Colonel Northcote leant forward. ‘Why don’t you trust me, Lady Trevarren, and tell me why you are here and what you are looking for, and then, just maybe, we can return quietly to the ballroom.’
Sophie hesitated for a moment and wondered whether she could trust him. His behaviour so far did little to inspire her confidence, but his expression appeared genuine. His mossy green eyes had lost that hard glint and his face had softened.
She decided that honesty was the only way to extricate herself from this situation. After all, she was the victim in this whole sordid affair and she need not tell him everything. ‘If you must know, I was looking for something belonging to me. Something precious that was stolen from me, and I want it back.’
‘And what is this something?’ he replied sympathetically.
‘It is a brooch that has been in my family for over one hundred years. There are a necklace and earrings to match. The brooch is an emerald with fifteen surrounding diamonds and has been passed down from my grandmother, and it passed on to me on my mother’s death. It was commissioned by my grandfather and is quite unique. The back opens up just like a locket, only it is concealed with a secret catch. I do not think lady Northcote can know about that because it is such a clever mechanism. Inside I put the likeness of my mother. It is the only likeness I have of her and it means so much to me. Lady Northcote has it, and it is mine.’
‘I see,’ he replied, not quite understanding at all. ‘But what would lady Northcote be doing with a brooch belonging to you?’
Sophie sighed. She would have to explain everything. When she had finished he had a thoughtful look on his face. He finally spoke.
‘But lady Trevarren, your father paid a debt of honour and if it cannot be proved that my brother cheated, the brooch no longer belongs to you. Really, I very much think that it cannot be true, no matter how much you believe it.’
Sophie stood up and paced the room. ‘Debt of honour! Debt of honour! What is this so-called debt of honour that it destroys people’s lives? It is not honourable at all.’
Colonel Northcote sighed. ‘I invariably find that females do not have an understanding of the matter, but it is the way of things.’
She turned on him with tears welling up in her eyes. ‘Yes, no doubt you think me a young, frivolous chit with more hair than wit, but it is unjust, I tell you. Oh, you are a man! You are like them all. I should have known that you would not understand.’
He pulled her to him and held her closely. She looked up at him uncertainly, those familiar blue eyes filled with unshed tears. She stood there rigid and defiant in his arms. He was tempted to bend down and kiss her and it took him all of his self-control to resist. He could not take advantage of a vulnerable eighteen-year-old, no matter how plucky she was. Instead, he sighed and brushed his thumb across her cheek. ‘Lady Trevarren, leave it with me,’ he replied. ‘If this brooch means so much to you, I will endeavour to get it back for you honestly. I shall appeal to lady Northcote on your behalf.’
Sophie could feel the warmth of his body next to hers and melted into him. She looked up into his sympathetic green eyes. ‘You would not succeed,’ she replied despondently. ‘You see, lady Northcote is not so very fond of me. She delighted in my discomfort and smirked at me ruthlessly when she wore it at lady Bertram’s ball.’
Colonel Northcote stiffened. He had been in the Peninsular for seven years and did not know his sister-in-law so very well, but he found the accusation quite mystifying. ‘If she refuses, I shall buy it back for you. What can one small brooch mean to her?’
‘You are very kind Colonel, but the brooch is quite valuable and I don’t think that even you could afford it, neither could I expect it of you. One day I will get it back, though. I don’t care if he is your brother. The Earl will pay for what he has done to my family. See that he does not!’
‘You speak harshly, Lady Trevarren,’ he replied. ‘Come and I will escort you back to the ballroom before you are missed, and pray, do not do anything else so reckless again. Next time it may not be me who discovers you.’
Chapter Four
On returning Sophie to lady Wyndholme, Colonel Northcote accepted an invitation from her to call on them the next day to share a light luncheon. After he left them, Aunt Caroline beamed at her niece in triumph. ‘You see, Sophie, did I not tell you that you would be a huge success. The Colonel is obviously taken with you. If you could attach him, it would be a very good match for you.’
