Conduct Unbecoming of a Gentleman

by Woodson, Wareeze

  Digesting this information, Adron frowned. Edmond’s service had been satisfactory up to this point but suddenly his secretary’s resemblance to Percy struck him. Edmond is younger by a few years and his hair is darker but the cousins did resemble one another, at least about the eyes. Adron hadn’t considered Edmond’s likeness to his cousin before, probably because he hadn’t made the connection. Still Robert’s musings left a nasty taste in Adron’s mouth and his suspicions increased as he considered the reason Robert had locked away this particular journal. Robert’s rambling about his personal feelings and the reference to Percy and Edmond being cousins was the sum total of the information contained so far. Had he missed something of importance? He inspected the cover, but nothing had been hidden there.

  Adron glanced at Laurel noting her paleness and the occasional frown of pain. Satisfied she remained asleep, he shifted in his chair and continued to read finding nothing much of interest until the last few pages. Robert’s words caught his attention and he could almost picture his cousin’s excitement as he extolled the virtues of his latest flirt but this time he seemed serious.

  I met the love of my life tonight, silvery blonde hair, so young and beautiful. I only have a short time to convince her and her aunt that I must have her for my wife. I join Adron and the troops in a short while but I shall have Laurel before I leave. Rhonda won’t care for my marriage but perhaps, if I allow her to remain as mistress of Landings, she will be reconciled by the time I return from the war. After all, Laurel is young and needs guidance so the solutions should work for everyone concerned.

  Adron recoiled from Robert’s words and he snapped the book shut. Viewing Robert’s written avowal of his love for Laurel left him disturbed as if he’d accidentally peered into a private moment between Robert and his wife. Adron hated it but even with the journal closed, the words still burned in his mind. Jealousy ate at him. Laurel should love him, not her dead husband. He should be considering Laurel in all of this and exhaled a deep sigh.

  Adron admitted Laurel certainly had reason for complaint. Although Robert loved Laurel, he’d left his sister in charge of what should have been his wife’s household. Adron shook his head at such folly. Perhaps if Laurel read this written passage of Robert’s declaration of love at first sight, she might feel a little less bitter toward Rhonda. Out of consideration for Laurel, Adron left the last page for her to read—possibly a private message from her husband.

  Chapter 19

  Later that night Laurel lay half-awake trying to understand what had happened, but nothing made sense. If Oather Dimty hadn’t been at Landings when the attack happened, perhaps he wasn’t the culprit after all. What a waste of a perfectly good suspect, especially since what she remembered of the thief seemed to fit Mr. Dimty’s description so well. An annoying headache still lingered, but she ignored the dull throb turning to find a comfortable position and pulled a light covering over her shoulders. She rejected all thoughts of the thief, of murder or anything unpleasant and allowed her cares to drift away. Relaxed, with limbs as limber as melted wax, slumber had almost claimed her when a rap on her door brought her up with a start. She called, “Come in.”

  Adron slipped inside. “I came to check on you. How’s your head?”

  “It’s fine, hardly even a tiny throb left behind.” A slight pain still hammered against her skull, but she preferred to ignore her discomfort, suspecting his censure for her impulsive trip to Landings was on the tip of his tongue. With her injury to add to his list, she would never hear the last of his recriminations. She scooted up on her pillow.

  “You deserve a thrashing for your careless behavior. As a gentleman, I can hardly administer your just rewards but I’m tempted. Don’t you realize how important you are to me?”

  “Important?” she parroted.

  “Can you doubt it?” His voice gentled and sounded full of contrition. “I haven’t always acted in a gentlemanly fashion toward you but let me hold you, show you how much I care.”

  “Oh, Adron,” she sighed, physically exhausted and overcome with emotion. In her weakened state she fought to keep from flinging herself into his arms, desperate for his warmth, his strength but above all his touch. She found the promised passion reflected in his gaze overwhelming and although accepting what he offered would be her downfall, it would keep this nightmare at bay for a while. Something she wanted more than anything.

  He must have read the reluctant invitation in her eyes for he gathered her in his arms and kissed her. At first, the kiss had been tender, comforting, but finally his breathing quickened and he deepened the kiss. The heavy thud of his heart drummed against her breast and her body tingled with awareness. His arousal pressed against the side of her leg as his fingers strayed to her breast, pulsing heat throughout her body. Her heartbeat accelerated to an alarming rate until she thought she might smother with sensations. She completely lost her reasoning, but then the kiss ended and he sat on the edge of the bed.

  His voice filled with regret. “Jimmy, the footman is stationed in the hall right outside your door so you’ll be safe through the night.” He brushed a tender kiss on her forehead. “I can’t simply hold you any longer. It’s pure torture and you’re not fit for much more.”

  “But Adron.”

  He squeezed her hands, stood and smiled down at her. “I’d be beneath contempt to take advantage of your vulnerability. Sleep well.”

  “Night, Adron.”

  She sighed and turned over, thinking of him. At least his affections seemed to have deepened. He’d said he cared, not merely that he wanted or he needed, but she doubted that would be enough to hold him if he had to choose between her concerns or Rhonda’s. No words of love had been spoken and that thought followed her into her dreams.

