Lady Ellingham and the Theft of the Stansfield Necklace: A Regency Romance

by Rochester, Miriam

  ‘Well,’ she replied rather pleased she was not going to get a sermon. ‘It is a wonder what a good night’s sleep can do and I was ordered to bed far too early. I woke up early this morning quite refreshed although my head is still quite tender.’ She touched her temple gingerly. ‘You will not tell Richard will you?’

  ‘I would if I thought it would stop you but somehow I do not think so,’ he mused.

  ‘No,’ she admitted rather flatly. ‘But it would cause a jolly good row and I would rather avoid it if I could. He does not mind so much at home in Yorkshire but here in London he would definitely cause a scene.’

  ‘Then we shall be careful not to tell him but you must know Felicity, that London is not as safe as you would have it.’

  Felicity gave him a weak smile, unlike Alex she was not thinking of the cutpurse yesterday, but of her episode with the footpad, and she certainly was not about to reveal that. ‘I have discovered that sir, but I feel quite safe on Artemis, she can outrun the wind.’

  Alex climbed down off his stallion and reached up for her. ‘Walk with me for a little while,’ he said. ‘I want to talk to you.’ She reached down and took his hand. She evidently did not need much assistance but he pulled her down and caught her firmly to him anyway. He held her for a moment before he let her go and she felt her heart miss a beat. She took a deep breath as he relinquished his touch and smoothed down her skirts in an attempt to distract herself. Alex watched her; even in the soaking wet, she looked quite lovely. She held her face up to catch the rain. ‘I just love the rain don’t you?’

  ‘Not this bloody year I don’t, I am heartily sick of it but it cannot go on forever.’ Felicity smiled, ‘Yes perhaps we have had a little too much of it and I have missed our picnics and our regular trips to Richmond Park.’

  Alex turned serious and suddenly changed the subject. ‘Felicity, I need to ask you something,’

  ‘Yes?’ she looked at him enquiringly.

  ‘Do you own a Grey Pelisse?’

  Felicity eyes widened as she looked at him in astonishment. He knew! Her reaction had been momentary but it was enough. He had hit on the truth. She recovered herself quickly and skilfully avoided a lie. ‘I do not suit grey sir, the colour drains me and I do all I can to avoid it.’

  Alex just smiled; she had not answered the question. ‘Do not play with me Felicity for I believe you do have such a garment. In fact I know that you do.’

  ‘If you are so sure,’ she retorted, ‘then why do you ask, for nothing I can say will convince you otherwise.’

  ‘How did you acquire the Stansfield necklace Flick, I want to know? Do you know the thief?’

  Felicity studied him. He did not look angry or menacing, just determined. ‘I am sure I do not know what you are talking about,’ she replied as she sidestepped to avoid him. He grabbed her arm. ‘Oh no, you do not get away from me that easily.’ He pulled her under the shelter of a tree, trapped her against it and held his arms above her head. The rain gently pattered above them in the treetops. ‘I am not letting you leave here until you have answered my question.’

  He was towering above her and looked quite stern and she was not sure whether she should be frightened of him, but he looked calm enough. She realised with relief that she had come to know him well, enough to know that he would not hurt her and that gave her courage.

  ‘Tell me Flick for it concerns me. Did you confront Adrian Entwhistle; the man is a paradox, he is more dangerous than he looks Flick. It pains me to think that you would have endangered yourself for a necklace, but after yesterdays little debacle I know that you would.’

  He watched her with amusement as she was struggling to decide what she should say. Her large blue eyes stared up at him in adorable uncertainty and her chin trembled with the cold. She realised that she would need to come clean. He suspected Adrian Entwhistle and she knew she could not allow him to continue with that misconception. If he decided to pursue the man, goodness knows what he would do. She knew him well enough by now to know that he would hunt down Entwhistle relentlessly. She could not know that he had already tracked him down and ruled the man out as his burglar.

  ‘I cannot tell you how I acquired the necklace. I sincerely promised the person I would not.’ She closed her eyes; it was not exactly a lie, even if the promise had just been to herself. ‘You will just have to satisfy yourself with the fact, that the person had honourable intent, and it was not Adrian Entwhistle.’

