Inverness was still watching the carriage pulling away from the pavement that he didn’t hear the door opening and closing, or the angry swish of skirts. He was only aware that he wasn’t alone when his mother’s voice snapped at him.
“What do you think you’re doing, Paul?”
It had been a while since his own mother had called him by his Christian name. Inverness turned away from the window. Duchess Christine had a look of fury in her eyes. If looks could kill, Inverness would be a bubbling mess on the floor.
“I’m in trouble again, am I?”
“You certainly are,” Duchess Christine snapped. “Cook just told me that you’ve dismissed Rita from her services.”
Inverness sighed and sat on the window sill. He could feel a headache coming on.
“She had your brooch, Mother.”
“What?”
“In her wardrobe. Victoria found it when she was searching for the jewels. I can’t overlook the that she was the thief.”
Duchess Christine snorted.
“You don’t believe that, do you?”
“Of course I don’t. But it’s going to take more than my gut instinct and your conviction about her to put her in the clear.” Inverness pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know what to do, Mother.”
“Well, you certainly shouldn’t have fired her.”
“I didn’t have a choice.”
“We all have a choice,” the dowager duchess shot back sharply. “And you had a choice to believe the woman you love that she isn’t a thief. I don’t believe she is and from the look on your face, you certainly don’t.”
Chapter 8
Groveling For Forgiveness
Her words were like a physical thing hitting Inverness in the face. He shot to his feet.
“What did you say?”
“I don’t believe she’s a thief…”
“No, the bit before that. Did you just say I love her?”
His mother gave a very unladylike snort.
“It’s obvious for anyone who knows you like I do, son. You’ve been in love with her for a while.”
He was in love with her? Inverness had thought about it but had dismissed it. He couldn’t entertain something that could never happen. If he had even entertained the fact he cared for Rita more than he should, it would bring them, especially Rita, into disrepute. He wouldn’t do that to her.
Maybe he did love her if he wanted her not to come to harm.
“It’s not proper, Mother.” Inverness began to pace. “I know it’s not proper. What are people going to think?”
“Son, since when have you cared what people think?”
“I care what you think.”
Duchess Christine folded her arms.
“And I think while Rita isn’t exactly the woman I would choose due to her social standing, I think she could hold her own as a duchess. I like her. But I don’t think you’ll have her as a wife unless you go to her and you grovel for forgiveness. Someone wanted Rita out of here and they got it. The question is why.”
“I don’t know.” Inverness was still pacing. “I’ve been going over and over it and it doesn’t make any sense. All I know is it’s a personal thing but is it against Rita or myself?”
“How arrogant of you.” The dowager duchess rolled her eyes. “It’s always about you.”
“It has to be, Mother. Rita is a part of my household. If you can notice how I am around her, then so can everyone else. It has to be against me.”
Duchess Christine snorted.
“I love arrogance in men,” she drawled. “I’m surprised you can stand upright with that big head of yours.”
“Enough, Mother.” Inverness went back to the window. “I need to find her.”
“Maybe Cook can help you.” Duchess Christine smirked. “But that might mean groveling to Cook as well after the way you dismissed Rita.”
Inverness would do anything. As soon as he had dismissed Rita, he had known it was a mistake. But keeping her on when the rumor of being a thief was over her head would make things worse.
He had to find her.
***
“Rita?”
Rita turned. She had taken refuge in her room under the pretense that she needed to finish some sewing. But she had ended up staring at the opposite wall, her needlework in her lap. She couldn’t focus. Nothing would keep her settled for more than a few minutes.
That duke was the cause. Rita’s whole world had been turned upside-down. She had been dismissed from service and branded as a thief. No one would want to hire a thief, no matter how hard she worked. Rita had nothing now.
She had arrived home in despair, her parents shocked and horrified by what Rita told them. Her father had wanted to confront the duke about it, but Rita managed to persuade him to leave it. She didn’t want any more trouble. No one was going to believe them, not against the Duke of Inverness.
There was nothing to do except keep her head down and hope the rumors died down. If not, try to find work outside of London. Rita didn’t want to leave, but she wasn’t about to scrounge off her parents. They didn’t have much and Rita’s salary made things a little better. Now they were back where they had started.
Rita wanted to curse the duke all the way to hell and back. But not in front of her mother, who was in the doorway of her bedroom.
“Forgive me, Ma.” Rita put her sewing aside. “I didn’t notice you.”
Lucy Salem didn’t say anything about it, choosing to bypass the awkward moment.
“There’s someone here to speak to you.”
“I don’t want to speak to anyone, Ma.”
“He won’t leave until he has spoken to you.”
Rita stiffened.
“He?”
“A noble gent.”
Rita didn’t need to ask who it was. She knew. The duke was here. How had he managed to find her? And what was he doing here? Rita’s despair was now replaced by anger. How dare he came here, following her? Couldn’t he see that he had ruined her? Following her after dismissing her was going to give her a very bad reputation.
