by Rebecca King
“So, because you were short of funds you decided to steal from others, and sell the goods to make some extra money. Sophia’s arrival messed up your plans, didn’t it?”
Delilah didn’t speak, but Jeb knew he was right.
“So what does he want you to do that you are objecting to so vehemently?”
“I need to get the rest of this month’s shipment together for Roland, so took the trinket boxes to complete the order. I didn’t expect her to give it all away again. He was telling me I need to get the box ready.”
“I would remind you now that it is not Sophia’s fault you that have taken to a life of crime. You should have done as Hooky told you and curbed your spending when you were advised to.”
Rather than answer him, Delilah levelled a glare on her niece. “But I do blame you for this. If you hadn’t been rude enough to just appear as you did then none of this would have happened. Why couldn’t you just mind your own business?”
“You are thieving, Delilah. You even took the Harvells’ hairbrushes for Heaven’s sakes. They cannot afford the loss. How could you do it? To your own friends as well?”
Sophia didn’t care if Delilah threw her out on her ear. Just sitting in the house at the moment made her feel sordid. It was a horrible feeling; to be so disgusted with one’s relative the wish was for there to be no familial connection. There was nothing Sophia could do about it except work to her own conscience, and do what she must protect herself from being blamed for crimes she didn’t commit. Even if that meant she had to move into the tavern for a while, she would. She just hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
“So, we know why you started. Where did you start? I mean, what did you do; just look at someone’s hairbrush and think, ‘I like that, I will take it for myself’?” Jeb demanded with a scowl.
Delilah shook her head. “No. Genuinely, the first item I brought back wasn’t stolen. I don’t know how it found its way into my bag. I had put my bag on the floor beside my chair at one of the Harvell’s dire teas. When I got home, a small ornate box was sitting in it. I can only assume it had fallen off the table and landed in my bag. Anyway, nobody noticed, but I couldn’t think of a way of getting it back into the house without being caught. I could hardly hand it back with an apology and claim not to know anything about it.”
“It would have been the honest thing to do, Delilah,” Jeb cautioned. “But you are not honest so you kept it instead.”
Silence settled over them for several moments. “What happened then?”
“I wanted it out of the house, so took it to the pawn shop. I went over to Standmere because it is far enough away that nobody would recognise me. The man gave me a good price for it; far more than I thought it was worth. The money was a welcome surprise, and it set me to thinking, especially once I received the letter from Hooky.”
Jeb sighed. He knew instinctively from the look on Sophia’s face she was absolutely livid with her aunt, but willed her to remain calm for now. More information was needed from Delilah, and to get it they needed to be on friendlier terms. He suspected that once Delilah was offended, she would adamantly refuse to tell him anything else no matter what he threatened her with. That would leave him with no alternative but bring in the magistrate; if only to get her behind bars to stop her crimes while he located this Roland Myers.
“So, what does he want you to get that you are not happy with? It isn’t just the monthly shipment and you and I both know it.”
Delilah stared at him for a moment. He wanted her to know he had overheard her conversation. She considered this for a moment but apparently realised there were no lies she could tell with any credibility.
“He wants me to take some jewellery for him.”
Jeb stared hard at her.
“Where from?” He felt like he was pulling teeth to get any kind of information out of her and it was starting to grate on his nerves.
Delilah hesitated.
“Where from?” Jeb snapped more loudly this time.
“The Squire’s house,” she replied quietly. “He wants some jewellery that is apparently kept in a box on the dresser or something. He wants a matching ruby necklace and bracelet set that will be left in the top drawer, just inside the main door of the master bedchamber.”
“It will be left there, or is it kept there?” Jeb leaned forward. He studied her closely while he contemplated her honesty.
“He just said it will be left in the top drawer of the dresser. I don’t know who by, or why, but I was assured it would be there. I was told to get it and take it to him.”
“Did he tell you what it is worth, or how he came to know it is there?”
Delilah shook her head. “I said I won’t do it. It is far too risky. The small items I take I can put into my pocket, or carry them out beneath my cloak without anyone being any aware of it. I have no reason to go upstairs. I am not that familiar with the Squire, and guests usually stay downstairs. How on earth he expects me to get upstairs without being noticed is anyone’s guess. The house isn’t large enough for anyone to melt into the woodwork. Myers has told me he will make sure the magistrate gets a tip off that I am responsible for the thefts if I don’t do as he wants. It is why I want you out of the house, Sophia. Things have changed now with Roland. He has become harder and crueller. He cannot be reasoned with anymore. He wants me to get more and more and is paying me less and less. Now he won’t let me stop working for him.”
“So, it was left that you are to get that jewellery the next time you go to the Squire’s house, and this Roland person will expect you to hand the goods over as soon as possible.”
Delilah nodded. “That’s about it, yes.”
“When will you meet with him again?” Jeb asked, prepared to be there.
“The week after next.”
“Did he tell you how much you will earn for committing this crime?”
She shook her head. “We negotiate on the day.”
