by Joyce Alec
Lord Devonshire looked a little surprised. “I see,” he said, picking up his glass of port. “Then might I wish you happy when the time comes, Lord Brunswick.”
Saying nothing, Lord Brunswick held up his glass of port in silent thanks, and for a short time thereafter, the conversation merged into other, less interesting topics. Felix allowed himself to be drawn into a discussion about the merits of one particular way of farming the fields at one’s estate, but the entire time, he was considering what Lord Brunswick had said. He appeared to be less than eager about his upcoming marriage, which Felix had to admit was not at all unusual. There were a good number of gentlemen who chose a wife based on their own particular requirements as well as the lady’s own status. Her character was of very little interest, it seemed. That was not what Felix wished for, however. If he was to choose someone to wed, then he was certain that a lady’s character would be very important indeed.
“Perhaps we should join the ladies,” Lord Devonshire said presently, before drinking the last of his port. “There is also excellent brandy there, which perhaps will be something of an enticement for some of you present.”
There were chuckles at this and the gentlemen rose from the table as one. Some were a little worse for wear already, although Felix himself was determined to keep his head this evening and not imbibe too much. Making his way from the room and following Lord Devonshire, he was suddenly caught by a commotion coming from behind him.
“What in heaven’s name—?”
His words were stopped by the sight of Lord Nethergate falling backwards, collapsing into Lord Brunswick who also fell backwards and hit his head hard against the wall.
“Goodness!” Lord Devonshire exclaimed, pushing his way past Felix to make his way to the gentlemen. One or two footmen hurried to help the two gentlemen also, leaving Felix and the remaining guests to wonder whether or not they should remain or, in fact, go to help the fallen gentlemen.
“Please, continue to the drawing room,” Lord Devonshire said, his voice carrying up the hallway toward them. “We shall join you soon.”
A little shocked by what had occurred, it took a moment for Felix to make his way to the drawing room. He had no real understanding of what had happened, but he was fairly certain that it came from Lord Nethergate drinking a little too much over the course of the evening.
“Ah, you have all come to join us at last,” Lady Devonshire declared, welcoming them all in. “Come, please.”
Quickly, Felix moved forward and found a seat very close to Lady Prudence. She glanced at him and allowed herself a small smile in his direction which, for whatever reason, cheered Felix heartily. Perhaps with all the other conversation, the music, and the laughter that would soon rise up within the drawing room, he might be able to speak openly to Lady Prudence at some point soon.
Lord Devonshire appeared only a few minutes later, looking contented and not giving any indication of what had occurred only a few minutes before. Lord Brunswick and Lord Nethergate did not follow, however, leaving Felix to wonder if either gentleman had injured themselves when they fell back.
“Brandy, Lord Stoneleigh?”
Within a few minutes, everyone was settled, and the conversation began to grow steadily. Felix allowed it to wash over him for a few minutes, not turning to speak directly to Lady Prudence for fear of garnering too much attention. He did not want to make himself too obvious about his attentions, even though he was certain that, by now, everyone in the room would be much too distracted by their own conversations to notice his.
“Lord Stoneleigh?”
Lady Prudence’s soft voice met his ears and he turned to her with a warm smile.
“I do hope you are enjoying this evening,” she said, although her eyes were a trifle anxious. “I believe that we are to have some music very soon.”
“It has been an excellent evening thus far,” he told her, slightly surprised when it did not pull the worry from her expression. “I have enjoyed myself very much indeed.”
Lady Prudence nodded, her gaze flickering across the others in the room as if to ensure that none of them would overhear her.
“I—I must tell you something, Lord Stoneleigh,” she said, her voice quieter than before. “When we were at the ball, Lord Brunswick had cause to come and speak to me at length.” She hesitated, biting her lip for a moment. “He spoke to me about Lord Yardley.”
Immediately, everything within Felix grew steady and watchful, all joviality gone from him. “He did?”
