Come in and keep your voice down. Did you strike a deal for the rest of the jewels?”

Edmond stepped inside the chamber and quietly shut the door. “Yes, of course.”

She moaned and sank onto her bed again. “It’s too late then. Everything has fallen apart. Adron’s bringing the jeweler here tomorrow. He’ll discover the jewels are all fake. What am I to do?”

“No need to fly up in the boughs.”

Her voice shrilled. “But the exchange will be discovered.”

“We can arrange things so the blame falls on Lady Laningham. That should suit you well enough.”

Drawing a deep breath, she allowed her shoulders to relax. “At least I’ll still have my mother’s jewelry and a small legacy from my grandmother but not the wealth that is mine now.” Frantically, she said, “I should have married after my first season. I had several offers from wealthy admirers.” She lifted her chin daring him to voice any disbelief. Not one of the suitors had measured up to Adron.

“Robert cast me aside for his wife and now I’ll be disgraced, shunned by society.” She bowed her head in her hands. “Incurable folly. I should never have listened to Percy. He persuaded me to act in a rash fashion, totally against my nature.”

Edmond took her hand and pulled her into his arms. “Don’t panic. As I said, we can cast the blame for the whole thing on Lady Laningham.” He kissed her gently.

Rhonda shot a disgusted look at him. “How do I arrange that?”

“I can gain access to the jewels . . .”

“The real stones aren’t here,” she interrupted.

“I said to cast the blame elsewhere, not to place the real articles back in her hands.”

“But how?”

“Leave it to me.” He kissed her again.

Grinning, her confidence restored, she ushered him out with a smile. Everything would turn out in a splendid fashion after all. She’d best leave the details in Edmond’s capable hands.

Chapter 11

Laurel gazed out the window of the traveling carriage anxious to reach Kendlewood before the dinner hour. Her fingers twitched and she smoothed Jamie’s hair to quell her excitement. Not long now and she’d be blessed with Adron’s tender smile and the message in his eyes would promise to meet her later tonight and hers would agree. She’d missed his smile, his concern when she received the news about her aunt’s illness and his gentle way with Jamie but most of all she’d missed his passion. Anxious to inform Adron of her encounter with the thief, she could hardly remain still. Nerves tingled down her spine and excitement churned her belly. Laurel couldn’t wait to be held in his arms again.

After Jamie settled down to sleep and she freshened her appearance, Laurel knocked at Adron’s library door. As she entered the smell of fine leather, old tomes and cigar smoke mingled in the air. Adron stayed seated behind his imposing desk. The pleasure she expected at the sight of him shifted to full-fledged alarm. No welcoming smile appeared on his countenance and she nearly lost her nerve to reveal all that had happened.

“Take a chair, please.”

“Is something wrong?” She blinked and twisted her handkerchief in a knot to match the one forming in her stomach.

“After you left for London, there was a dust up over Rhonda’s emeralds. Her jewelry is missing.”

“Missing from where?”

“My grandmother’s box.” He coupled his fingers together on his desk and leveled a stare at her. “Do you know anything about her jewelry?”

Laurel’s voice betrayed her tension as she hastened into speech. “I’ve never seen her emeralds, but someone searched my chamber the night I arrived at Kendlewood. Perhaps there is the answer.”

“Why didn’t you mention this before?”

She shrugged. “I put it down to mere curiosity but apparently jewel thieves are more common than I thought. One broke into Aunt Betsy’s house as well. He threatened to kill me if I didn’t give him a pendant of some kind.”

“When did all this happen?” He moved to the edge of his chair.

“The first day I arrived at my aunt’s house but nothing untoward has happened since.” Laurel arched her brows. “When were Rhonda’s emerald taken?”

“Before you left for London, her items were in that box.”

That phrase again. Before you left for London.
With each question, her impression of a cool distance between Adron and herself grew. No greeting, no rising from his chair when she’d entered as a gentleman would do and his stern expression all contributed to her unease. She swallowed. “Are you accusing me of something?”

Adron narrowed his lids but before he could answer, a brief knock sounded. Heloise entered, her face flushed. “Indeed a tempest in a teacup as you predicted. The emeralds and everything have been found.”

“Where?”

Heloise gave an annoyed swish to her silk skirts. “Of all the ridiculous places, everything reappeared with the supplies used to clean my jewelry. Mary is always most careful but somehow this happened. Now she won’t be comforted. I’m out of patience with her and Rhonda as well. Rhonda is ringing a peel over her head and not a word I said could stop her.”

“She is upset and rightly so,” Adron defended.

