Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

SCANDALS AND STRATAGEMS

I STEPPED THROUGH behind Steele, only to come to a sudden halt. My breath caught as I took in the scene before me. This was no dressing room as I expected—it was a lady’s bedchamber, its walls adorned with soft pastel silks and its air perfumed with lavender and rosewater. A four-poster bed dominated one corner, and a chaise lounge stood near the window, where Lady Burkett herself reclined with a book in hand.

She blinked at us, her expression shifting from confusion to curiosity. "Lady Rosalynd, Your Grace,” she said, her tone light with amusement. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this . . . unexpected visit?"

Before I could stammer out a reply, the connecting door behind us burst open, slamming against the wall with a thunderous crash. Lord Burkett stormed in, his face flushed with fury.

"What is the meaning of this?" he roared, his gaze darting between Steele, Lady Burkett, and me. "Lady Rosalynd, what are you doing in my wife’s chambers?"

I opened my mouth, but no words came.

As my mind raced for a plausible explanation, Steele spoke, his voice smooth and unruffled despite the volatile situation. "My lord, I must apologize for this intrusion.” He slightly inclined his head. "It was not our intention to disturb Lady Burkett."

Lord Burkett’s face darkened further. "Not your intention? Then what, pray tell, was your intention, skulking about our quarters like common thieves?"

Lady Burkett, who had been watching the exchange with a faint smile, chuckled softly. "Oh, Edward, do calm yourself. Can you not see what’s happening here?"

Her husband shot her a bewildered glance. "What on earth are you talking about?"

Coming to her feet, Lady Burkett’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she glanced at Steele and me. "It’s perfectly obvious," she said, setting her book aside. "Steele and Lady Rosalynd were merely seeking a . . . private moment together."

I gasped, heat rushing to my cheeks. "That is absolutely?—"

“Exactly the reason,” Steele cut in smoothly, stepping forward to shield me from Burkett’s withering glare. "We deeply regret the impropriety, my lady, but I must commend your discretion in understanding the situation."

"Discretion?" Lord Burkett sputtered, his face turning an alarming shade of red. "You expect me to believe?—"

Lady Burkett waved a languid hand, cutting him off. "Edward, let it go. Surely you remember the folly of youth?" She cast a sly glance at Steele, her expression one of indulgent amusement. "I would suggest that you both leave now before further misunderstandings arise."

Steele gave her a polite bow, his composure utterly unshaken. "Thank you, my lady, for your gracious understanding. Come, Lady Rosalynd."

I had no choice but to follow him, my heart pounding with equal parts mortification and outrage. We slipped past Lord Burkett, whose spluttering protests echoed behind us as Steele guided me down the corridor with a firm hand at my elbow.

The moment we were far enough from the bedchamber to avoid being overheard, I whirled on him, yanking my arm free. "You cannot be serious," I hissed, my voice low but venomous. "A tryst , Steele? That was the best you could come up with?"

“It wasn’t I who suggested it, if you will recall.” He raised an eyebrow, his expression maddeningly calm. “And it did work. We managed to extricate ourselves from a sticky situation."

“It did not work!” I exclaimed, incredulous. "You’ve tarnished my reputation and made me complicit in some sordid fiction!"

“Keep your voice down lest the entire household hears your words.”

I blew out a breath.

“Lady Burkett’s explanation was better that having Lord Burkett raise an outcry,” he said coolly. "Or would you have preferred he discover exactly what we were doing there?”

I glared at him, my hands balling into fists at my sides. "You could have come up with another reason!”

“Such as?”

“We were having a private word with Lady Burkett.”

“Regarding what?”

“Fashion.”

He chuckled. “With me along? Burkett wouldn’t have believed that for a moment.” His lips twitched, as though he were suppressing a smile. "Lady Burkett’s amusement provided the perfect cover. She practically handed it to us on a silver platter. I merely . . . accepted her interpretation."

"Her ‘interpretation’ will spread through this house faster than a kitchen fire," I shot back. "By supper, every guest will think I’ve been cavorting with you in private chambers!"

Steele leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial murmur. “Lady Burkett won’t spread the tale. I believe we can trust her.”

Maybe so, but I couldn’t let go of my grievance. “What if she does?”

