She took another drink from her tea. “Respected members of society. Are they talking about you?”
“Watch it, little cat, or I’ll spank your wonderful bottom. Now, finish the story.”
She cleared her throat. “The Yard confirms that Simon used his information about who was attending what party to give his thieving employees time to break in and take the items. Lord Simon, though, fled the country upon hearing of the investigation and has yet to be found.”
Carin threw the paper down, stood and ran to Tristan. She settled herself in his lap and kissed him over and over. Between kisses she said, “Thank you! Thank you! How did you do it?”
Tristan laughed and kissed her back. “I do have friends at the Yard. And at several newspapers. I am sorry he won’t be held responsible for your father’s death.”
Carin laid her head on Tristan’s shoulder.
“Did you notice one thing about the story?” he asked.
“Other than it made me laugh?” she giggled.
“Employees,” he said. “They say there is more than one.”
“So? He’s gone, and he won’t be causing any more problems,” Carin said.
“Perhaps,” Tristan said. “But I’m going to send a message to Inspector Kelley and tell him we need to talk.”
“We’re meeting with the Duke of Rafferty, remember?”
“Then we’ll have Kelley over for dinner tonight.” Tristan stood so fast that he almost knocked her onto her knees. “Sorry.” He held her close. “I’ll go talk to Mrs. Walker, who will talk to cook. You eat and get ready for our visit with Rafferty.
Tristan accepted the tea Rafferty’s maid poured. He glanced over to where Carin sat. She lifted her own cup and looked at him through her lowered eyes. Her look reaffirmed what they’d talked about in the carriage. He would take the lead. The Duke didn’t have debts, or a mistress that would lead to him taking part in a scheme where he would steal from his peers.
But as they drank and talked about things like the weather and the shocking news of Lord Simon, Tristan began to doubt his original beliefs. Rafferty had agreed to see them, yes, but when Tristan took the key out of his pocket and placed it on the table, there was a look of shock, and then fear, that passed over Rafferty’s face. It was fast, but Tristan had recognized it for what it was—anxiety.
“I’ve never seen it before,” he said. But he didn’t reach to pick it up to take a closer look.
“The keys were found in Mrs. Piper’s late father’s possessions,” Tristan said. “He was one of the burglars taking part in Simon’s ring of thieves.”
“Bad business, a very bad business,” Rafferty said. “Even though my house was listed as a place associated with a key, I know nothing about it, that I can promise you.”
They drank and talked about nothing of much interest, because Tristan could tell by Rafferty’s stance that he would tell them nothing, although he knew exactly what the key was for.
“I do hope to see the both of you at my daughter’s engagement event,” Rafferty said when they stood to leave. “My wife is working to put on the party of the century.”
“We wouldn’t miss it,” Tristan said. The men shook hands, and they left.
When they were in the carriage, Tristan tugged on the cuffs of his shirt.
“He’s lying,” Carin said. “I learned to spot a liar because my father was so good at it.”
“I think the keys are, as Dalton suggested, associated with the houses. Those who lived in the houses years ago know the truth. Those of us who are new residents, like myself and Flame, don’t know anything.”
“What do we do now?”
“Well, we talk to Kelley when he comes to dinner tonight.” He looked out the window. “Something tells me Rafferty, Simon and two others who lived in my house, and in Flame’s residence, were involved in something long ago, something they locked away.”
“And they each took a key?” Carin frowned, but she thought his idea might have merit. “How does that make sense?”
“I’m not sure,” he said. Tristan rapped on the top of the carriage. “Take us to Scotland Yard.”
“You want to talk to Kelley now?” she asked.
“He is young, but he might know of something about the past, or one of his fellow officers can tell us.”
When they were inside the police offices, Tristan took Carin’s arm and kept her close to him. He didn’t like the looks of this place, and thought about leaving and talking with Kelley tonight, but he didn’t want to put things off too much longer.”
Kelley greeted them with a grin. “Mrs. Piper it is, shall I say, intriguing to find you in Lord Ellington’s company. Have you come to confess to something?”
“We’ve come to tell you about something,” Tristan said. “Is there a room where we can talk?”
Kelley nodded, and once they were seated Tristan told him the story of the keys. He didn’t tell Kelley about how he met Carin, nor did he implicate her in burglaries, even though she was doing nothing but searching for information.
While he talked, Kelley examined the key. When Tristan was done, the Inspector tapped the key against the table. “I know nothing about these men being involved in any nefarious activities. Who owned the house before you, Lord Ellington?”
Tristan shook his head. “The owner died, and my father bought it. He gave it to me as a gift.”
“Quite a gift,” Kelley said, just under his breath but loud enough to be heard.
“May I ask where you found this?”
Before he could say anything, Carin said, “With my father’s possessions.”
“Do you have other items your father took?” Kelley asked her. It was all Tristan could do to tell him not to talk so harshly to the woman he loved.
“I don’t know,” Carin said. “I just thought the keys were, unusual.”
