‘Yes, I am sure you are right,’ he agreed in an effort to placate her. ‘Come let us get you back home.’
Sophie realised that she had just survived a very close shave and sighed with relief, but her reprieve could only be temporary. Daniel could not continue to duck and dive every time the Colonel made an appearance and the situation had become very awkward indeed. He handed her back into the barouche, climbed up beside her and took up the reins. She looked at his handsome profile as he expertly handled the horses and turned them around on the narrow path. When he had completed this difficult manoeuvre, she enquired of him. ‘Tell me, Colonel. Now that you are thinking of selling out, are you to live at Winstanley Hall?’
The Colonel looked surprised. ‘Goodness, no. I have my own small estate in Northumberland near to Rothbury. It was part of my mother’s portion and it was left to my brother Stephen when she died. My mother could only leave me a small financial independence, but now that Stephen has passed away, his estate now passes down to me.’
Sophie felt rather guilty about her question as it could only revive memories of his deceased brother.
‘Were you very close to Stephen?’ she asked kindly.
‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘We were more of an age and much closer. Rupert is much older and a son of my father’s first marriage. Stephen and I were only in leading strings when Rupert went to university, so naturally we younger siblings were close.’
Sophie gave a sigh. That explained why he did not look very much like his older brother. Her feelings were in total disarray. She found herself liking this man, yet she lived in the fear of discovery. If he ever found out she was the girl who held him up, he had the power to ruin her.
Oh, if only she had listened to Daniel’s admonitions and had not been so foolish that night, but it was too late for regrets now.
Her thoughts came immediately back to Daniel. Now there was a dilemma that brought her seriously back to reality. Hopefully, the Colonel would return to his own estates soon and she could forget all about him. She sighed. The man was devastatingly attractive and forgetting him would be very difficult indeed.
Chapter Five
It was late afternoon when Colonel Northcote returned Sophie to Chalcotte Grange, and just in time as a short and heavy shower had interrupted the afternoon sun.
He took his leave, having promised that he would make every effort to procure her brooch, and assured her he would call back in a couple of days with some news.
Lord Wyndholme accompanied him back to his barouche and the Colonel thanked him for a lovely afternoon. The Baron said that he was only too happy to resume their acquaintance and told him that he could call in at the Grange at any time, he did not need an invitation. Had Sophie been a witness to this speech, she would have been horrified but fortunately, she was blissful in her ignorance.
Sophie sat at the window waiting for her brother to return home but it was six o’clock before she heard the sound of hooves pounding up the drive. She quickly jumped up. She wanted to speak to Daniel privately, and the only way to do that was to intercept him at the stables.
As she entered the stable door, Daniel was removing Zephyrus’s bridle and he turned around irritably. Apart from his precarious encounter with Colonel Northcote, he was wet and hungry. It had been a long day. His picnic lunch had long since been eaten, and what is more, he had been caught in the open in that short but very heavy shower. He could hardly credit it as the sun was shining again.
‘Oh it’s you,’ he snapped. ‘Sophie, you are the worst of sisters. Well, I hope you gave him the heave-ho because I don’t know how long I can keep this up.’
‘Oh, I am sorry Daniel, but if you had only covered your face that night, we would not be in this predicament now.’
‘So this whole imbroglio is now my fault, is it?’ he snapped. ‘Well, I tell you, Sophie, this cannot go on. You must get rid of him!’
Sophie frowned. ‘I do not think it is going to be that easy. The Colonel seems very persistent, and what is more, it turns out that he knows Aunt and Uncle very well. He used to have the run of the place with Cousin Sebastian when they were boys.’
Daniel rolled his eyes to the stable beams. ‘Well, that is all I need to hear. How long do you think I can keep disappearing before Aunt and Uncle get wind of it?’
Sophie bit her lip, as truly she had not thought of a solution. ‘Well it may not come to that,’ she replied. ‘He has his own estates in Northumberland and he is just visiting his brother. I made it a point to find out. A couple of weeks, and hopefully, he will return home. Surely you can keep a low profile until then.’
