Adron poured another drink. If only he’d realized how much he would come to love her, he would’ve done things differently. He would have wooed her instead of terrorizing her with his every demand. If only . . .
The next morning a pounding in his head woke him. A door shut softly and the bustle of household activities drifted to his consciousness. He ran his fingers over the smooth surface of crisp sheets. He was in his chamber at Kendlewood, that much he knew because he could smell his soaps and lotions for after his shave.
How long had he been like this, a day, a few hours or longer? He didn’t know and at the moment he didn’t care about anything except his splitting headache. Adron vaguely remembered Laurel leaving but after that, practically nothing. Suddenly he heard the rustle of drapes being drawn back and the sound of footsteps stopping at the end of his bed. He threw his arm over his eyes to block out the light and squinted at the figure standing there.
“Hell, Roger. Are you trying to blind me? Shut the curtains at once.”
With a deep sigh, his valet drew the drapes to shut out a little of the sun but some light still invaded the room, enough to make him wince. Adron drew himself up against the headboard and groaned. His flight from reality was at an end. Today he must collect himself and move forward into his bleak future. Bushing his hair back, he sat with the heels of his palms against his eyes.
“I need a drink—and a shave. Make it coffee, black and strong.”
“Very good, Milord.”
Nearly an hour passed before Adron exactly managed to climb out of bed and start a new day. After a grueling few hours dealing with the estate business that he’d ignored the last few days, he was ready for a ride, anything to stem the restless frustration that swamped him. Before he could quit the house, the butler caught him.
“Milord, Sir George is in your library.” The butler’s brows lifted briefly and he added, “He’s pacing.”
Adron groaned. George was the last person he expected or wanted to receive today. Why wasn’t he on his honeymoon? Adron wanted to gnash his teeth at the thought. He entered his library, his gaze on George, surprised at his tousled state. George looked as if he had run agitated fingers through his hair and disturbed his usual immaculate style. He hurried across the room and his expression filled Adron with foreboding.
“What’s amiss?”
“Oather Dimty has escaped. I wanted to alert you as soon as possible,” George warned in a brittle voice.
Adron let out a savage oath. “Of all the incompetent, witless . . .” He clamped his mouth shut and his jaw worked.
“I beg your pardon.”
“Not you. The authorities.” Adron eyed his friend with displeasure. What in the blazes had George been thinking to leave Laurel unprotected with a murderer on the loose? A servant could have brought the message just as easily. “Why aren’t you at Landings?”
“Why would I be at Landings?”
Adron skewered him with a deep, level stare, accessing his every expression. Clearly George had no idea Laurel was free to marry him. “Never mind. When did he escape?”
“By all accounts, sometime yesterday. No one seems to know exactly when.”
Adron turned to the door. “Pray there is still time.”
“Time. Time for what?” George caught Adron by the elbow.
Adron glanced down to where George’s fingers crinkled the fabric of his jacket before bringing his gaze up again, waiting.
“Beg pardon,” George apologized and dropped his hand. “Please explain.”
“Time to correct a mistake. I allowed Laurel to return to Landings and I’ve possibly sent her straight into the arms of the murderer.”
George returned Adron’s stare, tension gripping his features. “There’s no proof that Dimty is the killer is there?”
“There isn’t proof positive but all indications point to him as the one that murdered Robert.”
George scowled. “Let’s keep our heads. If he’s wise, he’s long gone with the jewels, not on his way to Landings. In any event, what threat can Laurel possibly pose to him?”
“She will recognize him if she sees him again. He tried to rob her and she got a good look at his eyes, the color plus the shape.”
“So you think he might be after Laurel?”
“I’m afraid that might be the case. He demanded Laurel hand over a blue diamond pendant. He’s obsessed with that particular gem. That’s why he followed her to her aunt’s place.”
“Surely he won’t try for the diamond again.”
Adron tried for a reasonable tone but he couldn’t keep the hard edge out of his voice. “He threatened to kill her if she didn’t hand over the jewel. She didn’t even know the pendant existed until then and thankfully, Horace interrupted before the rogue did too much damage. Oather escaped out the window and down the side of the house before Horace could catch him.”
“But he’s been apprehended once. A reasonable man would make good on his escape with the stolen treasure he has, not try to gain more.”
“Your point is well taken but who’s to say he’s reasonable. Laurel considers him insane.”
George shrugged. “There’s no saying. By the way, why did you send Laurel to Landings in the first place?”
Adron hesitated. He hated to inform George of his good fortune but he’d allowed Laurel her freedom for this very reason. The least he could do was follow through. “I restored her to her rightful position. She’s free to marry you now.”
“Free to marry me. Are you mad? I offered but she turned me down.”
Adron swallowed heavily. “That was before I allowed her to take Jamie when she marries. I decided to step out of her way. Offer again and she won’t turn you down.”
George threw up his hands in complete frustration. “Nonsense. It’s you she loves. If she couldn’t marry you, she preferred to remain a widow.”
Adron rolled his eyes. He tried to do the right thing and of all people, George kept standing in his way. He’d never thought of George as dull-witted before but his conclusions were preposterous.
