Thomas felt a strange sense of protectiveness rise up within him. “I do not want you to worry about such things on my account, Lady Altringham,” he said, the name still unfamiliar to his tongue. “I am sure I will be able to remove to my estate without much difficulty, so that we might—”
“Remove to the estate?” Lady Altringham interrupted, sounding incredulous. “That cannot be the correct decision, Lord Altringham. For what if danger follows you there where we are entirely alone?” She shuddered violently, her eyes closing. “For I do not want to be the one discovering you in an even worse state than you were last evening. If I am alone, then I shall not be able to be of much assistance!”
“My granddaughter is correct,” Lady Newfield said, her words firm and decisive so that he felt he had no other choice but to listen. “We must discover the truth. To leave things as they stand at present leaves no resolution. If the danger follows you to your estate, then what will you do? Return to London in order to escape it?” She shook her head. “No, indeed. The truth must come out now, so that the situation is brought to an end. Only then will I feel contented in allowing my granddaughter to return to the Altringham estate with you.”
Still feeling a grave warning in the depths of his heart, Thomas hesitated, pressing his lips together as he tried to find a way to explain himself. “I am only concerned for the safety of your granddaughter, Lady Newfield,” he said quietly. “For once the ton know who she is to me, then surely the danger could pass to her also?”
Lady Altringham lifted one hand. “Then I shall not be ‘Lady Altringham’ to them,” she said simply. “It is not difficult for me to continue on as ‘Miss Sussex’ for a time.”
Something within Thomas rebelled at this. It was as if he wanted to tell all the world that Lady Altringham was with him here in London, to show her to the ton and declare just how deeply he cared for her. To have her continuing on as Miss Sussex did not sit well with him, yet he knew that it would be the best way to keep her safe.
“I think you will find us quite determined,” Lady Altringham continued, her voice gentle as he looked into her face and wondered why he had ever thought her plain. Her blue eyes were light in color and swirling with what appeared to be flecks of light. Her fair hair framed her face, the gentle curls at her temples softening the way it had been pulled back. He suddenly recalled how he had seen her with her hair flowing around her shoulders, the pins pulled from it, and his breath hitched as that vision of her floated in front of his eyes.
There was more depth, more beauty, and more loveliness to this lady than in any of his previous acquaintances.
“Lord Altringham?”
He cleared his throat, a little embarrassed to have been caught so lost in thought. “You are quite correct to state you are determined,” he said, seeing how Lady Altringham smiled a little self-consciously, glancing away as she did so. “And I know that such determination has been hard-fought.”
“It has indeed,” Lady Newfield said with an approving look. “Well, Lord Altringham, if you are resolved to continue on with this as we are at present, do you have any thought as to what we might do next?” Her brow furrowed. “How are we to find who stole your diamonds and who, most importantly, is so eager to take your life from you?”
Letting out a long breath, Thomas’s lips twisted as he tried to think of what he could suggest. “There are, I am afraid, a good many gentlemen who would wish to take my life from me, given the sort of gentleman I am,” he said heavily. “I will not pretend otherwise.”
“But would any of them be so desperate to punish you as to try and kill you?” Lady Newfield asked, still speaking in the same blunt manner as before. “One rake can differ from the next in terms of the sort of ladies they might seek out.”
Seeing how Lady Altringham blushed, Thomas felt his own heart twist as he recalled the many ladies he had sought attentions from. “The truth is, Lady Newfield, that I have stolen affections from many a lady,” he said honestly, thinking it best to speak truthfully and without pretense, given that Lady Newfield and Lady Altringham knew his reputation already. “But I have always stayed away from those who are already wed.” He shrugged, aware of the heat that was steadily climbing up his spine. “It may sound foolish, given that my reputation is so poor already, but I have always determined never to seek out a lady who has already attached herself to a gentleman.”
“Even if she is only courting?” Lady Altringham asked, her eyes not quite meeting his. “What then?”
Wincing, he spread his hands. “I do attempt to stay away from such ladies if I know that an engagement is due to take place,” he said, seeing the redness of her cheeks and knowing that the same color was in his own face. “I am not a man of great moral character, Lady Altringham—that is to say, I have not been a man of great moral character, although I do hope that will change now.”
“That does not help us when it comes to considering which gentlemen might wish to take your life from you,” Lady Newfield stated, sounding a little frustrated. “There have been none that you have wronged in particular? None whose sisters might…” Leaving the question unfinished, she looked at Thomas with a slightly tilted head, but he only shook his head.
“Then the diamonds,” Lady Altringham said with a sigh. “Is there something there that we might consider? You have said, Lord Altringham, that you have not yet questioned your staff. Is that not so?”
“Yes, indeed!” he exclaimed, seeing the chance that now lay before him, the chance to do something that could help with such difficulties. “Lord Fairfax suggested that my driver might have been approached and given a small sum of money in order to ignore the fact that I was being robbed.”
Lady Altringham nodded. “I can understand that consideration,” she said with a smile. “You say you have not spoken to anyone about your diamonds and your intention to give them to Lady Guthrie—but I am certain you would have made mention of it to your staff in order to make preparations. And some of them would be with you when you purchased the diamonds.”
