by Darcy Burke
“What happened to the one your husband had?”
She was afraid he’d ask that question. With a sigh, she said, “He doesn’t know what happened to it.” At least that was true.
“Do you know what happened to it?”
Drats! Why couldn’t he make this easy? “If you’ll keep the matter a secret, I’ll tell you the truth.” She waited until he gave a slight nod then continued, “I was the one who lost it. I didn’t realize its worth at the time and assumed it held no sentimental value. Please don’t make my husband pay for a mistake I made.”
He pushed his spectacles up his nose and finished his tea. “I gather that by ‘lost’, you mean you gave it to someone else?”
“You would be right.” She forced her tone to remain pleasant despite her unease. It wasn’t good that he was so perceptive. Other gentlemen would have brushed off the matter as one of those mindless things ladies did. But not this one. He had an uncanny way of seeing beneath the exterior to find out what was really going on. “I’ll give you double what Lord and Lady Roderick gave you,” she added, hoping that would sweeten the deal for him so he’d have to agree to it.
“It’s not a matter of money, Lady Clement.” He rose to his feet and turned to the inkwells, cups, dolls, and other knickknacks he was making. “I enjoy what I do, and I already have more than enough money to keep me satisfied for years to come. The thing is that each work is a unique creation. I can’t guarantee the inkwell will be precisely like the one I already made.”
Deciding not to make a pretense of drinking her tea, she set the cup down and watched him while he ran his fingers along one of the bases of an inkwell. “I can describe the inkwell to you.”
“Oh, I remember what it looked like. I still have the notes I took from Lord and Lady Roderick when they ordered it.” He tapped the ledge of the shelf and stepped over to his desk where he opened a drawer. “I take it you regret ‘losing’ the inkwell a great deal.”
“Yes, I do.”
“You love your husband?”
Her gaze met his and she nodded. “With all my heart.”
To her surprise, his face relaxed and he smiled. “A rare thing it is, indeed, when a wife can say that.” He rummaged through his drawer then put a piece of paper on his desk. “All right, my lady. Your love is an inspiration in itself. I will make the inkwell. Come by in three days and I’ll have it ready.”
“Thank you.” Relieved, she stood up and opened her reticule.
“Pay me when you receive it,” he argued. “I will only ask the same as what Lord and Lady Roderick paid for it. And,” he came over to her, “I won’t speak a word of this to anyone.”
She closed the reticule. “Thank you, Mister Williams. I appreciate it.”
He saw her to the door and stopped her as the butler opened it. “Be sure you keep loving him. A husband needs his wife’s love, often far more than she realizes.”
“There will never be a day when I won’t love him.”
“It was a pleasure to meet you, Lady Clement.”
Had she not been so relieved that he had agreed to make the inkwell, she might have questioned his odd words. But then she figured it was Mister Williams’ business what he meant. And she hadn’t lied to him. She did—and always would—love Perry. There would never be anyone else. A couple years ago, she wouldn’t have believed she’d ever fall in love again, but now that she had, she knew she was much better off with the way things turned out.
She left Mister Williams’ residence and made it several blocks when a familiar voice called out her name. Her steps slowed when she realized it was Stewart. As much as she wanted to keep walking, she knew she had to wait for him to catch up to her.
“What a lovely day to be outside,” he said. “I will say, though, that I didn’t think I was going to see you twice in one day.”
“Is the pocket watch already boring you?”
“Oh, on the contrary.” He pulled it out and inspected it. “I can’t recall the last time I saw anything so divine. Who knew you had such good taste? I should have taken you shopping with me in the past.”
She decided not to comment. The point was, she’d given it to him on her way to Mister Williams’ and now could be done with it. “I’m glad you approve.”
She took a step away from him, but he said, “I notice you have a reticule with you.”
Frowning, she fell into step beside him. “It’s not uncommon for ladies to carry a reticule.”
“No, it’s not, but it is often a sign that they have some money in their possession.”
So that was the matter of it. Had she known that, she would have tucked the reticule under her shawl. But it probably wouldn’t have made any difference. Her brother would’ve found a way to mention money. She glanced around to make sure no one she knew was in sight before pausing by a bench. “I have two pounds.”
“That’ll suffice.” He held his hand out and wiggled his fingers.
She pulled the money out of her reticule and gave it to him.
He slipped it into his pocket. “For now.”
“Pardon?”
“That will suffice for now. I’m going to require more. After all, I do have a long and cold winter to get through. I wager you and your husband will be going to the country?”
“Yes,” she hesitantly replied, praying he wouldn’t insist on going to Perry’s estate.
“In that case, I need a little bit more to get me by.”
“How much more?”
“Fifty pounds.”
“Fifty pounds?” Just how was she going to come up with that much when she already bought a pocket watch and saved money for the inkwell?
“You don’t want me to live like a pauper while you’re gone, do you? Unless, of course, you’re willing to extend an invitation for me to stay with you and your besotted husband?”
“I’ll get you the fifty pounds,” she blurted out.
