“Goodnight, son.” Duchess Christine’s expression softened as she looked over at Rita, who was still huddled in her cloak. “You get to bed as well, child. You’re still very pale.”
“I’ll do my best, Your Grace.”
Duchess Christine touched her son’s arm and then headed towards the stairs. As she reached the floor above and disappeared, Inverness slipped his mother’s cloak off Rita’s shoulders.
“I’ll escort you to your room,” he said curtly.
Rita panicked. He was going to escort her?
“There’s no need…” she began, but the duke cut her short.
“Don’t argue, Rita.”
Rita knew better than to do that. He was an imposing man when he wanted to be. He had shown that tonight facing Bedford down. The feel of the marquis’ hands on her still made Rita shudder. She bowed her head.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” she whispered.
Rita was very much aware of everyone watching them as they headed towards the kitchens and the servant stairs. They would have heard what Inverness had said he would do. They must have thought something more salacious was going on. Rita didn’t know how she was going to get back to work in the morning without knowing all the household were looking at her.
Inverness was going to give her a reputation she didn’t want.
The duke stopped at the bottom of the narrow stairwell, turning to look at Rita. His blue eyes were still hard, but the expression was softening. He touched her shoulder.
“You’re still shaking.”
Rita knew that. But it wasn’t from the shock. It was simply being near this man, her employer, that was having her shiver. He was far too close, too intimate.
This wasn’t good. She had to get out of here.
“I…” Rita swallowed hard and took half a step away. “I’ve never been treated like that before. I’ve been able to hold my own back in Putney. But this…”
“You did manage to hold your own.” Inverness’s voice was warm. His face was now half-bathed in shadow. “You delivered a blow to the marquis that he’s not going to forget so easily.”
“That’s as may be.” Rita bit her lip. “If you hadn’t come along…”
The tears had been threatening to well up on the way home. But Rita hadn’t wanted to bring more sympathy to her. Having two noble people comforting her was not done. Even then, Rita couldn’t stop a tear from trickling down her cheek.
“Oh, Rita.” Inverness looked pained. He reached out and brushed the tear away with his thumb. “Don’t cry. It’s going to be all right.”
Chapter 6
Leaning Towards
Temptation
Rita sniffed. She couldn’t look away, couldn’t move as he stepped closer. If anything, she found herself swaying towards him.
“Forgive me, Your Grace,” she whispered. “I shouldn’t be crying on your shoulder.”
Inverness growled and cupped her jaw in his hand. His eyes were darker than before. And Rita nearly swooned at the look on his face.
“Don’t apologize.”
He was so close. And he was lowering his head. Rita realized he was about to kiss her. That couldn’t happen! If she kissed him, her resolve would be lost. She needed to stand firm. Pressing a hand to his chest, Rita pushed him away.
“Your Grace, no!”
“Rita?”
“This is not proper at all. And you shouldn’t be alone with me.” Rita backed towards the stairs. “I should go to my room. Thank you for escorting me.”
“Rita…”
But Rita was already running up the stairs. She could hear the duke calling after her, but Rita didn’t stop. If she did, she was going to go back down and allow Inverness to kiss her.
That could not happen. They had to remember who they were. Inverness may not need to worry about his reputation, but Rita did. She wasn’t about to disgrace herself, no matter how much she wanted to.
Rita knew she would have to keep her distance now. They wouldn’t be able to be in the same room anymore, not after tonight. If that couldn’t happen, Rita would have to leave. That didn’t sit well with her. She loved her job, but her reputation was more important.
They must not be alone together again.
***
He wished he could have kissed her. Inverness couldn’t stop thinking about that night where he almost had his chance to kiss the woman who had captured his attention. If the look in her eyes was anything to go by, Rita wanted it too. But then she had pushed him away and run off.
Maybe that was for the best. It wasn’t going to go anywhere, Inverness was sure. He was a duke, she was a member of his household. That was a bad idea, to start with. But Inverness couldn’t stop himself from being drawn to her, staring at the golden-haired girl whose smile had his chest tightening, her laugh feeling like a punch to the gut and those eyes having Inverness weak at the knees.
He was in trouble. No woman in Society had captured his attention. Inverness had thought he would, eventually, find a wife in the noble gentry. Not in his own household. That wasn’t done.
Then again, he wasn’t exactly conventional.
But, to be on the safe side, Inverness kept his distance. He left Rita to do her work although he watched her from a distance. They didn’t have conversations in his study anymore, Inverness guessing that Rita would find it as awkward as him. But those two weeks that followed that night was agonizing. Being away from her hurt more than Inverness expected it to.
He didn’t want to think about what that could possibly mean.
His thoughts were still on Rita as he had breakfasted one morning three weeks after their private moment by the back stairs, Carstairs serving him, when the door opened and Duchess Christine came in. She didn’t look happy, her forehead creased in a frown. Inverness stood.
“Morning, Mother. I wasn't expecting to see you down here for breakfast.”
“I thought I’d come downstairs for once.” Duchess Christine paused and glanced at Carstairs. “And I wanted to talk to you. In private. It couldn’t wait.”