  The next morning, she winced when the new day splashed into the room. Crawling out of bed, she brushed the maid’s assistance aside to arrange her own hair. “My head is still tender. Best if I do my own tugging.”

  Finishing her toilette she slipped into her gown with the maid’s help. Only short minutes later, she strolled into the breakfast parlor where Adron sat at the table. Essie whisked into the room in Laurel’s wake and began to inspect the choices displayed on the sideboard.

  “Morning ladies.” Adron glanced at Laurel. “How’s the head this morning?”

  “A little sore, but other than that, I’m fine. Truly.” She hoped her smile convinced him of her recovery. Laurel didn’t relish spending another hour abed.

  “Capital. But I insist you take it easy for a day or two. As a matter of fact, if your head will allow, I left the last few pages of Robert’s journal for you since his writings seemed to be of a personal nature. I collected his letters from the attic as well and left everything on the desk in the library.”

  Adding eggs to her plate, Laurel sat down and narrowed her lids with an accusatory stare. “You’ve been to the attic?”

  His expression dared her to take him to task. “Just so.”

  After a long moment of hesitation, she lowered her gaze. “It seems I’m destined to read today.”

  “Very wise, my dear. Men being men,” Essie said as she filled her plate and sat down across from the two large windows giving a view of the south lawn. “I saw a man race away from the house while all the commotion was going forward yesterday.”

  Adron stopped eating and stared at her. Laurel paused with her fork half way to her mouth. “Do you mean you saw the culprit who hit me?”

  “I don’t know that, but someone dressed in black raced away from the house when the maid set up a screech. He rode out of the woods and disappeared in a flash.”

  Adron frowned and his voice held an edge. “Why didn’t you tell me that last evening?”

  Essie calmly began to eat, but after a few bites she glanced up. “I told Mr. Dimty. Certainly he must have directed the groundskeepers and
stable master to give chase. At the time, it seemed the most reasonable thing to do what with the upset.”

  Adron scraped back his chair. “Ladies, please excuse me.”

  “Is he displeased?”

  “Don’t be concerned,” Laurel soothed absently. Consumed with the journal and what the last bit might contain, her attention wandered. Moreover, she wasn’t looking forward to scanning Robert’s letters again. Besides, she could recall nearly every word, but perhaps without knowing of the circumstances she’d missed a sentence or two that hinted at the identity of the culprit. Excusing herself, she made her way into the library and firmly shut the door before turning the key. She didn’t want to be interrupted or surprised again.

  Saddened, she gathered the letters along with the journal and started with the last pages. Reading of Robert’s love for her brought to mind his intimate love words whispered in her ear each night, but all too soon he’d left for war. The backs of her eyes stung. When he returned wounded in both body and spirit, all of his love seemed to have melted, allowing him to push her away. His rejection still had the power to hurt as she blinked back tears and turned to the last page of his journal.

  Laurel, time is short. If you are reading this I will be gone. I want you to know that I will be grateful when God takes me home. I can’t deny that will be a mercy and you’ll be free to love again. Don’t be alarmed. With your compassionate nature, I know what foolish thoughts popped into your head. I do not mean to hasten God’s will. I would never do such a thing to you and Jamie but I am uneasy with something I’ve discovered. There is danger afoot. The pen seemed to have sputtered, leaving a blot on the page before continuing, Someone’s coming. I wish I had more time to explain. Perhaps later.

  Stunned, Laurel stared at the words before her. When she realized he hadn’t committed suicide, horror paralyzed her as chills raced down her spine. He had been murdered. Filled with trepidation, she glanced around the room as if expecting the killer to jump out before slowly shutting the journal. The sound of Adron’s voice in the hall galvanized her into action.

  She sprang to her feet and crossed the room to unlock the door peering around only to discover Adron followed by a stranger heading down the hall.

  “Blister it,” she mumbled under her breath and stepped back inside watching from the doorway as he and the stranger continued to the back of the house.

  Adron strode into the estate office with the Bow Street Runner behind him. Percy looked up from the opened ledger before him and quickly stood. “Milord.”

  “Percy,” Adron acknowledged. “Meet my new assistant, Samuel Spencer. I mean to install him to help me with the estate.”

  “But, Milord,” Percy stammered. “Surely—you know I’m available to assist you at any time.”

  “Certainly you are, however, your role as steward takes much of your time.” Adron turned and waved toward the Runner. “Hence, my assistant. He can work alongside you. By the way, Mrs. Calhermin brought it to your attention that she saw a man racing away from the woods late yesterday.”

  “I intended to report to you shortly.” Percy took a deep breath. “I sent James and a couple of the footmen after the rider immediately. James is a tracker with a fine eye but full dark caught him and the others before much could be discovered. He found where the rider had tied his mount in the trees back of the house and where he came out of the woods. By that time, nothing further could be discovered and during the night rain washed away any remaining signs.”

  Adron stared intently at Percy before springing a question. “Could the rider have been your uncle?”

  “Certainly not. He hasn’t been here for several days,” Percy denied but his gaze shifted down for a second. He glanced up again and his voice turned belligerent. “Are you accusing him of being the culprit who attacked Lady Laningham?”