He let out a long breath, realizing that what she said was quite true. “Yes, indeed.”
She smiled. “Then why do we not speak to your driver and ask him for the truth?”
“Do you think he will give it so readily, if he knows he will be thrown from his position if he does so?” Lady Newfield asked, the question making the smile fade from Lady Altringham’s lips. “A servant’s employment is their most important possession. If they tell you the truth, they will lose their position. If they lie, then they will be quite contented.”
Thomas frowned. “Then I shall ask them to tell me the truth without fear of losing their position,” he said, hating the very idea of keeping on a disloyal servant but knowing that he had no other choice if he were to find the truth. “That is all I can do.”
Lady Newfield hesitated, then looked at him. “Can you recall if you spoke of Lady Guthrie to anyone else, Lord Altringham?” she asked quietly. “Do you know if any other heard of your intention to give your diamonds to the lady?”
Again, Thomas frowned, running one hand over his eyes as he struggled to recall. “I do not think that I…” His words faded away as he shook his head. “I did not mention the lady to anyone, save to Lady Darlington,” he said eventually. “And even then, I did not say a great deal.”
Lady Altringham and Lady Newfield exchanged glances.
“Lady Darlington knew of your connection to Lady Guthrie?” Lady Altringham asked, looking a little surprised. “She, who appeared to be very attached to you herself?”
Thomas, who thought nothing of Lady Darlington’s jealousy, merely shrugged. “It does not mean anything. Lady Darlington is inclined to be a little jealous, that is all.”
“I know very little about such things,” Lady Altringham continued, now looking a little embarrassed, “but I have been informed that a gentleman is inclined to give small gifts to a lady such as Lady Guthrie. Is that not so?”
Aware that his face w
as hot with mortification—for it was not common for a gentleman to be discussing his mistress in such a calm manner—Thomas nodded and cleared his throat.
“And you would have given no such gifts to Lady Darlington,” she continued as he watched her become a little more animated in her speech, her hands thrown up in exclamation. “You say that she might very well be jealous, Lord Altringham—jealous of the gifts and the attentions you gave to Lady Guthrie!”
“I am sure it would not have taken a great deal of effort to have your staff speak of the diamonds and your intentions for them,” Lady Newfield said. “Without meaning to speak unkindly, Lord Altringham, you have already said that you do not believe your staff to be particularly loyal to you.”
A chill ran down Thomas’ back as he looked from one lady to the next, seeing the understanding in their eyes. “My staff are not particularly loyal, no,” he said, all the more embarrassed. “I do not treat them with any particular kindness and it is as you say, Lady Newfield.” Again, he passed a hand over his eyes. “I am sure it would not have been of any difficulty for Lady Darlington to persuade my staff to speak of the planned trip to Lady Guthrie’s townhouse the following day.” He shook his head to himself. “She might, very easily, have left the ball early and gone directly to my townhouse in order to speak to my staff. After all, she was very angry with me.”
“Oh?” Lady Altringham looked surprised.
“I brushed her attentions aside,” he said, without wanting to go into a deep explanation of what had occurred. “On that occasion and then again last evening.” His smile was rueful. “Had it not been a gentleman standing over me, I would have felt certain that Lady Darlington was the only person responsible!”
Lady Newfield let out a small laugh, which in turn made Lady Altringham smile.
“It seems we are to talk to your driver, Lord Altringham, and then to Lady Darlington herself,” Lady Altringham said, her eyes holding a brightness that made his heart lift in anticipation, hopeful that this might bring to an end the struggles and difficulties that surrounded him at present. She glanced at his temple, her face now etched with concern. “Do you feel able to attend with us or should you like to remain here and rest?”
The answer was instantaneous. “Wherever you go, Lady Altringham, there you will find me,” he said decisively, rising to his feet. “I should not dream of letting you go without my company. After all,” he continued, walking toward her and holding out his hand so that she might take it as she rose from the chair, “it is because of me that these troubles have surrounded us, is it not?”
The way her hand moved toward his, the delicate hesitation of her touch, and the warmth of her fingers sent a flurry of feeling all through Thomas. He was robbed of speech for a moment as she came to stand by him, closer than she had ever stood before. Thomas was captivated by the curve of her mouth, the smile in her eyes, the gentle scent of rose teasing his senses.
“It is indeed entirely because of you, Lord Altringham,” she answered, her voice low and quiet, “but given that we are now bound together as man and wife, I believe my place is directly by your side, no matter what we are faced with.”
Without hesitation, Thomas lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her hand gently. “You are quite remarkable, Lady Altringham,” he told her, seeing the blush in her cheeks. “The sooner we can bring this to a close, the sooner I can begin to make amends for all the trouble I have caused you.”
Lady Newfield cleared her throat as she stood by the open door, causing Lady Altringham’s blushes to mount all the more.
“Then might I suggest we depart, before we waste any more time?” Lady Newfield asked, a smile in her voice. “Come, Lord Altringham, you will have time to make your prayers and petitions to your lady wife soon enough.”