‘A couple of weeks!’ he exclaimed. ‘It may as well be a couple of years. That was one lucky escape this afternoon, I can tell you. I do not know what I would have done without Zephyrus. I had to pull awfully on his bit, and as you know, it is something Papa taught us never to do. He was always kind to his cattle.’
He turned to his precious colt and stroked his nose. ‘I am sorry Zephyrus, but I shall make it up to you with extra carrots.’ The colt nuzzled his chest as if he understood then raised his head as if expecting the promised treat. Sophie walked up to Daniel and put her hand on his shoulder. ‘You know, I may be the worst of sisters, but I would not have allowed him to hurt a hair on your head, Danny.’
Daniel turned to her, placated by her sisterly concern, but still not completely reconciled. ‘And exactly what would you have done, if he had managed to haul me out of the saddle. Oh, I know you are intrepid, but where is your sword? Where is your pistol? You could hardly come clean or you would be ruined, and you could hardly match the strength of a grown man. Oh, what did I do to deserve such a plague of a sister? All sweetness and roses one minute, and a total hoyden the next!’
‘I am sorry Danny, but he said he would try to get mama’s brooch, and he is returning the day after tomorrow.’
‘Do not worry, I shall make myself scarce,’ he snapped. ‘Let us hope that it is not raining for it seems to rain more often than not these days.’
Sophie turned to leave but thought it only fair to warn him. ‘And another thing,’ she said with a grimace. ‘Aunt is wondering where you are and is on the war path.’
Daniel grit his teeth and cursed. Picking up Zephyrus’s brush, he threw it at her. Sophie ducked just in time as it hit the lintel of the door and then made a quick exit. No doubt he needed a little time to cool down. He was never cross with her for long.
*****
Colonel Northcote returned to Winstanley Hall to find his brother Rupert in the study. Rupert looked up and smiled.
‘Harry, there you are. Come in. I am just having a pre-dinner drink. Would you care to join me? We have not had much chance to chat since you arrived back.’
Lord Northcote poured him a glass of burgundy and the Colonel retired to a huge winged chair opposite him. He looked around at the beautiful décor and the exquisite works of art that adorned the walls. In fact, there were a considerable number of new pictures and portraits since he had last visited Winstanley Hall.
He smiled at his brother. ‘Well Rupert, I have got to say that you have done very well. The Earldom is flourishing under your guardianship. I have lost count of all the new acquisitions I have spotted about the place. Lady Northcote has good taste.’
The Earl looked around proudly. ‘Good management and discipline. That is all that is needed, Harry dear fellow. The only thing that appears to be beyond my ability is the siring of children. We have consulted with the best doctors in Newcastle and London, but they are all at a loss.’
The matter had crossed Harry’s mind. His brother had been married for seven years, and if children were to be forthcoming, they should have made an appearance by now. He gave his brother his sympathy.
Rupert just smiled. ‘Ah well, there is still the delight of trying, but I fear at the end of the day if anything ever happens to me, and now that Stephen is no more, all responsibilities will rest on your shoulders. It appears not to have
crossed your mind, but you are now the heir, Harry.’
Harry gave a shudder. As the youngest, he was always considered the second spare. He had not been brought up with any expectation of the succession, and neither did he desire it. Fortunately, his brother was fit and had every prospect of living to a ripe old age.
Harry raised his glass. ‘I wish you a long and healthy life, brother. Do not disappoint me.’
Rupert just laughed. ‘Do not worry, Harry. I have no intention of cocking up my toes yet, and maybe one day, I may get lucky and have a son of my own.’
Harry took a sip of his wine and looked across to his brother. Being thirteen years younger, he had not had the same close relationship with Rupert that he had enjoyed with Stephen, but never-the-less, he was his brother and family ties were strong.
Harry smiled and changed the subject. ‘I went to Chalcotte Grange this afternoon to visit Baron Wyndholme and his family. They were keen to have news of their son Sebastian.’
