“Wait a moment, Henrietta,” Lady Tillsbury said quickly. “The gentleman might very well know Lord Altringham and has climbed in to await a meeting with him or some such thing.”
Julianna bit her lip, entirely uncertain as to what ought to be done. There was, of course, every possibility that what Lady Tillsbury had suggested was the truth of the matter, but by the way she had seen the man lurking near the carriage and climbing in with such a surreptitious manner, she feared it was not so.
“What do you think, Julianna?”
Turning her head, Julianna saw her grandmother looking at her carefully, a small gleam in her eye. It was clear that she wanted to know the truth of what Julianna thought and was encouraging her to speak openly.
“I-I think,” Julianna said, a little embarrassed to see everyone’s eye on her, “that there is something untoward about this situation.” She swallowed hard, trying to set aside all of her feelings as to what had happened before as regarded Lord Altringham and seeking to bolster the little courage she had. “I-I think I should like to speak to Lord Altringham to ensure that he knows what has happened and that he is fully aware of it.”
Lady Newfield nodded in agreement. “A good suggestion,” she said resolutely. “Well, then, Julianna, might I suggest you do as you have said? We shall remain here and watch the carriage with a firm eye.”
Julianna swallowed hard, opening her mouth to protest and to state that she did not want to go to speak to Lord Altringham alone, only to see the sharp look in her grandmother’s eye. There was to be no excuse now. Whether she wished to go alone or not, Julianna knew that her grandmother wanted her to do precisely as she had suggested without hesitation.
“We will be able to see you from here, so it will be all quite proper,” Lady Newfield finished as Lady Tillsbury frowned hard, her eyes fixed on Lord Altringham’s carriage. “Do hurry, Julianna, before it is too late!”
Julianna nodded, took in a deep breath, and forced herself to take a single step forward. Her heart was in her throat as she walked slowly toward Lord Altringham, aware that he might not only reject the opportunity to speak to her but might, in fact, simply ignore her presence entirely. After the way he had looked back at her last evening after she had stared at him as he had been in Lady Darlington’s company, Julianna was not at all sure what to expect.
The moment she drew near to Lord Altringham, Julianna felt as though she had made a dreadful mistake. He was now standing between the two ladies and one had her arm linked with his, with her other hand pressed to his arm as though she could not even stand without his strength to aid her. She hesitated, coming to a slow stop a few steps away from them, not quite certain what she ought to do next. Ought she just to approach him directly? She was not sure she had the confidence for that but neither did she want to turn around and look toward Lady Newfield for assistance. Most likely, her grandmother would merely chivvy her forward with a wave of her hand.
“Miss Sussex?”
Lifting her head, she saw one of the ladies greeting her, although she did not remove herself from Lord Altringham’s company.
“Good afternoon, Miss Salisbury,” Julianna answered, relieved that, for once, she had remembered the name of the lady speaking to her. “I do beg your pardon for intruding in your conversation but—”
“That is quite all right,” Miss Salisbury interrupted, waving a hand. “You do know everyone here, do you not? No?” She looked a little surprised, then laughed. “Then permit me to make the introductions.”
There was no time for such things, Julianna thought, but could not find the courage to interrupt the lady in order to speak directly to Lord Altringham. Thus, she was forced, in her own weakness, to wait until Miss Salisbury had made all the introductions before she was able to say what she had intended.
“Lord Altringham,” she said, a little breathlessly, such was her nerves. “I-I must ask you if you will give me a moment of your time.”
Lord Altringham, who had thus far said very little save for a murmured, “Good afternoon”, looked at her askance.
“It is about something of a grave matter,” she continued quickly, “else I would not be so rude as to pull you away from your companions without explanation.”
After a moment or two, Lord Altringham cleared his throat, nodded, and then came toward her, whilst Miss Salisbury and the others looked on with interest. Julianna fell into step with him at once, although he walked a little too quickly for her. Her mouth was dry, her brow furrowed as she tried to find the words to explain what she feared, but the only thing that came to mind was an image of the lady and Lord Altringham as they had been last evening.
