Page 23 of The Stolen Sparkler
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.
CHAPTER 10
SCANDALS AND STRATAGEMS
ISTEPPED THROUGH behind Steele, only to come to a sudden halt. My breath caught as I took in the scene before me. This was no dressing room as I expected—it was a lady’s bedchamber, its walls adorned with soft pastel silks and its air perfumed with lavender and rosewater. A four-poster bed dominated one corner, and a chaise lounge stood near the window, where Lady Burkett herself reclined with a book in hand.
She blinked at us, her expression shifting from confusion to curiosity. "Lady Rosalynd, Your Grace,” she said, her tone light with amusement. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this . . . unexpected visit?"
Before I could stammer out a reply, the connecting door behind us burst open, slamming against the wall with a thunderous crash. Lord Burkett stormed in, his face flushed with fury.
"What is the meaning of this?" he roared, his gaze darting between Steele, Lady Burkett, and me. "Lady Rosalynd, what are you doing in my wife’s chambers?"
I opened my mouth, but no words came.
As my mind raced for a plausible explanation, Steele spoke, his voice smooth and unruffled despite the volatile situation. "My lord, I must apologize for this intrusion.” He slightly inclined his head. "It was not our intention to disturb Lady Burkett."
Lord Burkett’s face darkened further. "Not your intention? Then what, pray tell,wasyour intention, skulking about our quarters like common thieves?"
Lady Burkett, who had been watching the exchange with a faint smile, chuckled softly. "Oh, Edward, do calm yourself. Can you not see what’s happening here?"
Her husband shot her a bewildered glance. "What on earth are you talking about?"
Coming to her feet, Lady Burkett’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she glanced at Steele and me. "It’s perfectly obvious," she said, setting her book aside. "Steele and Lady Rosalynd were merely seeking a . . . private moment together."
I gasped, heat rushing to my cheeks. "That is absolutely?—"
“Exactly the reason,” Steele cut in smoothly, stepping forward to shield me from Burkett’s withering glare. "We deeply regret the impropriety, my lady, but I must commend your discretion in understanding the situation."
"Discretion?" Lord Burkett sputtered, his face turning an alarming shade of red. "You expect me to believe?—"
Lady Burkett waved a languid hand, cutting him off. "Edward, let it go. Surely you remember the folly of youth?" She cast a sly glance at Steele, her expression one of indulgent amusement. "I would suggest that you both leave now before further misunderstandings arise."
Steele gave her a polite bow, his composure utterly unshaken. "Thank you, my lady, for your gracious understanding. Come, Lady Rosalynd."
I had no choice but to follow him, my heart pounding with equal parts mortification and outrage. We slipped past Lord Burkett, whose spluttering protests echoed behind us as Steele guided me down the corridor with a firm hand at my elbow.
The moment we were far enough from the bedchamber to avoid being overheard, I whirled on him, yanking my arm free. "You cannot be serious," I hissed, my voice low but venomous. "Atryst, Steele? That was the best you could come up with?"
“It wasn’t I who suggested it, if you will recall.” He raised an eyebrow, his expression maddeningly calm. “And it did work. We managed to extricate ourselves from a sticky situation."
“It did not work!” I exclaimed, incredulous. "You’ve tarnished my reputation and made me complicit in some sordid fiction!"
“Keep your voice down lest the entire household hears your words.”
I blew out a breath.
“Lady Burkett’s explanation was better that having Lord Burkett raise an outcry,” he said coolly. "Or would you have preferred he discover exactly what we were doing there?”
