The Governess's Scandalous Marriage. Helen Dickson

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СКАЧАТЬ you don’t have enough faith in yourself—or pride.’

      ‘I do believe in myself,’ she confided softly. ‘You were mistaken in what you saw. I didn’t steal the necklace. I was putting it back.’

      He turned and looked back at her, reminding himself that here was no innocent. But he could not help but wonder at the gist of what she had said. He was troubled by the intensity of her statement. It had been a flash of unguarded candour—and honesty, maybe?—which surprised him. It was born of deep conviction—and perhaps more than a little pain. There was an intensity in her eyes behind the mask, showing in their depths a strong will that as yet knew neither strength nor direction. He was surprised at the feelings of tenderness she aroused in him.

      ‘Perhaps what you say is the truth. How would I know? I only know what I saw. But a word of warning. Those who make thieving their profession are destined for an early death on the gallows. Think on. If you are indeed a thief, then the next time you get caught, the person you rob will show you no leniency.’ Christian inclined his head slightly. ‘It has been a pleasure meeting you. I doubt our paths will cross again.’

      On that note, giving her a farewell salute and a cheeky, knowing wink—a playful, frivolous gesture that infuriated her—he went out, closing the door softly behind him.

      * * *

      Unbeknown to Linnet, had she told him the truth about her reason for being there, he would have readily alleviated her fears and given her an explanation of his own purpose for being in Lord Stourbridge’s Egyptian room. This being the case, she could have left knowing Toby would not be arrested for theft. As it was they had both misinterpreted the other’s reasons and parted taking their mutual distrust with them, and she was left with the nagging fear that Toby was not out of the woods.

      Making his way to the ballroom, Christian saw Lord Stourbridge strutting and posing among his guests like a colourful bird of paradise. Despite his flamboyant, larger-than-life appearance, he was a shrewd businessman who had made a large fortune in clever investments. He was also, like Christian’s own father had been, interested in ancient relics and was a keen collector, often travelling to the Holy Land and Egypt with the hope of discovering some precious relics to add to his private collection. The two men had been drawn together by their shared interest.

      On seeing Christian, Stourbridge moved towards him.

      ‘Why, Blakely. It is a profound pleasure to see you again. So glad you came.’

      ‘Thank you for inviting me.’

      ‘Lord Stourbridge fixed Christian with an investigative stare. ‘Your father’s death must have come as a shock to you. What was it? His heart?’

      Christian nodded.

      ‘Unfortunately it’s one of the hazards of being in Egypt—the heat, you know. Although there are other hazards that play havoc with travellers and explorers alike. They are likely to encounter serious difficulties and indeed great dangers.’ He smiled blandly. ‘Might I say that like so many persons of our mutual acquaintance I am totally sympathetic to what happened to your father. We met out there. As I believe my lawyer has informed you, I have some of his artefacts among my own collection. The necklace in particular is a beautiful piece, of great value. Thieves are a problem out there. He wanted to make sure it was brought back safely. I was glad to be able to help.’

      ‘I thank you for that and I trust you won’t mind if I tell you the necklace is now in my possession.’ He patted his pocket. ‘Father bequeathed it to the British Museum, along with some other pieces he uncovered. It will be on display shortly.’

      ‘I’m happy to hear it.’ Lord Stourbridge was about to turn and walk away when he paused and asked almost hesitantly, ‘What about the child—Alice? I seem to recall...’

      ‘She is with me—here in London,’ Christian quickly replied. ‘I—trust I can rely on your discretion on that matter, Stourbridge.’

      He nodded, thoughtful. ‘You can depend on it. Wouldn’t want to besmirch your father’s memory, Blakely.’

      ‘Thank you. I appreciate that.’

      As Christian walked away, he put all thoughts of the child from his mind. Instead his thoughts were of the young woman he had invited to spend the night with him. A smile touched his lips. He had enjoyed deceiving her into believing he, too, might be a thief. He need not have challenged her to a roll of dice for possession, but he had enjoyed playing the game. It had been worth it.

      * * *

      Alone now the stranger had left her, fully aware of the enormity of what had just happened, Linnet realised how fortunate she had been to be let off so lightly. The man could have raised the alarm and had her arrested and she would have been unable to prove her innocence. Instead he had bested her and taken that which she had gone to great pains to replace.

      The more she thought about it, the more she became convinced that whoever the man was, he was still a thief and if the roll of the dice had gone in her favour—which she doubted—he would not have given her the necklace. It had been important to him. Realising how stupid she had been and that he had duped her, Linnet stared at the closed door with a firestorm of humiliated fury.

      Returning to the ballroom, she was impatient to leave. She found Toby and told him to summon the carriage. Thankfully they had come in their own carriage so they didn’t have to wait for Aunt Lydia. Behind the mask Linnet’s eyes searched the lively, chattering throng, looking for the tall, black-haired man. At first, to her immense relief, she failed to locate him, then, just when she was beginning to think he had left, she saw him.

      He stood with a boisterous group of young gentlemen on the other side of the room, a head taller than any of them. With a crush of people milling around them, it couldn’t be better for her. Linnet was calm now, icy calm. She had been thrown by his surprise appearance, it had unnerved her, but now she was back in control. She made her way out of the ballroom, eager to put as much distance as she could between her and the irascible gentleman. She was on the point of leaving the ballroom when the dance ended. She paused and glanced back, seeing the stranger’s head above the crowd. At that moment he turned his imperious head and his bold, rebel’s eyes locked on to hers and he smiled, raising his fingers to his head in a salute, a lazy cocksure smile, with humour and a warning of the danger to them both if anyone should discover what had transpired between them in Lord Stourbridge’s Egyptian room.

      Audacious as ever, she thought, as she watched the lazy, confident smile on his face. How she would like to wipe that smile from his handsome face. She returned his smile and turned away, becoming swallowed up in the crowd of people vacating the dance floor. No one tried to apprehend her as she left the house.

      * * *

      Linnet hoisted herself into the carriage. The agonising tension she had been under since she had entered Lord Stourbridge’s Egyptian room still showed on her face. She saw the anxiety on Toby’s face. He clearly regretted stealing the necklace and, despite everything, she knew he cared about her safety and would be vastly relieved to see her back safe.

      ‘Did you manage to put it back?’ he asked.

      She nodded. ‘It went to plan,’ she said, looking away. Toby didn’t have to know what had happened in Lord Stourbridge’s artefacts room. Besides, she didn’t want to talk about it.

      ‘I’m sorry, Linnet. I don’t know why I agreed to do it.’

      Linnet СКАЧАТЬ