That Infamous Pearl

by Alicia Quigley

"Only comfortable?"

  "And very pleasant," said Rowena firmly.

  "Pleasant?"

  Rowena stamped her foot. "It isn't kind of you to tease me," she protested hotly.

  "No, I suppose it isn't. But you make it irresistible." Alaric reached down and scooped her up in his arms, holding her high against his chest. Rowena gave a little gasp at his sudden movement and looked at him uncertainly.

  "You are really too lovely," said Alaric. He carried her to the large chair he had been sitting in when she entered the room and sank down into it again, still clasping Rowena firmly to him. He settled her in his lap and smiled at her. "Tell me what you want from me."

  "That isn't fair," complained Rowena.

  "I promised to be truthful with you, but I don't believe I promised to play fair," observed Alaric. "Now, is this what you came for?"

  He leaned forward and kissed her gently, his lips just brushing hers. Rowena gave a little sigh and wrapped her arms around his neck, offering her mouth up for another kiss.

  She felt very comfortable in that moment, held securely in her husband's arms. She would never have guessed only a few weeks ago that she would find this sort of contentment in her marriage to the Earl of Brayleigh. The idea would have seemed preposterous, but now a fragile hope arose in her that she could make Alaric love her. He certainly seemed to care for her, and today he had even listened to her and taken her advice. Perhaps that sort of trust would blossom into something greater.

  Then her heart gave a sickening lurch. In the pleasure of Alaric's company, she had completely forgotten Malcolm. He was depending upon her to deliver information that would convict the man she held in her arms at this very moment. Rowena, despite her certainty that Alaric was innocent, felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. If Alaric knew what she was doing, he would be very angry. The same thoughts circled in her head that she had pondered earlier. In order to prove Alaric's innocence to Malcolm, she had to do as he requested. And she couldn't tell Alaric of Malcolm's presence until she was sure he would not try to harm her brother.

  She raised her head and placed her chin on Alaric's chest, gazing up at him thoughtfully. Her violet eyes were very wide, her expression thoughtful. Alaric could be so tender, but she had also had some experience with his temper. He would feel hurt and betrayed if he discovered what she was doing.

  "What is it?" asked Alaric. "Shouldn't you be going to sleep?"

  "I was just thinking about the rubies you gave me," she answered.

  "Is there something wrong with them?" Alaric's voice was lazy, as though his thoughts were elsewhere.

  "No, of course not. They're beautiful," Rowena hastened to assure him.

  "You looked lovely in them tonight. You are the only woman I can imagine wearing them."

  Rowena smiled at the compliment, but then resolutely returned to her goal. "I was just worried about leaving them in my jewelry box," she said in as casual a tone as she could muster. "Don't you think they should be locked up when I'm not wearing them?"

  Alaric shrugged. "I don't see why. The servants are honest and I doubt anyone would have the temerity to break into my home. It's well-known that I guard what I own."

  "I am sure you are right, but it makes me uneasy," continued Rowena. "They are so very valuable. What if I misplaced them?"

  "Then I should have to buy you some more," answered Alaric promptly, dropping a kiss on her nose.

  Rowena moved uncomfortably. Alaric was doing nothing to alleviate her feelings of guilt.

  "I would feel easier if I could keep them in the safe when I'm not wearing them," she said softly.

  She glanced up at him to see how he was taking her suggestion. There was a wary look in his eyes.

  "I don't think that is necessary," he said, his voice low. "I am sure they are quite secure in your jewelry box."

  Rowena sighed and put her head back on his shoulder. She could no longer meet his eyes. "Please, Alaric. I have never owned anything so valuable before, and I would feel terrible if I lost them."

  "Very well. If you are so uncomfortable I will put the rubies in the safe for you in the morning." Alaric's voice sounded slightly strained.

  Rowena hesitated. "If you would not mind, Alaric, I would prefer it if you could tell me the combination so that I could do that myself." She felt him stiffen at her words and she hurried on. "After all, you are not always about. I could not have worn them tonight, for instance, for you were not home."

