Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

THE SUSPECT LIST GROWS

I WOKE EARLIER than I intended, the winter sunlight barely filtering through the heavy damask curtains. Last night’s discussion with Lady Rosalynd weighed on my conscience. I should not have baited her. She deserved better. I did not, however, wonder why I had acted in such a reprehensible manner.

I’d expected my stay at Needham Hall to consist of a serious discussion about Needham’s proposed legislation and my attendance at the Christmas Ball, the latter a necessary evil I couldn’t avoid in good grace. But it was turning out to be something rather more perilous. And it all came down to my unexpected attraction to Lady Rosalynd. The last time I’d felt the same about a lady, it had ended in tragedy. I simply could not, would not, give in to my impulses. I’d mastered them once. I could do so again.

At this point, my only responsibility lay in locating Lady Eleanor’s missing necklace. Nothing else mattered. Once I’d done my duty, I would claim an urgent matter had come up at Steele Castle and leave.

Firmly in control of my emotions, I headed to the dining room, where breakfast was being served. I was not surprised to find the room empty. The family and guests were still abed. Once I’d had my fill, I proceeded to the study where Needham was waiting for me. The day before, we’d agreed to meet at nine so I could provide him with a summary of our progress. Although disappointed we weren’t further along, he appreciated we had ruled out his household staff as suspects. Lady Rosalynd’s report had reached the same conclusion I had.

“I suppose that only leaves my family and Cumberforth,” he said in a lugubrious tone.

“It does look that way. But let us wait until we discover more facts before reaching that conclusion.”

“Yes, of course. You’re right.” He somewhat brightened up. “Rosalynd should be of great help with that. She’s quite a clever girl.”

“I know.” The report she’d written had been concise and complete. She’d concluded the female staff had been too busy with their chores to nip into Lady Eleanor’s bedchamber and steal the necklace. Their absence would have been noted by others.

“It’s a shame, really,” Needham said.

“What is?”

“The mantle of responsibility she’s taken on. Her brother, Earl Rosehaven, handles the finances, of course. But he leaves every other familial duty to Rosalynd. She’s in charge of the upbringing of her sisters and younger brother—I believe there are six of them—as well as the management of Rosehaven Manor and their residence in London. At her age, she should be setting up her own nursery, not worrying about her brothers and sisters.”

For the last five years, Needham had encouraged me to marry again. He’d argued that my wife’s demise in childbirth, although tragic, did not mean it would happen again. I’d sidestepped the subject in the past, but now it seemed he was hinting at it once more. If that was the case, I could not let it pass. “If that is a veiled reference that I would make her a perfect husband?—”

Needham laughed. “Oh, heavens no. I know how you feel about that particular subject.” He waved a hand in the air. “And even if I were, it wouldn’t do. The lady does not wish to marry. Imagine that! She would make an excellent wife given all the experience she’s had. The family is quite prolific too. She has eight brothers and sisters.”

“I thought you said six,” I pointed out.

“Six younger, two older,” Needham replied.

Before I could enquire why the lady did not wish to marry, Lady Rosalynd herself arrived. After greeting her, Needham excused himself and left us to it.

Going by her expression, she appeared peeved at me. Understandably so after what I’d said to her last night. Not my finest moment. I decided to offer an olive branch. “I read your report. Well written, complete. You don’t think any female staff was involved.”

She nodded. “They were either busy with their duties or enjoying their tea. Household staff, as I have cause to know, barely have a moment to themselves. If they had not adhered to their responsibilities, someone would have noticed. As I noted in my report, no one commented on such a thing.”

“I concluded the same as far as the male staff. That leaves the cousins. And Cumberforth.”

“Not Cumberforth.”

“Why not?”

“He’s in love with Eleanor.”

“How do you know? As far as I know, he hasn’t declared himself.”

“I sat next to him yesterday during our luncheon. His eyes, his words, were all for Eleanor. He could hardly tear his gaze from her.”

“Men’s eyes and gazes can deceive.” As I had good cause to know.

“Not Cumberforth. There’s no guile in him.”

“Even so, we will keep him on our list of suspects.”

“You’re wasting your time.”

Amazing! She was arguing with me nce more. I pinned her with a hard gaze. “It’s my time to waste, Lady Rosalynd.”

She shrugged. “Yes, of course, Your Grace. I apologize.”

She didn’t appear the least bit sorry. But there was no time to dwell on it when we had a mystery to solve. “So? The cousins? How should we proceed?”

“We must speak to them today. There’s no time to waste.”