“But he has asked you for a particular item. He must know of its value. You take a stupid risk if you steal it for him because he could turn around and offer you nothing for it. Once you have it, you are vulnerable. You need him to take it off your hands, or you risk getting caught. He knows that so can offer you whatever he wants. Did you not stop to consider that?” Jeb suspected she hadn’t from the way her gaze landed on the floor and stayed there.
Delilah shook her head. “I have been a fool, haven’t I?”
There was something in that quiet statement that didn’t ring true to Jeb. It wasn’t that she was sad, or worried. There was just something almost too calm, and matter-of-fact about her that didn’t seem right. After all, this was a woman who had, supposedly, been backed into a sticky situation yet she had not asked Jeb what to do, or how to deal with the situation like most people would when they needed help with a worrying situation.
“Has he told you to take anything from anyone else’s house?”
“Not yet. The Squire’s jewellery is the first time he has ordered me to take something specific.”
Now that was something Jeb did believe was true.
“Have you seen this Roland man hanging about in the village at all?” Jeb asked when the rather uncomfortable silence had stretched to breaking point.
“I haven’t seen him anywhere other than in Standmere, and the meeting place in the woods.”
“Just down the road from where Tabitha was found,” Jeb replied quietly.
Delilah looked panicked. “I didn’t hurt her. You must believe that. She was nothing but a young girl. Why would I possibly want to harm her?”
Her voice rose several notches when he didn’t try to appease her, and she threw a fleeting panicked look at Sophia in a silent plea for support.
“She may have overheard your meeting, or seen something she wasn’t supposed to. Who knows what crimes your contact, this Roland Myers, is capable of?” Jeb sighed. “Until you can be confident this man is not out to blackmail you, I strongly recommend you stay away from h
im. Do not take those jewels from the Squire’s. Right now, unless you have any other stolen goods hidden in this house, there is no incriminating evidence to suggest you are the thief. Keep it that way.”
Delilah nodded. For the first time since Sophia had arrived in Framley Meadow, Delilah had lost some of her arrogance. It gave her hope that her aunt might be able to change her ways after all.
“What do you plan to do now?” Delilah asked.
Jeb wasn’t sure whether she was asking what he planned to do about her, his knowledge of the thefts, the jewellery, or Roland Myers. Whichever, he was only prepared to tell her so much.
“Well, I am going to take a look at that jewellery. You stay well away from the Squire’s house, and leave the rest to me,” Jeb ordered. “I warn you now that the stealing has to stop, Delilah. If anything else disappears, I know exactly who to turn to. There is something more going on in these parts, and with the deaths of Mrs Banks and Tabitha, it is something sinister. Be careful who you meet in dark woods for the time being.”
“Do you really think Roland is dangerous?” To Delilah, the idea was preposterous at first, but the more she thought about Roland’s behaviour during that confrontation she realised it would be foolish to dismiss Jeb’s warning.
“I believe that there are too many issues to be dealt with before I can answer that with any degree of certainty,” Jeb warned darkly.
“We will be careful,” Sophia assured him.
He nodded. “Until then, ladies, stay close to home. Don’t go out to meet with anyone unless you absolutely have to. If you see anyone hanging about, send word with a neighbour to me at Briggleberry. I have colleagues working in the area who will keep an eye out for you.”
He watched Delilah as he spoke. He saw her eyes widen instinctively and knew she hadn’t told him the absolute truth.
“If there is anything else, I advise you to be completely honest with me now. I shall not take it kindly if I find you have kept some valuable information hidden from me.”
“There is nothing,” Delilah replied sharply.
“Fair enough.” He turned to Sophia. “Until then, my dear, I should be obliged if you would allow me to escort you to the Squire’s ball?”
When Delilah drew in a deep breath as if to argue, Jeb levelled a challenging stare at her that made her silence her protest.
“I should like that,” Sophia replied without even bothering to wait for her aunt’s approval.
As far as she was concerned, after today, she was not going to seek her aunt’s permission to do anything while in Framley Meadow. There was no love lost between the two of them and, until that situation could be remedied, she suspected Delilah would refuse any and all requests just to spite her.
“Then I shall pick you up at seven. Meantime, I should be obliged if you allow me to show you around Briggleberry tomorrow. I understand from my father that you haven’t received a tour yet. Please permit me. The orchard is delightful at this time of year.”
“I should love that, thank you,” Sophia gushed.
When Jeb bowed to take his leave, it was Sophia who stood up to see him out. Delilah remained still and silent in her chair and watched them go.
“What do you intend to do now?” she whispered once they were alone in the hallway.
The silence within the sitting room hinted that Delilah was listening to their conversation. With this in mind, Jeb leaned forward until their cheeks were touching and he could whisper directly into Sophia’s ear without being overheard.
“I found where the man is staying. I don’t think he intends to go anywhere until he has his hands on that jewellery. Stay in this house if you can. If you have to go out then you should go only to the village and back where you can be seen, and don’t go out at night alone. Is the ball is the next social engagement around these parts?”
“Yes. Delilah was supposed to take tea this afternoon with friends, but I don’t know if she still intends to go or not.”
