Trondelaine Castle (16 page)

Such thoughts did not long distract Wendy from her
work, however. She was deep in it when the phone
rang. She ignored the phone, knowing Richard or one
of the servants would answer it. Gwen quickly
appeared for that purpose. To Wendy’s surprise, she
said, “It’s for you, Miss Pratt.”

Wendy nodded and took the phone. “Thank you,
Gwen. Hello?”

Kevin’s impatient voice answered her. “Cheers, luv!
How are you?”

“Oh, better,” she said. “I’m off crutches and I’m
using a cane.”

“Great!” Kevin’s voice was warm with approval.
“Then I’ll come to the castle tomorrow to collect you.”

“What?”

The voice was carefully patient as it answered,
“Don’t say you’ve forgotten, luv? Our vacations start
tomorrow. We were due to go to Scarborough for a
week, remember?”

Yes, now she remembered it. They had been
planning the trip for some time. Even the hotel
reservations were made. And they had been difficult to
get. As it was, Kevin and Wendy would be in different
hotels. Quickly, she said, “Of course, I remember.
What time will you be here?”

“About noon, luv!” he said happily. “You know, for
a moment I thought you would say you couldn’t leave
there.”

“What a silly notion!” Wendy laughed. “See you
tomorrow.”

“Cheers!”

Slowly, Wendy set down the phone. The decision
made, she felt relieved to know she was leaving
Trondelaine. And to know she would soon be with
Kevin again. At tea, she would have to tell Lord
Richard she was leaving. Meanwhile, she’d best
accomplish as much work as possible. With a sigh, she
picked up the manuscript and began to work.

Hardly an hour later, Tony entered the library. He
seemed agitated, but for some time carefully ignored
Wendy. Instead, he pulled books out, glanced at a few
pages, and replaced the books on the shelves. At last,
unable to work under such conditions, Wendy set
down her pen and turned to look at him. “Is something
wrong?” she asked.

Still he hesitated. Then, abruptly, he sat in the chair
next to Wendy’s desk. “It wasn’t an accident, this
morning, was it?” he asked.

For a moment, Wendy stared at him, not understanding what he meant. Then she smiled, knowing precisely how Mr. Charles Keith must have felt a few
hours earlier. Only, she could fight back. She
continued to merely smile however. Exasperated, Tony
demanded, “Why? What do you expect from being his
mistress? You must know he won’t marry you.”

“Have you ever considered money?” she asked,
unable to resist baiting him.

Tony’s face darkened. “I find that hard to believe.”

“Ali, but then you don’t know me very well, do you?”
Wendy pointed out. “You don’t know what I would or
wouldn’t do. Or why.” As he stared at her, Wendy felt a
kind of exhilaration at being able to strike out at
someone. In an innocent voice she said, “I admit
nothing. I have no designs on Richard. Have you
forgotten? I’m engaged.”

“You forget that I know you’re not!” he retorted.

“Look,” she said, her temper growing short, “I still
don’t see that it’s any of your concern. He’s already
made it clear he has no intention of marrying Sylvia,
whether I’m around or not.”

He sighed. “No, I suppose you wouldn’t see.” He
stood. “You know, you’re the one I’m concerned
about. You’ll be hurt more than Richard by all this.”

Wendy disdained to answer and very pointedly
turned back to her work. A moment later, she heard the
library door close and she allowed herself a brief smile.
She supposed he meant well, but heaven preserve her
from all meddling busybodies!

Following the usual Friday schedule, they dined in
their rooms. But at nine-thirty they met in the music
room for brandy. Tony had apparently irritated Lord
Richard by talking much as he had to Wendy, for when
she reached the music room, Lord Richard was
unusually pleasant and attentive. Tony was already there and he nodded as she entered. But he remained
standing by the fireplace as the Earl seated himself next
to Wendy.

Brahms played softly in the background. Tony
seemed deep in thought and, for a moment, Wendy felt
a pang of regret. He was irritating, and yet he was also
one of the gentlest, kindest people she had ever met.
When he wasn’t busy defending someone, that is. Had
she been the naive, young woman led astray by
temptation that he thought she was, she might well
have needed such frank advice as he had tried to give.

