Page 37 of The Earl's Error
He nodded. “Yes. Now.”
Surprise shot through her expression but she did not question him.
“Though that shall not be the end of things between you and me,” he said, fervently, aware now of just how close she was to him, how easy it would be to lower his head towards hers. “There is much still for me to say and Iwillsay it, once I have spoken to my aunt.”
“Of course.” Her smile wobbled but Theodore could not linger, lifting her hand and pressing a kiss to it, he took just a moment to look into her eyes. There was so much warring within him, so much that he desired to do in this one moment and yet, he had to choose only one. Either he lingered here with Miss Trentworth and hoped he would be able to set aside what she had told him so that he might have the freedom to speak of his heart, or he waited until the first matter was concluded, so he would have freedom to speak to her honestly and without anything pulling him back.
It was a clear choice. Hehadto have the calmness and peace in his mind and heart when it came to her. It was the very least she deserved.
“I will return,” he said, reluctantly releasing her hands. “And I will have confirmation that my aunt stole the necklace, I am quite determined.”
“Very well,” she said, taking a step away from him. “I hope that you will find all that you are looking for.
Still desiring to remain with her, Theodore forced his steps in the other direction. It was more than a little difficult to set his back on her but the moment he set his eyes to the crowd; a fierce, hot anger began to burn through him.
It was my very own aunt who took the necklace,he thought to himself, angrily.I have spent days worrying, fretting that I will never be able to discover which person in London it is, only for the theft to come from within my own family!
“Albury.”
A hand caught his arm and he turned, his whole body tense with fury, only to look into his mother’s eyes.
“I am to take my leave,” she said, briskly. “My sister is to take me back in her carriage. I have decided –”
“Where is she?” Theodore saw the shock lurch into his mother’s expression, seeing the widening of her eyes, the pause that came as she tried to collect herself.
“She is gone to call the carriage,” came the eventual reply. “But why –”
“We will go together in the carriage,” he gritted out, beginning to stalk towards the door.And I will have the truth by the time we return home.
Despite his mother’s near constant questions, Theodore said nothing as he not only found his aunt but thereafter, climbed into her carriage. He saw how his mother and his aunt shared a look, but it was only when the carriage began to roll towardsthe house that he finally chose to speak. He had spent the last few minutes taking full control of his anger, determined that he would speak calmly and clearly to them both.
“Mother.” He looked at her first. “I have come to tell you that the necklace has been discovered.”
This made her snatch in her breath, though she did not smile nor did she question how he had found it. That in itself gave Theodore pause, but he had no time with which to stop and consider.
“Or, I should say, thethiefhas been discovered.” At this, he swung his gaze directly towards his aunt, seeing how her eyes rounded. Again, he fell silent, only for the quiet to be broken by a sharp, uncertain laugh.
“Good gracious, nephew! You cannot think thatIam the one who has taken it?”
“Think?” Theodore shook his head. “No, I do not think, Aunt. I know for certain that it was you and might I suggest that you stop yourself from attempting to deny it? That would be rather tiresome and I have little time for that.”
Again, silence fell but this time, none seemed willing to break it. Lady Yarmouth looked down at her hands and, much to Theodore’s surprise, his mother too remained silent. The carriage rumbled on but Theodore pressed his lips together, hard, forcing himself to remain quiet.
Eventually – and much to Theodore’s relief – Lady Yarmouth let out an exclamation. “This is preposterous! You cannot truly believe –”
“I have told you already that you need not deny it,” Theodore interrupted, his anger beginning to build again. “Your name was written in the ledger for Hamilton and Sons, your order for a necklace placed there. You are the only one of my mother’s acquaintances who would have known the necklace in such detail, able to provide a clear description of what it looked like.”He clasped his hands together, gripping them tight. “Do not deny it.”
Lady Yarmouth drew herself up. “The heirlooms are mine. They belong to my husband’s family. How dare you keep them for yourselves?”
Lady Albury gasped, one hand flying to her mouth as she twisted around in her seat to look better at her sister.
“My husband’s great-grandfather sold them,” Lady Yarmouth continued, spiritedly. “Foolish man that he was. How do you think I felt seeing them adorning my sister’s neck and knowing that they ought to be mine?”
“Then you admit it,” Theodore said, as his mother let out a half sob, her hand dropping back to her lap. “You tried to steal the necklace.”
Lady Yarmouth snorted, showing no sign of upset. “I took back what belongs to me. That is all.”
“You?” Lady Albury’s voice was a hoarse whisper, staring back at her sister. “How could you do such a thing?”