I nodded in agreement. Seemingly we had reached the same conclusion. Just as well. It would not help our mission if we were at odds with each other. “None of the cousins seem to have an inkling that the diamond necklace has gone missing.”

“Yes, I rather think so. Except, of course, if one of them took it.”

“We’ll need to tread carefully with our questions.”

“I agree.”

Now that the ice between us had thawed, I took a seat on the sofa next to her. We discussed each cousin, weighing each one with a suspicious eye. Two gentlemen and two ladies, each with their own secrets and possible motives. After we’d thoroughly shared our opinions, we agreed to proceed as we’d done with the staff. I would speak with the male cousins, and she with the females. As time was not on our side—the Christmas Ball was a day away—we’d need to conduct our interviews this morning. Lady Eleanor’s engagement announcement to Lord Cumberforth hung by a fraying thread.

“Will they speak freely, you think?” Lady Rosalynd asked, her brow furrowed.

“If we do our job well,” I replied, “they won’t even realize we’re asking questions.” She gave a nod, and we made our way out of the study, our plan firmly in place.

I’d decided to speak with the first cousin on my list—Alistair, Needham’s heir and an avid sportsman. He tended not only to ride to hounds but also to wager on horse races and pugilistic endeavors. Whether he had the funds to do so was unknown to me. Something I would need to find out. I found him in the library, lounging with a cup of coffee and leafing through a newspaper that I knew had been delivered this morning.

“Good morning, Alistair,” I said. Since all the cousins shared the same surname, during supper we’d agreed to greet them by their first one to avoid confusion.. “I trust you slept well?”

“Well enough, Steele,” he replied with a lazy grin. “Eleanor certainly knows how to entertain.”

“Indeed, she does,” I agreed, taking a seat across from him. I steered the conversation toward generalities, speaking of London society, the latest gossip, and eventually—casually—of the costs of maintaining prime horseflesh.

Alistair, who was not shy about airing his opinions, spoke freely of the outrageous expenses he had incurred over the past year. A few minutes in, he was well into a tirade about the indignity of creditors. “It's a devil's game, I tell you,” he complained, setting down his coffee with a thud. “Only last month, I was forced to part with my carriage. Imagine! A gentleman of my standing, reduced to hiring one like a commoner.”

I murmured sympathetically, but my thoughts were racing. Alistair’s betting debts were clearly a source of stress. Could desperation have driven him to theft?

I left him to his newspaper and sought out the second male cousin, Edwin. In many ways, the antithesis to his cousin, Edwin was an aspiring lawyer who brought a logical, somewhat skeptical approach to family matters. During yesterday’s luncheon, he’d expressed a wish to set up his own practice in London. A venture his father approved of. While he did not appear to be overly social, like his cousin, he was attentive and observant, particularly when it came to matters involving the family fortune. Last night in the drawing room, he’d suggested a business scheme to his uncle that had proven lucrative to other investors. Needham had said he’d look into it.

I found Edwin in the drawing room seemingly immersed in reading a letter over a desk. As soon as I entered the room, he tucked the correspondence underneath the desk blotter which made me suspicious of what it contained.

“Good morning, Edwin,” I said, once more feigning light-heartedness. “Lady Eleanor’s household is certainly alive with the spirit of Christmas. The greenery is quite impressive.”

“Yes, yes,” he muttered, scarcely glancing up. “Eleanor does like to have things perfect.”

I noted the strain in his voice. Curious. Last night he hadn’t seemed to have a care in the world. Did the letter hold a clue to his change of mood? I would need to find out. As there was no time to waste, I tossed aside etiquette. “Anything wrong, old chap? You seem a tad upset?”

“Just got unsettling news.”

“Oh?”

“Had my heart set on joining a law practice in London. But they hired someone with more experience.”

“Tough luck, old man. There are others, though.”

“Yes.” He didn’t appear too hopeful. “Thing is, funds are rather low. Needham paid my expenses at Oxford. But now I was hoping . . . well, you don’t really want to hear my woes. I must learn to manage, even when there’s not enough to go around.” His bitterness was unmistakable which made me wonder if he had been tempted to solve his money troubles by pilfering Eleanor’s diamonds.

Having finished with the two cousins, I headed back to Needham’s study. On the way, I saw Lady Rosalynd finishing her conversation with Felicity, who appeared flustered and agitated. Going by Lady Rosalynd’s expression, the conversation had been an enlightening one.

We exchanged but a brief glance, agreeing without words to head toward Needham’s study. But before either of us could do so, our investigation was interrupted by the sound of horses and the crunch of carriage wheels on the gravel outside Needham Manor.

