by Laura Landon
When it seemed the moment had suspended all time, Jack kissed her once more, then lifted his mouth from hers and pulled her to him.
Lily rested her cheek against his chest and listened to the rapid beating of his heart. It thundered beneath her ear as his chest rose and fell. Her breathing matched his, rush for rush.
“We must never do that again,” she said when she could gather her wits. “It will be too difficult to give you up when I must.”
“You will never have to give me up, Lily. Never.”
“You know that’s not true.”
“Forget my mother and father,” he commanded.
“How can I? How can you? You have a responsibility to your family and you will never forgive yourself if you fail them. And you will fail them if you choose me instead of some nobleman’s daughter.”
“I don’t want a nobleman’s daughter. You’ve spoiled me for any other.”
“Oh, Jack. I’m not even worth a comparison. Your parents know how wrong I am for you.”
Jack tightened his arms around her, causing currents of passion to explode inside her once again.
“I won’t have you demean yourself, Lily.”
Lily looked up so she could see into Jack’s eyes and smiled. “I’m not demeaning myself, Jack. I’m just telling you how different I am from the females you’re used to associating with. They are raised to be everything a proper lady should be, both inside and out. I can’t compete with even the poorest example. I wasn’t born to be a lady. I was born and raised to survive. I’ve seen and done things no proper lady has ever seen or done.”
Jack lowered his head and kissed her on the forehead. “I believe that’s true,” he said with a smile. “And I love you for it. No female I’ve ever met in Society can kiss like you can. Of that I am certain.”
Lily felt her cheeks warm. “That’s not a gentlemanly thing to say to a lady,” she teased.
“It may not be gentlemanly, but it’s God’s honest truth.”
Lily locked her gaze with Jack’s and lifted her hand and touched his mouth with her finger. She loved him. She would always love him. Even if she could never have him, she still loved him.
“You need to take this figurine to Lord and Lady Manchester’s daughter. If it isn’t theirs, we need to know before the auction starts.”
Jack placed the figurine in a box, then kissed Lily on the cheek. With feigned annoyance she shooed him on his way.
Lily pressed her hand to her breast as she watched him leave. It was possible that her heart was beginning to crack. Thinking of the day when she would have to give him up, a part of her began to die and her whole world began its tumble toward nothingness.
Lily walked slowly around the room, reluctant to leave the air still charged with Jack’s presence. She stopped when she reached the ruby and diamond brooch that she intended to buy. The roster identified it as having been brought in anonymously. It was a relief that she didn’t know who had owned it. She never wanted to know the identity of the woman who hadn’t loved her enough to keep her.
Jack felt a strange mixture of relief and consternation as he returned from seeing Lord Manchester’s daughter. Thankfully, the young woman was home and available to receive him. The figurine was indeed the one taken from her parents. It had been the last gift from their soldier son to his mother. She thanked him tearfully for finding and returning it.
Of course, she wanted to know how he’d found it. He told her that it had been submitted to his auction—which was the truth. What wasn’t the truth was that he didn’t know who had brought it in. It was simply true that the person who brought it in most likely wasn’t the thief, and bandying about a name without proof was not something Jack was willing to do.
His stomach quaked at the thought he might have offered it on tonight’s auction, only to have someone recognize it and call him out on it. The scene would have been dreadful beyond words.
Jack stopped his carriage at the back entrance to Broadmoore’s Treasures, and unlocked the service door that would take him directly into the room where the auction would take place. Before he opened the door wide enough to enter, he stopped.
Lily wasn’t alone. She was with someone. An angry someone.
“You don’t know what you’re saying,” the man said. “Russell hasn’t done any of the things you accuse him of doing.”
“How do you know?” Lily countered. “I think you would be wise to talk to him and make him tell you why he has been entering forged and stolen artwork.”
“That’s a lie! Russell wouldn’t do what you’re accusing him of.”
“Yes, he would Uncle,” Jack said stepping into the room. He didn’t stop until he was next to Lily. “I have proof that he did.”
“Lies, Jackson. You’ve always been jealous of Russell because as soon as I prove that I am the rightful heir you will no longer be in line to bear the Riverdon title.”
Jack couldn’t believe what he was hearing. His uncle sounded positive that he was the real Marquess of Riverdon. It was as if he’d said the words so often that he believed them. Surely, he hadn’t lost his grip on reality so completely.
“Are you hearing yourself, Uncle? You’re talking as if you truly believe you are the Marquess of Riverdon.”
“I am! I’ve always been the Marquess of Riverdon. Your father stole the title from me.”
Lily shifted her gaze from his uncle to Jack. The frown on her face told him how confused she was. Jack felt just as confused.
“Have you discussed this with my father?”
“Of course, but he simply argues with me. I can’t expect him to understand. Or to want to give up the title. It’s profited him too much to hand it over to me.”
“What makes you think the title is yours, Uncle?”
“I remember when I was born. The doctor tied a blue ribbon around my ankle. Later, Mother’s personal maid took the ribbon off of my ankle and tied it around your father’s.”
