A Jewel for the Taking: Thieves of Desire Book 2

by St. Clair, Ellie

  “You’re worried about her.”

  “I just don’t understand why she is even here,” Xander said, throwing his hands into the air, suddenly needing Damien — someone, really — to understand. “I’m going to tell you something, Damien, but you must promise me that you will not tell Arie.”

  “Very well.”

  “Or Diana.”

  Telling their sister was basically like telling Arie himself, for she shared everything with their eldest brother, even if it was at the expense of another of her siblings.

  “Of course.”

  “When I left Juliet, I left her everything I had. Nothing that belonged to any of the rest of you, but every pound I had saved to someday start another life for myself. I thought she could begin anew, find a man who was worthy of her, settle down and start a family, live a life where she wasn’t constantly worried about being sent to prison or being struck down by a bullet.”

  “And yet, here she is, trying to steal another man’s jewels.”

  “Here she is, still in the life.” Xander sighed as he walked to the window of the small room that he and Damien shared in the servants’ quarters of Lochrich Estate. “My intention was always to keep watch over her, to ensure she was well, but soon after I left her, she just… disappeared.”

  “Maybe there’s something we can do for her,” Damien said, walking over, removing his jacket and working his powerful shoulders in circles. The livery didn’t properly fit either of them, but Damien had additional bulk. “Chances are there are a couple of jewels in the collection that Arie doesn’t know about. We can let her leave with them.”

  “Arie knows everything.”

  “Well, we can do what we can.”

  They were both silent for a moment as they contemplated Arie’s uncanny ability to gather knowledge. They both respected him like no one else — how could they not, after he had rescued both of them, along with Diana and Xander’s true sister, Calli, from a life on the streets — and yet they loved and feared him in equal measure.

  “There’s something else. I heard the stablemaster say that the baron has asked for the gig to be ready earlier than usual tomorrow.”

  “Oh?”

  “They’ve planned a luncheon for the entire party, but he wants to drive alone,” Damien said, looking at Xander meaningfully. “With his woman.”

  “Juliet.”

  “Yes. It would be the ideal time for us to try to get into his bedroom, but…”

  “Wilington is not known for his manners,” Xander said, putting it mildly as he raised a hand to his head. “What do you think his intentions are with Juliet?”

  “I’ve no idea,” Damien said, shrugging his shoulders. “I just thought you should know.”

  “Damn it,” Xander cursed, wondering just how he was going to look out for Juliet while also taking care of what he needed to do. “Knowing him and the way most young women have fled… Would you mind, Damien if I—”

  “If you followed along?” Damien smiled as he shook his head, and Xander was grateful that it was this brother here with him. Their family was one that Arie had pieced together. None of them were blood related save for Xander and his sister, Calli, but she was now married to a duke, of all people, and out of the family business. Xander saw her occasionally, but it wasn’t the same. Yet, he was grateful for Damien, who he had become closer with now than ever before.

  “You look after your woman,” Damien said, at which remark Xander eyed him with some chagrin. “I’ll try to get into the baron’s room.”

  Xander didn’t like leaving Damien alone. But at least Damien could look out for himself. Juliet had also proven herself capable, but if Wilington had help from the footman or another…

  “We’ve done all we can for tonight,” Damien said as he tucked himself into the bed that was far too short for him, his feet comically hanging out over the edge. “Try to get some sleep.”

  Xander threw himself down on the adjacent tiny bed, similarly unable to get comfortable. But it would have to do — for now. Someday, when he had earned the greatest prize of his life, he would buy himself the largest, plushest bed he could find.

  Although it would be rather lonely with just him.

  But he didn’t have a choice. He closed his eyes, willed himself not to think of her, and instead tried to find some peace in sleep.

  For there was certainly none to be found in his waking hours.