The two of them stared at each other, and finally Kelley said, “Fine, I won’t push the matter. I’ll see what I can find out about the houses, not the people you’ve mentioned. Hopefully, I will ask the right question of the right person and I will have information for you tonight. And I would like to see all the things you found at your father’s house.”
When they were back in the carriage, Ellington once again looked out the window. “Something is whopper jawed, as my father would say.”
Carin put her hand on his knee, and it gave him comfort. He’d have to talk to her about getting married, but it would be later, after they’d solved the problems they faced.
“I have an idea,” he said. “This afternoon will prove to be busy.”
When they arrived at the house he asked Temple to call all the staff into the dining room. As they arrived, Tristan studied their expressions. Most of them were nervous. It was unusual to have such a meeting. Many of the staff had worked here before he’d owned the house. He’d hired them simply for that fact when he’d reopened the house.
After they were all in the room, Tristan stood. “I have an unusual request. I want you all to forgo your regular chores and search the house, the baseboards, the gardens, any boxes that are in the attic that have been there since before my time. Everyone will receive ten pounds for their efforts. You are looking for anything that seems unusual, especially boxes with locks, or letters concealed in boxes or books. Look as quickly as possible. Consider it a treasure hunt.”
He dismissed them and he smiled as they talked excitedly, in small groups, as they left the room.
“What do you hope to find?” Carin said.
“I don’t know.” He held up the key. “It fits something, and it has to be something in this house, or else it wouldn’t have been left with a note attached to it with this address. We just have to find it.”
But they found nothing, and Carin was extremely disappointed. By the time Kelley came for supper they had nothing to show him except for the few trinkets she’d found amongst her father’s things. He looked through them carefully before he said, “There is nothing else?”
“Nothing,” she said. “I promise you.”
They sat down to enjoy the stew cook had prepared, and as they started to eat, Kelley said, “Of the three men you mention, only Flame has not lived in his house for any length of time. There is no hint of scandal associated with any of them.”
“A dead end, then,” Carin said. It took away her appetite and she put down her spoon.
“Not for us,” Tristan said. “My staff is still searching. Some of the men have even pulled up floorboards in an effort to find hidden treasure.”
“Never take things at surface value, Carin.” Her father’s voice rang in her mind. “People hide things in the easiest places, really, but no one thinks to look for what is right under their feet.”
“What is it?” Tristan asked her. “Your face has gone white, and it looks like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“I think I have,” she said. “We need to go back to my father’s lodgings and see if they will let us search under the floorboards.”
“Let’s do it now,” Tristan said as he placed his napkin on the table. “They will let us in. We have an Inspector, and I have money.”
“And I was so enjoying my food,” Kelley said. “But we should go before it gets much later.”
They took Ellington’s carriage, and Carin knew in her father’s neighborhood, the sight caused quite a stir. Carin didn’t recognize the man who answered the door, but when Ellington held out money he opened the door wide and invited them inside.
For about half an hour they pulled back rugs and tested boards. It was Tristan who found the loose one. When they pulled it back they found a box, a bundle of money and small pieces of jewelry.
They counted out the money and when they were about to leave, with the items they’d found, Tristan gave the man more money. “For your troubles.”
They didn’t talk again, or look at the box until they were at the house. Tristan ordered tea and pudding to be delivered, and Carin laid out the keys. It was the third one, the one associated with Jonathan Driscoll’s house, that opened the box.
Carin thought her heart would beat out of her chest.
“Carin, you open it,” Tristan said. She looked at both men, and then, with trembling hands, she peeled back the lid.
“It’s full of letters.” She counted the sealed papers. “Five of them.” she said. She took them all out, then turned it upside down and shook it. Nothing else came out.
Tristan and Kelley both took a letter. “The seals have been broken,” Tristan said. Carin watched as they unfolded them.
“This one says, I agree, and it is signed by Westley McCain,” Tristan said.
“This one says, I agree, and it is signed by Jonathan Driscoll,” Kelley said.
The third letter said the same, and was signed by Jack Flame. “Peter’s father,” Tristan said.
The fourth letter was longer. When Carin saw it, she gasped. She knew that handwriting.
“It’s addressed to you,” Tristan said.
“From my father.” She swallowed hard.“Read it to us, please.”
Tristan looked at Kelley. “The last one?”
“It says, I agree, and it is signed by Lord Simon.”
“I wonder if he lived in this house,” Tristan said.
“Read the letter from Carin’s father,” Kelley said.
Tristan cleared his throat. “My darling daughter, I have not been a very good father to you, and for that I am sorry. I told you about my current job, but I have to admit that I held some of the information back. Lord Gregory Simon is the man I am working for, and he needs money, true, but he told me to search for something else. A box with four letters inside. I found it on my third night out, but I did not give it to him, mostly because I thought it might be worth more money than what he offered for its return.”
“One night, when Simon was out, I helped myself to his house. I knew what was in the box was important to him, but it was locked. So I needed the key. I found four of them, each tied to a ribbon with an address attached. They just happened to be the addresses Simon had given me to burglarize.”