His smile widening, he pointed to her. “I knew I could count on you. There’s a ball next week. It’ll be the last one Lord Reddington will give this year. You’ll like going there, Paula. They have a chandelier lit with a hundred candles. It’s impressive. And don’t get me started on his taste in music.”
“All right, I’ll be there.”
“With the fifty pounds?”
She nodded. This would be the last thing she’d have to give her brother this year. After this, she could go to the country and enjoy some peace.
“Good,” her brother said. “I’ll send you a missive to let you know where to meet me at the ball. We don’t want that husband of yours to find out what we’re up to, do we?” He winked then headed down the street.
She swallowed the lump in her throat. She wouldn’t cry. Yes, she was lying and stealing from Perry, but she kept telling herself it was because she loved him. If she didn’t keep telling herself that, then she’d have to admit she was only making things worse, adding to her list of sins. Releasing her breath, she resumed her walk down the street.
Perry was reading a book when he heard the front door open. Smiling, he put it on the small table next to the chair and grabbed his cane. He made it to the doorway in time to see Paula heading up the stairs.
“I have good news,” he called out.
She stopped and turned to him. “Good news?”
He waved her down. “Come to the drawing room. I’ll have the butler bring some tea and scones. Unless you want to go for a walk?”
“No. I’ve had enough of walking today.”
She descended the steps, her beauty making him think of an angel coming down from Heaven. He held his hand out to her. “I think you’ll like what I’m going to tell you.” After she took his hand, he told the butler to bring them some refreshments and led her to the drawing room. Once she was sitting beside him on the settee, he realized she didn’t have new gloves. “You couldn’t find the pair you wanted?”
“The pair I wanted?”
“You went out to get gloves.”
&nb
sp; “Oh. Oh, yes. I did say that.” With an uneasy smile, she shrugged but averted her gaze so she didn’t have to look at him. “It’s as you said. I couldn’t find a pair I wanted.”
She was lying. She didn’t leave the townhouse with the intention of buying a new pair of gloves. As much as he wanted to ask her about it, something told him that wasn’t the best thing to do. She was scared. Anything he’d do to get the information out of her would only make her retreat. Despite her bravado of going up to him and kissing him without knowing him, she was like a scared rabbit who was hiding in its hole. The question was, of course, who was chasing her. Perhaps her brother? If he had to guess, that would be his first choice. And it made perfect sense when he remembered how she was at the ball. That being the case, she would be especially relieved when she heard the news.
The butler came in and set the tray of tea and scones down. “Will there be anything else, my lord?”
“No,” he replied. “Please shut the door on your way out.” He waited until the door clicked into place before he poured tea into their cups. “We’ll leave for Blackburn in two days.”
“Your country estate?”
He gave her a cup and chuckled. “Our country estate. It’s as much yours as it is mine.”
“I never told you, but I like the name.”
“I can’t take credit for it. My great-great-grandfather named it.”
She traced the handle of her cup with her thumb. “Um…is it possible to leave later? Like maybe in a little over a week?”
“I thought you were anxious to leave London.”
“I am but,” she sipped some tea, “I hear Lord Redd…Redd…” She sighed and looked up at the ceiling. “It ends with a ‘ton’.”
“Lord Reddington?”
“Yes, that’s who it is. I hear he’s having this ball and someone told me it’s worth going to. He has a magnificent chandelier and has good taste in music. I thought it’d be a good idea to go there before we leave.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to ask her if her brother was the ‘someone’ who told her this but he managed to refrain. If he attended the ball, he’d track her brother down. And if her brother wasn’t there, then he’d know something else was amiss. “All right,” he finally agreed and picked up a scone.
“All right?”
Noting the tentative question in her voice, he smiled at her. “We’ll go to Lord Reddington’s ball. Afterwards, we’ll go to Blackburn.”
She bit her lower lip. “You don’t mind?”
“No, I don’t mind. Paula,” he placed a comforting hand on the small of her back, “how many times do I have to say that you can tell me anything? I promise I won’t cast you out.”
Though she returned his smile, he sensed she didn’t fully believe him. Whatever was holding her back must be serious. If only he knew what he might have said or done that made her worry so needlessly, he’d rectify it. But without knowing, he couldn’t really do anything but watch and wait. Sooner or later the matter would come to light. Christopher had gotten into enough trouble to prove the truth in that sentiment. All he needed was to be patient. When the time came to act, he’d know.
He leaned toward her and brushed her cheek with his lips. “If I recall right, Lord Reddington does bring in an orchestra that plays some of the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard. It’ll be a nice way to end our time in London. Now, I was thinking we should go to a dressmaker. You’ll need better clothes for the upcoming cold weather than the ones you currently have.”
“Certainly shopping for ladies clothes will bore you.”
“Nonsense. I’ll be with you.”
“I would like to spend the time with you.”
“Good. Then it’s agreed.” He gave her a kiss. “We’ll have a good afternoon.”
She nodded and drank more tea, finally looking relaxed.
SIXTEEN
Four days later, Paula held her breath while the merchant inspected her necklace. It had to have been worth at least fifty pounds.
The merchant’s gaze went up from the necklace. “Twenty pounds,” he said.