  * * *

  Juliet looked at Lord Wilington out of the corner of her right eye. He had his gig ready today, and he had insisted that the two of them leave for the drive alone, even though the house party guests were expecting them to lead their adventure. It was not exactly an idea that Juliet welcomed, but she didn’t see how she could decline. Not when she was supposed to be seeking marriage to the man — an event she hoped to stave off for as long as she could, for it would mean the end of their plan, as she would be immediately exposed when she refused to go through with it.

  “It’s a lovely day,” she attempted with a smile, to which he only grunted in return. Unless the conversation was regarding his vast fortune, gambling debts, or the latest political gossip, the baron was not particularly inclined to engage.

  “Your gig is quite a vehicle,” she said. She had been surprised when it had pulled up out front. She couldn’t recall him ever driving himself anywhere before and had assumed this carriage would be better suited for London. She had quickly become suspicious, however, and had insisted that her lady’s maid — Annabelle — accompany them. The baron, however, had been quick to inform her that there was no room in such a vehicle, which she saw for herself. He told her that all would be proper, as other guests were invited to join them shortly in their own carriages, but Juliet was no innocent miss. She was well aware how easy it would be for him to veer off or need to stop for a moment. When she asked if Annabelle could ride on the top of one of the other carriages, Lord Wilington hadn’t seemed particularly pleased, but he begrudgingly didn’t argue with the staff and other guests nearby. Annabelle was climbing to the top of one of the nearest carriages as they departed, and while she would far rather be hiding away in Juliet’s bedroom working on the latest jewels, she had insisted this was of the utmost importance.

  “You say we are going to the neighbouring estate?” Juliet now asked the baron as they set the horses in motion.

  “Yes.” He nodded. “They’ve invited us to luncheon.”

  “How lovely,” Juliet said, attempting to maintain the façade she had built of an empty-headed woman who only served to please. It seemed to be what the baron preferred.

  “The man’s not much of anything but he owes me money,” Lord Wilington said. “I’ll see if he’ll pay up today.” He cracked a rare smile. “Or I might win a bit more.”

  “Lovely,” Juliet repeated, although the sentiment was anything but. The baron lived for his fortune. And his jewels. “I’m glad that a few others were able to accompany us.”

  “Couldn’t help themselves,” he grumbled, to which Juliet nodded.

  The couple in the carriage behind them, however, were people Juliet could do without. Mr. Shiplack had seemed to ingratiate himself with the baron and had struck something amiss in her intuition, though she got along fine with his wife. Juliet actually felt somewhat sorry for her. The woman did whatever her husband wished, which didn’t always seem to be in her own best interests. But Juliet supposed that was a risk of marriage. It was why she vowed to always be able to support herself.

  The neighbouring estate rose up in the distance, and Juliet breathed a sigh of relief as it neared. When Juliet turned to look over her shoulder, she found that luckily the Shiplacks’ carriage was still in view, as was that of Annabelle and the third couple, Mr. and Mrs. Arrington, about whom Juliet couldn’t complain, although they most certainly were not anyone she would ever choose to spend time with, as pompous and arrogant as they were.

  Suddenly the baron lurched to the side, and Juliet gasped as he was thrown into her
so abruptly that she nearly fell out the side of the gig.

  “My lord? Are you all right?” she asked, and he nodded as he righted himself. “Apologies,” he said, huffing out a breath. “I became off balance.”

  Juliet nodded, although she watched him closely. She wondered about his health, yet at the same time his jaw was set most determinately.

  “I think I must stop for a moment,” he said, slowing the horses and sending them far off the path and in behind an outcropping of trees — one of the few along the way — and Juliet tried to assess him and just what his intentions might be.

  “Are you feeling unwell?” she asked, keeping lightness in her voice, and he cleared his throat as the horses stopped.

  “Actually,” he murmured, turning his head as a wicked smile curled his lips, looking quite malicious on him, “I am feeling quite well indeed.”

  He leaned in to kiss her and Juliet couldn’t help her reaction. She leaned so far back that she nearly fell off the seat once more, catching herself just in time.