“You’re saying she loves me?” Adron questioned and laughed in disbelief. “You have windmills in your head, my friend. She couldn’t possibly love me after the way I’ve treated her.”
“She admitted such when I offered for her.”
“She ran a rig on you, George but I’m not such a slow-top.” He spring into action. “That aside, I must go after her. I only hope I’m not too late.”
“I’ll ride along. You might need my help.”
The butler tapped on the door and immediately stepped inside. “Milord, a lady is here to see you. Mrs. Essie Calhermin, cousin to Lady Rhonda Laningham she says.” He straightened his blue livery jacket and stood taller. “She’s most agitated with an urgent message for you. I’ve placed her in the side parlor.”
“Very good.” Adron hesitated on the threshold with George in his wake and surveyed Essie in her traveling gown, a hideous shade of yellow with a brown cape still about her shoulders. “Mrs. Calhermin, how delightful to see you.”
Essie dabbed at the corner of her eyes. “I beg pardon for interrupting you. I wasn’t sure what I should do but everything is at sixes and sevens at Landings.”
“Please be seated and I’ll ring for tea. Heloise says tea helps every situation.” He moved toward her to relieve her of her cloak and a delicate fragrance of lilac teased his nostrils. “What was Winwright thinking of to leave you so uncomfortable. Let’s get shed of this,” he said, removing the garment and handing it off to Winwright. “Tea, Winwright.”
The butler bowed himself out of the room.
Essie sank into a nearby chair and patted her forehead with her handkerchief. “Tea would be most welcome.” Barely catching her breath she continued with her grievance, “Rho
nda arrived and dismissed most of the servants. She even sent me packing—me her own cousin.” Her voice trembled and she brushed fresh tears from her cheeks. “I dropped everything to oblige her when she needed a chaperon and this is how she repays me. It doesn’t bare thinking of.” She sniffed. “Not that I’m not delighted to return to my cozy cottage. I am. But the shabby way she went about it has set me all a flutter.”
The recital of her ills halted with the rattle of the tea tray.
“Ah, the tea,” Adron said relieved, inhaling the aroma of fresh brewed tea. “That should help to sooth your nerves.”
Essie took a deep breath and gazed expectantly at the cup being filled.
Adron waited impatiently while she sipped a little tea and managed to down two cucumber sandwiches as well.
“I’m sorry Rhonda was rude to you but she has had a trying time of it lately. Still that wasn’t well done of her.”
“Rhonda should never have treated me like a mere servant, however that’s not why I came. That poor little dab of a cook’s girl, Rhonda left in charge of the kitchen was positive that Oather Dimty is locked up in a London jail.” Essie shook her head. “I saw him with my own eyes. He was talking with his nephew, arguing more like.”
Adron couldn’t keep the alarm out of his voice. “When was this?”
“Earlier this morning, so I came straight here. Lady Laningham went to the village so she wasn’t by. I crept close and I heard Percy accuse his uncle of murder. And his uncle laughed fit to kill. Pure evil! Enough to chill the blood.” Essie shivered. “He told Percy not to be so weak minded. No one would ever know he’d even been there the night of the murder. He’s the one that slipped the fatal dose of laudanum in my poor Robert’s drink that night. I heard him admit it with my own ears.” She covered her mouth with her handkerchief and shook her head. “He is wicked and him not regretting the murder a single bit.”
“Thank you for coming, Mrs. Calhermin. You’ve done the correct thing.” He must deal with this immediately. Laurel was in danger. He stood. “You said Rhonda dismissed all of the servants?”
“Only the cook’s girl is left and Lady Rhonda’s own woman naturally. Course she didn’t have a say with Lady Laningham’s personal maid.” Essie shrugged. “There is a groomsman to handle the stable but all else are gone. That’s why, Lady Laningham headed off to the village to see if she might lure Cook and the housekeeper back from Lady Brisbane. Good luck to her I say.”
“I’ll summon my housekeeper.” His voice was as calm as he could manage, but he was on pins and needles waiting to take his leave. “By all means, stay the night, rest and restore your nerves. I must leave you now.”
“Please don’t tarry on my account. You’d best hurry indeed to keep that charming Lady Laningham safe. There’s a dear, she offered to let me stay but I wouldn’t take advantage of her sweet nature.” Essie made a shooing motion with her hand. “Off with you now.”
Adron was out the door in a flash with George on his heels.
Chapter 24
The late afternoon sun touched the tops of the trees above Landings’ Manor with a golden hue, but Laurel couldn’t dredge up a single bit of appreciation for the sight. She recalled the worst years of her life had been spent inside those walls. Two weeks of bliss with her new husband had dissolved into total hell after he left to join the troops in Spain. A few weeks together had not been worth the battles she’d had to face with her new sister-in-law. But that was in the past. This time she intended to fight from a position of strength.
The duke’s carriage rolled to a stop and she allowed a sigh to escape. Squaring her shoulders, she descended and reached for Jamie. The house seemed strangely silent and the door remained shut even after she rapped repeatedly. Handing Jamie to the maid, she used her key. Her traveling boots echoed against the polished floor of the entrance, the only discernible sound in the hall. She glanced around expectantly but much to her displeasure, no servant appeared.