“Well, Delilah can do as she pleases. I doubt anything will happen to her because she is the one who is supposed to get her hands on that jewellery. I am going to have a word with the Squire, and will then speak to the owner of the pawn shop. My friends are here so they can help with this. Promise me you will stay safe. Don’t take risks, and don’t trust Delilah. If you can, make sure you lock your door when you go to bed at night. If she does throw you out because of this then come to Briggleberry. You are more than welcome.”
Sophia nodded and smiled. “I don’t think it will be necessary, but thank you.”
“Have you written to your father yet?”
“Not since my last letter.”
“You have received no reply then, I take it?”
“Not yet.”
“Would you do something for me?”
“Of course, anything,” she gushed.
She revelled in the intimacy between them that was so inherently natural she could touch it. She wanted to speak to him some more but struggled to find the words to say with her aunt so close.
“Write a note to your father again, but tell him to write back care of me at Briggleberry if you have not done so already. Tell him not to write anything else to Delilah, but you will explain why later. More importantly, tell him to get here as quickly as possible.”
“Do you think she will try to take the jewels?” Sophia frowned.
“I would like to say not, but I believe it would depend on how much she needs that money.”
Sophia nodded. “When will I see you again?”
She was aware of the fine bristles on his jaw touching her lips and shivered with sensual awareness.
Jeb turned to face her. Their lips brushed. “Come for another picnic with me tomorrow, but this time, I will take you to Briggleberry. We can have a picnic in the orchard. Don’t bring anything. The cook will arrange all of that. I will collect you say, eleven o’clock?”
“That would be lovely,” she whispered.
The kiss he gave her before he left was hard and swift, but left her reeling just the same as if it had been a slow and thoughtful possession the likes of which they had shared beside the riverbank. Once again, she watched him turn out of the gate at the end of the garden on weakened knees.
“I want you to break all association with that man immediately.” Delilah’s voice was cold and hard and directly behind her.
Sophia closed her eyes and held the lingering warmth of the blossoming feelings in her heart for Jeb as long as she could before she slowly shut the door.
“I shall do no such thing. Given that Jeb is a man of wealth and good standing, he cannot be called into question. I will remind you that my choice of an associate is considerably better than yours. With that in mind, you should not consider yourself at liberty to tell me who I shall and shall not see. After all, you have clearly shown you have no consideration for the family name, so cannot accuse me of trying to sully it. If you won’t be told what to do, neither will I.”
Before Delilah could issue any more ludicrous orders, Sophia made her way to her room to choose her outfit for the forthcoming ball.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Jeb left Sophia in Delilah’s house, but it was the last thing he wanted to do. Something about the last hour left him extremely uncomfortable. He felt as though he was missing a vital clue, but as he ran over everything in his mind was at a loss to know what it was.
At first, he was miles away as he meandered through the village toward Briggleberry. It was only when he was halfway home that he began to sense he was being followed. When he turned the corner at the end of the main street, a sudden flurry of movement vanishing into what he suspected was a side alley caught his eye. He took a moment to pretend to adjust his boot and saw someone in a dark pair of trousers, a white shirt, and brown jacket about twenty or thirty feet behind him. Suspecting this was the same man who had met with Delilah; Roland Myers, Jeb resumed his journey but deliberately slowed his pace so he had time to look around.
&nbs
p; His knew that the only way of finding out where this man was staying was to follow him. With this in mind, he decided to take a short cut across the fields. That took him down a country lane with nothing bracketing it except for a small stone wall. To follow him would mean being visible, but this didn’t appear to bother Myers, who ambled along behind keeping a steady pace.
Jeb grinned. Familiar with the area, he took a circuitous route that would take him to a small copse that would temporarily block him from view. His good friend Archie had once told him of the perfect place to hide if he was being followed and he used that to his advantage once he was out of sight.
“Find some trees and go up,” Archie had declared. Jeb had looked at him askance for a moment. “When people are in a dangerous situation, especially when they are following or looking for someone, they rarely think to look up.”
Jeb smiled as he thought about his good friend and wondered if his wife had presented her husband with a new child yet. The last time he had seen Portia, she had been so large with their third child she had practically waddled when she walked. His smile widened when he considered the last time he had visited the large, rambling house that was seemingly full of chaotic noise and confusion. There had been children running everywhere because Jamie had been visiting with his wife, Cecily, and their four children. Jeb’s ears had still been buzzing the day after he had left but he didn’t care one bit.
He rather envied his friends their contentment in life and, not for the first time, had begun to reconsider his own future. Was it possible that he could have the same level of contentment with Sophia that his friends had with their wives? For the first time in his life he was starting to believe that yes, he most definitely could.
He sat on the highest branch that was robust enough to bear his weight and watched Myers walk through the copse twice. He stopped, glanced around, then let out a blistering curse as he scratched his head and tried to work out how someone Jeb’s size could simply disappear. Moments later, after more vicious curses, Jeb watched Myers leave. Thankfully, from his viewpoint he was able to see Morwenna Banks’ house. He was able to keep his quarry in sight while protected by the thick branches and lush foliage. It made his job a heck of a lot easier, especially when the man walked into the door at the rear of the house with a familiarity that was nothing short of arrogant.