‘He is a Northcote!’ she retorted in exasperation. ‘How could I be as disloyal to my father’s memory as to encourage his advances? You expect too much of me, Aunt!’
Oh, fiddlesticks,’ countered aunt Caroline. ‘He is a fine young man and you can hardly blame him for the supposed sins of his brother. If he shows a decided interest, give him a chance, for my sake, Sophie. I hardly think he has accepted an invitation to lunch just for the pleasure of my company.’
Sophie just shrugged. She could not deny that he was singularly attractive, and she had escaped lightly when he discovered her in lady Northcote’s bedchamber, but his brother’s corruption must always stand between them.
Sophie went to bed that night and slept restlessly. Something in her subconscious mind disturbed her. She woke the next morning and her eyes widened at the sudden realisation of what it was. Her aunt’s interference posed another problem. Lord Northcote had seen her brother that night in the lane, for the silly young fool had not thought to hide his face. If the Colonel crossed paths with Daniel again, he would recognise him and the game would be truly up. The implications were beyond thinking about. At the worst, he could report her to the authorities for attempted robbery and destroy her reputation and at the very least, he would have a marked disgust of her.
She must go immediately and warn Daniel. It would not do for him to be present when Colonel Northcote arrived. She dressed quickly and made her way to her brother’s room but he was not there. There was only one other place she would find him and that was in the stables. Daniel had a passionate love of horses and his uncle had bought him a chestnut colt when he had turned twelve. He had named the colt Zephyrus because he was swift of foot and ran like the wind. Daniel spent every waking moment in the stables attending to the colt or riding him through the Northumberland countryside on the outskirts of Newcastle, and his aunt was forever chastising him and calling him back to his studies.
She approached the stable door and found Daniel smoothing a large-handled brush over the colt’s smooth glistening coat. She approached him in agitation. ‘Thank goodness, I have found you, Danny. Aunt Caroline has invited Colonel Northcote for a light luncheon at midday. You will be expected to join us, but if the Colonel sets his eyes on you, all will be lost.’
Daniel looked up from what he was doing and looked thoughtful for a moment. He then gave a boyish grin. He needed no excuse to take Zephyrus out for a run. ‘Do not worry, Fee. I will wheedle a picnic lunch out of cook and disappear for the afternoon. I was thinking of giving Zephyrus a good blast anyway. I shall just have to be careful not to bump into Aunt Caroline before I can get away. I cannot attend a luncheon if I know nothing about it, now, can I?’
Sophie kissed her brother on the cheek. ‘Danny, you are an angel. I will do my best to discourage the Colonel or life around here is going to be very difficult. Oh, Danny, why did you not cover your face that night?’
*****
At the same time that Sophie was conspiring with her brother in the Chalcotte stables, Colonel Northcote was entering the dining room at Winstanley Hall. It was still early, but being a military man, unlike his contemporaries, he was never one to waste his mornings in bed. He was looking forward to his visit to Chalcotte Grange where he hoped he would be allowed to spend a little time alone with Sophie. She was a fetching wench and her unconventional spirit had served to attach his interest. She reminded him of his lady footpad, an encounter that would always remain affectionately in his memory.
To his surprise, Lady Northcote was
sat at the breakfast table partaking of a healthy breakfast of ham and eggs.
‘Good morning, Cecelia,’ he said with a warm smile, and in the absence of a footman, he walked over to the sideboard to pour himself a coffee. He carried his coffee to the table and sat down beside her. ‘That was a fine ball you hosted last night. I would say that it was a huge success.’
Lady Northcote beamed. ‘Why, thank you, Harry, but it is not every day that a long lost brother returns from the Peninsular and it was the least I could do to welcome you home. Tell me, Harry, how long are you planning on staying with us before you return to your own estates in Rothbury?’ she asked.