  ‘No Felicity I am not content.’ He held her tightly clasping her arms to her side, just strong enough so that she could feel his power. I could force it from you but I am loath to hurt such a delicate flower. It is not my way but I will find out soon enough.’ She looked at him with wide eyes and open mouth not knowing what to expect.

  He could not resist himself as he bent down to kiss her on her trembling lips. He held her neck in his hands feeling the smoothness of her skin above the collar of her riding habit and pulled her closer so that he could feel the warmth of her body on his. At first, she did not pull away. She was mesmerised and could feel the hardness of his body through her cold damp clothes causing a quickening in her own, and in sheer panic, she attempted to move away. With mounting horror, she came to the realisation that he thought she was fast. Why else would he have kissed her? Goodness, he already knew that she was the woman that had dared to grace his doorstep unaccompanied and he had made it quite clear that he thought she was a woman of easy virtue. What must he think of her now? She slapped him. ‘How dare you sir, just because I ventured to return your necklace does not mean I am wanton. Just because I was kind enough to wish to see its return to its rightful owner does not mean that I am fast. I remember your behaviour on the doorstep that day. You were abominable. Do you think that just because a Lady is of a lower social order she is fare game?’

  Alex gave a rakish laugh. ‘When they throw themselves at my feet I do.’

  ‘Oh so now you think I threw myself at your feet, how could you? I did not expect you to appear so suddenly. I was mortified when you opened the door. If you had not appeared at such an inopportune moment, I would have safely deposited your necklace, came away and you would not have been any the wiser. Oh I hate the day I clapped eyes on Emily Entwhistle, I hate the day I clapped eyes on that stupid necklace and I hate the day that I ever having clapped eyes on you!’

  Alex only smiled at her. ‘Calm yourself Felicity; if I thought you were a Covent Garden nun you would have fallen at the first hurdle. I recognised you for what you were that day and that was the only reason you escaped from me, much though it grieved me.’ He took her hand. ‘Come Flick before I do something I should not.’

  ‘It is already too late for that,’ she barked trying to push him away.

  ‘Oh believe me Felicity I could do much more. Let that be a lesson to you not to be riding out in the early hours of the morning by yourself in Hyde Park. It was lucky it was just me you bumped into.’ He took her hand. ‘Come you are cold and we must get you home.’ He led her back to Artemis and hoisted her back into the saddle.

  So she had not quite escaped a lecture after all and what is more she had revealed much more than she had wanted to. Felicity was flushed with mortification. Annoyingly he had kissed her and she had enjoyed it. What is more she was she was so very angry with herself because she had kissed him back. ‘I was right in my first estimation of you,’ she condemned. ‘You are nothing but the rake I first thought you were.’ She dug her heals into Artemis more violently than the mare was used to and she reared and galloped off down the length of rotten row. Alex cursed and quickly mounted his stallion, spurring him into action to follow in her wake. The least he could do was see that she arrived home safely.

  ******

  It was the end of October and the little season was approaching its end. The company in London was growing thin and the Ellingham’s were just finalising their packing. The Countess popped her head around Felicity’s door. ‘Is your trunk ready Flick, we need to put it in
the carriage.’

  Felicity had wanted to oversee her own packing and Sarah was sitting on the trunk while she secured the straps and tied the big heavy buckles. ‘Just about ready mama, they can come and collect it now.’ With all the hustle and bustle of packing Sophia Ellingham was animated and full of chatter. ‘It is so kind of Lord Thorndale to invite us to Stansfield Park, don’t you think so dear?’

  Felicity was non-committal. Alex had called on Richard the week before and invited them to stop over for a few days on their way home. There was good fox hunting and shooting to be had and he was sure Richard would enjoy a little distraction before he returned home to the responsibilities of the Earldom, and after much discussion they realised that they only lived about 40 miles apart. Alex had left the city three days ago to prepare for their arrival.

  Felicity very much wanted to go but she had not quite got over her discomfiture after their meeting in Hyde Park and felt a little awkward. In the few short weeks of the little season, Alex and Richard had become firm friends and Alex had even managed to win over the initial reservations of their mother. Lady Ellingham was chatting gaily, ‘I am so looking forward to it. Since I have come to know the Marquis a little better, I find him nothing as people paint him. He has been nothing but a gentleman and I am quite in charity with him.’