But suddenly Wendy stiffened. That was the point.
She wasn’t what he thought and had he even once
listened when she tried to talk honestly with him, Tony
would have known he had misjudged her. She
concentrated on Lord Richard, laughing with him over
an anecdote he was just finishing. Casually, Richard
drew Tony into the conversation, and soon, the
accountant was smiling as well.

Wendy declined a second brandy, but the men did
not. Lord Richard was in an excellent mood and
Wendy decided that it was a good moment to reveal her
plans. She had not had the chance at teatime since he
had not put in an appearance then. “By the way, Lord
Richard,” she said quietly, “I must leave tomorrow.”

Carefully, the Earl set down his glass and turned to
her. “Oh?” The tone was ominous.

She glanced quickly at Tony, for once grateful for
his presence since it might prevent a scene. “Yes, Kevin,
my fiance, is coming at noon tomorrow, to pick me up.
We’re-we’re going on a trip. We made the plans
sometime ago, you see.”

“No, I don’t see,” he retorted bluntly. “You’ll stay
until I say you can leave.”

“But-”

Tony cut off her protest. “Richard, aren’t you being
absurd? If she wants to leave, let her.”

“No!”

“Well, I’m leaving tomorrow,” Wendy said quietly.

“We shall see.” The Earl’s voice was grim.

Wendy stood up, swallowing hard. “Yes, we shall
see. Good evening, gentlemen.”

With as much dignity as she could manage, Wendy
retreated to her room, the long velvet skirt swirling
about her ankles. Somehow, everything had gone
wrong. Why on earth should he care if she left?

Wendy woke early, anxious to be gone-and
nervous. A shower calmed her and she was combing
out her hair when Gwen arrived with breakfast.
Casually, Wendy asked, “Is the Earl about? Or Tony?”

“No, Miss Pratt,” Gwen answered promptly.
“They’ve both gone out riding and shan’t be back
within the hour.”

“Thank you, Gwen.”

As soon as she was alone, Wendy began to eat
quickly. That over with, she moved to the library and
began collecting all her notes, papers, and pens. She
only hoped Lord Richard would be too preoccupied to
notice when he returned from riding. She didn’t want
another scene before she left.

Once Gwen had removed the breakfast tray, Wendy began to pack. She pulled out clothes and folded them
on the bed, her back to the door. Even with the
clumsiness of having to use a cane, the task required
little time. Her pile of clothes was quite small, even
counting those Kevin had sent up. Kevin. How happy
she would be to see Kevin again!

That stage completed, Wendy pulled out her two
suitcases, one at a time. She glanced wryly at her cane,
too grateful to be off crutches to really mind. Later, she
would have to somehow return the cane to the doctor.
Wendy paused a moment and glanced at the three long
dresses still hanging in the wardrobe. They were lovely,
but it gave her a sense of freedom to be leaving them
behind.

She packed the large suitcase first, leaving it on the
floor. When that was done, Wendy lifted her small case
onto the bed and opened it. And sat staring at the open
case. For inside was an emerald bracelet. After a
moment, she lifted it out and held it up, still rather
stunned. Then came the angry voice from the doorway.
“So that’s where Sylvia’s bracelet has been! I might
have guessed you were the thief!”

Wendy turned sharply as Tony strode into the room,
his face dark with anger and something else. He
grabbed the bracelet from her and looked at it
carefully. “Yes, it’s Sylvia’s,” he said bitterly, with a
trace of sadness in his voice. “I think we’d better talk
with Richard. You’re packing, I see. Perhaps he’d best
go through your things to see what else you’ve stolen.”

“I didn’t steal it!” Wendy burst out.

“No? It walked into your room, I suppose, and
climbed into your case? Come along-we’re going to
talk with Richard.”

Clenching her teeth, Wendy rose. Tony tried to take her arm, but she shook him off, saying, “You needn’t
worry. I can’t run away.”