“You remember this?”
“Clearly.”
“From the day you were born?”
“As if it were yesterday.”
“Did anyone see this?”
“I saw it!”
“I see,” Jack said.
Jack’s uncle was growing more agitated by the second. It upset him that Jack refused to believe him. Vincent focused his gaze on Lily. A muffled growl echoed from him and he swiped his hand through the air. He took two steps away from them, then turned back.
“You don’t have to believe me, Jackson. I knew you would not. My son is the only person who believes me.”
Jack knew it was useless to argue with his uncle. He was convinced that Jack’s father had taken the title from him and nothing in his warped mind would let him believe anything different.
“Enough of this. Where is the figurine I sent in for the auction? The young man with a dog, about so high.” He indicated the size of the object with his hands.
“You sent the figurine?”
“Yes. Where is it?”
“That was the Marquess of Manchester’s figurine. It was stolen several months ago.”
“How I obtained the blasted thing doesn’t matter. Manchester has far too many baubles. He doesn’t need it and I do.”
“Why? Why do you need the figurine?”
“For the money. Why else would I need it?”
Jack raked his fingers through his hair. He couldn’t believe he was having this surreal conversation with his uncle. The man was clearly barmy.
His uncle looked around the room. He searched the objects on the tables. “Where is it? What have you done with it?”
“I returned it to its rightful owner. I gave it back to the Marquess of Manchester.”
“No!”
Before Jack could protect himself, his uncle pulled back his right arm and slammed his fist into the side of Jack’s face. Jack fell to the floor and succumbed to the blackness that overtook him.
BEHOLD THE THIEF by Laura Landon
Chapter Fourteen
Jack couldn’t wait for this evening to come to an end. His head ached like someone had punched him in the jaw—which was exactly what had happened. Thanks to Lily’s creative explanation that he’d saved her from being trampled by a rampaging horse, he’d been a bit of a hero and was able to wear his bruises like a badge of honor. It was a deception, but a far cry better than the truth.
She’d seemed an avenging warrior when she swept into the room and ordered Vincent to leave. And an angel as she held his head in her lap and brought him back to full consciousness. Without her help, he’d never have been prepared for the evening’s auction.
As it was, she did her duties and half of his with incredible ease and grace, constantly flicking her eyes toward him to be sure he was faring all right.
He read off the last items and the high bidders, then made his final thank you speech and mingled for a while before escaping the crowd. He needed some peace and quiet. He wanted to sit in the chair behind his desk and close his eyes long enough for the world to right itself.
“I’m going to my office,” he told Lily when he passed her. “Can you gather the papers and vouchers and bring them to me when everyone has paid?”
“Of course,” she answered but the expression on her face told him she was worried about him.
He smiled. “I’m fine. I just need to sit where it’s quiet.”
“Put a cool cloth on your jaw. That will help diminish the swelling.”
“Yes, Doctor,” he said, then turned and made his way to his office. After he filled a glass with brandy and applied a cool cloth, he sat in his chair and closed his eyes.
He must have fallen asleep because the next time he opened his eyes, Lily was standing over him. She’d rinsed a second cloth in cool water and held it to his swollen cheek.
“Thank you,” he said without moving.
“You’re welcome,” she said. “It’s quite the bruise,” she added. “I wish we had some ice. That would help the swelling.”
As she reached out a hand to touch his unscathed cheek, a knock on the door stopped her. Jack opened his eyes and his gaze locked with his father’s hardened glare. His hostile expression lasted just long enough to be softened when he saw the damage to Jack’s face.
“Your uncle came to see me.”
“I hope your meeting with him was more enjoyable than mine,” Jack said.
“At least he didn’t strike me,” was all his father said. “He just yelled loud enough to send the staff into hiding.”
“I wish I’d known how violent he could be. I would have conducted our conversation from across the room.”
Jack lifted his gaze to Lily. “Would you pour Father a brandy, Lily?”
Lily smiled faintly and poured a glass of brandy. After she handed it to his father, she moved to the door. “I’ll leave you alone. Call out if you need anything.”
“No, Lily. Stay. You can fill in the spots I can’t recall.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
She stepped to the chair in front of Jack’s desk and sat.
“Sit down, Father. I don’t have the energy to look up at you when we speak.”
Jack’s father sat in the chair opposite Lily and took a sip of his brandy.
“This is new, Jack. I’ve never known Vincent to be violent,” his father said. It was the closest to an apology Jack was going to get for what his uncle had done.
“Is there the slightest chance that there could be some truth to what he believes?”
The Marquess of Riverdon barked a harsh laugh. “Not the slightest. According to Mother, Vincent was born several minutes later than I. When Father was told there would be twins, he came to Mother’s bedside, even though it was quite inappropriate. I was already being swaddled, so Father tied a leather string around my ankle and sealed it with a wax seal so it couldn’t be tampered with. He was nervous, excited, elated at the thought of having two boys, and a careless drop of wax burned my thigh. The burn mark identified me for several weeks until it was easy for Mother and Father to tell us apart. I still have the faint scar.” He smiled. “We are not identical, you see.”
