Miss Quinn's Quandary

by Shirley Marks

  In the parlor, William caught Larissa staring over his shoulder to Sir Randall, who stood at the portal.

  “I say, there you are,” drawled William, turning about to see his friend. “So much better, don’t you think?” he asked Larissa.

  The absence of her reply drew William’s attention. Randall’s gaze was locked on her, and hers, in return, on him.

  William cleared his throat, but it did not break the spell.

  “Well,” William glanced between the two and stood. “I suppose I should be leaving you two alone.”

  Silence.

  “I’ve sent off a note to your uncle of Randall’s release. He’s attending the Devonshire’s musicale.” William paused. “I know he’d want to know you were home safe and sound.”

  Silence still.

  “I’ll just be on my way then, if you don’t mind.” William rolled up onto the balls of his feet and swung his arms forward, slapping his fist with an open hand, making a popping sound. “I’ll just be in my room if I am needed.” He pointed out the door to the stairs, indicating his impending exit. “So good to have you back, Randall,” he reiterated, noting Randall was not paying the least bit of attention to him and made a hasty retreat.

  “Do you know who is responsible for my freedom?”

  “I imagine that would be me,” Larissa gladly confessed.

  “You?” Clearly the news shocked him. “Would you care to explain?”

  Feeling a bit self-conscious, she continued, “We couldn’t just let them take you away to prison. You are innocent.”

  “I knew that. I’m greatly relieved you so soundly believe it.”

  “Of course I do. We all did,” she was quick to amend. “It was a simple matter of deducing who would want to see harm come to you.”

  “I fancy I haven’t that many enemies,” he replied, apparently curious, but not overanxious to discover the culprit. “And who, pray tell, did you come up with?”

  “Lady Dorothea Brookhurst.”

  “Lady Dorothea? Are you quite certain?”

  “Oh yes,” she nodded. “However, there is little we know about her accomplice, except it is a man. Your uncle was very quick to accuse. He even suspected William of having a part in all this.”

  “William?” Sir Randall pronounced in a peculiar tone. “That’s ridiculous. When was it you omitted using his title?”

  “Well, I suppose our familiarity has come from our combined efforts to save you. We have been through much together these last few days.” She lowered her gaze.

  “There’s nothing between the two of you is there?” His tone indicated his wariness.

  “Other than friendship, no. He has assisted me in having your neckcloths replaced, and he has been impersonating you while you were…away.”

  “Has he now?” Randall inched forward, closing the distance between them. “And while posing as me, has he taken any liberties he should not have?”

  “Well,” Larissa hesitated. “He had to be convincing in portraying you. And he couldn’t let anyone see his face, of course.”

  “Of course.” The more curious Randall grew, the wider his eyes became. “Is there anything else?”

  “There was one particular incident.” She paused and swallowed hard. “I’m afraid he…I’m not at all sure I should tell you.”

  “I think you should,” he urged. Had Wills behaved improperly toward her? Had he found favor with her, replacing him?

  “Well, if you insist.” Larissa’s large green eyes stared up at him. “I’m afraid he has torn your fawn jacket, the one with the velvet lapels.” It appeared she was more concerned about his apparel than the fact she was on first name basis with his friend.

  “I am certain it can be easily repaired. It’s just your clothes were a touch snug on him. I promise I shall repair it myself, if you like.”

  “I don’t care a fig about the jacket. Larissa,” he gasped, snatching up her hand and kissing it. “While I was locked up, I could think of nothing but you. Have you missed me half as much as I have missed you?” He kissed her hand again. “Do you long for the kiss we were denied when I was taken away?”

  Her silence and the rising color in her cheeks gave him his answer.

  “I never want to leave you again.”

  She said nothing and remained quiet, giving the indication of submission. Leaning forward, Randall closed the distance between them and took her chin lightly between his fingertips. Her breath felt warm and sweet upon his newly shaved skin. He traced the curve of her lips with his finger before nearing for a kiss. He closed his eyes and leaned toward her.