He tossed a languid hand in the air. “Then let them think what they will. While they’re gossiping about us, no one will suspect what we’re truly after."

I stared at him, caught between fury and mortification. “That’s quite a turnaround from last night, and even this morning, when you warned me about such a thing.”

“It would serve a greater purpose. Misdirection is a wonderful strategy.”

How could he be so dense? “I have a sister to bring out this season, Your Grace,” I hissed out through gritted teeth. “Any scandal that touches me touches her. I cannot afford rumors to be spread about my lack of virtue, especially when they are utterly false.”

He suddenly grew serious. “My apologies. I didn’t think.”

“You wouldn’t. Scandals rarely prove detrimental to men even as they destroy women’s lives.”

He glanced back over his shoulder. “Should I return to Lady Burkett and ask her not to spread the rumor?”

For a few moments, I considered his suggestion. “No. I believe you’re correct. She won’t say anything.” I bit down on my lip. “But her husband might.”

“No.” He shook his head. “He won’t.”

“How do you know?”

“I’ll have a quiet word with him.”

“And what would that word entail?”

“That he might be missing some teeth if he so much as breathes your name.”

“Violence never solves anything.”

“It’s not violence, only the threat of it.” He straightened, his expression softening just enough to reveal a flicker of sincerity. “I apologize for making light of what just transpired. I did not mean any harm. But if even the hint of it comes to light, I give you my word I’ll do my utmost to repair any damage to your good name."

“Thank you." That was the best I could hope for even if it would do no good. No one would believe him.

"Trust me," he said. "By the time we’ve solved this mystery, you’ll be the heroine of the hour."

“I seek no glory, Steele. I only want Eleanor’s necklace found.” I pinned a hard gaze on him. "But I promise you this. If you ever put me in such a position again, I’ll make sure you pay the price."

"Duly noted, my lady," he said, his tone laced with amusement. As much as I hated to admit it, the sound warmed me. In the next moment, however, he became serious once more. “We need to let Needham know we were not successful.”

“Yes.” I was not looking forward to that discussion. I’d been so sure we’d find the necklace in Lord Burkett’s chamber.

Our walk back to the study was cloaked in silence, the air heavy with unspoken disappointment. We had searched Burkett’s quarters thoroughly, but the necklace remained elusive.

Upon arriving, we found Lord Needham pacing the study, his brow furrowed with worry. He looked up as we entered. The flicker of hope in his eyes dimmed at our somber expressions.

“You didn’t find it,” he said, his voice heavy with resignation.

“No,” Steele replied, his tone clipped. “If Burkett has it, he’s hidden it well.”

Needham sighed and rubbed his temple. “I spoke to Lavinia while you were engaged in your search. You were right. She witnessed Felicity sneaking into Eleanor’s room and emerging with a velvet bag in her hand. When she overheard Eleanor telling Cumberforth about the missing necklace, she realized Felicity had stolen it. At that point, she decided to take matters into her own hands and write the blackmail note.”

“Why didn’t she come to Eleanor or you?” I asked.

“She wanted to claim the glory of finding the necklace.”

“Silly chit,” Steele exclaimed.

“Yes, she is that,” Needham agreed. “She claimed she never intended to act on her threats. She only wanted the necklace returned.”

Steele raised an eyebrow. “You believed her?”

“I don’t know,” Needham admitted. “Lavinia thrives on drama, but she also values her place in society. Ruining her cousin’s name would tarnish hers as well.”

Before we could delve further, the sound of voices filtered in from the hallway. Felicity and the church party had returned, their laughter incongruous with the tension weighing on the duke, Needham, and me.

“I’ll see everyone retires to their rooms to prepare for supper,” Needham said in a weary voice. “We could all use a moment to gather ourselves.”

As the guests dispersed, Steele stepped closer to Needham. “We can’t let this fester any longer. Issue an invitation to everyone involved to meet here at seven. Lavinia, Burkett, Felicity—anyone with a stake in this matter. It’s time to get to the truth.”

Needham nodded. “You’re right.”

Steele reached out to press Lord Needham’s shoulder in a show of support. “We’ll confront them together.”

I glanced at Steele, noting the determination etched into his features. Despite my lingering irritation with him, I couldn’t deny his resolve. Tonight, one way or another, we would uncover the truth and restore Eleanor’s necklace whatever it took.