  “No, I asked your opinion.” Percy’s reaction stirred doubt in Adron’s mind.

  “It couldn’t have been him.”

  Adron hesitated for a long moment. “Very well. Arrange the office to accommodate the two of you. And Percy, every item must be open for my assistant’s perusal.” He drilled Percy with a level gaze before he turned to leave.

  With each strike of his heels on the polished floor, disquiet prickled between his shoulders and he finally came to a halt for a moment of reflection. He’d known Percy for several years and although the Dimty family had a bout of ill fortune, Percy had seemed a trustworthy, reliable companion for Robert. Adron had been glad Percy landed on his feet, even taking his recommendation of Edmond as the perfect secretary. Now Adron found it strange Percy hadn’t mentioned being Edmond’s cousin. Had Percy’s failure to mention the relationship been an oversight or something more sinister?

  Adron grudgingly admitted George had a point when he indicated that because Robert and Percy’s fathers had been lifelong friends was no reason to grant Percy an unlimited benefit of the doubt. After much consideration, Adron deemed it wise to wait for the Bow Street Runner’s report before taking any action. With his mind settled he went in search of Laurel.

  Impatience nearly got the better of her as she waited for Adron. A footfall announced someone’s approach and she peered out. Finding Adron alone, she motioned to him as she stepped back into the library. “Adron, I must speak with you.”

  He smiled, stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

  “I’m so glad you’re here.” Laurel moved back.

  Before she could continue he gathered her in his arms. “I’m delighted too. I’ve missed you.”

  Laurel laughed reluctantly. “It’s been all of two hours.”

  “I need this,” he said and proceeded to kiss her.

  His lips against hers and the touch of his tongue as he thrust inside her mouth sent wonderful, seductive sensations down her body and erased everything except this delight racing through her. She shivered and broke loose from the daze created by his kiss.

  Laurel wedged her forearms against his chest. “Adron, this is serious.”

  “Indeed it is serious. I can’t tell you how serious.” His hands still cupped her shoulders as he stared into her eyes. Adron kissed her again.

  “Adron,” she cried. “Enough. This is important.”

  He sighed and let his arms drop to his side. “Very well, but the kiss was imperative, not merely important.”

  “It’s about Robert’s journal.” Laurel paced a few steps. “Robert was murdered,” she cried from behind her trembling hand. “He didn’t take his own life. His writings told me so.” She pressed her fingers to her temples. “Robert mentioned his unease, his concern with a threat, an unknown danger. Someone laced his whiskey with enough laudanum to kill him.”

  “What? Let me see,” he thundered. Grabbing the open journal, he flipped to the last couple of pages and quickly scanned the lines. Stunned speechless he couldn’t say a word for a second. “Too bad Robert didn’t mention a name or names of his suspected murderer. Considering this information, it’s fortunate I hired a couple of Bow Street Runners.”

  “You did? When?”

  He waved a dismissive hand toward her. “I want you out of here, back at Kendlewood where you’ll be safe.”

  “But what about the jewels? What about Robert’s murder?”

  “No, Laurel.” He stared at her with unsettling shrewdness. “You will not involve yourself further. We’ll leave that to the Runners if you please.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “You’ll be safe at Kendlewood.”

  The touch of his lips had been sweet, but exasperation edged her voice. “Adron, I want this over as much as you do. I might be able to identify Percy’s uncle as the thief. That’s why I originally came to Landings.”

  “You’ve been told he isn’t here.” He eyed her with annoyance. “Since your poor judgment sent you scurrying off to Landings and i
nto all sorts of danger, I had no choice but to chase after you. I sent Horace to London in my place to search out Oather, but no sense in talking in circles. I must join him soon. You may as well resign yourself. You are leaving.”

  “But Adron.”

  “If Oather isn’t here, who hit you over the head? There are too many unanswered questions and now we know there is a murderer as well. More than one person is obviously involved.” Unexpectedly he took the conversation in a different direction. “Did Percy resemble the thief?”

  “Yes,” she whispered. “His eyes are the same color and shape.”

  “Laurel, be reasonable. You’ve done all you can do. I don’t want you in danger.” He glanced at the bracket clock on the mantel. “I ordered a maid to pack for you and sent round for my coach. I intend to see you on your way within the hour.”

  “Aren’t you coming?

  “Not at once. I must set my plan in motion.”

  “I have the right to stay. This is my home,” she snapped, on the verge of stamping her foot in exasperation.

  He let out a slow breath. “Don’t push it. I’ll see you to the coach shortly.”

  This piece of condescension set her teeth on edge and she fought to hold her temper. Setting her will against him in the past had never worked in her favor, but giving in gracefully was almost beyond her. She scowled at him and flounced out of the room.

  Less than an hour later, Adron escorted Laurel down the steps and helped her into the coach. “This is for your own sake. Please understand.” He shut the door behind her and leaned into the window. “I’ve been thinking about us and all of this trouble. When the danger is over, I want you to marry me.” He stared directly into her eyes and added, “I want you. No more hiding behind closed doors. And besides, it’s best for Jamie.”