  This was the moment he had long awaited.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  The parlor doors flew open. Larissa and Randall leaped apart.

  The Earl of Rushton coursed into the room. “Good to have you home, lad!” Tears formed in the earl’s eyes and he pulled his nephew into his arms for a quick embrace. “And I believe felicitations are also in order! How you managed to legshackle yourself so quickly is beyond me. I am certain it was due to my influence. I have no doubt you must have married her because you truly love her.” He nudged Randall and winked.

  Randall opened his mouth to respond, but nothing came out.

  “I thought I heard strange voices.” William appeared at the door.

  “Congratulations on your success.” Rushton reached for his hand and shook it. That was a first. Uncle Cyrus had never been fond of William. Up until now, he was considered a young man with disposable income and idle time on his hands who would someday lead Randall into trouble. “Tonight I heard of the highwayman’s antics. It was the Duke of Bedford he held up last night and who knows who it will be tonight.”

  “Tonight?” Larissa repeated. “Why should he strike tonight?”

  “Why should he stop?” Rushton asked. “What if this insane vendetta of Dorothea’s continues and she persists in seeing you to the gallows?”

  “You know, Uncle, I hadn’t thought of that.”

  “Well, you’d better think of it. It’s not just your life we’re talking about. You’ve a wife now and you must think of her as well.”

  “Ah, yes, my wife,” Randall stammered. His gaze skittered to Larissa.

  “If the authorities found the stolen items in your possession, there would not be any question of your guilt,” Rushton pointed out.

  “Need we prove Lady Dorothea’s involvement? After all, aside from the stolen items, no one was hurt,” Larissa said.

  “No one was hurt?” Randall remarked. “What do you call this?” He rubbed his arm.

  “I refer to anyone save you. After all, you are the one around whom the revenge is centered.”

  “Am Ito blame for Lady Dorothea’s derangement?”

  “Come now, you must have done something to deserve her wrath,” William replied.

  Randall paused, giving the matter some thought. “I can’t say I harmed her in any way, certainly not intentionally. However, we did have what you might call a misunderstanding.” The stares surrounding him begged him to continue. “She wanted me to offer for her.”

  “Ha! That’s rich, you’re already wed.” Rushton guffawed. “That may just be where the difficulty lies.”

  “No man would be in his right mind to marry her,” William replied without hesitation. “You’ve been away the past several years, my friend. You do not know of her reputation.”

  No man’s safe with her. She’ll wind a man around her little finger and grab hold of him by his vitals.

  “If your uncle is correct in assuming Dorothea will persist, what can we do?” It was good to see William was not about to abandon him.

  “I want you to go on impersonating me.”

  “If I am you,” William began. “Then you are …”

  “Free to investigate,” Randall stated. “Why don’t we see if we can help her along. We should make the situation as tempting as possible.”

  “What are you about, lad?” Rushton asked.

  “A
judicious word spoken to Lady Dorothea regarding my uncle’s dismay of my circumstance. And to further suggest an unwillingness to come to my aid if such an accusation should be leveled a second time might prompt her to take action, thinking she might succeed.”

  William now saw the answer to his friend’s predicament. “If we could catch her accomplice we could see to their arrest and the end of your troubles.”

  “Arrest might not be necessary,” Rushton pointed out.

  “What?” William balked. “Hang the lot of them, I say.”

  “If the two parties were caught, shall I say, in the act,” Rushton enlightened the others, “threatened by their impending arrest, they might be convinced to leave the country.”

  They all nodded, understanding the earl’s reasoning.

  The countess swept into the room. “Sir Randall, there you are—free at last!” She offered him her gloved hand. “And married to my dear, darling niece.” She turned to Larissa. “Why did you not tell me?”

  Rushton gave a cough. “He’s been occupied elsewhere, my dear,” he said, saving Randall from an awkward, lengthy, and completely fictitious explanation. “All will be explained in due time.”