  “My lord,” she said, bowing her head so that she didn’t have to look at him — and also to prevent him from attempting the kiss once more. “I hardly think this is seemly. We are close to your neighbours, and everyone will be passing by us. Plus, my maid—”

  “Is in your employ,” the baron said, his dark grey eyebrows furrowing low into a V. “Therefore, it shouldn’t matter what she thinks. I’ve been courting you for a month, Juliet, with nothing to show for it.”

  “Nothing to show for it?” Juliet said with a gasp. “My apologies, my lord, but I don’t seem to understand just what—”

  “That’s it,” he said, menace filling his voice, “you don’t understand. You are staying with me because of my benevolence, do you understand me? Yes, my plan is to marry you as I suppose I could use an heir and you’re at least attractive and don’t ask too many questions. But I need to try the goods before I buy, do you understand?”

  Juliet had to snap her jaw closed after realizing her mouth had fallen open in astonishment. She looked side to side for help, but Annabelle and the other carriages were too far in the distance now to see them nor hear a cry for help. She was on her own.

  “What’s it going to be?” the baron bit out, and Juliet was frozen in indecision for a moment. Her every inclination was to tell the baron just exactly what he could do with all of his orders, but then this would all come to an end. He would send her packing, and she and Annabelle would be left with nothing to show for the time and effort they had already put into this charade.

  She had to use her cunning to get through this, even as the baron seemed more determined than ever, beginning to paw at Juliet’s gown. She backed up again, only this time she didn’t nearly fall off the bench — she actually did.

  As she tried to brace herself to hit the ground behind her, suddenly she was plucked out of the air by a pair of very strong — and very familiar — arms.

  “I’ve got you,” Xander murmured in her ear, as he held her for a moment longer than necessary before setting her down on the ground, feet first.

  “What is the meaning of this?” the baron grunted as he looked down from the seat to see Xander’s arms still around Juliet.

  “Mr. Arrington asked me to accompany him to assist his driver,” Xander said, his face as cheerful as always, his explanation practiced without any hint of deceit. Juliet was amazed at how easily the story rolled off of his tongue. “When we arrived at Lord Bainbridge’s, we were concerned when we couldn’t see your gig. I said I would come and ensure all was well.”

  The baron huffed, picking up the reins again.

  “All is fine,” he said. “Come, Juliet.”

  Xander squeezed her waist from the side, where the baron couldn’t see the action, before helping Juliet back up to the seat. “I’ll stay close in case you need me again,” Xander said instead of asking the baron, who grunted in reply. Xander seemed to take that as his assent before setting off beside them in so quick a jaunt that Juliet’s eyes widened in astonishment.

  As much as Juliet somewhat resented the fact that Xander obviously believed she couldn’t look after herself, she could admit that she was relieved to know he was here. For now Lord Wilington wouldn’t be trying anything else — at least, not today.

  It did tell her one thing, however. Her time was running out before she would have to do something she had no desire to do.

  She might not have as many morals as other young women, but she did have a few. And those, she vowed to uphold.

  Chapter 5

  Xander hadn’t realized just how long a luncheon could be.

  At least he had been fed in the servants’ quarters. But he was still on edge from what he had witnessed when he came upon Juliet and the baron. If he hadn’t gotten there in time, he wasn’t sure what would have happened. Or what could happen in the future. For if Wilington would go to such lengths with his entire house party as potential witnesses, what would he ever do if he managed to catch Juliet alone? She seemed capable of keeping Wilington from following through with any of his attempts and Xander would guess her strength was equal to the old man’s, but if she had to fight him off, what would be the resulting consequences?

  Xander had no idea, but this entire scheme had become far too complicated with Juliet’s involvement.

