A Collector's Item: Rowena's After Dark Regency Romance (The Arlingbys Book 1)

by Alicia Quigley

  "Yes, I know that," said Rowena. "But what if the person who planned this was meaning to implicate Alaric, and you simply got in the way?"

  "What do you mean, Rowena?’ asked Alaric, leaning forward in his chair.

  "Perhaps it was intended that you were to appear to have killed Ingram. After all, you were the one who had made a great deal of fuss about this ridiculous pearl. It would have seemed to someone with a grudge against you to be the perfect opportunity. Perhaps it was intended to look as though you had shot Ingram, but Malcolm arrived at the wrong moment. As the story was told to me, Malcolm decided to drive out to Merton on the spur of the moment; how did the killer know to be there and to shoot Ingram?"

  Malcolm looked surprised. "I hadn’t thought of that. I rushed out of the house the minute I heard you had offered Ingram such a large sum for the pearl, Brayleigh. No one knew I was on my way there. How could the killer have known I would be present?"

  Alaric leaned back in his chair and studied the brandy in his glass with a dark gaze. "That is an interesting question. Because I had an appointment with Ingram to purchase the pearl that morning, Malcolm. I was supposed to meet him in the orchard at his house exactly one half-hour after he was killed."

  "You were? You never told me that." Rowena looked surprised.

  "It didn’t seem important. The man was dead when I got there. But I’m sure Malcolm wondered at the time how I arrived on the scene so quickly."

  "I did. I thought you’d come to gloat. It was another reason I was sure you’d killed him," said Malcolm bluntly.

  "So if the killer knew your schedule, perhaps he hid in the orchard, waiting for you to arrive. When he heard Malcolm’s carriage, he presumed it was you arriving early, Alaric, and he shot Ingram. But it was Malcolm who had come, not his true quarry. Think how disappointed he must have been!" Rowena clapped her hands, delighted with her theory.

  "Not to mention my disappointment," interposed Malcolm. There was a small pause.

  "It’s possible," said Alaric. "I hadn’t thought of myself as the target before, because I simply believed Malcolm had allowed his temper to get the better of him. But now there is the distinct possibility that he disrupted someone else’s carefully laid plans."

  "Or she," interposed Malcolm. "I said before that this seemed like something a woman would do. Marguerite was very angry with you, Alaric. You’d thrown her out on her ear, saying you’d never marry her, even if she got a divorce from old Bingham. I’d say she was ready to do anything to hurt you. You should have heard the things she had to say about you! I certainly was bored with the subject after a few weeks in her company."

  "Lady Bingham! She is the perfect suspect," crowed Rowena. "She is certainly spiteful, and I can vouch for her creativity. Do you remember what she and Voxley attempted to do to me, Alaric?"

  "I do," said Alaric grimly. "But that hardly makes her guilty. We need more proof than the fact that she had a motive and we all dislike her."

  "I don’t dislike her," said Malcolm frankly. "I have fond memories of, er...our time together. She made my first few months on the Continent bearable. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a vicious streak. I’d hate to be on the wrong side of it."

  "Precisely," said Rowena. "And she would have known your calendar, Alaric. Who else but your mistress would have been certain that you were going to Merton that morning?"

  "She was no longer my mistress," Alaric pointed out. "Otherwise there would have been no need for her to get revenge."

  "But she knew the servants in your home, and could have bribed one of them," said Rowena. "That would have been very easy for her to do, wouldn’t it?"

  "I suppose so," admitted Alaric. "She spent a good deal of time at my house and I did not make a general announcement to servants that she had been...dismissed."

  "There, she must have done it," said Rowena. "Now we simply have to prove it."

  "Therein lies the problem," said Alaric. "After twelve years it will be difficult to discover anything at all, much less proof."

  "Well, we must begin somewhere," said Rowena. "I think I should pretend to Lady Bingham that I am investigating Ingram’s murder. After all, she is the one who brought Malcolm back to England, so she surely knows I will be curious about it. I will ask her to tell me everything she knows, and perhaps she will say something incriminating. I have never received the impression that she is particularly intelligent, and she will hardly think I suspect her."