“Then why is your brother so sure he’s the legal heir?” Jack asked.
“Most likely because from the time Russell and Wesley were children, Vincent could not afford to give them everything they asked for. As you know, Russell, especially, is very demanding. He requires a lot of money to be happy, money that Vincent doesn’t have. I remember Vincent constantly telling his sons that he isn’t the marquess, therefore he can’t afford everything they want. As the boys grew older, that statement turned into if he were the marquess, he could afford what they wanted. Now, his reply is that he can’t afford what they want because I stole the title from him. I think he’s said it so often that he believes it.”
“How sad,” Lily said.
Jack’s father turned his gaze to look at Lily. “Yes, it is,” he answered. He took another sip of his brandy, then looked at Jack. “Why did he hit you? He wouldn’t tell me why, other than to say that my son was a disgrace to the Broadmoore name. He also informed me that you are the most horrible reprobate in Christendom. He insisted that I disown you.”
Jack looked at Lily first, hoping she’d want to tell his father what had happened. She shook her head, indicating that it was his story to tell, so Jack took a swallow of his brandy and faced his father.
“Do you remember several weeks ago when a figurine was stolen from the Marquess of Manchester’s home during their ball?”
Jack watched apprehension grow on his father’s face.
“Bloody hell,” his father growled between clenched teeth as if he knew where this was going.
“Yes, Father. I’m afraid your brother was the thief. He stole the figurine, then had someone submit it to be auctioned. Lily recognized it from the descriptions in the press. To make sure we were right, I wanted them to identify it. But I couldn’t very well take it all the way to Bedfordshire, so I took it ‘round to his married daughter’s home. And she positively identified it as the missing figure. It seems her brother who died in the war had given it to their mother, so it meant a great deal to all of them.”
“Do they know Vincent was the person who stole their figurine?”
“No. No one knows other than Lily and you and me.”
Jack’s father turned his head and looked at Lily.
“No, Lord Riverdon. I will not tell anyone.”
“Thank you, Miss McGregor.”
“I hate to admit it, Father, but I believe Vincent has lost hold of reality. I think he’s convinced himself that he is in truth the Marquess of Riverdon, and that he is entitled to do anything he wants to get the money he needs to live like a king. Including thieving from his friends.”
Jack’s father raked his fingers through his hair. It was the most disturbed Jack had ever seen his father who sat unnaturally quiet, not taking control as was his nature.
“I don’t know what can be done,” Jack said. “I doubt that Russell will be any help.”
“No,” Lord Riverdon answered. “If anything, he might enjoy knowing that his father is doing the same thing he has done.” He started to rise. “I’ll go have it out with him.”
Lily raised a hand to stop him, and Jack expected his father to brush on past her. But instead he sank back into his chair.
“What about Russell’s brother Wesley?” Lily said. “Do you think he might be persuaded to help you?”
Jack looked at his father and they both shrugged their shoulders in unison.
“I don’t know,” Jack said. “It’s worth a try. If nothing else, at least we’ll discover what side he’s on in this mess.”
“It can’t hurt. And it might be the way to save their reputations. To put this all to rest.” Lily sat forward. “Don’t you see, my lord? Since Wesley hasn’t hinted that he’s in agreement with his father and his brother, we can hope he’ll work with us. Get Vincent and Russell to li
sten to reason. I really think Wesley might shed some light on what we can do to stop Vincent and his son from ending up behind bars.”
“Good God.” Jack’s father blanched. “It could come to that?”
Lily and Jack nodded.
“I’ll visit Wesley in the morning,” Jack said.
His father finished his brandy, promised to cooperate in whatever way they needed, and left. When they were alone, Jack turned to Lily. “I think Father came a long way toward admiring you tonight. You showed your intelligence. You proved your loyalty to me as well as our family. He admires that in friends as well as business associates.”
“I know he wants to do whatever is best for his family, but considering what your uncle and cousin have done, I’m not sure there’s anything he can do. Perhaps if your uncle stops stealing and your cousin stops trying to ruin you, you might be able to keep them from being arrested. But that would take a miracle.” She shook her head sadly. “I’m afraid I misled your father.”
Jack shook his head. “Not at all. But you’re right. I don’t see how they can be saved, either.”
And he meant it.
BEHOLD THE THIEF by Laura Landon
Chapter Fifteen
Lily left Jack and arrived at her town house within the hour. She was bone tired. It had been a long day and an even longer evening. She couldn’t wait to get to her pillow.
She found the privacy of her own home liberating and the sense of ownership even more so. Liam and Millie had been most eager to have her stay with them, but she couldn’t. She needed to be on her own. She needed to make a life for herself. It was past time.
If she didn’t forge out on her own now, she would be nothing more than an embarrassing extension of Liam’s family. Not really belonging to anyone. And she didn’t want to become that.
When her carriage pulled in front of her home, Lily waited until her driver opened her door and lowered the step, then she dismounted.