  Ivy startled when she saw Larissa. “It is nearly two in the morning. Why have you not gone to bed? You can tell me all about how he swept you off your feet later.”

  “Sir Randall has just—” Larissa began.

  “My only niece married!” Ivy held up a hand. “But I imagine what you have to say to him can wait until the morning. It is so very late. I know you are newly wed just as I am but we ladies must get our rest. Let us be off to bed. Say good night to the gentlemen, dear.”

  Remaining mute, Larissa waved adieu with one hand while her aunt led her from the parlor and up the stairs. She wanted to be part of the planning session she knew would take place once she retired. Like it or not, necessity dictated Larissa would have to wait until morning.

  An eager Sir Randall and Lord William met Larissa in the breakfast room. William ushered her to her seat and held her chair while Sir Randall poured her a cup of chocolate and slid it in front of her.

  Larissa chuckled at the flurry of activity sweeping about her. It was a shame they were titled gentlemen for they would have made excellent footmen.

  Sir Randall returned with a plateful of eggs, sausage, and ham on her right side. Lord William, on her left, arrived with a heaping plate of potatoes, muffins, and toast.

  Larissa took a square of toast in one hand, lifted a forkful of eggs in the other and looked between them. “Would you, Sir Randall, have the toast while Lord William consumes the eggs for me?”

  The men regarded one another and burst into laughter.

  “I do beg your pardon,” William apologized. “We are making pests of ourselves.”

  “I would never be so bold as to point that out.”

  “We must insist you be on your way as soon as possible,” Sir Randall explained.

  “Have you a plan? Where am I to go? What am I to do?” The smell of food sitting before her grew unappetizing. Her stomach knotted, anticipation gripped her insides.

  “You need to pay Lady Dorothea a call this morning before leaving for Rushton Manor.”

  “You’re sending me away? Why?”

  “We need to let Dorothea know that, one, I am out of the way so her accomplice can impersonate me without fear of discovery. Two, she will know where to find us, so when she pays us a visit at Rushton Manor she can plant my uncle’s stolen items. Three, she will be certain that when it is discovered, he will never lift a finger to save me.”

  “Do you think she will believe me?”

  “It remains to be seen. But we do need you to set the wheels into motion.”

  Within the hour, Larissa was on her way to Lady Dorothea’s.

  “I am always so very happy to see you,” Dorothea welcomed. “But whatever are you doing here?”

  Larissa hoped to turn the nervousness she felt to her advantage. How was Dorothea to know her quavering voice stemmed from deception and not anger.

  “The Earl of Rushton is sending Sir Randall and me to his country estate in Kent,” Larissa began.

  “But why must he send you away?”

  “Rushton is very displeased with Sir Randall. The robbery accusation has the earl enraged.” Larissa began to cry and retrieved a handkerchief from her reticule. “I am sorry that I’m such a watering pot.”

  “It’s quite understandable.” Dorothea comforted and edged forward, anxious for Larissa’s next words. “Can I get you something?”

  “No, I will be quite all right in a moment.” Larissa dabbed her eyes and continued, “Sir Randall is titled but not well-off, you know. We still need to depend on Rushton’s generosity. The earl thinks it best if he is out of the public eye.” In a weak, unconvincing tone she added. “Of course, he doesn’t believe Sir Randall is capable of the charge.”

  “Of course he doesn’t,” Dorothea echoed.

  Larissa pressed her handkerchief to her nose. “I would hate to think of Sir Randall arrested a second time. I have the most horrible feeling Rushton would not come to his aid.”

  “I cannot imagine one would treat his own relative so cruelly.” Dorothea gave a fine imitation of shock and outrage.

  “The worst possible scenario would be if by some queer coincidence, it was the earl who had been robbed and Sir Randall blamed. I dread to think what might become of my dear Randall. The earl would never, ever forgive him.”

  “Yes, that would be quite a tangle, wouldn’t it?” Dorothea replied, sounding distant.