  "No, she will try to implicate me," said Alaric. "She has been trying to do that for twelve years now."

  "Which is simply more evidence that she is the murderer," said Rowena promptly. "Why else would she be so persistent?"

  "If she is the killer, you will do nothing so dangerous as to speak to her," ordered Alaric. "You are as likely as she is to allow something to slip."

  "That is unfair. I do not have a great deal of experience at conspiracy, but I believe I could be quite good at it," said Rowena.

  "You were not particularly skilled at hiding your meetings with Malcolm from me," observed Alaric. "I shudder to think what you might reveal to Marguerite."

  "I am not as scatterbrained as you believe, Alaric. I hardly think that deceiving Lady Bingham will be particularly difficult; she believes that everyone is as venal as she is herself. Unless you believe her intellect to be superior to mine?"

  Alaric’s lips twitched. "Of course not. But you are certainly impetuous and headstrong, and I am reluctant to put you into any type of dangerous situation. If Marguerite did indeed kill Ingram twelve years ago--and I have to say that I find it highly unlikely--then she is a person to be avoided. There is no reason to think that she would not kill again."

  "She can shoot," said Malcolm suddenly. "I’ve seen her. Said her father taught her; thought she should be able to take care of herself. And that’s one thing she’s always done."

  "There, you see Alaric? She is surely the guilty party. And unless you can think of a better plan, we will have to go with mine." Rowena folded her arms across her chest and looked at Alaric.

  "If you think I’m going to allow you to go to the home of a woman with her reputation, who is a possible murderess to boot, and attempt to interview her, you are deluding yourself, Rowena. Malcolm and I would have no way to protect you in such a circumstance. It is out of the question. Malcolm clearly is still on friendly terms with Marguerite, and she will continue to help him because she believes he is causing me trouble. I think it would be far better if he searched Marguerite’s house for the pearl, which I am sure she would still have. She is aware of its value, and Marguerite would never throw something away she thought was valuable. She knows that neither her face nor her bosom will be her fortune forever; she would be hoarding it against future need."

  "That is a wonderful plan," said Rowena admiringly. "Perhaps Malcolm could let us into her house at dead of night and we could all search it. It would be so exciting!"

  "Under no circumstances will you go to Marguerite’s house. This is a matter that Malcolm and I can handle." Alaric spoke very firmly.

  "You cannot keep all the fun activities for yourself," protested Rowena. "I am the one who began this investigation, and I insist on being allowed to continue it."

  "Whatever makes you think searching a house in the middle of the night is amusing?" demanded Alaric. "That is a perfect example of why you cannot be allowed to accompany us. You would surely give us away."

  "I can be discreet!" Rowena looked daggers at her husband. "You have a very unflattering view of me, I see."

  Malcolm cleared his throat. Alaric and Rowena turned to him, having almost forgotten his presence.

  "Just thought I should mention that Marguerite and I had a falling out some days ago," he said mournfully. "Don’t think she will be much inclined to help me anymore. I told her exactly what I thought of her attempt to convince Brayleigh we were plotting against him."

  "Did you? How delightful of you, Malcolm." Rowena beamed at him.


  "Very noble, indeed," said Alaric. "But it is unfortunate timing. Is there no chance that you could make up with her? There are ways that Marguerite can be...distracted."

  Malcolm shook his head. "She threw a fit. You remember what a terrible temper she has. Perhaps in a week or so I might be able to get around her, but not now. Our relationship isn’t what it used to be; Voxley is there now and he has a vested interest in keeping me at bay. He hasn’t a penny to his name, and she’s as rich as Croesus."

  Alaric nodded slowly, and Rowena smiled. "We cannot possibly wait a week or two. Luckily, we have an alternate plan, and I think we should proceed with it. I will be glad to speak to Lady Bingham," she said brightly.

  "On the contrary, it will do us no harm at all to wait a few weeks," said Alaric. "What difference does it make after twelve years?"

  "We cannot sit about waiting for Marguerite to possibly change her mind and decide she likes Malcolm again, when we have another alternative," argued Rowena. "We can hardly allow resolving this problem to hinge upon Lady Bingham’s whims."