  Finally, it was time to leave. He managed to briefly catch Juliet’s eye, but she only nodded at him quickly, obviously not wanting to draw any attention to their communication. While all of the house guests had driven, it was not a far walk, and Xander actually appreciated the chance to stretch his legs outdoors — while he could keep an eye on Juliet.

  Now that they had returned to Lochrich, he needed to talk to her. But first he had to find Damien and see if he had discovered anything.

  They had a moment alone while they prepared to serve dinner, and Damien seemed rather gleeful, if such a thing was possible.

  “I think I know where the safe is,” Damien said. “There is a small closet in the baron’s room — one within his dressing room. It seems innocent enough, but there is a space next to it that doesn’t seem right. There is no explanation for what’s behind that wall. And it seems as though it would be where we might expect the door from the tunnel to lead. I snuck into the bedroom while the valet took his tea. That man is like a sentry.”

  “Can we enter from the dressing room?” Xander asked, his heart beating faster, but Damien shrugged his shoulders.

  “If there’s a way, I can’t figure it out,” he said, “although I didn’t take a particularly long time in there, as I was without a lookout. If we have another chance, we can try again, but we might be best to attempt it from the tunnel entrance instead. I’ve never known a lock to evade you, brother.”

  Xander nodded, guilt flooding him anew that he had left Damien alone, exposed, when he was the one who had failed thus far.

  “How was everything on your expedition?” Damien asked, and Xander explained to him what had occurred. Damien cursed.

  “At least we can take some joy from the fact that we are stealing from a bastard,” he muttered, to which Xander nodded with a grim smile.

  “Although we’ve got to get this finished as fast as we can,” he said. “We have to get Juliet out of here.”

  “What will she think when we leave with the stash?”

  “I don’t know,” Xander said. “But I left her everything I had once before. Whatever we allow her to have will have to be enough.”

  Damien didn’t look convinced, but didn’t say anything more as they left the room to serve dinner. Another dinner Xander would have to spend trying to remain focused on someone other than the only woman he would ever love. And the only one he could never have.

  * * *

  Juliet knew she should thank Xander for his timely rescue, as much as she hated actually requiring that rescue. As she left the dinner table after another excruciating meal, she looked up and caught his eye. She gave him a slight nod, which he returned
with wide, surprised eyes. Juliet then had to spend the next three hours making conversation with women who cared about nothing more than the latest ton gossip, even though most of them had nothing to do with the noble set about whom they were conversing.

  She nodded and smiled, having no idea of whom they were speaking, although she was rather intrigued when they mentioned that the Duke of Hargreave had recently married “some upstart” who had been working as his governess. Good, she thought, wishing the woman she didn’t know all of the best of luck to face those who would most likely do all they could to make life difficult for her.

  Finally, it was midnight, and after explaining to Annabelle where she was going, Juliet slipped out into the dark of night, crossing the expanse of green to the gazebo at the edge of the grounds.

  Juliet’s heart was beating fast when she saw Xander’s silhouette through the light of the moon, which was full tonight as it stared down at them through the warmth of the summer. It was one thing to see him in passing in full view of the entire house party. Even their small glances, as much as they connected them, posed no threat — besides that to her own heart.

  But the thought of meeting with him out here, alone…

  He left you, Juliet, she reminded herself. Alone. Injured. With nothing. After he had promised you a life together.

  She squared her shoulders as her stride became more determined while she walked toward the gazebo. It was rather romantic, she had to admit, in its octagonal shape and lattice work that slightly obscured the figure within. Ivy vines grew up the side, wrapping around the posts and making it seem that the gazebo was part of the garden itself.

  The perfect place for a romantic tryst. Except Juliet was not that woman who held such romantic notions, she reminded herself. Not anymore.

  Xander must have seen her coming, for he stepped forward into the entrance of the gazebo, leaning against the wooden post as he watched her. Errant locks of his dark hair flopped over his forehead most endearingly and he grinned that charming grin at her that always caused her stomach to roll over. It was no different now than it had ever been before.