Page 36 of The Earl's Error
Chuckling softly, Theodore shrugged. “I suppose that might be true,” he admitted, with a small smile. “And when this reaches its conclusion, I shall be all the more determined to continue with our connection… in a manner a good deal more serious than ever before.”
“You are a trifle distracted, I think.”Theodore smiled as warmly as he could, seeing Miss Trentworth’s eyes darting this way and that. “There is much you wish to say, mayhap.”
She looked at him. “I do but I am, in truth, a little afraid of what you will think when I tell you.”
“Afraid?” Theodore’s eyebrows rose. “My dear Miss Trentworth, if you have anything to tell me as regards the theft of my necklace then I can assure you that I will have nothing but relief and gratitude.”
She caught the edge of her lip in her teeth for a brief second, then nodded before the dance continued and took him from her for a time. Theodore’s heart rose with gladness when she was back in his arms, happy now to have her so close to him again.
“There is something that I would like to tell you also,” he found himself saying, aware now that what was in his heart was not going to easily fade. “Though mayhap that will need to come thereafter.”
Her lips quirked briefly. “You may not wish to even see me again once I speak with you,” she said, though the small smile grew sad. “You may turn your back on me entirely!”
“Never,” he said, firmly, as the dance came to a close. “You may even tell me that my dearest friend, Lord Castleton, is the one who has taken the necklace and I shall still stay close to you!”
Miss Trentworth smiled though it did not linger long. She dropped into a curtsy at the end of the dance, as he bowed, only to hurry forward and offer her his arm, which she took at once.
“Now,” he said, beginning to promenade around the room. “We do not have long but if required, we can find a quieter place to speak. Your friends will be able to join us, I am sure. That way, we shall be quite safe when it comes to propriety.”
She nodded, though when she spoke, her voice was so soft that Theodore could barely hear her. “I thank you, Lord Albury.My mother knows we are to take a short walk around the ballroom but we must not be too long.”
“Then tell me what it is that concerns you,” he said, as gently but as decisively as he could. “You have a lot weighing upon you and I want only to take some of that from you.”
She turned to him, their steps slowing and carefully, Theodore walked them both towards the side of the ballroom, where the shadows were heavier. “I went to Hamilton and Sons with the other bluestockings, as you know.” They came to a complete stop, her hand sliding from his arm as she closed her eyes for a moment, clearly trying to prepare herself for what she had to say next. Theodore’s heart pounded, a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead as he waited, not wanting to interrupt the silence but, at the same time, desperate to know what she had to tell him.
“Miss Sherwood and I found the ledger where Hamilton and Sons keep their records,” she continued, her eyes darting away from him again. “There were not any names there of the ladies that your mother considers as rivals.”
“Oh.” Theodore frowned, his shoulders dropping. “I had hoped you would find someone there.”
“I – I did.” Miss Trentworth licked her lips. “Lord Albury, I… I found the name of your aunt.”
Every other sound in the ballroom faded in an instant.
“I read it three times to make sure I was correct,” she continued, her voice now seeming to come from very far away. “It said ‘Lady Yarmouth’ and beside it was an order for a necklace… though it did not say emeralds.”
Closing his eyes, Theodore dragged air into his tight lungs, letting it out again with a hiss.
“Of course, this does not mean that it is she who is responsible,” Miss Trentworth continued hastily, perhaps aware of the profound effect her words were having upon him. “I wouldnever dream of suggesting that a mere name in a ledger means that she is responsible but…”
She trailed off, her eyes rounded as Theodore turned his full attention back to her, his eyes settling on hers. “But what, Miss Trentworth?” He heard the hardness of his tone, saw the way her already wide eyes flared again, and let out a slow breath. “I do not mean to appear harsh but this has come as a great shock.”
With a nod, she pressed her lips together again, dropped her head, and closed her eyes. “I went to the library and searched and searched until I found who the necklace belonged to originally,” she said, ever so quietly and without opening her eyes. “It took some time and a good deal of assistance from the other ladies but in the end, we were given the name.”
As she finished, her eyes opened again and she looked straight back at him, making Theodore’s breath hitch. He knew before she even spoke what name it was she was to give him but yet his mind refused to accept it. Surely it could not be?
“It once belonged to Lord Yarmouth,” she said, the words like solid weights, flinging down one at a time into his mind. “It was sold when the family became impoverished. From what I have learned, it was not done willingly but only because they had no choice.”
A groan broke from Theodore’s lips without him having had any intention of making such a sound. He dropped his head into his hands, the palms of his hands pressing into his eyes. It all made sense now.Shewould have been able to replicate the necklace exactly, for she had seen it on many an occasion and, if she truly desired it for herself, would have been able to plan meticulously what was going to happen. She had known that it had once belonged to her husband’s family and, for that reason, she desired it solely for herself.
I would never have known of all of this without Miss Trentworth.
“Miss Trentworth – Joceline.” Lifting his head, he grasped her hand and pulled her close. “My dear lady, I see now that I would never have come to understand these things were it not for your determination and your intelligence.”
Astonishment caused her mouth to form a perfect circle and Theodore’s eyes were drawn to it, warmth curling in his stomach though the shock remained, buzzing all through him over and over and over again.
“It all makes sense,” he said, gripping her hands tightly. “You have discovered the truth, I amsureof it. And now I must bring this situation to an end.”
Her fingers curled around his. “You are going to speak to your aunt?”
