Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

THE SECRETS IN THE SHADOWS

A FTER brEAKFAST, Lady Rosalynd and I proceeded to Needham’s study to discuss what she’d learned. It took no time to share that information with our host. To say he was troubled was an understatement. So much so, he took pacing before me, his features tight with worry. Only to be expected after what Lady Rosalynd had revealed.

“We must retrieve Eleanor’s necklace without causing a scandal. What are we to do?” His voice held a note of desperation.

I did not immediately answer Needham’s plea but allowed the silence to settle before I spoke. "The situation is precarious. If Lord Burkett exposes Lady Eleanor’s lack of dowry—thanks to Felicity’s betrayal—the engagement will collapse. Worse still, if Lavinia reveals Edwin is Lord Burkett’s illegitimate son, the Needham name could be destroyed entirely."

“I can’t believe Edwin’s mother would have played my brother false.”

“If I may, Lord Needham” —Rosalynd interjected— “we don’t actually have proof of that. Could it be conjecture on Felicity’s part?”

“Edwin was born rather early into their marriage, seven months to be exact. And Burkett has been one of her suitors. But my brother Martin never once doubted Edwin was his son.”

“Maybe he did not know. Maybe the lady dallied with Lord Burkett before their marriage.”

Lord Needham’s brow took a hike. “Charlotte, dally? She was a timid, quiet mouse who barely spoke in social gatherings, even family ones. No. She couldn’t have been involved in a dalliance.”

“And yet, Edwin was born early.”

“He was rather small. Everyone wondered how he survived. His mother, sadly, did not.” Needham glanced at me. “Much like your own wife?—”

I froze as the pain of that memory stabbed at me cutting off my breath.

“I beg your pardon. That was an unforgivable thing to say. I need a drink, and so do you.” Needham approached the cupboard, poured whiskey into two glasses, and handed one to me. Without a word, I gulped down the fiery liquor.

Too late recalling the other person in the room, Needham turned to her. “Lady Rosalynd?”

“None for me, thank you.”

“Of course, my dear.” Needham sipped at his while an awkward silence filled the room.

But it didn’t last long. Lady Rosalynd soon stepped into the void. “Eleanor said your brother Martin will be attending the ball.”

Needham cleared his throat. “Yes, he should be arriving soon. His business interests in London kept him from arriving before today.”

“Forgive me if I’m stepping out of line, Lord Needham. I treasure my brothers and sisters and would do anything for them. But Felicity does not seem to care that her actions would precipitate a scandal that would destroy not only your family’s reputation but her brother, most particularly. And I have to wonder why that is.”

“My brother Martin married twice. His first wife was Felicity’s mother. We cautioned him against doing so. She was too young and too eager to enjoy what life had to offer to settle into the role of a proper wife. Sadly, my words proved to be true. A year after Felicity’s birth, she deserted him. Martin searched for her, of course, only to discover she’d run away with a sugar plantation owner. Their ship capsized on the way to Jamaica. All souls aboard were lost at sea. Her body was never found so Martin had to wait seven years for her to be declared dead. As soon as she was, he married Charlotte. Seven months after that, Edwin was born. You know the rest.”

Eager to move the conversation away from a topic that struck too close to home, I said, “I understand Edwin has the ambition of becoming a solicitor.”.

“Yes, he attended Oxford and got a first in jurisprudence. His father encouraged him to learn a trade. He chose that field of study.”

“A noble profession,” I said.

“Unfortunately, he has not been able to make his way.”

“Why not?”

“He’s seen as a dilettante by those in that field. Untrue. He’s quite serious in his pursuit.”

“Once this matter is settled satisfactorily, I would be glad to put in a good word for him.”

Needham’s surprised gaze found me. “You’d do that?”

“He struck me as a serious young man, and he denounced his sister for her actions. I would need to have further discussions with him before I take that step, of course. But if I’m convinced he’s everything I think he is, I would be glad to sponsor him.”