  "Then Malcolm and I will break into her house," countered Alaric calmly. "It should be simple enough to do."

  "She sleeps with a pistol under her pillow," said Malcolm glumly. "And I don’t like the look of that butler of hers. I think he’s a former highwayman. Still, I’d be glad to go with you, Brayleigh. The only problem is that I haven’t the least idea of where to begin looking."

  "You see, Alaric, there is no point in pursuing that course," said Rowena with an air of triumph. "You must agree that my solution is a much better one."

  "I will not allow you to put yourself in peril. I have no way of helping you if Marguerite should realize what you are up to. It is far too dangerous."

  Rowena stared at Alaric, amazed at his vehemence. His gaze was dispassionate, and she tried to divine what thoughts might be hidden behind his green eyes. Perhaps he cared for her after all, she thought with a sudden surge of hope. He seemed so determined to protect her and to keep her from anything that might harm her. Maybe he was beginning to trust her again, and trust would perhaps lead to love.

  "I appreciate your concerns for me, Alaric, but I know that I can take care of myself," she said. "And no one else seems to have any other solution to our problem."

  "Not only would it be hazardous for you, but there is the possibility that you might be carrying my child," said Alaric bluntly. "I will not have you put at risk."

  Rowena’s heart sank at his words. She could remember the cold, emotionless manner in which he had told her that, although he would never trust her again, she owed him a son. It was only his child he was trying to protect, not her. She looked away, trying not to let her disappointment show in her face.

  "I never thought of that," said Malcolm, breaking the tense silence. "A child, eh? That would make me an uncle."

  "I am not breeding," said Rowena firmly.

  "You cannot be certain of that, and I will not have you putting yourself at risk. The subject is closed." Alaric glared at Rowena.

  "What if there was a way you could keep an eye on her?" asked Malcolm suddenly.

  "What are you talking about? He can’t possibly come to Lady Bingham’s house with me," said Rowena.

  "No, but there are other places to meet. I know that Marguerite is going down to the Brandfon’s for a house party next weekend. That would be the perfect place to put this plan into effect. It would be easy enough for Rowena to get Marguerite alone, and you could keep an eye on her the whole time, Brayleigh. You shouldn’t have any trouble getting Sir Peter to invite you as well."

  Alaric groaned. "Sir Peter and Lady Maria Brandfon are dreadful people, vulgar in the extreme. He’s always attempting to show me the dreadful old paintings he inherited from his grandfather. He’s sure they’re worth a fortune, and every one of them is a forgery. And badly painted forgeries of naked women, at that."

  "You can surely put up with them for a few days, Alaric, if it means we will clear up this mess," coaxed Rowena. "It is very uncomfortable for me to be married to one man suspected of murder and to be sister to another. And for the same murder, at that. Surely it isn’t too much to ask?"

  Alaric’s gaze softened slightly. "I appreciate your concerns, but I don’t like it. Still, it is a better idea than having you go to her house. At Brandfon’s at least I would be able to make sure you do not get carried away."

  "I will be the soul of discretion, I promise." Rowena looked pleadingly at Alaric.

  "And I will come along, disguised as a groom!" announced Malcolm. "I will be back up for you, Alaric. That way things will be all right and tight."

  Alaric groaned. "The last thing I need, Wroxton, is your over-enthusiastic presence. Marguerite will surely recognize you, if no one else does."

  "I’ll stay out of her way. You can’t send my sister into danger without my being there. I won’t have it."

  "I am not sending her into danger," Alaric pointed out. "This entire ridiculous scheme sprang from the Arlingby family brains."

  "I think it’s an excellent idea," said Rowena stoutly. "Malcolm will be a great deal of help. Please say you agree, Alaric."

  Alaric drew in his breath at the sight his wife presented, leaning towards him, her brilliant violet eyes aglow with excitement. She was so eager and generous, he thought, so anxious to prove to the world that her brother and husband were innocent of the charges leveled against them.

  "Very well," he responded, and jumped slightly when Rowena gave out a shriek of excitement. She threw herself into his arms and he held her close to him, savoring her scent and warmth. He was amazed by the pleasure he experienced whenever she offered him a spontaneous caress.

