Page 33 of The Earl's Error
Theodore shook his head, turning his hand over so he could grasp hers tightly. “You did nothing wrong, Miss Trentworth. Nothing wrong at all.”
There followed a long silence as Theodore did his best to sort his thoughts, one after another, into some sort of coherent order. Miss Trentworth stayed silent, sitting beside him but waiting for him to speak. The heirlooms had not always been in his family, as he had been told. It seemed that they had been purchased from another family, a family who might now want them back.
His breath hitched. “Could it be that someone from that family has now determined to take the heirlooms back?”
Miss Trentworth’s eyes widened. “That is a wise thought, Lord Albury and not one that I had fully considered. It could very well be so… but you would have to find out who it was that sold them in the first place.”
Theodore nodded. “I will speak to my mother,” he said, setting his other hand on top of their joined ones, a sense of determination now pushing aside his shock. “We are close to discovering the truth, Miss Trentworth, I am sure of it.”
She beamed at him then, her eyes suddenly alive with light and colour, her beauty astonishing him. “I am so very glad that you feel that way, Lord Albury, for it is in my heart also!”
Kiss her.
The voice in his head made him snatch in a breath and, rather than do as he had been told, Theodore released her hands and then got to his feet, pushing one hand through his hair. Wherever had such a thought come from? And why had it come upon him so swiftly and without explanation?
“I… I should take my leave.”
There was a tremor in Miss Trentworth’s voice and when he turned to look at her, there was only a small smile darting across her lips before fading again. His reaction had unsettled her but he dared not so much as step close to her again, nor could he explain himself – not when he did not fully understand what was happening to him. “Thank you for coming, Miss Trentworth.” He managed a vague smile but then stepped back so she might make for the door. “You have taken something of a risk in coming to speak with me, I know, but it is appreciated.”
She only nodded and then, with a single glance at him, made for the door.
“You will tell me of what you discover at Hamilton and Sons, will you not?” An urgent desire to keep her close to him enveloped Theodore and he found himself calling after her, wanting her to stay even a few moments longer.
“Of course I shall.” Miss Trentworth gave him another look over her shoulder but her smile was no longer as vivid or as bright. “Thank you, Lord Albury.”
He opened his mouth to say something more but she was gone, the door now closing behind her. Dropping his chin to his chest, Theodore let out a low groan, frustrated not only with himself but with how the conversation had ended. Pursuing her after he had made it clear he thought she ought to take her leavemust have been greatly confusing for the lady, though Theodore himself was also struggling with confusion. Ever since he had walked with her in the park, ever since he had begun to trust her words, something else had begun to develop in him. Something that he did not, as yet, want to let go of.
But to cling onto it would only make it grow, would it not? And if it did, then what was he to do with it?
15
“Now, remind me what it is we are to do.”
Joceline smiled at her friends. “Lady Amelia and Lady Rosalyn are to distract the staff whilst myself and Miss Sherwood go in search of their ledger. It is bound to have the names of those who have ordered from them within the last few months.”
“While I stand and keep watch in case you are in danger of being caught,” Lady Isobella said, as Joceline nodded. “I will come to warn you if that is to happen.”
A mixture of nervousness and anticipation rolled around in Joceline’s stomach. “Thank you, my friend. Now,” she said, looking around at the others. “Are we quite prepared?”
With a nod and a smile, each lady turned and walked into Hamilton and Sons, leaving Joceline to follow them. After her conversation with Lord Albury, Joceline felt the weight of responsibility on her shoulders all the more keenly. Evidently, he had thought of someone who might be responsible for this dreadful situation, and now, in looking at these names, Joceline might be able to assist him with it all. She did not know whether the ledger would detail what each person had ordered fromHamilton and Sons but, if it did, then she would not only have the name of the person who had purchased it but, most likely, be able to connect them in some way to Lady Albury.
“You have not spoken much about your conversation with Lord Albury.” As they stepped into the shop, Miss Sherwood caught Joceline’s attention. “It was three days ago now, was it not? And still, you have said very little.”
Joceline sent a sidelong glance towards her friend. “There was very little to tell you, aside from the fact that he did think thatthiswould be very helpful. Once we have the names, it may be that he will recognize one who has been long connected to his family. We can proceed from there.”
“I am well aware of all of that,” Miss Sherwood answered, though her words were gentle rather than fierce. “What I mean to ask is whether you felt the visit… helpful foryou.”
When Joceline frowned, Miss Sherwood let out a quiet laugh and put one hand to her forehead for a moment. “Goodness, I am not explaining myself well at all! You must forgive me, for I am trying to ask you something without speaking so directly that I embarrass either you or me!” She closed her eyes for a moment. “Joceline, what I am trying to say is that I have noticed an interest in Lord Albury that, to my mind, appears to go a little further than this hope of finding the necklace. When you danced with him, there was a smile on your face that I have never seen before and whenever you speak of him now, a pink comes into your cheeks, though I am not certain you are aware of it.”
Horrified, Joceline pressed both hands to her cheeks. “Does it?”
Miss Sherwood chuckled. “My dear friend, you need not look so horrified! To be drawn towards a gentleman is not something I will criticize, for it is quite natural a thing!”
“Drawn to him?” Joceline repeated, trying to make light of the conversation so she would not have to think about it withany real seriousness. “My dear Eugenia, I am not in the least bit captivated by him. My only hope in all of this is to free myself from these trappings by finding the necklace.”
“Even though Lord Albury no longer has any suspicions towards you?” her friend asked, gently. “You could simply state that now you know he does not doubt you any longer, you are leaving the matter solely to him.”
That made Joceline’s stomach drop low. “You know I could do no such thing! I have given him my word and for my honor, I cannot step back from him now.”Nor do I want to.