“Thank you, Steele. That means the world to me.”

“It’s the least I can do. We would first need to solve our current conundrum, however. Otherwise, he’d have no future.”

“I’ve been thinking,” Rosalynd said. She sat across from me, poised, her hands folded as if carved from marble. But her eyes—those sharp, unyielding eyes—revealed the torrent of her thoughts.

“You’ve determined a course of action,” I said. She’d come up with a plan while I’d been wallowing in despair.

“I have.” She leaned forward, her voice steady but urgent. "If the necklace is in Lord Burkett’s possession, we must reclaim it without alerting him.”

Needham’s knuckles whitened against the arms of his chair. "How? The man is shrewd. He’ll never willingly part with it."

Rosalynd smiled faintly, it was the sort that held the promise of mischief. "Not willingly, no. But he needn’t know it’s gone until it’s too late."

Intrigued by her words, I asked, "You propose a theft, Lady Rosalynd?"

"A reclamation," she corrected. "If Felicity had no qualms stealing from Eleanor, then we are justified in retrieving what’s rightfully hers. But I would need assistance to access Burkett’s quarters. He’ll keep it close, I’m certain."

This was a bold woman, and I appreciated boldness. My lips curved in approval. "A daring plan. I like it."

"Highly irregular!" Needham sputtered, his expression torn between reluctance and desperation.

"Desperate times," I countered smoothly, "demand unconventional measures." I turned back to Rosalynd. "Lady Rosalynd, you and I will manage this. Burkett is unlikely to suspect a young lady, and I have some experience with subtle extractions."

She arched an elegant brow at me, her skepticism wrapped in charm. "Experience, Your Grace?"

"Let’s say my education wasn’t confined to the classics," I replied dryly, my tone making it clear I wasn’t about to elaborate.

Needham sighed heavily. "Do what you must. But if Felicity discovers this, she may retaliate."

Rosalynd’s expression darkened. “She must be removed from the field of play.”

“You don’t intend to harm her?” Needham exclaimed, his expression a study in horror.

Lady Rosalynd grinned. “No, Lord Needham. Only arrange for her to be somewhere else. She can’t interfere with our plans or even learn about them if she’s away from Needham Hall. I suggest you tell Eleanor what we’ve discovered. Have her take Felicity on a carriage ride with Cumberforth and Lord Harringford. She seemed quite taken with him last night.”

“But where would they go?” He gazed out the window. “The weather has turned. We might even get some snow.”

“Your local church. Harringford was waxing poetic about it last night. Something about its medieval spire. That should keep them far from here until this afternoon. By then, we shall have located the necklace.”

“Good heavens, Rosalynd,” Needham said. “I did not know you had such deviousness in you.”

“Comes from having eight brothers and sisters, many of whom get up to all kinds of trouble.” She turned to me and asked, “That plan should work, don’t you think?”

“As long as Felicity agrees, I don’t see why not.”

“What about Lavinia?” Needham asked. “She needs to be dealt with as well.”

“Her threat to expose Edwin’s lineage requires a different strategy,” Rosalynd said with conviction.

Meeting her gaze, I inclined my head. "Lady Rosalynd is correct. Lavinia must be incentivized to keep her silence."

Running a hand over his face, Needham sank into a chair. "What incentive could possibly work? The woman thrives on chaos."

“Her life’s ambition is to marry a peer of the realm,” Rosalynd said. “She can’t very well do that if a particularly nasty rumor is spread about her. She loves gossip and knows how damaging it can be.”

“What kind of rumor?” Needham asked.

“I’m sure Eleanor will come up with something.”

“My Eleanor would never devise, much less spread, a nasty rumor!” Lord Needham exclaimed.

“Eleanor’s entire future is on the line, Lord Needham. The mere threat of such a rumor would be enough to silence Lavinia, especially when confronted with her own misdeed. Talk to Eleanor. Once you explain what she must do, I believe she will gladly go along with the plan.”

