“Do you mind if I open it?”
“Not at all.”
Jolene pressed the tiny latch popping the lid up. Inside, folded to fit was a familiar piece of paper. Now, the question. Who should take it out? Her or Thomas. As this was her case, not his, she did and carefully unfolded it. A five-pound bank note. She handed it over to Thomas.
“Excuse me, Jolene, is that what I believe it is?” Julie asked.
“It is, but worry not, for you didn’t know it was there so you’re not in trouble,” Spencer said
“Thank you.”
“Jolene, this does appear on the surface to be a genuine note, but on careful examination I can tell you it’s a well-executed forgery. The best I’ve ever seen,” Thomas told her. She accepted it back from him.
“Shouldn’t you keep it?”
“No. Remember what we talked about earlier? That’s why.”
“I believe I know what was discussed, and Thomas I agree with your decision. If the note remained in your possession then you would have to report where you received it, and you don’t wish to,” Vikki said.
“You are correct.”
While this was going on, Jolene returned her attention back to the locket hoping to find the maker’s mark. She did. On the back where it should be. With it she could now learn when it was sold and to who. The only question was whetherJulie would be willing to part with the jewelry. She didn’t have to ask.
“Jolene, if you wish, please keep locket as it reminds of what happened to Jack.”
“Thank you.”
From the way Thomas had been gazing at her, Jolene was sure once free of being arrested and out of danger he would buy one for her.
“Gentlemen, do either of you have questions?” Jolene uttered.
“I do, if you don’t mind?” Thomas said.
“Certainly, as I believe I know what you wish to ask the young lady,” Vikki quickly inserted.
“Julie, even though you are still under the threat, by others not myself, of arrest, might I call upon you. Of course, it would have to be here. I would also insist on a chaperone, for I don’t wish to cause you to be unsettled.”
“Sir, as Julie is currently under my protection, you have our permission. She has a maid to keep her company so that person will fill the position of guardian. Jolene, once you return to your home give Thomas the direction as he’ll need.”
“Thank you, Vikki. I will also send a note alerting Julie of my visit so she isn’t surprised by me arriving unannounced.”
All of this was more than Jolene had expected, but it was an excellent sign that soon the actual killer would be brought to justice. Making her good byes, she led Brendon and Thomas from the house and into the carriage.
“No, sit on the squab as you will need to know your way back,” Jolene directed.
In the courtyard of the Hampshiretownhouse she waited while Samson, who had behaved except for licking Vikki, hopped out then let Brendon help her out.
Once Thomas was on his way, Brendon smiled down to her.
“Did you ever imagine they would get along so well from the beginning?”
“No. Don’t forget your dining with us tonight before the ball.”
Chapter Twelve
Not one to walk the streets at night, he had turned down the Earl of Hampshire’s offer ofa ride, as his townhouse was only a street over from where the ball had been held. He also needed time to start reviewing everything he and Jolene had learned. Not only from Julie but he’d received another letter from his select man of business. After collecting his cane from the Bush butler, he set out.
Strolling along, the tap, tap, tap of his walking stick mixed with the noise of carriage wheels on the cobblestone street along with the clomp, clomp of horses’ hooves, he was able to shut them partially out he was so lost in thought. Turning the corner onto the street where his townhouse was, immediately he knew something was amiss. Several gas lights weren’t illuminating the street, and the Met officers were missing.
He firmly gripped his cane, giving the head a slight twist. All he had to do now was draw the thin sword blade out if need be. Footstepsapproaching from behind warned him of impending danger. He picked up his pace as hewas quickly approaching his townhouse.
They quickened. A blow to his shoulder brought him around to face his attacker. Attackers.
“This is not going to end well for someone. I would recommend you three turn and run,” he directed.
“You and Her Ladyship were told to stop looking into things of no concern to you. You didn’t listen, so we’re going to make sure you do.”
The moon came out from behind a cloud, helping to illuminate his attackers. All three were his height but heavier, especially around the middle. Each had a long knife in their hand and from the way they were holding them, Brendon suspected they were skilled in using the weapons.
Withdrawing the sword from the cane, he it firmly in his left hand. The three charged. Brendon stepped to the side, bringing the blade into play against the nearest man’s leg, dropping him.
“You’re going to pay for hurting our friend,” the person Brendon thought to be the leader said.
He saw the two remaining men separate so they could come at him from the sides. This, he knew, was going to make defending himself much more difficult. He had thought, briefly, of calling for assistance, but with the street empty there wasn’t anyone to come to his aid.
Brendon backed up against a wall. That way the men couldn’t get behind him. The one to his left swept in, knife held in front of him. Brendon brought the cane down on the man’s arm then up hitting him in the face.
A sharp pain in his right thigh caused Brendon to curse. Warmth on his leg. He started to collapse. No. Stand and fight. A laugh from the right brought his head around.
“Next time it won’t be your leg but your throat.”
He saw the two pick up their friend and disappear into the night. Sheathing his blade, Brendon used the cane to help him hobble to his townhouse. Much to his happiness, the door opened to a shocked butler.