Rupert looked guarded. ‘Ah yes, a very respectable family. Since the death of her father, their niece, Lady Trevarren, now lives with them. I believe that you met her at the ball, but according to Cecelia, she is a bit of a loose cannon. Pretty enough, I have to admit, but I must warn you that I would not welcome that connection. Out of respect to Lord and Lady Wyndholme, Lady Trevarren was invited to the ball, but Lady Northcote cannot like her. Her father was a good for nothing man and the daughter is a chip off the old block. My wife tells me that you are aware of my dealings with Lord Trevarren when he was alive. I do not deny it, the man lost his fortune to me at the gambling tables in Newcastle.’
Harry studied his brother’s guarded expression and was distinctly of the impression that Rupert was expecting a challenge from him. He suspected that his brother was not completely blameless in this affair. He looked directly into Rupert’s wary eyes. ‘Tell me, did Lord Trevarren lose everything to you?’ he asked casually. ‘Was there nothing you could do to limit his losses so that the man was not totally ruined?’
Rupert lifted up his hands in defence. ‘If the man chooses to gamble all he has at the tables, who am I to stop him. He should not play with fire if he does not wish his fingers burnt. He was a grown man capable of making his own decisions. You would have done the same.’
Harry looked sadly into his wine glass. He would not have done the same and therefore, could not understand his brother. Harry would have refused the man’s vowels, even if it meant humiliating Lord Trevarren in front of the others. Either that or he would have come to a private arrangement with him later so that he was left with some dignity, and all the more so when he had a young family.
‘No Rupert,’ he countered, ‘I would have handled the matter differently. You are right, though. You cannot control a man’s actions, but it was in your power to see that he was not entirely ruined. I do not believe for one minute that you cheated but your empathy was somewhat lacking. Lady Trevarren is now reliant on her Aunt and Uncle for the very clothes on her back.’
Lord Northcote spluttered on his wine. ‘What do you expect me to do? Hand it all back to a silly chit with no more brains than a peahen. You will catch a cold at that suggestion, Harry.’
Harry just smiled. It was immaterial anyway as he intended to marry Lady Trevarren and she would lack for nothing, but he would not tell his brother just now. He had a feeling that the news would not be too welcome, but he took the opportunity to enquire about the brooch.’
‘No,’ he replied, ‘I do not expect that, but there is something you could do.’
‘And what is that?’ Rupert asked warily.
‘Lady Northcote has a brooch that belonged to Lady Trevarren’s mother. It is an oval emerald surrounded by diamonds. It is of great sentimental value to her and I thought it would be a nice gesture if you would return it as a gesture of good will.’
Lord Northcote knew the brooch well, especially as his wife had mentioned it this very afternoon. Lady Northcote had taken Harry’s threat seriously and had approached her husband to make sure that he did not cross her. Lord Northcote was now stuck in the unenviable position of pleasing his brother or pleasing his wife, but he had been thinking about it all afternoon and his devious mind had already hit on a solution.
‘I know the brooch you speak of,’ he replied. ‘I also know that Cecelia is particularly fond of it and I am loath to ask her to relinquish it. But I do have a good idea. I will have the brooch copied and you can give the copy to Lady Trevarren. That way she will be none the wiser.’
Harry was disappointed and even shocked at his brother’s suggestion, not only because of practical concerns but also because it was blatantly dishonest. He could not agree to such a proposal, and looked at Rupert in disappointment. He was loath to question his principles so Harry focused on practical considerations instead.
‘I could not agree to such a solution,’ he replied. ‘What if they both decided to wear the brooch at the same function, then there would be the devil to pay.’
Harry decided not to mention the fact that the brooch had a concealed back, in which you could keep a likeness or a lock of hair. Lady Trevarren seemed to think that lady Northcote was unaware of this little idiosyncrasy, and if the copyist was unaware then lady Trevarren would know straight away that the copy returned to her was paste.
‘I am sorry but that would not do at all, Rupert,’ he replied.
The Earl looked crestfallen but after considering for a while, he came to a compromising conclusion. ‘Then Cecelia shall have the fake,’ he replied airily, ‘but you will have to explain matters to Lady Trevarren so that she does not wear the real one in Cecelia’s presence.’