  ‘I think he enjoys his notoriety mama,’ Felicity replied, ‘and,’ she added purposefully, ‘one cannot but wonder how he got it!’

  ‘Nonsense Flick! If there were any harm in the man, Richard would have flatly refused his hospitality. Richard would never have allowed him within two yards of this family and no matter what you think about Richard, he is a good judge of character, a better judge than you are my dear. What is more I think the Marquis has a tendre for you. Do you like him Flick?’

  Felicity tried to sound indifferent. ‘I like him well enough mama. I think we will enjoy our stay and I am looking forward to meeting his grandmamma. I have heard so much about her.’ Felicity could not be quite sure that is this case Richard was a good judge of character for he certainly knew nothing of Alex’s behaviour on the doorstep at Green Street or of the stolen kiss in the park.

  The countess walked over to the wardrobe. Felicity had left a few things behind, mostly summer garments that she would not need. She pulled out the grey pelisse. ‘Why Felicity you have not packed this beautiful coat, it will be lovely and warm during the winter months in Yorkshire.’

  ‘No mama,’ she replied, ‘I do not like it and it does not suit me.’ Lady Ellingham beamed, ‘In that case I will have it. I never did get that Pelisse ordered the day we went to Regent Street and that ruffian knocked you to the ground.’

  Felicity was sharp, ‘No mama you cannot have it.’ Her mother looked surprised, ‘but Flick if you do not want it, why this is the very thing for me. It is not like you to be so ungenerous.’

  Felicity, realising how abrupt she had been, softened. ‘Why mama, you and I have the same colouring. If it does not suit me, it will not suit you. What is more it is far too long. Really mama no, believe me, it will not do for you!’ The Countess sighed and not quite convinced put the pelisse back in the wardrobe, ‘Ah well if you think so Flick. It is a shame; it is a beautifully warm pelisse.’

  Flick sighed with relief. She never wanted to see the horrid thing again, and to have it paraded as a constant reminder of her confrontation with Alex would be just too much. What if Alex saw her mother in the pelisse? He may even get the false impression that her mother somehow had something to do with the chronicle of the Stansfield necklace.

  Two footmen came to collect Felicity’s trunk. All that was left to do was to cover the furniture in Holland covers, remove the knocker from the door and then they would all be ready to leave. Sarah her personal maid and Richard’s Valet William were to accompany them but rest of the servants were to return To Lealholme Manor to prepare for their eventual return.

  It took three days to reach Stansfield Park, which was situated midway between Harrogate and Knaresborough, a journey of approximately 190 miles. They arrived at 4pm on the third day. The Butler called for the housekeeper to attend to Sarah and William’s comfort and then ushered the family into the drawing room where they expected to meet with Alex and his father the Duke of Stansfield. However, neither Alex or the Duke were there and they were greeted by a jovial old Lady with startling blue eyes who introduced herself as Alex’s grandmother.

  Felicity immediately recognised her as the Lady she had seen in the portrait in Green Street. She was old now and her black hair had turned to lily white. Her skin was lined but she still had the same elegant bone structure and features she could recognise, including the vibrant blue eyes. The Dowager Duchess gave them a broad smile. ‘Please forgive me if I do not stand up, by bones hurt so and it can sometimes be debilitating.’ She gestured to a seat. ‘Please sit down; you must have had a long journey. It is not quite dinner time but I will call for something to tide you over.’ The Dowager gave the butler some instructions and he went off to arrange some refreshments.

  ‘You must forgive the Duke and my grandson for not being here to greet you,’ she continued, ‘but they have been called out on some urgent estate business. They were hoping to be back in time but you are earlier than expected. Anyway now you have arrived we will endeavour to make you comfortable.’ She paused for a moment, ‘Forgive me,’ she smiled, ‘I do rabbit on. I am Lady Elise Sheraton the Dowager Duchess. It is so refreshing to have company and I have been so looking forward to your arrival these last three days since Alex told us we could expect you.’