Lady Prudence nodded. “There were a few questions about the time of Lord Yardley’s supposed accident, and whether or not he had been with me beforehand. Of course, I did not tell Lord Brunswick the truth, but I had the impression thereafter that he was not entirely certain that I had told him everything. I watched as he made his way directly toward my father.” Again, she hesitated and Felix felt an increasing sense of foreboding rising up within him. “They spoke of Lord Yardley also, it seems, for I asked my father later what it was they had discussed.” She leaned toward him a little more, keeping her voice low. “He was not meant to be at this dinner party at the first, Lord Stoneleigh. Whatever Lord Brunswick said somehow convinced my father to invite him this evening.”
“I see,” Felix murmured, his brow furrowing as he took in Lady Prudence’s countenance and feeling the same sense of alarm within him that was written into her expression. “Might I ask if you know precisely what your father said of Lord Yardley?”
Lady Prudence closed her eyes for a moment, evidently frustrated. “No, he did not speak to me of the specifics, I am afraid,” she said, opening her eyes to look at him again. “I think he found my questions rather odd, but he did state that he had told Lord Brunswick that, whilst he was certain that Lord Yardley had not called upon my mother and me that day, he had enjoyed a very pleasant evening with Lord Yardley the night before, when he had come to dinner.” Swallowing hard, Lady Prudence shook her head, her voice all the quieter now. “That was something I had neglected to tell Lord Brunswick myself, although I do not know why I feel so anxious that he should know of it now.”
A frown darkened Felix’s brow. “Because there is no need for Lord Brunswick to seek out such information from both yourself and your father. It does make it sound as though he was not entirely sure that you did speak the truth, Lady Prudence, although why he should then go to Lord Devonshire and ask the very same questions, I cannot imagine.”
“Where is Lord Brunswick?” Lady Prudence asked, sitting up straighter as she looked around the room. “Did he not come in with you and the other guests?”
Shaking his head, Felix shrugged. “Lord Nethergate had imbibed a little too much and fell backwards as he made his way to the drawing room—although quite how that occurred, I cannot say,” he began, by way of explanation. “He fell directly into Lord Brunswick, who must have been behind him. It appeared that Lord Brunswick hit his head rather badly. I am sure that he…” Trailing off, Felix felt something hard kick inside his stomach as a feeling of dread began to wash over him. His eyes met those of Lady Prudence, who stared back at him with wide eyes. He had the impression that she, too, had suddenly had the very same thought as he.
“I am sure that he is merely with a footman,” Lady Prudence said slowly, although her tone lacked conviction. “That he is being cared for, alongside Lord Nethergate.”
“I should go in search of him,” Felix muttered as Lady Prudence’s eyes held his, her sudden anxiety flooding into her features. Her lips were pressed tightly together, the color had gone from her cheeks, and even her vivid green eyes seemed a little dulled. “I do not know your father’s house particularly well, but if anyone should question me, I can say that I have merely become lost while going in search of a private room.”
A slight flush caught Lady Prudence’s cheeks, but she nodded. “I could not make the same excuse,” she murmured, giving a slight shake of her head as she struggled to think of another reason to quit the drawing room. “I cou
ld then go with you as we search—although it may be that Lord Brunswick is merely sitting quietly with a very painful head, whilst perhaps his carriage has been called. I—”
She did not manage to finish speaking for, as Lord Sayers made his way from one side of the room to the other, he suddenly stumbled—yet another casualty of too much good port followed by excellent brandy. Throwing his hands out to make certain that he did not fall directly forward into anyone, the brandy in his glass flew out of its confines and splashed untidily on the floor and, unfortunately, onto Lady Prudence’s skirts.
Felix heard her swift intake of breath as one or two other gentlemen immediately rose to their feet to ensure that Lord Sayers was not about to fall forward into Lady Prudence’s lap. Looking down at her splashed skirts, he saw the color rising quickly into Lady Prudence’s cheeks—only for her to pause and remain still for just a few moments, before turning her head and throwing him a quick glance.
