Page 10 of The Stolen Sparkler
Heavens!What had I done? I’d insulted a duke! “I beg your pardon. I shouldn’t have?—”
“Found me overbearing?” His haughty tone was in full force. “Goes along with your titian tresses, I suppose. Redheads are famous for their fiery temperament.”
Tempted as I was to retort in kind, I did not. Lashing out would not do. It would only prove his point. “I’m a very even-keeled person.”
He sniffed. “All evidence to the contrary.”
Was he trying to set me off again? What a horrid man!
“Well” —he shrugged— “as you are making no sense, let us adjourn. We can reconvene in the morning after we’ve broken our fast. Say ten o’clock?”
I came to my feet and curtsied. “Of course, Your Grace. Good night.”
He stretched out his arm toward me. “Leave your report. I’d like to read it before heading off to bed.”
As I gave it to him, he bowed over my hand. Gazing into my eyes, he said in the smoothest tone I’d heard from him, “Good night, Lady Rosalynd. I wish you a restful sleep.”
There would be little chance of that. My ‘fiery’ temperament would not allow it.
CHAPTER 5
THE SUSPECT LIST GROWS
IWOKE 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’ddone 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 aboutthatparticular 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.”