Tristan stopped, and Carin looked up to see him staring at her. She nodded that he should continue.
“I decided to try them on the box and it opened on the first attempt. Inside were sealed letters. All they said was I agree and had signatures.” Tristan paused again and then said, “I’m going to break into Simon’s house again. He is the key to this, of that I am sure. If something happens I hope you find this. Offer the keys to Simon for money. I didn’t give you much during my life. At least I can do this.”
They were all silent for a while, and then Carin said, “This can tie Simon to my father’s murder, right? This will show he murdered my father.”
“No, it won’t,” Kelley said. “But it does give me some evidence I can use in questioning. I’ll come back tomorrow, if that’s all right with you.”
“Of course,” Tristan said. “Come for dinner again. Hopefully, we won’t be interrupted this time.”
“What do we do?” Carin asked.
“Nothing,” Kelley said. “Leave it to me. If you want him to be punished in the courts, then it needs to be handled by people who have authority, which means me.”
Carin knew he was right, but that didn’t mean she wanted to do as he said. When he was gone she turned to Tristan.
“We need to figure out what those letters mean,” she said. “I say we find Simon and torture him until he tells us.”
“Easy, little cat,” Tristan said. “We don’t torture, unless it’s in the bedroom. Which reminds me, it’s late, and I think it’s time for bed.”
“Does that mean tying me to the bed or sleeping?”
“Which do you prefer?” he asked.
“I’m thinking a little bit of both,” she said.
“That’s my girl,” he said. “You’re a quick study.”
“What are you going to teach me tonight?” She licked her lips, thinking about the things he’d already taught her and how much pleasure they’d brought the both of them. “Well, let’s go upstairs and we’ll find out.”
“We can do that,” he said. “Or we can go into the gardens and get married.”
Carin stared at him, wondering if she’d suddenly developed a problem with her hearing.
“Did you say get married?”
“I did,” he said. “The priest is waiting. I have a special license.”
She continued to stare at him, and now her problem was with her words. She couldn’t even think exactly what to say.
She cleared her throat once, twice, and on the third one she said, “I’m confused. You said you didn’t want to marry again. I thought the other night was, well, it was for show.”
“I would never do something like that for show,” he said. “If you don’t want to marry me I will send the priest home, along with Dalton and Charlotte who are waiting to be our witnesses.”
“You did all this for me?”
“Yes,” he said. “Because I do truly want you in my life forever.”
“Now, shall we go to the gardens and get married, or shall we go upstairs and play.”
Carin worked to hold back her tears. “I’ve always liked the gardens.”
He held out his hand. “Then let’s go and smell the roses.”
A week later, as they were preparing for the Duke of Rafferty’s party, Carin pinched her cheeks to add some color and wondered about the changes in her life. They were going to attend a party at the Duke of Rafferty’s house, one of his three daughters’ engagement. They had planned to arrive late so as not to steal his daughter’s thunder.
The only thing that had not changed was the fact they could not find justice for her father’s killer. The night after their wedding, Kelley had first offered his congratulations, and then he pulled her right back down to reality.
“We’ve got nothing,” he said. “I don’t know where Simon is, and Rafferty is closed mouthed and says he knows nothing. Unless we find
something else there is nothing we can do.”
Carin wore a dress of deep green. This was their first public appearance since they’d wed. Carin was welcomed into society with open arms, the ladies and gentlemen smiling and offering invitations to teas and dinners. Everyone was very happy for them. Everyone except Shelia McCoy.
Charlotte had told her the blonde was angry, and as they entered the party, Carin knew her friend was right. The blonde woman, wearing a blue dress that emphasized her figure, stared at the couple as they’d entered. The look she gave Carin told the older woman it was obvious that Shelia intended to follow through on her threat to expose her as a fraud.
Shelia moved toward them, an angry look on her face. She stopped and smiled as the Duchess of Wickham came up to stand next to her. Shelia leaned over and whispered something in the Duchess’ ear. The Duchess’ eyebrows raised and she went off to find her husband.
“She’s telling people,” Carin whispered to Tristan. “Before the evening is out everyone will know that I’m not who I pretend to be. You’ll be ruined.”
Tristan laughed and gathered her close. “Don’t worry so much, little cat. Did you not notice who she was standing next to, who she entrusted to start the little rumor?”
“The Duchess of Wickham,” Carin replied, and Tristan laughed.
“She and her husband are active members in The Rakes Club. Things have already been arranged. You must trust me.”
Carin hoped he was right. Shelia moved to talk to Lady Thomas, and Carin watched as Lord Buxton went to Shelia and offered her his arm. She took it with a smile and the couple walked toward the garden.
After they’d been gone for ten minutes Tristan escorted her outside, turning away from the populated area down to where large bushes provided privacy.
Tristan stopped outside one, listened for a moment, shook his head and moved on. A few minutes later the sounds of a hand slapping flesh reached Carin’s ears.
“Stop this instant! You have no right! Stop! Stop!”
His Disobedient Thief Page 15