“Send word to the Earl of Hampshire that Lady Jolene’s life is in danger.”
His leg gave out causing him to fall to the floor as blackness overtook his vision.
Voices in the distance slowly helped bring him awake. He was abed in his suite. The right thigh, he could tell, was wrapped in something. Lifting his head, Brendon saw at least he was covered up to the chest as the speakers were female, and not his housekeeper or Cook. They were his mother and Jolene. What is she doing in here?He tried to roll onto his left side but was stopped by something. With his hand, he felt around the object only to come away with a wet hand. Samson.
“Ladies, what is going on, and why is that walking pile of fur on my bed. Not only that but, Lady Jolene, you shouldn’t be in my suite,” he tried but failed to order, his voice being weak.
“Son, she has not only my but also Kristina’s permission to be here. We’ve been caringfor you all night ever since we received word you were wounded.”
“As for Samson, he’s helping to protect you. Granted a little late,” Jolene said.
Wait, the duchess said all night? That’snot possible. Or wasit?
“What is the time?”
“Half one. Cook had to give you some laudanum so she and Mrs. Hughes could treat your injury,” his mother told him.
That helped to explain why he was not only hungry but needed to use his private room.
“Lady Jolene, you will have to leave as I must get up and if I’m not mistaken, except for the wrap on my leg, I’ve nothing on.”
“You are correct. I will step out and have two footmen enter to help you. However, don’t expect me to depart your townhouse, for I shan’t until I know you are healed,” Jolene directed back to him.
As much as he wanted to groan Brendon suspected it wouldn’t do any good. Not to mention the fact his mother would come down on his head.
“If you insist.”
“I do,�
� she firmly uttered then swept from the room to be replaced by the staff.
Keep practicing those two words, my dear. When I’m well, I will be offering for you.
Cleaned and returned to bed, he waited while Mrs. Hughes came in to examine the wound. As he was sitting up he was able to examine the damage the knife had done. It wasn’t very deep even though it had bled quite a bit. From what he could tell he would be up in a day or so. Then again, it all depended on what his housekeeper said. As for Jolene, she was another matter entirely. Knowing her as he did, she would insist on him staying abed for at least a week.
Covered, he waited while Jolene entered,andWaters, a tray in his hands, followed.
“M’ lord, your luncheon. I would strongly recommend you partake of it without complaining,” Jolene instructed.
Lifting the cover, he smiled that he would be dining on soft cooked eggs, ham, and toast with tea. This was much better than he would have thought.
“Are you going to be joining me, m’ lady?”
“No. Her Grace has invited me across the square to dine with her and His Grace. Before you get upset, they have sent over several footmen to escort me there and back.”
“Thank you for setting my mind at ease.”
“Yes, and from now until we, that is the Met Police, catch those who attacked you, my level of protection outside is greatly increased. Trust me when I say I don’t mind. Do you have any idea who they were?”
“They appeared to be navvies. Also, I know they were excellent with a knife. I was able to severely injure one of them before they got me. The leader, or at least he did all the talking, said if we didn’t stop with the investigation, next time it would be my throat that would be slit.”
Jolene paled slightly then dropped onto a chair, Samson at her side. Brendon wasn’t astounded at her reaction. That had been the last thing he wished, to cause her any more worry than she already had, but she did need to learn everything. He was happy when her color slowly returned.
“If you’ll excuse me, I must go. I should not be more than an hour. After you eat, I wish for you to rest, then later mayhap Mrs. Hughes and I will let you sit up.”
Once she left, a loneliness overtookhim. This was something he’d never experienced before, and he didn’t like it. He glanced down at the tray of food and started eating. Finished, he rang for Waters to remove the platter then settled, as best he could, down. In seconds his lids closed.
Wetness on his face stirred him awake. Opening his eyes, he came face to black nose with a pink tongue.
“Enough already. Be gone you brat.”
“Come over here, Samson. You’ve done your job,” Jolene announced.
Lifting his head, he peered over to her, sitting on a chair. This time in a different day dress than earlier. Why?
“Did you enjoy your luncheon with my parents?”
“Yes. It was very pleasant. The duchess is taking me to the park shortly. When we return, as we won’t be gone for more than an hour, you may get up and sit in a chair.”
Once she left, he rang for the footmen to assist him to his private room. Afterwards he climbed into a pair of trousers in anticipation ofbeing allowed up. That task completed, he grabbed a book with the intention of reading. It didn’t last long as once again he fell asleep.
The door to his suite opened.He did the same with his eyes in time to watch Jolene and his mother sweep in. From the expressions on their faces, he suspected he might be in trouble. But, how could he. Since late last eve he’d been restricted to his bed. He had done everything ordered by Cook, Mrs. Hughes, and Jolene.
“See, my dear goddaughter. Didn’t I tell you he’d panic if we appeared upset with him. That is something I learned about him years ago. Appear angry or upset withhim and he will do or say almost anything to make this right.”
“Such as bestowing a piece of jewelry upon me?”
“You learn quickly, Jolene. I do hope and pray you might be ablewrangle a little bauble from him.”