Realizing with a start that they had drawn very close to the carriage, Julianna reacted swiftly, putting one hand on Lord Altringham’s arm and pulling him back before she could even think of what else she ought to do.
Lord Altringham looked down at her with surprise.
“Forgive me,” she mumbled, pulling her hand away at once as though she had been burned. “I mean to—”
“I had no intention of pulling you into the carriage, if that is what you feared,” he said a little dryly, his eyes searching her face. “In fact, I will confess that I am surprised you are even here conversing with me after last evening’s fiasco.”
Choosing to ignore this, Julianna took in a deep breath and tried to speak calmly. “There is someone in your carriage, Lord Altringham.” With a great effort, she looked up into his face and held his gaze. She saw his expression change at once, his brows furrowing and the sardonic smile that had graced his lips only moments before now beginning to fade. She forced herself to continue. “Were you expecting someone?”
“What do you mean that someone has climbed into my carriage?” Lord Altringham said, frowning hard. “What can you mean by such a remark?”
Pressing her lips together for a moment, Julianna tried to explain without making herself sound too ridiculous. “I have been out walking with a… a friend,” she said, gesturing to where Miss Glover and the other two ladies were now waiting. “As we walked, we saw someone climb into your carriage in a most surreptitious manner. Your driver did not even take notice!”
He held her gaze, his brows low and his hazel eyes fixed to hers. She felt as though he were looking into her very soul, as though he were searching all through her to see if she was telling the truth.
“I am not expecting anyone, no,” he said, his brows lifting for a moment as a new lightness filled his face. “Although, it was mayhap a lady who did so?” Something in his eyes sparkled but Julianna found no mirth in his remark. Rather, for the very first time, she felt something akin to anger.
“I am certain it was a gentleman,” she said with a good deal more firmness to her voice than she had first intended. “As much as you might not wish it to be so, Lord Altringham, I am quite certain that it was a gentleman who entered your carriage.” She lifted one eyebrow and looked at him directly. “You do not have anything in the carriage that would be worth stealing, I hope?”
Lord Altringham’s countenance changed at once. With a gasp, he bustled past her and hurried toward the carriage, his face taut and eyes wide with horror. Julianna could only watch as he threw open the door, the driver uncertain as to whether or not he ought to be preparing to leave. Glancing at her grandmother, Julianna beckoned her toward her and, with relief, saw that all three ladies were coming to her at once. Their steps were hurried, their eyes wide, and Julianna could see the look of shock on her grandmother’s face. Evidently, Lady Newfield had not thought the threat to be real.
“Whatever is it?” her grandmother cried, her hands tight on Julianna’s arm. “Is there some real danger?”
Julianna nodded, her throat constricting. “I do not know what it can be but Lord Altringham disappeared without barely a moment’s notice after I asked if there was something within the carriage that might be worth stealing.”
She was about to say more but was cut off by a shout of dismay coming f
rom the carriage, with Lord Altringham appearing only a moment later.
“It is gone,” he gasped, his hat no longer upon his head but held tightly in his hand as he waved his arms about. “I cannot quite believe it. It is gone.” His face was red, his eyes looking all over Hyde Park as though he might find the perpetrator. Julianna knew it was quite impossible, for the fashionable hour was now close at hand and the park was already filling with members of the beau monde.
“What is gone, Lord Altringham?” Lady Tillsbury asked, taking a small step forward whilst Miss Glover exchanged an astonished glance with Julianna. “Has something been taken from you?”
Lord Altringham ran one hand through his brown hair, making his appearance a little less distinguished than before. Julianna had never seen him in such a state as he was at present, for he had always been composed, even when he had been furious with anger. His square jaw was tight, his reddened cheeks now turning scarlet as his eyes narrowed, darting still from place to place. With his hair askew and his hands flapping wildly as he muttered under his breath, he appeared almost mad with ire.