  “I would not confess this to anyone but you. However, I believe the real reason Rushton is sending us away is so that Sir Randall will not have a chance to get into any more trouble.”

  Dorothea snapped back to life. “It is probably a very wise decision.”

  “Do you really think so?” Larissa relaxed into the back of the sofa. “Well, we are to leave this afternoon. My aunt and the earl will be returning to the country the following week. I believe they are attending a dinner party at Lord Lambourne’s tonight and a ball next Monday at Lord and Lady Raintree’s.”

  “Maman and I are planning to leave by the end of this week ourselves. I have a thought,” Dorothea replied, feigning inspiration. “We’ll be passing through Kent on our way home. Would you mind if we paid a call?”

  “Not at all.” Larissa displayed a grand smile. “I would love it above all things. It should be so very wonderful to see a friendly face amid all this unpleasantness.”

  “Then I promise, Maman and I shall plan on stopping by.”

  “I do thank you for your kindness, your friendship, and your staunch support of Sir Randall.”

  Dorothea walked Larissa to the front door. Larissa paused before leaving.

  “Whatever should I do without you?”

  “Whatever indeed,” Dorothea sighed, with a placating smile.

  “Goodbye.” Larissa waved before stepping into the coach.

  She settled onto the velvet seats and had the most peculiar feeling all their assumptions had been correct. Which would mean Lady Dorothea would make her move tonight.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  “My beloved,” the earl pleaded. “I cannot allow you to place yourself in such danger.”

  “Not danger, Rushton, an adventure!” Ivy exclaimed. “Are you not placing yourself at the very same risk?”

  “But my dear, I shall not be harmed. If I were, I could not discover my nephew’s guilt and shun him publicly. Never fear, no harm shall come to me. However, I am truly concerned for your safety.” He wrapped an arm around her. “I beg you, you must leave with your niece.”

  How could the countess have refused? It turned out in the end, she could not.

  “There’s the lady I love.” Rushton embraced her, showing his gratitude for her ever sensible ways.

  Ivy allowed him to kiss her cheek and pushed him away, still not happy with the arrangements. “But do not think yo
u will always succeed in getting what you want.” She shook her finger at him.

  The earl turned to Randall now that domestic matters were settled. “We must plan our strategy down to the minute. If we make a mistake, all will be for naught. We must take no chances and we must expect the unexpected. Come, my boy, come,” the earl urged.

  “But, Uncle.” he objected, “I shall only be another minute or two.”

  “Don’t you see, we have no time to waste.” Rushton clapped his nephew on the shoulder and urged him on.

  Randall glanced back at Larissa and made a gesture of helplessness. Apparently, it had not gone unnoticed.

  “There will be time enough for the ladies later.”

  How Randall had wished he could have just blurted out the truth. On the other hand, he did not want to express his affection for Larissa in a clumsy or careless way. He would need to wait. Wait until this confounded mess was over and done with.

  At that moment, he felt he was a sorry excuse for a man.

  What a dear, sweet man he was Larissa thought.

  Moving to the window, Larissa watched the coach pull away from the drive, and caught a glimpse of Sir Randall’s retreating profile.

  What a tangle they had managed to get themselves into. Surely if Sir Randall did not clear his name, there could be no future for him or them. It was best he left now.

  “As long as we’re vacating, I wish to leave instructions to have the parlor repainted.” Ivy gestured to the room where they stood. “I believe Rushton has always wanted to have it done. He is forever referring to the parlor as blue,” she gave a hearty chuckle, “and I don’t know how you could have not noticed that it is yellow.”

  “Why, yes of course,” Larissa agreed.

  “Such an oversight. One I shall remedy before we leave for the country.” She sighed. “How ever could he do without me?”

  Randall consulted his pocket watch. Two and a half hours had passed since he had assumed his position outside the Brookhurst residence. Uncle Cyrus should have left his house over an hour ago. Assuming the robbery would take place between Rushton’s House and Lambourne’s, the deed should have already occurred.