  "I will promise to be home whenever you are dressing to go out," said Alaric. "Will that satisfy you?"

  Rowena managed a light laugh. "Don't be silly. You cannot do that. You have far too many engagements to be waiting about the house for your wife to get dressed."

  Alaric's arm tightened about her shoulders. "Perhaps I will take away all your clothes and lock you in your room with nothing to wear but your jewels. Then you will have no need to get dressed and the rubies will be safe as well."

  "You are being nonsensical," said Rowena as lightly as she could. She could sense some undercurrent in the conversation and it made her uncomfortable. Alaric surely couldn't have an inkling of what she was up to. "If you don't trust me with the combination, there is no more to be said, of course."

  "So it is to be a matter of trust, is it?" Rowena could feel Alaric's heart begin to beat slightly faster under her ear. "If I will not tell you, will you punish me in some way?"

  Rowena turned at that and looked up directly into his green eyes. They were glaring down at her intently, as though he was trying to see directly into her thoughts. "Of course I won't," she said hastily. "I never said that. I simply thought it would be more convenient for you if I did not have to bother you. It is really quite unimportant."

  Alaric gazed at her for another moment, and then seemed to make a decision. "Very well. I will give you the combination. You are my wife, and, as you pointed out, worthy of my trust. What is a marriage without trust, after all?"

  He spoke sternly, and Rowena stared at him in concern. She hadn't thought her request would bring about such a strong reaction.

  "This isn't a test of our marriage, Alaric," she protested. She would simply have to find another way to convince Malcolm that Alaric was innocent. "Please, it doesn't matter."

  Alaric lifted her and stood up, and then placed her gently back into the chair. He strode over to the desk that stood nearby and seized a quill. "I will write it down for you, so that you will not forget it."

  Rowena watched in silence as the pen scratched across a small piece of paper. Alaric picked it up and brought it to her, thrusting it into her hand.

  "Now you may do as you choose," he said. "You may keep the rubies anywhere you wish."

  Rowena swallowed. "Thank you, Alaric. I did not mean to upset you."

  Alaric stared down at her for a moment. "You did not upset me, Rowena. Your request was perfectly normal. And now I believe you should get some sleep."

  With one swift movement he picked her up again and walked across the large room, carrying her lightly through the door into her own chamber. Within moments she was ensconced in the large bed, the covers pulled up firmly under her chin.

  "Aren't you going to sleep with me?" she asked in a sudden panic when she saw Alaric was still standing next to the bed.

  "I have a very early appointment. Jameson will wake me long before you are ready to rise. I think it would be best if I slept in my own room tonight."

  Rowena felt her heart sinking. She did not want Alaric to leave her alone, especially since he still seemed to be upset about her request for the combination to the safe. "I don't mind being woken up. I like having you here with me."

  "Thank you, but I think it will be best for us both if I sleep alone tonight," said Alaric firmly. His eyes rested for a moment on Rowena's face as though he was attempting to gauge her reactions. "Good night, Rowena. I will take the rubies to the safe now, but you may fetch them whenever you choose."

  He leaned over and touched his lips gently to h
er forehead. Then he was gone, stopping only to pick up the rubies from her dressing table. The door closed behind himself with a decisive click. Rowena felt like crying as she gazed down at the crumpled piece of paper she still clutched in her hand. She did not know why, but she felt as though something very important had changed in the last few minutes. She hoped fervently that she was wrong.

  Chapter 24

  Rowena awoke late the next morning, for sleep had not come to her until the dawn was almost breaking. She felt tired and uncomfortable, and longed to simply roll over and go back to sleep. But Lawson had brought her a cup of chocolate and seemed determined that she should arise, and then she remembered with a crashing sense of dismay that she needed to get into the safe this afternoon. Malcolm expected to meet her tomorrow. She plucked nervously at the counterpane and watched Lawson bustle about the room, preparing her toilette.

  "Lawson, has his lordship gone out?"

  "He left early this morning, my lady."