“Indeed I will,” Thomas agreed, allowing Lady Altringham to step forward and through the door first, before he followed immediately after.
Chapter Eleven
“What is your driver’s name?”
Lord Altringham looked back at her, his frown burrowing through his forehead, lines forming like deep grooves. It took him a few moments to answer.
“Stubbs, I believe,” he said, a little embarrassed. “I cannot be sure.”
Julianna did not immediately reply, seeing the shame in his eyes and choosing not to increase it by remarking that she considered it very odd indeed for a gentleman not to know the name of his driver. Lord Altringham had already stated that he was not a gentleman inclined toward kindness to his staff, although Julianna had no doubt that such a thing would change in the future.
“Stubbs, my lord.”
Julianna gave Lord Altringham a quick smile, seeing the relief on his face as the man in question stepped into the room. He was broad and rather short, his shoulders slumped and his head forward. Behind him came a tall, thin man, who appeared to be a little younger than the first. He, too, had slumped shoulders and a lowered head, as though they were both afraid of their master.
She glanced at Lord Altringham, seeing his hazel eyes narrow slightly as they turned from one gentleman to the next. She could not imagine what he must be thinking at this present moment. Was he a little afraid about what was going to be revealed, perhaps? Or unsure as to whether or not he would be given the truth from these two men?
“Stubbs,” he said as the man stopped a few feet away from him. “And Collins, is it not?”
The thin man nodded.
“I have asked you here to speak to you about Lady Darlington.”
Julianna watched both men closely, seeing how the larger man started slightly, although he did not lift his head or give any indication that he recognized the name that had been spoken to him.
“Do either of you recognize that name?” Lady Newfield asked, with both men swiveling their eyes toward her for a moment, then dropping their heads again.
“Of course not, my lady,” the driver said gruffly.
“No?” Lord Altringham replied, his tone of voice making it quite clear that he did not believe the immediate denial. He glanced at Julianna and she nodded, recalling what he had asked her to do prior to the two men coming in.
“If I might get your attention for a moment,” she said, trying to inject her voice with as much confidence as possible. “I shall inform you now that I am the soon-to-be mistress of the Altringham estate, and that as such, I have a good deal of sway when it comes to your positions in this house.”
Both men looked at each other, their eyes darting toward her for just a moment before dropping to the floor again. She did not believe his denial either, for she had seen the driver flinch when Lady Darlington’s name had been mentioned.
“I have Lord Altringham’s promise that you will both retain your positions,” she continued, “but only if you speak the truth.” She saw both men drop their heads a little more, their hands held tightly in front of them. Lifting her chin, she poured strength into her voice. “I am acquainted with Lady Darlington. I think it best that, for your own sakes, you speak the truth to Lord Altringham and to myself.”
The men said nothing. In fact, they did not move. Instead, they simply looked at the floor, their shoulders all the more hunched as they tried to avoid her gaze.
“Look at me.”
Her voice rang around the room, echoing around every corner. She herself was astonished by just how determined her voice sounded, but all the more surprised when both men glanced up at her at once, both appearing a good deal more anxious than before.
“Tell me the truth,” she said firmly. “The truth that I already know.” She held their gaze, her hands planted firmly on her hips, a figure of strength. “Do you know Lady Darlington?”
The driver cleared his throat but said nothing, whilst the thinner gentleman began to twist his hands over each other, looking at the driver before dropping his eyes to the floor.
“Did you say we will keep our position?”
“Collins,” Lord Altringham said loudly, garnering t
he man’s attention. “You shall have your position within my household for as long as you wish it, just so long as you speak to me the truth of what you have done.”
Collins looked at the driver, who gave him a tiny shake of his head. It did not go unnoticed by Lord Altringham or by Lady Newfield, who both rose to their feet. The driver stepped back.
“She gave us money,” Collins stammered, his face draining of color as Lord Altringham frowned. “Said we were to ignore whatever else happened the following day.”
A breath of relief rushed through Julianna as she saw the driver put his head in his hands, a groan escaping from his mouth.
“I see,” Lord Altringham said softly. “Did she ask you for anything else?” He took a step forward and the driver shrank back. “Did she ask you about anything that I might have purchased?”
“No.” The driver shook his head, his voice shaking. “She didn’t.”
“Then what did she ask you?” Julianna asked as Lord Altringham stood firmly in front of the driver. “What was it you told her?”
Stubbs cleared his throat again, his voice so low that it was difficult for Julianna to hear him clearly. “She came to speak to me one night, whilst we were waiting for your return,” he said hoarsely. “I didn’t want to tell her anything, but she threatened to have me thrown from my position.” He swallowed, a few moments of silence passing between them all. “She said she already knew that you were to visit Lady Guthrie the following afternoon,” he continued, rubbing one hand over his eyes. “I was aware that you had stated the carriage was to be prepared the following day in the afternoon.”
“And I told you that we would be going to the park and then for an afternoon call,” Lord Altringham said, sounding angry. “And this was all told to Lady Darlington?”
In Search of Love: Convenient Arrangements (Book 2) Page 12