Harry took a sip of his hot coffee and lowered his cup. He looked at his sister-in-law. She was a pretty enough woman with dark chocolate brown hair and an oval face, but her eyes appeared hard and her lips were prim which removed any claim to beauty. ‘Oh two weeks, perhaps a little longer,’ he replied. ‘I thought it would be nice to spend a little time with Rupert and get to know him all over again. Over this last seven years, I have only been home twice. Family is very important, do you not think so? And now, especially poignant since the death of our brother Stephen at Talavera.’
He sighed wearily. This war with Napoleon had lasted far longer than any of them could have imagined and had torn many a family apart. He knew of few families who were not affected by the loss of a beloved brother, father or friend. It seemed a lifetime ago since he first stepped out onto Mondego Bay in Portugal, under the command of Lieutenant General, Sir Arthur Wellesley in 1808.
He glanced back across the table and quipped humorously. ‘Why Cecelia, you are not tiring of my company already are you?’
‘No-No-Not at all,’ she faltered. ‘And I am sorry about Stephen, it hit Rupert very hard. I did not know Stephen very well, but he seemed a pleasant fellow. No, I ask for practical reasons only. You are indeed most welcome, but I need to know how many people to cater for over the coming weeks and perhaps arrange for some extra entertainment.’
Harry smiled. ‘You have no need to concern yourself over me. I am well able to entertain myself. I have no wish to put you out. The ball you arranged last night is surely enough.’
Cecelia gave Harry an acknowledging smile and watched him as he sipped his coffee. She noticed that he was not eating anything. There was a wide range of dishes arranged on the sideboard, but he had elected only to drink coffee.
‘Are you not hungry, Harry?’ she asked, tucking into her own ham and eggs.
He held up his hand. ‘No, not at all. I may help myself to a slice of toast, but I have been invited to Chalcotte Grange for a light luncheon so do not wish to eat a large breakfast,’ he replied.
Lady Northcote frowned and pursed her thin lips. ‘Have you indeed. I noticed that you paid that Trevarren chit a lot of attention last night. Really, Harry, I do not encourage that connection. I cannot like the girl and her hoydenish ways. She comes from good enough stock. Her mother was Lady Wyndholme’s sister but I don’t know what her father was like. He was the black sheep of the family and he gambled away everything he had. I think she must be very much like him, and her Aunt has got her hands on her too late to do anything to change her ways now. No, you would be better off attending a London season where you could have your pick of the season’s debutantes.’
Harry grimaced. He had seen enough of the London season on his visits back to the Horse Guards and what he saw there did not appeal to him. Sophie, in contrast, was like a breath of fresh air. She was young, natural, and unspoilt. What is more, she was spirited and she had not learned the false coquettish manner that was considered fashionable amongst the London elite. Harry forced a smile. ‘I appreciate your concern, Cecelia, but I am a man of seven and twenty. You must let me decide for myself what is best for me. If lady Trevarren proves a positive hoyden as you say, then you must trust me to make my own judgement.’
Lady Northcote shrugged. ‘Well do not say that I did not warn you,’ she retorted peevishly.
Harry got up to get some toast and refill his coffee cup. Now he thought was a good time to bring up the subject of the brooch. He returned to the table and sat back down. ‘As we are on to the subject of Lady Trevarren, I would like to ask you a personal favour, Cecelia.’
Lady Northcote looked at him suspiciously, not quite liking the direction of the conversation. ‘And what favour might that be?’ she asked warily.
‘You have a brooch. It is an item that once belonged to lady Trevarren. It is of great sentimental value to her, and I was wondering if you could find it in your heart to return it to her as a gift.’
His sister-in-law looked thunderstruck and sat gaping at him as if she could not believe what she was hearing. Finally, she regained her composure.
She took her napkin and primly wiped her mouth. ‘So the chit told you about that, did she? She is worse than I thought. A lady would never discuss such things with a relative stranger. And I suppose she told you that Rupert cheated. I hope you did not believe her.’
Harry sighed patiently. Having effectively held Lady Trevarren prisoner until she had revealed all, he had not given her much choice in the matter but he was not about to tell Cecelia about that. ‘Of course, I do not believe that Rupert cheated. However, I think she is genuine in her beliefs, just sadly mistaken. How about it, Cecelia? Are you in a mind for being charitable?’