Carstairs didn’t need more of a verbal request. He put the coffee pot down and bowed to both of them before leaving, closing the door behind him. Inverness helped his mother to sit and then took his seat again. He was confused; Duchess Christine wasn’t normally so secretive like this. And he hadn’t seen her unsure like this for a long time.
“What is it, Mother? Are you well?”
“I don’t know.” Duchess Christine looked up at her son. “One of my necklaces has gone missing.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. I was going to wear it today, but I couldn’t find it in my jewelry box. It’s the one your father gave me on our first wedding anniversary.” Duchess Christine shook her head. “I wouldn’t mislay that for the world.”
Inverness knew the necklace she meant. His father had been wealthy, but he hadn’t splashed out in jewelry. When he did, it was very special. His mother knew that. She would never lose something as special as that necklace. It held a lot of sentimental value.
But it meant something more sinister. One that Inverness wasn’t sure he could comprehend.
“Are you saying we have a thief in the house?”
“I’m afraid so.” His mother bit her lip. She looked just as uncomfortable about it. “I’m not likely to lose things like that, Inverness. I may be getting old but I’m not that forgetful.”
“I know you’re not.” Inverness didn’t like where this was going at all. “But you know that you’re practically accusing Rita of stealing your jewels, don’t you? She’s the only one with regular access to your rooms, and she would know where the jewels were.”
“I know.” Duchess Christine shook her head. “And I don’t believe she would steal it. Besides, if she had money problems, she would come to me. I would help her out.”
“I don’t think she would do that, Mother. She’s too proud for that.”
Inverness was certain about it. Rita was a
proud woman. She wouldn’t ask for anything unless she was really desperate. He knew her well enough for that. Rita was determined to take care of herself. She would never ask anyone for money. That would be a case of swallowing her pride.
But she wasn’t the type of person to steal. Inverness found her to be too honest. She couldn’t have taken his mother’s belongings, could she?
“But who else could do it?”
“I don’t know.” Inverness pushed his plate away, his appetite now gone. “But I won’t believe it’s Rita.”
“We do need to speak to her, Inverness.”
Inverness knew what that really meant. And he didn’t like it at all.
“You mean I need to speak to her,” he grunted. “Thank you for that kind gesture, Mother. I’ll make sure to remember it.”
“Well, you are the duke. And I don’t think I could do it.”
The dowager duchess was looking increasingly unhappy, her hands twisting around her handkerchief in her lap. Inverness surveyed his mother. She was good to all the household, but there was something special about how she was with Rita. It was almost like a mother-daughter relationship. It didn’t take a smart man to know that Duchess Christine was very fond of Rita. To accuse her of stealing was unthinkable for her.
But she was right. He would have to speak to her. This wasn’t going to be a conversation Inverness wanted to have. But Rita needed to be spoken to about it. If she wasn’t the thief, Inverness would make sure to apologize to her. But if she was, he would have no choice but to dismiss her from his service.
That left a very nasty taste in his mouth. Inverness could only hope it didn’t come to that.
***
“Rita?”
Rita looked up. She had been sitting in the dowager duchess’s rooms, fixing one of her gowns. Duchess Christine had accidentally ripped the skirt and Rita offered to fix it herself instead of sending it to a seamstress. It was certainly cheaper and gave Rita something to do.
Something that didn’t involve wandering around the house hoping to catch a sight of the Duke of Inverness.
Rita lowered the dress as the buxom housekeeper came hurrying in.
“Yes, Mrs. Lassiter?”
“The duke wants your presence in the library.” Mrs. Lassiter’s normally bright countenance was overdrawn. She didn’t look happy at all. “He says it’s urgent.”
“I’ll go now, Mrs. Lassiter.”
This had to be about the missing jewels. Rita was the first one to know about it when Duchess Christine couldn’t find them. She didn’t think the dowager duchess was forgetful enough to lose her jewels; the older woman was very careful. But they were nowhere to be found.
Someone was certainly stealing them. Did they think it was her? Rita would never do that, and certainly not to the dowager duchess. They got on really well and Rita loved her job. Why would she jeopardize it by stealing?
Nevertheless, Rita knew she was the main suspect. And she would have to face the duke to plead her case.
She went downstairs and into the library. Inverness was pacing around by the open terrace windows. It had stopped snowing the week before so that was all gone, but it was still cold. Rita hovered near the door, not wanting to leave the warmth emanating from the fireplace.
Chapter 7
A Theft in the Household
Then Inverness stopped and looked up. His jaw was tight and his expression stern. He beckoned Rita over.
“Come here.”
Rita hesitated. But she couldn’t deny him. She walked past the fireplace and towards Inverness. A cold gust of wind came through the doors and Rita shivered. Why had he gotten the doors opened? It was not the time. Then Rita noticed that Inverness was barely shivering. He was made of stronger stuff. Maybe he didn’t even notice.
Inverness didn’t stop pacing as Rita approached. But the moment she was close enough, he spun around fast and grabbed her shoulders. Rita started and tried to pull away, but Inverness wouldn’t let go.