  They made their introductions and Lady Stansfield gave Felicity a perceptive look with a hint of a twinkle in her eye. If she knew her grandson well, his interests in this young Lady were more than he had cared to mention. The Dowager was as sharp as a needle and she had worked out within seconds of meeting Lady Felicity Ellingham that she was the main reason for this welcome visit. He was a sly young fox that grandson of hers and very much like his papa used to be. Her liking was instant and the Dowager approved.

  After an hour’s chat with tea and some light refreshment Alex and his father had still not returned so they were shown to their rooms where they could wash and brush up for dinner. They kept country hours at Stansfield Park but the Dowager delayed dinner until eight to allow for her errant son’s return. Lady Stansfield’s timing had been perfect, for prompt at 7.30 the whole party collected in the parlour to meet before dinner. The butler arrived in good time to show the guests their way and it was not long before the party was united.

  Felicity noticed that Alex looked very much like his father with the dark hair and deep brown eyes, only the Duke was a couple of inches smaller and his hair was greying at the temples. She noticed also, that they were similar in their mannerisms, Alex mirroring his father’s confident gait as they entered the room.

  It suddenly struck her that someone was missing. Where was his mother? Alex had never spoken of his mother and she was suddenly conspicuous by her absence. It would be rude to ask him about her but no doubt, she may find out within the course of time. The Duke was friendly and greeted his son’s friends hospitably.

  It was more by accident than design that the party was even, with three ladies and three gentlemen present. Lady Stansfield had wisely chosen the smaller dining room with the smaller table, making for a cosier and more convivial atmosphere. The Duke who seemed quite taken with the Countess escorted Lady Sophia Ellingham into dinner, Felicity took the Marquis’s arm and Richard was delighted to accompany the Dowager Duchess. Richard had discovered in their short acquaintance that the Dowager had a deliciously mischievous sense of humour and was a remarkable companion.

  The next morning they met in the same dining room for breakfast. Alex suggested that they take the horses and he would show them about the estate. The Countess however was quite tired from the journey the day before and offered to stay home to keep the Dowager Duchess company. The two ladies were now on first name terms and quite
comfortable with each other. The Duke unfortunately had to see his man of business again. The dreadful summer, cold and constant rain had caused much hardship amongst his tenants. The crops had been poor and they were in need of financial and practical assistance if they were not to starve. The Duke was a good landlord and had ploughed in much of his own resources to ensure his tenants were warm and well fed.

  He promised however, that tomorrow he would have time to spare and would accompany the party on an outing if the weather permitted. The Duke enquired if Richard had experienced the same problems on his own estate in Richmond. Richard had of course, but he had left his Steward in charge so that he could accompany his mother and sister to London for the little season. The man had been employed by his father fifteen years ago and was extremely reliable, so Richard had a little more freedom to discharge other responsibilities.

  So on the very first morning it was only Alex, Richard and Felicity who ventured out. It was a cold crisp day and the sun, although low in the sky made a rare appearance. Felicity was cantering on ahead when abruptly she stopped. Richard and Alex backed up suddenly behind her and Richard cursed. ‘Really Flick, do you have to stop so unexpectedly?’ She raised a finger to her lips, ‘Shhh,’ she whispered, remaining very still, ‘Do you hear that?’

  The two men strained their ears to listen but could hear nothing. They looked at Felicity, she was concentrating trying to work out the direction of the sound, and then all of a sudden she swiftly turned and careered off toward the riverbank.

  Richard groaned and looked at Alex, ‘For goodness sake, what now,’ he muttered. There was nothing for it but to follow in her wake. Felicity reached the riverbank to discover the source of the high-pitched noise. A little dog was struggling in the river and whining piteously. It seemed to sense her presence and turned its head with large beseeching eyes. The animal seemed to have something around its neck and was struggling to raise its head. Felicity looked round for a branch or a stick to try to hook it in but there was nothing to hand. She would have to be quick, the dog, although struggling valiantly was tiring and its head kept going under. There was only one thing for it. She threw off her riding habit and hat, kicked off her shoes and jumped in. The river was not deep in this particular place but because of the exceptional amount of rain, it had swollen considerably and was flowing quite rapidly and she found herself struggling against the current.