  "But," he continued firmly, "I will not have you putting yourself at risk. You will not attempt to conduct any investigative activities without my knowledge and permission. Do you understand me?"

  "Yes Alaric," said Rowena promptly. "I will do as you say."

  "And you, Wroxton? I won’t have you leading Rowena into one of your wild schemes."

  "Well, I like that," said Malcolm in a tone of disgust. "What makes you think I’d do something to get Rowena into trouble?"

  "Only your involving her in your attempt to search my safe, and the fact that she concealed your presence in London from me, not to mention my knowledge of your sadly hot-headed ways," enumerated Alaric. "Once again, I will have your word on it."

  Malcolm grinned sheepishly. "Very well. I will be as careful of Rowena as if she was made of glass. Is that good enough for you?"

  "I suppose it will do." Alaric looked from Rowena’s glowing face to Malcolm’s excited one. "You two make me feel very old," he complained.

  "Oh no, you are not at all old," Rowena reassured him. "You are just cautious, which I am sure is very important."

  "Cautious? Brayleigh?" Malcolm gave her an amazed look. "I could tell you some stories, Rowena."

  "I beg you will not. I would like it if my wife continued to respect me." Alaric stood up and looked at Rowena and her brother with a severe eye. "I will go and write a note to Sir Peter Brandfon, asking if we might join his party. However, I expect the two of you to conduct yourself discreetly when we are there. This is a dangerous game we’re playing, and I’ll not have Rowena hurt. If she is, I will hold you responsible, Wroxton."

  Chapter 35

  He walked out of the room, leaving Malcolm and Rowena alone. Malcolm let out his breath in a rush.

  "Well, I can't say I envy you, Rowena, being married to a martinet like that. How can you stand him ordering you around all the time?"

  "He is really very kind to me," said Rowena softly. "And after the way I have treated him of late, I must admit that he is not obliged to be."

  Malcolm gave her a shrewd glance. "Don’t tell me you’re in love with the man!"! Good lord, Rowena!"

  Rowena stifled the tiny sob that rose in her throat and turned away, giving what she hoped was a light laugh. "Goodness, no. I am only very happy in my marriage." />
  Malcolm took her by the arm and turned her, looking down intently into her eyes. "You are in love with him, blast it," he said. "I admit Brayleigh’s not as bad as I thought, but he’s famous for having no heart, Rowena. You should know better."

  Rowena clutched her handkerchief tightly, hoping her tears would not overflow. "It’s too late now, Malcolm. I know I’m an idiot, but it can’t be helped."

  "He isn’t in love with you," said Malcolm bluntly. "He said as much a few minutes ago. But he does seem to be concerned about your safety. Maybe he has feelings for you after all."

  "No, I am sure he doesn’t. He is concerned for me because I am his wife and I might be carrying his child. That is all." Rowena looked away.

  "He’s not unkind to you, is he?"

  "No, not at all. Please Malcolm, let’s not discuss this further. It makes me very unhappy." Rowena stepped away and walked toward the window, trying to hide the tears that were threatening to fall.

  "I can’t have my sister unhappy," said Malcolm firmly. "As soon as we’ve straightened out this question of who killed Ingram, I will have a talk with Brayleigh. He can’t possibly want you moping around like this."

  "I don’t mope!" objected Rowena, her spirit returning. "And if you meddle in my marriage, Malcolm, I’ll be very angry with you. Haven’t you already caused enough trouble for the two of us? It was because of you that we had our last quarrel."

  "Well, I like that," protested Malcolm. "Is it my fault that Brayleigh has a suspicious nature or that you handled him badly? Really, Rowena, you can’t blame me for your troubles. You shouldn't have married him in the first place."

  "No, I suppose I shouldn't have. But the deed is done, and I must live with it. Please, Malcolm, let me handle my own problems."

  Malcolm folded his arms over his chest and frowned. "Very well. But don't come running to me the next time he makes you unhappy. I never thought I’d see my own sister married to Brayleigh. What a tangle."

  Rowena laughed. "Don’t worry about me, Malcolm. You will see that everything will be fine once we have settled this matter."