“I’m going to be frank with you, Rita.” His voice was low, almost a growl. “And I need you to answer me honestly.”
Rita knew what he was talking about. She met his gaze without blinking and shrugged his hands off, stepping back out of his reach and out of the draught.
“No, Your Grace.”
“No?”
“I have not taken any of your mother’s jewels. You’ve been questioning everyone else. I had a feeling it would be my turn soon, seeing as I’m the one with regular access to the dowager duchess. I would have ample opportunity, wouldn’t I?” Rita lifted her chin and gave Inverness a defiant glare. “I haven’t stolen anything.”
The duke closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Was that relief Rita saw? Then it was gone in a fleeting moment, Inverness opening his eyes and locking gazes with her.
“I do hope you’re right,” he said quietly, “because everything points to you.”
“I know it does. And I can’t get you to believe me beyond my words.” Rita squared her shoulders. She must not lose her composure. “Just believe my word when I say I would never do that.”
“And if you had told me that ten minutes ago, I would have believed you.” Inverness reached into his pocket. “But now…”
What was going on? He looked as though someone was taking him to his own execution. Rita then saw the brooch nestled in the palm of his hand, held out for her observation. She recognized it immediately.
“One of your mother’s brooches? Her favorite.”
“It was taken yesterday. Mother found it missing when she was getting ready for her daily walk.”
“I know that. I helped her search the bedroom, but we came up with nothing.” Rita blinked up at the duke. “Where did you find it?”
“The upstairs maid Victoria found it.” Inverness paused. “In your wardrobe.”
Rita stared.
“What? But…I don’t even use my wardrobe. There’s nothing in there.”
“Well, it was in there and only you use it.”
“And in a room that no one else is supposed to go into,” Rita shot back. “What was Victoria doing in my room?”
“She said Carstairs asked her to help search the house. That’s where she found it.” Inverness’s expression was turning into stone. “I don’t think you can argue with the evidence.”
Rita could. But she had a feeling it would fall on deaf ears. The evidence was clear she had taken it. But if she had, it would be more likely that she would hide it among her own belongings instead of in an empty wardrobe. It was just a superfluous piece of furniture. However, from the look on Inverness’s face, he wasn’t about to believe it. He wanted to, but he couldn’t.
The duke lowered his hand, shaking his head.
“We trusted you, Rita.”
“And I’ve never broken it, I swear!”
“The finding of it in your room says otherwise.” Inverness sighed heavily and turned away, putting his mother’s brooch onto the table. He rubbed his hands over his face. “You’re going to have to pack your things and leave.”
Rita couldn’t believe her ears.
“You…you’re dismissing me?”
“I have no choice!” Inverness almost bellowed, slamming his hand on the table. Rita jumped. “But, if you give back the rest of the jewelry or tell me where it is now, then I might be generous enough to give you a good reference for your next place.”
Confess to something she hadn’t done? Rita couldn’t do that. It wasn’t the right thing to do. And she had no idea where any of the jewels were. She could feel her heart beginning to crack. How could he not believe her? Rita thought she knew the man better than that.
Clearly, they weren’t meant to know the other well. They were still master and servant. She stiffened her back, folded her hands in front of her, and looked Inverness in the eye. She wasn’t backing down now.
“Don’t bother, Your Grace. I did not take the jewelry, so I have no idea where it is. Threaten me with no employment, if y
ou like, but I know what I’ve done and not done. And I haven’t stolen anything. If you’re not willing to believe me as you have done many times before, so be it. I won’t stay where I’m not trusted.”
Now all Rita needed to do was leave with her dignity intact. She had to walk out, up to her room and pack her belongings. Then she would head home. Her parents would be distraught but there was nothing Rita could do.
If only the duke would let her leave. He hurried after her across the room.
“Rita…”
“I will start packing immediately, Your Grace.” Rita didn’t stop walking. “If you don’t mind, I would like permission to use your carriage to get my things home. That’s all I ask of you now.”
“Of course.” Inverness caught up with her and grabbed her arm. “Rita, please…”
Rita reacted on instinct. She spun around and slapped him. The sound of the slap reverberated around the room. Inverness froze, a look of shock passing across his face. Rita knew she was going to be in real trouble now. And she needed to get out of there now.
“Don’t touch me.” She backed away and the duke let her go. “Just…don’t.”
Then she was running, scrabbling for the door handle before charging into the hall. And the duke didn’t follow her.
***
Inverness stood at the window and watched as Rita’s trunk was put onto the back of his carriage. She was talking to Cook, who was crying into a handkerchief. Inverness had never seen the tough old lady break down like this.
He wasn’t the only one Rita had managed to charm.
Rita comforted Cook and then spoke to Carstairs, who looked just as upset despite his schooled expression. She kissed his cheek and then turned towards the carriage. Her eyes landed on Inverness and she froze. Her small smile faded and her face paled even more. She looked moments away from crying.
Inverness wanted to go out there. He wanted to bring her back in. But everything said Rita was the thief. That wouldn’t do his family any good if they kept a thief on. She had to go.
And he didn’t want her to leave.
Regency Romances for the Ages Page 75