Almost on cue, Lady Eleanor drifted forward from a corridor, her arm curled around Lord Cumberforth’s arm. “That must be Lord and Lady Burkett,” she said as they rushed past us. Moments later, a footman confirmed her statement.

Rosalynd’s eyes narrowed with barely concealed irritation. I didn’t blame her. The arrival of the Burketts was a complication we did not need.

As Cumberforth’s parents made their entrance, Lady Burkett caught sight of me. “Steele,” she greeted me warmly, a bright smile lighting her face. “What a lovely surprise to see you here! Eleanor didn’t mention you’d be visiting.”

I offered a polite bow. “Dull fellow that I am, it must have slipped her mind.”

Lady Burkett laughed. “Oh, come Steele. Last thing you are is dull. Many a London hostess would give her eyeteeth for your presence at one of their balls.”

“You flatter me, ma’am.” I turned to my fellow sleuth. “Have you met Lady Rosalynd, Rosehaven’s sister?”

“Can’t say I’ve had the pleasure,” Lady Burkett said. “How are you, my dear?”

“Fine, ma’am. Thank you for asking.”

While Lady Burkett was a congenial and charming woman, her husband was just the opposite. Burkett was known far and wide for his dour demeanor and critical eye. His scowl deepened as he observed the festive decorations in the hall, his eyes flicking critically from the garlands to the servants bustling about. “A great deal of fuss,” he muttered. “More than necessary, if you ask me.”

Lady Burkett laughed, dismissing her husband’s complaints with a wave of her hand. “Oh, you know Edward,” she said to us with a conspiratorial smile. “Always the practical one.”

I smiled tightly, making a mental note to keep a careful watch on the marquis. Something about his dour mood made me uneasy. He bore watching. Sooner or later, I would figure it out.

Without bothering to acknowledge Lady Rosalynd, Burkett addressed his son, “Stephen, I need a word.”

“Of course, Father. Aren’t you going to greet Lady Eleanor?”

My opinion of Cumberforth rose. He wasn’t quite the milksop I thought he was. Maybe Rosalynd was right.

“Yes, of course. Lady Eleanor.” Burkett barely nodded in her direction. Lady Burkett, on the other hand, exchanged cheek kisses with her. “You’re so lovely Eleanor. Truly a rose in winter.”

Lady Eleanor’s cheeks pinked up, clearly pleased by the compliment. “Thank you, Lady Burkett.”

Just then a gong sounded. “Oh, that’s the signal for our luncheon,” Lady Eleanor said. “It’ll be served in twenty minutes.”

“Well, that should give us plenty of time to refresh ourselves,” Lady Burkett said with an uplift to her lips.

“And for me to talk to my son,” Lord Burkett said.

Every gaze followed the Burketts and their son as they climbed the stairs to the first floor, Eleanor’s the most worried of all.

Catching Rosalynd’s attention, I nodded in the general direction of the study. A few minutes later, after taking different routes, we reached that destination. Once the door was shut, I wasted no time.

“Well?” I asked, eager to hear what she had learned.

Rosalynd’s eyes glimmered with a mixture of excitement and concern. “I suspect Lavinia is in love with Lord Cumberforth,” she revealed, her voice barely above a whisper. “She didn’t say so directly, of course, but it’s clear from the way she speaks of him. She became quite flustered when I mentioned his name.”

“Interesting,” I said, considering the implications. “And the other cousin? Felicity?”

“She detests him,” Rosalynd said bluntly. “I’m certain of it. She was almost gleeful when she hinted at his faults and shortcomings, whether real or imagined. I suspect she would be delighted if his engagement to Eleanor was called off.”

The pieces were beginning to form a picture, but it was not yet clear what the whole would be.

“What about you? What did you discover?” she asked, turning the conversation back to me.

I relayed my observations about the two male cousins—Alistair’s gambling and Edwin’s financial woes. Rosalynd’s expression grew more troubled with every word, her fingers tapping restlessly on the arm of her chair.

“Any one of them could have taken the necklace.”

“Or maybe more than one. They could have worked in tandem. There’s no help for it,” I said grimly. “We’ll have to search their rooms.”

Rosalynd hesitated, biting her lower lip as she considered the suggestion. It was a bold step and one that carried considerable risk. But we were running out of time, and if we didn’t find some clue—some shred of evidence—Lady Eleanor’s future would be in jeopardy.

The gong sounded again, the final signal to proceed to the dining room.

“How are we to achieve this?”

“Eleanor has something planned for this afternoon. It should provide us with plenty of time to do what must be done.”