Laurel watched as tension eased from his stance and her ire rose. He’d practically accused her of stealing Rhonda’s emeralds and Laurel hissed out a long breath between clenched teeth. Damn the man. Sick to death of being treated with concern one minute and disdained the next, she ground her teeth. He obviously didn’t trust her no matter the degree of intimacy between them.

“This unfortunate episode is likely to bring on one of my spasms. I have no patience for raised voices unless tis my own.” With a weak smile, Heloise sank into a chair by the fireplace.

“Gran.” Adron hurried to her side. With the back of his hand he felt her brow and smiled down at her. “I insist you rest until dinner. That should set you to rights.” He tugged the bell-rope and took her hand in his. “Mary can see to you.” He helped his grandmother from the chair and guided her steps.

When he shut the door behind his grandmother, he turned to face Laurel. “Now, if you please, tell me all about this attempted robbery.”

After the way he treated her, she didn’t please but she sank into a chair once more, folded her hands in her lap and waited for him to take a seat. Laurel’s voice held a decided chill. “What exactly do you want to know?”

“His appearance, height, weight and so forth. How did he smell? What was he wearing? Did you get a look at his face? Anything you can remember.”

Anger gave way to fear as she recalled the deadly almost insane look in the thief’s eyes. Certain the scoundrel had meant murder, she began to tremble.
What if he came for her again
? She couldn’t rely on Adron especially since he seemed to discount her every word.

Tension tightened the muscles across her shoulders and the back of her neck. “I hate thinking of him. I suppose he was a trifle above average height, lean but not thin. He covered the lower portion of his face with a black scarf and he wore a cap or hat so I couldn’t see his hair. And now that you mentioned his smell, I recall a strong odor of mint and snuff. Ugh.” She shivered. “The material of his coat was rough against my skin. He demanded I give him a pendant, blue on a silver chain.”

“Anything else?”

“Not a great deal more.” She gathered her thoughts, twisting her hands together and she found it hard to swallow past the lump in her throat. “I almost forgot. The foul weather interrupted our journey and we put up at a posting inn. Someone went through Hester’s things.”

“Horace reported directly to me after he drove the coach to the stable. I believe he mentioned the incident. I suppose there is more?” he questioned. His voice held enough bite to bring her chin up.

“One other thing, for a moment I could see his eyes, moss-green and frightening. He appeared crazed. I hope I never see him again.”

Adron set on the edge of his chair, his gaze on her face. “You weren’t hurt were you?”

She blinked at his tone and shook her head. He sounded as if he cared but his expression gave lie to his concern. “I have a few bruises but other than that, no.”

“Did anyone else see this intruder?”

“Horace heard a noise, but by then the thief had left by the window. But he’ll be back. I told him I didn’t have anything like he described. The crook didn’t seem to believe me.”

“I’ll post an extra guard to patrol the grounds.” He glanced at the bracket clock on the mantle and stood. “Almost time for dinner. Let’s join the others.”

She sniffed. Feeling abused by his questions and his general attitude, she straightened her shoulders as he ushered her into the drawing room. If he dared come to her tonight, she would turn him away without a qualm.

Conversation lagged during the meal and personally Laurel was happy to be shed of the entire company as she made her way to her chamber. She lay awake for hours, indignant, waiting for him, only to receive the deepest cut of all. Adron wasn’t coming and the opportunity to turn him away disappeared, leaving her disgruntled.

Some hours after breakfast the jeweler, Mr. Charles Brigs, a wealthy businessman, not on the society register, arrived. The butler announced him at Adron’s library door.

“Please be seated. If you’ll excuse me I’ll have the jewelry out of my safe in a trice.” He hefted a casket onto his desk. “We’ll start with these. I have an old inventory list that should shed light on each item.”

Charles studied the list and reached for the diamond bracelet. Through his jeweler’s glass he examined the piece very carefully before sliding the bracelet aside. He glanced at Adron. “I’m sad to say this particular piece is fake—paste in fact. Not completely worthless because the workmanship is so fine but nothing near the value of the actual diamond.”

Adron could scarce believe his ears. “Worthless?”

“Afraid so, Milord.”

Stunned, Adron commanded, “Let’s get on with it then.”

After two hours of meticulous examination of gem after gem, each pronounced as fake or paste, Adron sat back in his chair. He couldn’t believe even a small portion of Robert’s wealth had disappeared. Had this happened before or after Robert’s death?

Charles Brigs carefully read the inventory list again and shook his head. With another apologetic glance at Adron, he slid one more necklace to the side. “Paste, I’m afraid. According to your list, several pieces are missing from this container.”

“What?” Adron’s voice had risen.