Understanding matters at once, Felix got to his feet and pretended to brush some liquid from himself.
“If you will excuse me, Lady Devonshire, I must go in search of a little aid for my boots,” he said quietly, a hubbub beginning to grow around him as everyone saw the state of Lady Prudence’s gown. “Pray, do not trouble yourself to ring the bell. I shall find a footman out in the hallway and ensure that all is taken care of.”
Lady Devonshire’s cheeks had turned a flaming red and she looked greatly embarrassed.
“I am so very sorry, Lord Stoneleigh,” she said, as she, too, got to her feet to go to the aid of her daughter. “I do hope you are not too upset.”
Felix smiled. “Not in the least,” he said, knowing that with the commotion behind him, he would not garner any sort of attention from the rest of the guests as he slipped out the door. In fact, they most likely would not notice if he was away for a good length of time, for they would all begin to speak of Lord Sayers’ poor behavior and perhaps might even have the young ladies play and sing for them, as a distraction from what had just occurred.
Making his way back along the hallway in the direction he had come and fully expecting to see Lord Nethergate and Lord Brunswick at any moment, he was rather surprised to see the dining room quiet and empty. Frowning, he closed the door again and stood for a moment, wondering where they might have gone. Had they been taken somewhere in order for the staff to take better care of their injuries?
The sound of another door closing caught his ears and he turned his head to listen, before striding along the hallway a little further still. Seeing a footman standing outside another door, he immediately made his way toward the fellow.
“How does Lord Nethergate fare?” he asked as the footman snapped to attention. “Are both gentlemen within?”
The footman frowned for a moment, then gestured to the door. “Please, enter if you wish, my lord,” he said, without giving any real explanation as to why he had not answered the question. “I am sorry for any difficulties this might have caused you this evening.”
Felix waved the remark away and, as the footman opened the door for him, stepped inside.
Lord Nethergate was lying on a chaise longue in the small parlor, his eyes closed and his hands resting loosely across his chest. He did not open his eyes as Felix walked into the room and it took Felix a moment or two to realize that the man had fallen asleep.
He shook his head. Evidently, Lord Nethergate was not as injured as he had feared.
“Nethergate,” he said loudly, striding forward and reaching down to shake the man’s shoulder, hard. “Whatever are you doing?” He looked over his shoulder, fully expecting to see Lord Brunswick somewhere but discovering, to his surprise and dismay, that the man was not present. “Nethergate!”
The man groaned and finally opened his eyes. It took a few moments for him to realize who was looking at him, and another few to realize where he was, but after a short while, he cleared his throat and immediately sat up, his brows knotting together.
“You are tired, it seems,” Felix said without mirth. “Where is Lord Brunswick?”
“Brunswick?” Lord Nethergate repeated slowly. “I—I do not know. They put me in here until my head stopped thundering like a thousand horses, and I must have fallen asleep.” His speech was no longer slurred, his voice a good deal steadier than before. “Whatever was it that pulled me back in such a fashion?”
Blinking rapidly, Felix stared at the man. “What do you mean, pulled you back?”
“That was how I fell,” Lord Nethergate replied, rubbing the back of his head. “Most painful, I can assure you—and now I have embarrassed myself still further by falling asleep.” Shame washed over him as he buried his head in his hands, a groan escaping his lips.
“I will say nothing of it,” Felix promised, his heart suddenly quickening as he realized that Lord Nethergate had not stumbled but rather had been pulled backwards to knock into Lord Brunswick, who had then fallen also. Had Lord Brunswick done so deliberately? And for what cause? “I think that you should return to the other guests, however. Lord Devonshire will want to make certain that you are fully recovered.”
Lord Nethergate groaned again but Felix did not linger. He had no time to reassure the fellow for he knew now that he needed desperately to find Lord Brunswick. Excusing himself hastily, he left the door ajar and told the footman to help Lord Nethergate find his way back to the drawing room. With quickened steps, Felix started to his way back—only to stumble almost directly into Lady Prudence.