“Ladies, you do know I’m awake, don’t you?”
“Of course we do. All we wished was to have a little fun with you to learn how you were doing,” Jolene said.
“Like I need to send my jeweler a note ordering up a necklace or bracelet. I would also love to sit up for as you must be aware, I’ve been sleeping.”
“So be it,” his mother uttered.
“Is that to obtaining the bauble or getting up?”
“Both, and this time make it a matching necklace and bracelet. Preferably in diamonds. Let me get a footman,” the duchess said.
Settled on a chair across from Jolene and his mother, Brendon ordered a table and writing equipment brought up.
After penning a note to his jeweler, he directed Waters to have it delivered immediately. He then turned his attention to a few letters the butler had brought up.
Later, becoming tired he, with assistance, retired to bed. Alone.
Chapter Thirteen
Over the next several days, between helping Brendon, usually under strong protest, Jolene spent time searching out those who had attacked him. Much to her happiness, the assault had been reported in The Times and The Tattler. This brought many well-wishers to his door. It had been agreed that the duchess would meet with them, thus keeping Jolene’s reputation intact as she had taken up residence under his roof.
For her comings and goings, she, in disguise, would slip out through the mews with Samson and a footmen. As she returned from her latest venture, this time into one of the many stews, she took a detour by Edgerton Printing. Carefully, she prowled around the back alley in the hopes of finding evidence the man was involved with the counterfeiting. Not finding any, she, with her escorts, returned to the Lange townhouse.
When Jolene entered her suite, she was met by her mother.
“This is a surprise. I had planned on changing, checking on Brendon, then visiting with you and father.”
“You still may, if you wish. I wanted to come over and bring you several day and evening gowns. Speaking of him, how is your patient doing?”
“Very well. Mrs. Hughes says he may start going out tomorrow. I agree with her and hope to be able to attend a ball the next day if his leg is strong enough.”
Changed into a simple, blue day dress she led her mother into the family wing of the townhouse and to Brendon’s room. When she arrived, Jolene peered in.A footman was standing behind the chair occupied by Brendon who was answering a letter. With her mother, they swept in bringing him to his feet.
“M’ ladies.”
Jolene took the chair beside him while her mother took one opposite.
“You are doing much better which pleases me, m’ lord. Are you walking unassisted?”
“I am. I’m hoping you will allow me to have dinner in the dining room.”
“Of course, you may. Unfortunately, though, I won’t be joining you. Now that you are able to get about, I should return with mother to my parents’ townhouse.”
She studied him as he took in the news. When he glanced back to her, Jolene couldn’t tell if he was happy she was leaving or not. Even though, with her parents’ and the duchess’ permission, she had remained to help care for him each day brought about the risk of being found out. If that happened, Jolene knew she would be considered compromised and they would have to marry. Which wouldn’t be so bad as for years she’d hadwarm affections for him.
However, she would much prefer to have it done properly. Him seeking permission from her father then formally offering for her. Her only question was whether he hadthe same affections for her. This had her curious if her mother might know or could find out. She cocked her head to Brendon and his smile.
“I’m sorry to learn you must go but happy at the same time you are. That aside, on your excursion out where you able to learn anything about the men who attacked me?”
“Regrettably, no. Not even a hint of who they could be. Since this trip took me near the printer, I searched around in the hope I could find ev
idence he was involved in counterfeiting the notes. Again, I was without success.”
“Dear, with what you said and you have told us, is it possible Mr. Edgerton might be innocent and that Jack receivedthe note from some other place?”
“M’ lady, that is possible, but where?From what we, along with Thomas Spencer, have learned, the only place he worked was for the printer. So, where could he have found or was given it?”
His last question had been something Jolene had been wondering about for the past day or so as well. She didn’t have an answer but hada need to speak with Julie again. When she had shown the jeweler the locket, he said a young man had purchased and paid for it with a ten-pound note receiving five pounds back.
No, wait. Could that be the clue they were hunting for?Was it possible for the jeweler to make them, or had he received the forgery during a transaction? She mentioned her thought to Brendon and her mother.
“That, daughter, is an excellent possibility.”
“Let me ask you this, what if both the jeweler, to make the plate, and printer were working together?” Brendon added.
“But, wouldn’t there be some evidence around the printer’s shop?” Jolene said.
“Not necessarily if the notes were made some place else,” Kristina said.
Slowly, Jolene understood this was going to be an increasingly difficult case, not easily solved as some of her previous ones had been. Her frustration mounted. Then there was the foreign person who had sent the warning to her. At some point, she might have to either speak with her godfather or uncle to get their assistance. For now, though, she and her mother needed to go, not that she wished to but had to. Saying her good byes, she and her mother swept from Brendon’s suite and over to hers.
When she walked in, Jolene smiled that Emmy had already started packing. The only question remaining washow to get the bags back home.
“Mother, as I didn’t notice your coach in the mews, I’m guessing it is in the courtyard?”
“Yes. Little did I know you’d be returning with me today. Might I suggest havingyour carriage sent back and into the mews to collect the bags and Emmy?”
To Save a Lady Page 7