Her smile faltered. “I know for a fact it’s worth more than that. My father gave it to me from a wealthy widow.” Never mind what he had probably been doing with the widow to get the necklace. “I’d say a fair price would be fifty pounds.”
He let out a long sigh and studied the necklace. “The gold and gems are real.”
“Yes, they are.”
“However, I am running a business. I need to make some profit.”
It was hard to argue his point, but she needed a full fifty. “You can probably get more than fifty pounds when you sell it.”
“Probably but not much. I need to keep food on my family’s table, and with five growing boys, that isn’t an easy feat.” After a moment, he said, “I’ll give you thirty pounds.”
“Forty-five.”
“I’m not budging from thirty. You can take it somewhere else and see if you can get fifty for it.”
He held the necklace out to her and she thought over her options. If she thought her brother would take it, she’d try to give it to him, but he had no use for jewelry. And she’d already been to two other merchants who claimed to have more than enough jewelry. The last thing they wanted was more.
Her shoulders slumped, she relented. “I’ll take thirty pounds.”
While he gathered the money to pay her, she glanced around the shop to make sure no one was watching her. She’d purposely put on one of the dresses she’d had before she married Perry so the merchant wouldn’t suspect she was a countess. Had he any idea how much her husband was worth, he’d undoubtedly try to sell her something. And right now making any purchases was the last thing she needed to do.
After he gave her the money, she slipped it into her reticule and lowered her hat over her forehead so no one would get a good look at her face. She managed to make it to her townhouse without incident and made her way through the servants’ stairwell. When she reached her bedchamber, she breathed a sigh of relief and leaned against the door. Her heart beat so fast she didn’t think it’d ever slow down. But in due time it did, and she was able to undress in time for a knock to come at the door.
“Who is it?” she called out.
“It’s Miriam, my lady,” her lady’s maid replied. “I thought you might be up from your nap and want to dress for the walk you wanted to take with Lord Clement.”
“Oh, yes. Just a moment.” Paula stuffed her dress under her bed and smoothed her undergarments. She quickly messed up the blanket on the daybed then called out, “I’m ready!”
Once she was in a much more appropriate dress, she thanked her lady’s maid and hurried down the stairs. She was late in meeting Perry for the walk but only by a few minutes. When she entered the drawing room, she paused when she saw that the inkwell she had bought from Mister Williams was on the desk. Perry wasn’t in the room as she expected, but someone had found the inkwell she’d carefully placed under the desk yesterday.
She hadn’t expected anyone to find it so soon. She thought perhaps it’d take another day or two. Walking over to it, she couldn’t help but admire Mister Williams’ craftsmanship. He must have worked day and night to make this for her.
A familiar tapping of Perry’s cane as he walked into the room made her turn around.
“Did you have a good rest?” he asked.
Hurrying over to him, she said, “Yes, I did. You keep me up too late. But,” she kissed him, “I’m not complaining.”
Despite the slight pink in his cheeks, he returned her kiss. “You’re hard to resist.”
“That’s to my benefit since I enjoy being with you.” She gestured to the inkwell. “I see it’s back.”
“Yes. I was sitting down at the desk and my cane knocked into it.”
“Oh.” She thought for sure he didn’t put his cane on the left side of his desk since he used his right hand to walk with it.
“I don’t know how I missed it all th
is time.”
“I must have knocked it off the desk by accident and not realized it.” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye to see if he believed her. She wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t. The lie was so absurd that anyone could see right through it.
“Well, given everything that’s happened in such a short time, I’m not surprised.” He kissed her forehead and extended his arm to her. “Are you ready to go for a walk?”
She reluctantly turned from the inkwell, hoping he didn’t detect her guilt as she looked at him. Maybe she should say something about hearing a heavy object hit the rug but being distracted when the butler came in. But that would only complicate her lie, and as it was, she was having difficulty keeping the charade going. Perhaps the less said, the better. With a hesitant smile, she said, “I’d love to go for a walk.”
He extended his arm to her, and she accepted it. Next week. Next week after the ball, they’d go to Blackburn and be safe from anyone—or anything—that could possibly tear them apart.
The next day, Perry picked the inkwell up and inspected it. He didn’t know why he expected it to be any different from the other dozen times he’d studied it. But try as he might, he couldn’t make the chip in the lower right edge on the base appear.
Christopher had been the one responsible for that chip. One day he sat in front of the desk and kicked his feet up on it, as was his annoying habit, and his feet got too close to the inkwell. It fell off the desk and that was when the base chipped. Perry had been so upset with his cousin for being careless with his things at the time.
But now as he examined the perfectly formed base in his hands, he hated what it meant. Paula had done something with his old inkwell and replaced it with another one. But why? What could have made her do such a thing? The original went missing before he told her how important it was, so her motives hadn’t been to hurt him. She probably thought it had no value. The fact that she replaced it proved her intentions weren’t to harm him.
This had to have something to do with her brother. The butler had said that her brother had come by to pay her a visit. Maybe her brother wanted the inkwell. But what could her brother have said or done that made her give it to him? It was an irritating thing to be so close to the truth yet be so far from it.