  Rowena tried to appear unconcerned. "Do you know when he will return?"

  Lawson shook her head. "I think he intended to be gone quite some time, my lady. I'm sure he will be back for dinner."

  "He means to be gone all day?"

  "I believe so, my lady."

  Rowena couldn't ask any more questions without seeming to be unduly curious. Perhaps she could obtain more information from Ferguson. She pushed the covers away from her and got out of bed.

  "Don't you wish for your chocolate, my lady?" asked Lawson.

  Rowena waved her hands nervously. "No, I should get dressed. I have a great deal to do today."

  But when Rowena emerged from her bedroom, dressed in a pretty green muslin dress, its bodice panniers embroidered with flowers, matched by a charming row of floral eyelet broderie at the hem, her hair loosely coiffed, she stood irresolutely in the doorway, looking anxiously up and down the hall. Perhaps she should go immediately to the safe now. After all, Lawson had said Alaric was not in the house. But what if he had returned? What if he had forgotten something or Lawson had misunderstood his intentions? He would surely look for his wife, and if she were found going through his safe...Rowena gave a little shudder. It was best to talk to Ferguson first.

  But Rowena found the butler to be of little more help than Lawson. He bowed politely at Rowena's casual questions as he served her breakfast and ventured the opinion that his lordship would be gone the entire day. He did not know where he had gone and could not guess when he might return. Did her ladyship wish to go riding this morning?

  "What? No, no I will stay in, Ferguson." Rowena gazed down at her toast, discouraged. It certainly seemed as though the field was wide open for her to explore the contents of Alaric's safe, but she still felt as though her stomach was full of butterflies. The picture of Alaric catching her in the act filled her mind to the exclusion of almost any other thoughts.

  "A missive for you, my lady. It was just delivered."

  Rowena looked up absently as Ferguson extended a silver salver towards her on which rested a folded piece of paper, neatly folded and addressed to the Countess of Brayleigh. There was no indication of whom it came from, and Rowena sat fingering it idly for a few moments, her thoughts still on the problem of the safe. Then she looked at the note closely. Perhaps it was from Malcolm, she thought with surge of relief. Perhaps in the daylight he too had thought better of their rash plan. She tore the envelope open with eager fingers and spread the sheet of paper out in front of her, trying to decipher her brother's scrawl.

  "My dear sister," the letter began,

  "I cannot tell you what joy I felt to see you again after our long separation. The belief you expressed in my innocence reassured me that blood is indeed thicker than water. I know that we shall not again be separated as we have in the past. My heart has ached at the knowledge that I could not be present when you needed me, as at the time of your recent forced marriage to my greatest enemy.

  Rowena wrinkled her nose slightly at Malcolm's florid style, and then continued.

  "I know that what I have asked of you is dangerous, but I can only be glad that you love me enough to risk this for me. I do not think Brayleigh will harm you if he learns of it; although the man will stoop to almost any baseness, his knowledge that I will protect you will surely shield you from his wrath.

  I am aware that when Brayleigh is convicted it will mean the end of your marriage to the Monster and that you may find yourself spoken of unkindly among the ton. I assure you, I will support you in a manner befitting the sister of the Earl of Wroxton. You will most probably wish to go into seclusion on my estates in Yorkshire, and I will heartily support you in this desire.

  I will write again tomorrow, letting you know where we can meet. I look forward to seeing the proof of Brayleigh's guilt and my innocence.

  Your brother,

  Malcolm

  "Goodness!" exclaimed Rowena, running her eyes over the letter again in the hope that she had made some mistake. But the words were quite definite. Malcolm clearly intended her to go through with the scheme, and was still unmoved by her protestations of Alaric's innocence.

  She picked up her tea and took a defiant sip. Obviously Malcolm believed he was living in some sort of romantic novel, with himself cast in the role of hero and Rowena as the worshipful sister willing to go to any lengths to aid her brother. Go into seclusion in Yorkshire, indeed! It was imperative that she bring Malcolm to his senses immediately and force him to see that this was a matter that needed to be handled with finesse and tact, not with histrionics that would be much more appropriate on the stage. She folded the letter firmly and tucked it into the bodice of her dress. When she met with Malcolm the next day she would tell him exactly what she thought of it.