“What has been taken, Lord Altringham?” Lady Tillsbury asked again, frowning hard. “You appear quite distressed, truly.”
Lord Altringham stopped short, turning to face Lady Tillsbury as though he had only just seen her.
“Yes, yes indeed,” he murmured, the color beginning to drain from his face. “Yes, something has been taken. Something of great value.”
Julianna found herself stepping closer, without having intended to do so. “What was it?” she asked, finding her curiosity piqued. What could it be that had Lord Altringham so distressed? She had never seen him in such a state and to have him as such now was both intriguing and a little troubling.
However, it seemed Lord Altringham was not inclined to tell them what had been taken. He did not immediately answer and when he did, it was with a lowering of his head and a shying away of his gaze.
“It was an expensive gift,” he muttered, not looking at them. “A gift that I was to give to someone on my return from Hyde Park.”
Julianna saw the way that Miss Glover narrowed her eyes, just as a spot of color came into each cheek. Lady Tillsbury tutted loudly and looked at Lady Newfield with an arched brow, which Julianna took to mean that they were all aware of what this description meant, whilst she certainly did not.
“Then you must ask yourself who knew of such a gift,” Lady Tillsbury said quickly, turning around to return to her daughter. “Come, Henrietta. It is time for us to take our leave of Lord Altringham.”
Blinking in surprise, Julianna turned her head to see her own grandmother beckoning her also. Throwing a quick glance back at Lord Altringham, she was surprised to see a look of desperation on his face, as though he were afraid to be left alone with this puzzle.
Lady Newfield put a gentle hand on Julianna’s arm. “We must depart also, Lord Altringham. I do apologize.” Her smile was tight and did not reach her eyes. “I do hope you can solve the mystery of whoever has stolen your gift from you. Good afternoon.”
Julianna did not have any opportunity to say anything more to Lord Altringham, surprised at herself when she realized there was a desire within her to do precisely that. The look they held was broken by Lady Newfield tugging Julianna quickly away, forcing her to turn around and leave Lord Altringham standing alone.
“What was it that he spoke of, Grandmama?” she asked, her breath coming quickly as she hurried along beside her grandmother. “I do not understand. Why is there so much distaste apparent on all of your faces?”
Lady Newfield stopped suddenly, looking up into Julianna’s face with what appeared to be a look of deep sadness. “I do not want to tell you, Julianna, for fear that it will injure you.”
Julianna steeled herself, lifting her chin as she tightened her hands into fists. “I am prepared, Grandmama.”
Sighing, Lady Newfield reached out and pressed her shoulder. “Most gentlemen, when they go to visit their mistress or their… particular lady…” A blush hit her cheeks but she continued on regardless. “They often bring a gift with them. A valuable gift.” Tilting her head, Lady Newfield lifted one shoulder. “At times, if they are bringing the connection to an end, the gentleman will furnish the lady with a most expensive gift. Perhaps a ruby necklace and set of pearls.”
“I see.” Julianna blinked quickly and looked away, torn between embarrassment and upset. “And you think that my husband was on his way to see his mistress.”
“It is a reasonable assumption,” Lady Newfield said quietly. “It is not as though gentlemen often go about with expensive gifts with them, not unless they are seeking to betroth themselves to a lady or perhaps to make amends for some wrong done.” Pressing her lips together, Lady Newfield held Julianna’s gaze, whilst Julianna herself began to nod slowly, to show that she understood. “He was very reluctant to inform us about what the item was, which makes me all the more aware that—”
“That your assumptions are, most likely, correct,” Julianna said, trying to speak with a firmness she did not feel. “I quite understand, Grandmama.” Her smile was a little sorrowful, touching the corners of her lips. “Thank you for explaining it to me.”
Lady Newfield sighed heavily again. “Would that I did not have to,” she said with a shake of her head. “I confess, Julianna, I had hoped that in bringing you here, we might be able to find some sort of goodness in your husband—even a small amount which we might then use to our advantage.” She shook her head, looking over Julianna’s shoulder to where Lord Altringham still stood. “And now I begin to fear that I am quite mistaken.”