Harry was not happy about this solution either. He was beginning to get a measure of his brother. What if he tricked him and gave Sophie the fake brooch after all. However, if it was the only way he could retrieve the brooch for her, he would agree to it. If Rupert wanted to deceive his wife, then that was his business.
He sighed heavily. ‘I agree but I must warn you that Lady Trevarren has an affinity to this particular brooch and I think she would know if you double-crossed me. Besides, contrary to your belief that she has more hair than wit, she is quite astute. She may just take it to a reputable jeweller to have it authenticated. Do you understand me?’
Lord Northcote frowned. Harry had made it plain that he doubted his integrity and suspected that he would try to fob him off with the replica. The Earl had compromised only to appease Harry and his little brother had made it quite plain, in the politest of ways that he did not approve of the whole affair concerning the downfall of Lord Trevarren. It had been his intention to double cross Harry but now he was not so sure. He was understandably irritated. When Harry left for Portugal he was just a boy. Here before him sat a man and to his dismay, he realised that he was a man who was not so easily gulled.
The dinner bell rang and the Earl rose to his feet. ‘Leave it with me,’ he replied resignedly. ‘I know someone who will make me a copy. Give me a fortnight to have it done and then I will hand over the original. Meanwhile, it is the dinner hour. Cecelia will be waiting.’
Chapter Six
The next morning Colonel Northcote arose and was neatly putting the finishing touches to his cravat when Metcalfe, the butler knocked on the door of his bedchamber.
‘My Lord, a young lady has arrived and is desirous of speaking to Lord Northcote. When I asked her which Lord Northcote, she said she wished to speak to the Earl. I set her to rightabouts, sir because the Earl left for Newcastle early this morning. When she realised that there were two of you, she then requested to speak to you. I have put her in the reception room while I check if you are home to callers.’ Metcalfe gave a disapproving look. ‘She has no maid with her, my Lord,’ he added pompously.
The Colonel lifted his head. The young lady’s visit was certainly irregular but Metcalfe’s judgemental attitude irritated him immensely. He did his best to ignore it. ‘A young lady did you say? Did she leave a name?’
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For a moment he thought it may be Lady Trevarren and his heart gave a leap but why would Lady Trevarren wish to speak to the Earl? unless it was about the brooch and he had promised to deal with that matter.
‘She would not leave a name, my Lord, and she insists on staying until she has spoken to someone,’ Metcalfe replied.
‘What does she look like?’ he asked curiously.
On hearing a description, Harry sighed in disappointment for it could not have been Sophie. Maybe it was just as well as Metcalfe was right, she should not be visiting young unattached gentlemen alone.
Being a guest in his brother's house, Harry did not know how he could help the young lady, but as the Earl had gone to Newcastle to commission a copy of the brooch, he agreed to see her anyway, if only to learn of her errand and inform his brother.
As he entered the reception room a young diminutive girl of perhaps nineteen or twenty turned to face him. She had a pretty heart shaped face and soft brown wavy hair but her lovely countenance was marred by distress and worry.
Harry stepped forward to greet her. ‘I am sorry but my brother has gone out and is not expected home until late this afternoon. Can I do anything to help you?’ He indicated to a seat. ‘Pray sit down and state your business.’
‘Oh I hope so,’ she said pleadingly, but instead of sitting she paced the floor. ‘I know you will find this decidedly odd and I must tell you that I would never dream of visiting a gentleman alone under normal circumstances but the situation is desperate. I am the daughter of Mr Percival Fairbanks, a building merchant in Newcastle. My father owes the Earl five hundred pounds. He borrowed money to finance a deal that fell through but he has paid the principle back. The trouble is that so much interest has accrued that he cannot keep on top of the payments. Papa thought he had just to pay back three percent, but it has ended up much more. Papa could have sworn that the interest was only three percent when he signed the loan document, but his eyesight is bad. Lord Northcote is demanding immediate payment and is threatening him with debtor’s prison. I beg of you, please can you persuade the Earl to give him more time?’
Lady Trevarren and the Emerald Brooch: A Regency Romance and Murder Mystery Page 6