  Rowena stood up, her resolve renewed by Malcolm's ill-advised note. Whereas before she had wavered, she was now quite resolute in her determination to prove him wrong. He would understand before tomorrow was over that Alaric was not a monster and that she had no intention of turning him over to the magistrates for the murder of Alfred Ingram. They would simply have to learn to work together on this matter.

  She marched out of the dining room, her toast and tea forgotten on the table. A quick glance around the hallway showed her that no one was about, and she headed up the stairs purposefully. At this hour the chambermaids would be occupied making up the bedrooms and the kitchen staff should be busy preparing the evening's meal, making it unlikely that she would be seen going into the gallery. Now was as good a time as any to accomplish her goal.

  As she approached the door to the gallery her determination wavered, but she set her shoulders firmly and placed her hand on the doorknob. She would accomplish her task as quickly as possible, and tomorrow she would be able to tell Malcolm that it was necessary to search for another culprit in the matter. Then she could bring him together with her husband and they would swiftly solve the mystery.

  Rowena opened the door and looked in anxiously. The room was uninhabited and she stepped inside, closing the door sharply behind her. Despite her determination to move quickly, she paused for a moment, once again overwhelmed by the beauty of the gallery's furnishings. The jewel-like tones of portraits shone at her from the walls, and the lovely sculptures glowed in the muted light that came through the large casement windows. Rowena had never seen the space in daylight, and it was as enchanting as it had been at night. She took a moment to walk around the room, gazing once again in awe at Alaric's collection. He was a man of exquisite taste. How could anyone ever think him a killer?

  Taking a deep breath, she walked to the far wall and looked up at the Van Dyke portrait. The young woman in it smiled down at her gently, and it seemed to Rowena that she was approving of her goal. Swiftly she lifted the painting off the wall and placed it carefully on the ground. Then she pulled the scrap of paper that Alaric had given her the night before from her bodice and began to manipulate the tumbler. Within a few moments she heard the reassuring sound of the lock releasing, and she g
ently eased the safe open, peering into it anxiously. At the very front of it rested the blue velvet box that she knew contained her rubies. She moved it gently to one side, and looked further into the safe. Carefully, she removed the contents one by one. There were several leather document cases that held a wide variety of papers relating, as near as she could tell, to Alaric's estates in southern England. Behind them were a number of small boxes, and she reached for them with trembling fingers. What if she was wrong and there was a giant pearl in one of them? What if Malcolm was right and she was married to a murderer?

  Rowena removed each box and opened it meticulously, her heart in her throat. There was a leather case containing a lovely opal necklace that shimmered like moonlight, and behind it a box that held a quantity of unset gemstones. The jewels twinkled up at her accusingly and she shut the lid with a snap. Next there was a long velvet box, which opened to reveal two exquisite miniature portraits of a man and a woman, painted in minute detail and framed in gold set with twinkling diamonds. After a moment's thought Rowena recognized the subjects as being Charles I and his wife, Henrietta Maria. She closed the case carefully and reached for a tiny box, made of rich blue leather. It was almost square, about three inches on all sides. She looked down at it as it rested in her hand and her heart began to beat harder. It was almost exactly the size a box would be that would hold the pearl. She took a deep breath and gingerly lifted the lid, peeking in apprehensively. With an incredible sense of relief her eye fell on a golden charm in the shape of a heart, lavishly decorated with sapphires, nestling in the satin interior of the box.

  She closed the box, willing her breathing to steady, and looked deep into the safe. It was empty now, and her heart soared as she realized that now she could go to Malcolm and tell him that his beliefs were unfounded. Alaric was no more guilty of murder than her brother was. Surely the two men could be convinced to work together now. She hastily began to restore the boxes to the safe, being careful to put them back exactly where she had found them.

  "Have you seen enough?"