“Take Jamie to the nursery. I’ll ring for tea to be brought up.”
Laurel gazed into the parlor where a faint scent of beeswax and lemon lingered. No later than yesterday a maid had attended to her duties, waxing and dusting the furniture so Laurel failed to understand the absence of a servant now. She pulled the bell cord. After removing her cloak and hat, she absently fluffed the flattened tresses with her fingers but quickly abandoned the effort. Exasperated, she clicked her tongue at the long minutes she remained unattended.
Finally a young woman enveloped in a large apron with brown hair twisted on top of her head, timidly shuffled into the room and bobbed a curtsy. “Your Ladyship.”
“Where are the others? Your aunt, isn’t she the cook?”
The servant nodded. “But Lady Rhonda, she let her go. Her and all the others. Only her personal maid is left.”
Laurel raised her brows. “Why didn’t she dismiss you as well?”
“Needs a body to cook.” She shrugged. “Lady Rhonda don’t give no reasons to us servants.”
“Indeed!” Indignation rolled over Laurel and she scowled, however she couldn’t prevent her hands from trembling at the thought of a confrontation with Rhonda. Laurel needed time to collect herself, to assume a confident façade first, but however hard the doing, she intended to take charge. She swallowed.
“Where is Lady Rhonda?”
“Out riding with Mr. Dimty.”
“You’ve been most helpful.” Laurel nodded her approval and gifted the young woman with a reassuring smile. “I shall expect dinner to be served promptly at seven o’clock. Jamie is in the nursery and he’ll require a little nourishment as soon as you can arrange it.”
“But, Your Ladyship—Lady Rhonda is expecting—”
Laurel interrupted, “I’m Lady Laningham, the mistress of Landings and the person that will or will not authorize payment to you. Do you understand?”
Her stern treatment of the servant left a nasty taste in her mouth but if she didn’t assert herself with a servant, she had no hope of conquering her sister-in-law. That was a laugh. All she wanted was to emerge with a whole skin—and in charge.
The servant dipped a curtsy and with slumped shoulders, left the room. Laurel quickly mounted the stairs to change her apparel and straighten her hair. She needed every ounce of confidence a flawless appearance could give when she came to grips with Rhonda. Laurel had been under her sister-in-law’s thumb for so long, defying her would be hard even with her churning anger to spur her on.
Opening the door to her chamber, she stepped inside and sank into the overstuffed chair beside the fireplace. The fragrance of roses washed over her and the memory of escaping to her room, to her sanctuary here at Landings soothed her frayed nerves. Everything had gone awry with her life from Robert onward. Her hopes of a future with Adron were dashed and she must put her dreams behind her. This was her place now and she intended to make the best of her situation. For a brief moment she allowed her head to rest against the back of the cushion. Her lids grew heavy and drifted down.
She woke with a start and had no idea how long she’d napped but the chamber had darkened considerably. Steps light enough to belong to a female rushed up the stairs. Laurel jerked to her feet, smoothing her crumpled gown with her fingers before she got herself in hand. Now was not the time to challenge her sister-in-law, not with her hair in disarray and dressed in a wrinkled, soiled traveling gown. The confrontation would wait until she had equipped herself both inside and out.
After a quick wash she leisurely pulled on a silk gown, much too formal for a country dinner, but she needed the boost to her morale the blue-watered silk would lend her. She arranged her hair, glanced at the clock on the mantel and entered the hallway.
Rhonda halted on the landing to rake Laurel from head to toe with a contemptuous glare. “So Adron finally kicked you out. He did kick you out didn�
�t he?” She laughed. “Of course he did or you’d still be at Kendlewood mooning over him.”
Although Laurel quaked inside, she returned Rhonda’s disdain with a level stare of her own. She forced her voice to remain calm, if a little lower, in order to force back a high-pitched scream of rage. “I’ve returned to my rightful place, mistress of Landings. I must add you’ve overstepped your bounds, Rhonda. Dismissing the servants or hiring another is no longer in your purview. Henceforth all household matters will be overseen by me.”
Rhonda drew herself up and her words where sputtered out. “Why you . . . you . . .”
“You don’t know how many times I’ve had the same thoughts about you.” Frost invaded Laurel’s smile.
“I didn’t come for your charity. I came to collect my possessions before you lay claim to my things.”
“Fine. However, there is an inventory list and every item on that list belongs to the household, not you. Your clothes, jewelry not listed and any special gift must be verified before one piece leaves here.”
Percy mounted the stairs and stopped short. “I couldn’t help overhearing a mention of Rhonda’s possessions. Even you will admit she has every right to her things.”
“By all means, she has a perfect right to all of her own things but no more,” Laurel said. “Jamie is entitled to everything except her personal jewelry and clothes. I’m sure a few sentimental pieces will be allowed since Lord Gladrey is Jamie’s guardian.”
With a rustle of skirts, Rhonda whirled passed Laurel and stomped down the stairs. She paused and glanced up at Laurel. “Robert left me in charge.”
“But that changed with the new Will. You have no say in any matter concerning the estate now or in the future,” Laurel pointed out.
Conduct Unbecoming of a Gentleman Page 26