“See for yourself.” Charles pushed the paper across the desk and pointed to each piece listed on the inventory but missing from the case.

“Be damned.” Adron raked his hand through his hair. “Unbelievable.”

“This piece is genuine,” Charles said in an encouraging tone. “A broach set with stones, but I’m afraid the monetary value is small.”

Adron sprang from his chair and began to pace in front of the large window behind his desk. Deep in thought, he rubbed the back of his neck. Robert had written something of a warning in his last letter, perhaps about this very thing. Robert’s words popped into his head.

He needs someone strong and able to safeguard his inheritance. I won’t allow his wealth to slowly disappear. You must guard him, no matter the person that might threaten him and his inheritance. I’m counting on you for that small service.

The refrain, no matter the person, circled over and over in his mind. Robert’s hint did not accuse anyone, but Laurel had climbed to the top of the list of likely suspects. Nausea churned his stomach and a sinking sensation overwhelmed him. Rhonda must have some knowledge of the jewelry as well. At least, she should be able to shed some light on the situation.

Adron plopped in his chair again and gathered the last two items of jewelry from the box. “Let’s finish with this business.”

He glanced down because his fingers brushed against a lock of hair. Before he handed the necklaces to the jeweler, he examined the pieces for himself. Several long silver blonde hairs were tangled in the clasp of the beaten gold necklace. It was as if someone had jerked the necklace free along with a clump of hair and stuffed the jewelry back into the container. The strands were the same unusual shade of silver blonde as Laurel’s with no shade of brown to distort the color. He carefully unwound the strands and slid the hair between his fingers. The silky texture and the color belonged to Laurel. His stomach sank and he tightened his lips.

Charles called for his attention with the same old refrain. “I’m reluctant to inform you but these last pieces are paste as well.”

Adron hardly heard the pronouncement he was so caught up in his own torment. He had come close to trusting Laurel and now devastation swamped him. Pushing that aside, he glanced at Charles. “Good day, Mr. Brigs. Thank you for coming.”

Charles gave a slight bow and exited. Adron followed him to the door and called to a near-by footman. “After you show Mr. Brigs out, ask Lady Rhonda and Lady Laningham to join me in my library.”

He coupled his hands behind his back and began to pace once more. Rhonda arrived a few seconds before Laurel.

“Ladies, come in.” He didn’t invite either lady to take a seat. Instead he treated both to a level stare.

Rhonda raised a hand to her throat and stared at Adron. She rushed into nervous speech. “Adron, is something wrong? Why is the estate jewelry scattered over your desk?”

“Would either of you ladies care to guess as to the reason I would allow such
fine
pieces to remain outside my safe?”

“No. Why?”

“Because each and every piece is worthless.” His voice rose in a crescendo ending with the word worthless.

Laurel’s hand slowly moved to her breast as if to quail a racing heart. “Why is it worthless?”

“Someone replaced nearly every single piece with a paste replica.” He shifted his accusatory gaze between Rhonda and Laurel, finally settling on Laurel.

“Do either of you have an explanation?”

Rhonda piped up, “Laurel had access to all of the jewelry. Robert allowed her to wear several of the pieces more than once and she loved it.”

“You had access as well, Rhonda, you and Percy Dimty.” Laurel argued with an angry edge to her voice.

“Don’t you dare point a finger at Percy. He worked like a slave to keep the estate going for me after Robert returned home wounded. And why would I steal the jewelry. Where is the need? I’m wealthy but you were left with nothing, depending on your son’s guardian to sustain your very life.” Rhonda glared at Laurel.

“And you think I would steal from my son? How little you know me.” Laurel returned the glare. “Besides, my Aunt Betsy would always help me.”

Adron reached for the strands of hair that lay on his desk. “These were found tangled in the clasp of a necklace.” He shot a pointed look at Laurel, lifting the strands next to her head. “Yours I believe.”

Laurel recoiled. “Mine? You can’t be sure of that. Of course I tried on several pieces. Robert wanted me to wear jewelry at dinner even at home.”

“I know Robert was always careful to remove every necklace he allowed you to wear. He would never have tangled your hair in the clasp. So how did it get there?” Rhonda demanded.

Adron’s mouth twisted in distaste. “A fairly damning piece of evidence wouldn’t you allow?”

“No, I wouldn’t allow. This is preposterous. I had nothing to do with replacing the jewelry with fake gems.” Laurel flashed a look of anger first at Rhonda then Adron. “I don’t have a great deal. I don’t need or want more. I only want my son and to live in peace. Is that too much to ask?”

“As things stand, perhaps so.” After a period of reflection he continued, “I intend to visit Landings to further the investigation. At the point of origin you might say.”