“It does not matter,” Julianna replied, turning and taking her grandmother’s arm so that they might walk together. “It is in the past now, is it not? There is nothing I can do. Lord Altringham is my husband, whether I wish him to be or not. Thus, I must try and find even a sliver of goodness within him which can be used to bring him toward me.” She gave her grandmother a rueful smile. “Or at least a sense of shame and guilt which might, in turn, do what we wish it.”
Unfortunately, Lady Newfield did not smile. “I only wish that you had been blessed with a better husband,” she said heavily. “I am aware that to be the wife of an earl is a most excellent connection, but I would have rather seen you wed to a thoughtful, honest, welcoming gentleman instead of one who is so utterly without any sort of kindness.”
Julianna nodded but said nothing more. Her heart and mind were full of all manner of thoughts and emotions, but there was something there now that had not been present before. A curiosity, perhaps. An eagerness to discover just what had gone on. She supposed the perpetrator must have jumped out of the other side of the carriage rather than linger, which was why Lord Altringham did not give chase. There was nowhere to go, nowhere to look. It was as though a shadow had entered the carriage and slipped away with this item of great worth—whatever it was.
“You have become very quiet, my dear,” Lady Newfield murmured as they began to catch up to Lady Tillsbury and Miss Glover, who had now come to a standstill and were waiting for them. “You are quite all right, I hope?”
Julianna hesitated. “I have some considerations that I would like to give time to,” she said honestly. “But for the moment, I am quite well.”
Lady Newfield smiled. “Your courage is beginning to blossom, I see,” she said, making Julianna glow with contentment at the remark. “I am glad.” She pressed Julianna’s arm. “Long may it last.”
Chapter Six
The theft of what had been a most expensive gift of a diamond pendant and bracelet was, to Thomas’ mind, not only worrying but greatly frustrating. He could not quite believe that it was gone, and certainly could not imagine who had done such a thing.
“Gone, you say?” Lord Fairfax murmured as they wandered around Lord Millerford’s large drawing room. The music room and library were also filled with guests but he and Lord Fairfax had come in search of brandy—and brandy they had found. �
�How can that be?”
Thomas let out a long breath. “I do not know,” he muttered darkly. “I was alerted to it by Miss Sussex, who was out walking with some acquaintance or other and apparently saw someone making their way into my carriage!”
“And the driver did not notice?” Lord Fairfax asked, frowning hard as Thomas nodded. “You do not think that…?” He trailed off, not finishing his thought, which, in turn, made Thomas’ interest all the more piqued.
“Please,” he said quickly, looking at his friend in interest. “What is it that you wanted to suggest?”
Again, Lord Fairfax hesitated, then shrugged as though he had considered what Thomas’ reaction might be but would think nothing of it regardless.
“What if your driver was bribed so that he would not notice?” he asked, making Thomas stop dead as he stared at Lord Fairfax, his stomach suddenly churning in a most uncomfortable manner. “I do not mean to question your staff, of course, but that is something that mayhap you ought to consider.”
Thomas let out a long breath, looking nowhere in particular as his mind began to chew over the possibility that his driver and tiger had been given money in order to look the other way when the gift had been stolen.
“No,” he said after a few moments. “I do not think such a thing could have been the case.”
“No?” Lord Fairfax queried, one eyebrow lifted. “And why do you dismiss the idea so quickly?”
Thomas tried to explain. “Because my driver and my tiger would not have known that I was taking the gift that particular afternoon.” He shrugged. “I did not tell the driver my intention to go to Lady Guthrie’s after Hyde Park.”
This did not seem to satisfy Lord Fairfax, who shook his head firmly. “That does not mean that they were not paid to ignore the intruder. They would have just been told to ignore this person but not been given a specific time as to when they would approach.”
In Search of Love: Convenient Arrangements (Book 2) Page 6