Lady Northcote glowered at him. ‘You ask too much, Harry. If the girl showed me the least bit affection I would consider it, but as it is, she views this whole family with disdain. Tell me, why should I oblige her?’
Harry just shrugged. ‘I do not know,’ he replied. ‘Perhaps a touch of human compassion for someone who has had their life torn apart. Goodness, kindness, call it what you may. It is not beyond your capabilities, and besides, with all the Winstanley jewellery at your disposal, you will hardly miss one small brooch. It cannot mean that much to you.’
‘Maybe not sentimentally,’ she retorted, ‘but I am particularly fond of that brooch and I would have you know, it is very valuable. I am really loath to part with it and must refuse your request, Harry.’
Harry took a long hard look at his sister-in-law and noticed for the first time her hard implacable mien. Appealing to her good nature was obviously not going to work. He was beginning to feel that under that affable and comely exterior was a hard heart. His brother, the Earl had married only three months before he and Stephen had left for the Peninsular. Cecelia was younger then and no doubt a little more pliable. He thought she had changed considerably, but there again, maybe not, he had just not really come to know her. There had not been time.
His only alternative now was to offer her a financial incentive. ‘Perhaps I can buy it off you, name your price?’ he asked casually.
Lady Northcote threw down her napkin in annoyance. There was no way she was going to give one inch to Lady Sophie Trevarren. ‘The brooch is not for sale, Harry. Please consider the matter closed.’
She rose from the table and made to leave. Harry reached out and grabbed her arm as she swept past him. She stopped short and look down at his offending large hand gently but firmly grasping her warm flesh. ‘Release me, Harry, this instant.’
He looked up at her intently. ‘I will Cecelia, but I must warn you that the matter is not closed. I shall be speaking to Rupert. There is more to this than meets the eye. I can only put it down to spite for this small trifle can mean nothing to you.’
‘As you wish,’ she replied haughtily. ‘You will find that Rupert will do my bidding.’
Harry released her wrist and watched her as she marched out of the room with her head held high. He sat in contemplation. He had been home for two weeks now and he was beginning to think that all in the garden was not as rosy as he thought.
*****
Sophie could hear her Aunt’s voice out on the landing. ‘Oh, where is that irritating boy.’
She entered the room and addressed Sophie. ‘I cannot find Daniel anywhere. Have you any idea w
here he could have got to? It will soon be lunch time and Colonel Northcote will be arriving.’
Sophie bit her lip guiltily. ‘I think he took off on Zephyrus two hours ago,’ she replied. ‘I would not expect him home too soon because he took a picnic lunch with him.’
Aunt Caroline muttered. ‘It is just too bad of him, going off without a word to anyone, and especially when I want him at home. It would have done him good to meet the Colonel. He could do with a little more male influence apart from your uncle Jack.’
‘I am sorry Aunt. He did ask me to tell you that he had gone off for the afternoon, but I forgot. It is all my fault.’
Her Aunt sighed. ‘Daniel and that infernal Colt. He has not been the same since your Uncle Jack bought it for him. If he is neglecting his lessons and falling behind, I will have something to say on the matter. You have been with us for six months now and it is about time I found him a formal tutor. That would serve the purpose. You should have stopped him, Sophie, but oh dear, you are just as bad. Ah well, we will just have to amble along without him.’
She gave Sophie a critical look, taking in the dull, fawn gown her niece had elected to wear that morning. ‘I do hope you are going to change your gown, Sophie. I suggest the deep apricot striped muslin with the little puff sleeves as it is very becoming on you. I am hoping that the Colonel will offer to take you out for a ride in his carriage.’
Sophie rolled her eyes to the ceiling. Her Aunt was not going to give up her matching-making ways, but she decided to do her bidding. She already felt guilty about Daniel’s absence and did not want to irritate her aunt any more than was necessary.
Lady Trevarren and the Emerald Brooch: A Regency Romance and Murder Mystery Page 4