Needham threaded a hand through his hair. “How are we to get everything accomplished? The ball is tonight. Without the necklace, Burkett will call off his son’s engagement."

“You’re correct. We don’t have a moment to waste,” Lady Rosalynd said. “After you talk to Eleanor, ask Burkett for a moment of his time. Tell him you wish to discuss Eleanor’s dowry.”

“He doesn’t think it’s enough.”

“Doesn’t matter. Once he arrives, let us know. We’ll be in the orangery.”

“I suppose that’s as good a place as any,” I said.

Before we left, Needham said, “Retrieve the necklace, Steele, Lady Rosalynd. Give my daughter her future."

“We will do our best,” Rosalynd said.

As we emerged from the study, I offered my arm to Rosalynd. She hesitated, her gaze holding mine as if seeking reassurance. After I gave her a subtle nod, she slipped her hand into the crook of my elbow.

“Do people ever visit orangeries?” I asked on our way there.

“We do the one at home. It’s one of my favorite places to visit during the long winter months. I love the scent, you see.”

The orangery turned out to be a wonder. The citrus fruits imbued the space with a pungent but pleasant aroma.

“It is quite aromatic,” I murmured, breathing in the heady smell. “So what can these be used for, other than eating of course?”

“Well, lemon oil can be distilled from lemons which makes for a powerful wood shine. Extracts of orange peels are added to perfumes, and limes add flavor to food.”

I wasn’t surprised by her knowledge, but I was curious about how she’d learned it. “How do you know all this?”

“My brother grows all manners of plants and fruits, mostly to advance the science of botany. He’s even an acknowledged expert on poisonous ones.”

I stared at her. “Whyever would he study poisons?”

“He finds them fascinating. Scotland Yard regularly consults with him. All manners of poison are used to murder people. When the police suspect one was employed, they turn to him.”

Unable to discuss the investigation for fear of being overheard, we spent the remainder of the time in desultory conversation. Close to an hour later, we received word that the coast was clear.

Together we ascended the grand staircase in silence, the soft rustle of her skirts brushing against my side. When we reached the second floor landing, I leaned toward her. "Have you done this sort of thing before, Lady Rosalynd?"

"Breaking and entering? Not precisely. But I’m not unfamiliar with thinking on my feet."

"Good," I murmured, casting a glance down the hallway. "Burkett isn’t a man to trifle with. If things go awry, we’ll need all the wit and charm you can muster."

"And you, Your Grace? What will you bring to the table?" she asked.

"Let’s just say I’m adept at vanishing when the need arises."

Reaching Burkett’s door, I tested the handle—locked, as expected. From my pocket, I withdrew a set of tools, the metallic clink breaking the stillness.

"Impressive," Rosalynd whispered, her voice laced with curiosity.

The lock yielded to my hand in seconds. Pushing the door open, I gestured for her to enter ahead of me.

Lord Burkett’s air carried the faint scent of cigar smoke, mingling with the bitterness of old paper and brandy. I moved methodically through the space, my movements precise and practiced, while Rosalynd stood by the fireplace, nervously watching the door.

"Anything yet?" she whispered, her voice barely carrying over the faint rustle of papers.

"No," I muttered, my tone tight. “He wouldn’t leave the necklace lying about in plain sight."

Frustration bubbled in her gaze, and I knew why. Eleanor’s necklace—the one precious possession her family had managed to hold onto—had to be somewhere in this house. Without it, her engagement to Lord Cumberforth would be imperiled. I clenched my hands, determined not to fail her.

A faint sound froze us both. Footsteps. Distinct and deliberate, echoing in the hallway beyond the heavy door.

I straightened, my sharp gaze snapping to hers. “Needham failed to keep Burkett occupied,” I murmured.

She nodded in agreement, her gaze darting toward the door.

There was no time to retreat the way we came. I crossed the room in three swift strides and pushed open a connecting door that led into the adjoining chamber.

"Quickly," I urged, holding it open for her.