Silently, they proceeded to the library. Richard
looked up as they entered. Seeing the two angry faces,
he demanded, “What’s wrong? You first Tony.”

As calmly he could, Tony explained. “I noticed all
her papers were gone from her desk in here, so I
guessed she was planning to pop off in spite of you.
Frankly, I went to offer her my support, distract you, if
necessary, so that she could leave. When I reached her
room, the door was slightly ajar.”

He hesitated, then continued quickly, “I opened it
quietly on impulse, and saw her holding up a bracelet,
examining it. An emerald bracelet.” He held out the
object and the Earl took it. Striving to keep calm, Tony
went on, “In fact, Sylvia’s bracelet. I’d recognize it
anywhere since I gave it to her.”

“So?”

“Well, but it’s obvious she stole it!” Tony spluttered.

Richard merely raised an eyebrow at Wendy, who
said defiantly, “I found it in my valise. I don’t know
how or when it was put there, or why. But I did not steal
that bracelet.”

“No, it just walked to your room and climbed into
your case!” Tony sneered. “Look, who would have put
it there? A servant? Why? One of us? Hardly! Richard,
I’m afraid you’ll have to call the authorities.”

“I’m not so sure,” Richard replied blandly. “The
bracelet has been recovered and possibly Sylvia will
not choose to press charges. And, at the moment, I
would rather not have one of my house guests
arrested.”

Wendy relaxed somewhat, but she was well aware
that she stood convicted in the eyes of both men. Lord Richard looked at her squarely and said, “I believe
Miss Pratt will choose to prolong her stay after all. If
not, I should have to agree, Tony, and insist on an
arrest. So you will stay, won’t you, Wendy? 1 shall be
happy to explain to your-er-fiance. And I shall
speak with Sylvia as to her wishes in the matter. Now I
suggest you go back to your room and unpack.”

Feeling rather sick, she nodded and turned to go.
This time the Earl had made a threat that could not be
so easily dismissed. Behind her, Tony was arguing, “I
don’t understand, Richard. If you won’t press charges,
and I know that decision rests more with you than with
Sylvia, why won’t you let that girl leave and be done
with it?”

Richard’s reply was a mocking one, and came as
Wendy closed the library door behind her. “Ali, but
Tony! What an absurd suggestion. Why should I
hasten to rid myself of such an attractive young lady?
And is my influence over Sylvia truly so great?”

Wendy was grateful she could hear no more. Back in
her room, she slowly unpacked, feeling inexpressibly
weary. She felt like a pawn in a chess game, unable to
control even the smallest move of her future. How she
wished that she could leave this hateful castle! But with
two aristocrats arrayed against her, she would have no
chance in court. And who knew what Sylvia would say,
if it came to that?

Shortly before noon, Gwen came to summon her to
the James Room. Tony and Lord Richard were already
there. Only the Earl met her defiant gaze. He was as
cool as ever. “I thought it best that we receive your
fiance here,” he explained. Then, indicating the bar, he
added, “Care for anything?”

She shook her head and sat on the sofa stiffly. Tony
was seated in a chair opposite her. He, also, was without a drink. The silence lengthened, but no one
made an effort to end it.

Punctually, at noon, Wendy heard a familiar voice
in the hallway, saying, “The old boy does well for
himself, doesn’t he? Is his nibs stiff on protocol?”

Wendy winced, knowing the others must have heard
as well. But then, Kevin had never been strong on tact.
Charles escorted him into the James Room, bowed,
and left, his face impassive. Kevin seemed surprised to
see three people there. Immediately, Lord Richard
came to his aid. “You are Kevin Lisle, I presume. This
is Tony Wellscourt and I am Richard Pellen.”

Tony nodded as his name was spoken. Then Kevin
said, “Cheers, everyone. Well, luv, are you packed?” he
asked Wendy.

Before she could answer, Lord Richard broke in
smoothly, “I’m afraid there is a slight complication. If
you will come with me to the library, I would be happy
to explain the situation.”

Kevin shot a puzzled look at Wendy, who nodded
miserably. He turned to the Earl, “After you, milord.”