“Lord Brunswick?” she asked, one hand reaching out to grasp his, her eyes wide as they searched his face. “Did you find him?”
Felix shook his head, worry beginning to climb up inside his chest. “He is not in the parlor with Lord Nethergate. In addition, I believe that Lord Brunswick ensured that the supposed accident was deliberate—although for what reason, I cannot imagine.”
Lady Prudence went sheet-white. “The box,” she said, her fingers tightening on his. “What if he is searching for the box? That is why he spoke to my father about Lord Yardley visiting us and why he was so eager to know whether or not I had spoken to the gentleman before he was killed.” Closing her eyes tightly for a moment, she swayed suddenly and Felix feared he would have to catch her. However, her eyes opened, and she drew in a long breath, steadying herself somewhat. “He must be within the house, taking the opportunity to look for what he believes to be his.”
Felix nodded tersely, his hand still holding hers. “Then we must go and look for him,” he told her. “Come, Lady Prudence. There is no time to waste.”
7
Alarm rose in Prudence’s heart as she hurried ahead of Lord Stoneleigh. Ever since she had spoken to her father and he had reluctantly told her what Lord Brunswick had asked of him, she had felt ill at ease. To know that her father had told Lord Brunswick that Lord Yardley had not only been at their house but had enjoyed an evening with the family had struck a heavy warning within her heart, as though she somehow knew that Lord Brunswick’s questions were not merely those of an interested party.
Her heart hammered as they approached her father’s study. They did not have long. She would have to make her way to her bedchamber to change her gown, since it was so very badly stained, and Lord Stoneleigh would have to return to the drawing room well in advance of her. She could not risk being seen with Lord Stoneleigh by any of the other guests and certainly needed to make sure her father’s staff did not see her either. They would spread whispers throughout the townhouse which would, invariably, make their way out to all of London until all of society had knowledge of it.
“Wait a moment.”
Lord Stoneleigh held himself back as Prudence rounded the corner, ensuring that there were no footmen near to her father’s study. The hallway was still lit with a few candles, giving her plenty of light to see by, but there was no sign of any of the servants.
“Come.”
Her whispered word brought Lord Stoneleigh forth and together, they made their way to the study
door. Lord Stoneleigh stepped ahead of her, grasping the door handle and turning it, pushing the door as he did so—but the door did not move an inch. He turned to her.
“Locked.”
Prudence thought for a moment. “Mayhap Lord Brunswick has returned to the drawing room?” she suggested. “In trying my father’s study and discovering it barred, he would have had no other choice but to make his way back to the other guests.” She frowned, her thoughts smudging into each other. “Unless he has gone to search in other rooms.”
“Which ones?” Lord Stoneleigh asked, his eyes searching hers. “The library, mayhap?”
Hesitating, Prudence shrugged. “I suppose wherever he might think that such an item could be hidden,” she said slowly, only for a terrible thought to enter her head. With a gasp, she pressed one hand to her heart whilst the other reached out to press heavily against the wall.
Lord Stoneleigh was by her side in an instant, one hand on her waist as she lifted her hand from the wall and set it on his shoulder, using him to steady herself.
“My bedchamber,” she whispered, horrified at the idea and yet fully aware that this might well be something that Lord Brunswick would consider, depending on how desperate he was to find the box. “Do you think that he could be…?” She could not finish her sentence for a coldness swept over her that left her feeling weak. Her bedchamber was her own private sanctuary, her place of refuge. To think that a gentleman had made his way into her room in order to go through her things made her feel sick to her stomach.
Lord Stoneleigh drew in a long breath but did not immediately disagree with her. Instead, he began to nod slowly, perhaps satisfying himself that her suggestion was, in fact, a wise one.
“I am meant to be going to change,” Prudence said hoarsely, aware of the strength that was coming from Lord Stoneleigh as he held her. “What if he is—”