Didn’t he realize how much damage he was doing?
“I don’t want to see him,” she said curtly.
“Rita, you can’t refuse a nobleman.”
“I can.” Rita stood. “He’s the one who dismissed me. I won’t see him.”
Lucy looked like she was going to argue but thought better of it. She sighed and nodded.
“All right. I’ll tell him to leave.”
She left the room. Rita hurried after her, sneaking down the back stairs and out into the garden. She had a feeling Inverness would go up to her room to find her himself and Rita didn’t want to be around. She would either slap him or throw herself into his arms. Or both. That could never happen.
Her heart was already shattered from feelings she should have never entertained. Rita didn’t want to make it any worse for herself. The duke should have more consideration for her.
Clearly, he didn’t care that much about her if he was still following her around.
It was freezing outside and Rita had forgotten to take her coat or bonnet with her. The wind whipped around her hair and went down her back. Rita shivered and wrapped her arms around her body, huddling behind the outside lavatory. She would wait until she was sure Inverness had left even if it meant freezing to death.
She huddled down on the floor, the cold snow seeping through her skirt, and waited. Rita knew she was being ridiculous, hiding out in the snow, but if it meant avoiding the duke, she would do it. She didn’t want to encounter the man again if she could help it.
Her mother did not need to see that.
Rita then heard someone enter the back yard. Footsteps sounded in the snow. They were too sure-footed and slow for her mother’s walk, and not heavy enough to be her father’s. Was it…?
Inverness then rounded the corner and stopped, staring at Rita in stunned surprise.
“What the…Rita, what are you doing out her
e like this?”
“I…” Rita’s mouth was dry. Her lips were chapped from the wind. “I…”
She could barely speak, she was that cold. Then she saw Inverness holding her shawl. He hurried forward and knelt, putting the shawl around her shoulders. It didn’t hold off the cold, but it was something. Rita tugged the shawl closer around her neck. Her fingers were ice-cold.
Then Inverness reached out and hauled her into his arms. Rita shrieked as he stood, holding her against his chest. Her feet were off the floor and Rita was pinned against him, unable to get down. She tried to push away, but the duke held her tightly, hurrying back to the house. There was no sight of Lucy anywhere.
“Where’s Ma?”
“She went to the store to get some more candles.” Inverness took Rita over to the fire. “She told me to make sure you get warm again.”
“But…I shouldn’t be alone with you!” Rita cried. “She didn’t say that.”
“Not exactly,” Inverness said grimly as he gently placed her down in a chair, whipping a blanket off the back and putting it across Rita’s lap. “I made her leave. She couldn’t refuse me.”
Rita couldn’t believe her mother had bowed down like that. She had always taught Rita to do as her employers said but she would never have left her daughter alone with a noble gentleman, surely? Even if Inverness wasn’t doing anything but keeping her warm.
She pushed his hands away as he kept tucking the blanket in around her.
“You really should not be here,” she hissed. Tears were starting to well up. “And, how could you? You can’t expect anything from me after you dismissed me like that.”
Inverness winced. He looked abashed.
“I had a feeling you would say that.”
“But you came anyway.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Inverness sighed and sat back on his haunches.
“I expect you to forgive me when I get down on my knees and beg.”
Rita snorted. That would be a sight to see if she even wanted it.
“You want to apologize? Too late.”
She tried to stand up, but Inverness tugged her back down again. He held her hands tightly and refused to let go, causing Rita to wince.
“You’re hurting me!”
“Forgive me.” Inverness’s grip loosened a little. But he didn’t let go. “Please, Rita. Listen to me. I know I was duped. In my heart, I knew you weren’t the thief. But the evidence was stacked against you. And I think that was the plan all along.”
Chapter 9
In the Act
“What do you mean?”
“Someone wanted you out of my household. And they knew how much you meant to me.” Inverness laid a fist over his heart. “It was to hurt me, and they were getting at me through you.”
Rita snorted.
“It’s always about you, isn’t it?”
“You sound like my mother.”
“And it sounds like we’re in agreement.” Rita managed to pull her hands away. But she didn’t pull away herself. She shook her head. “You’re an arrogant fool, Inverness. What makes you think I’m going to believe anything you say?”
Inverness’s expression was softening. He also looked pained. When he reached out and touched her jaw with his hand, sliding his fingertips across her cheek, Rita didn’t pull away. She couldn’t. If anything, she almost leaned into him.
This man was infectious, no matter where she was.
“My mother has faith in you,” Inverness whispered. “And I know you did not do it, deep down. And I intend to prove it.”
Rita rolled her eyes.
“And how are you going to do that? Find the thief yourself?”
“Yes.” Inverness didn’t even blink. “And for that, I’m going to need your help.”
“My help? For what?”
“You come back to work for me. Back as the dowager duchess’s maid.” Inverness held up a hand as Rita started to protest “When the thief hears about it, they’ll double down to get rid of you again. And then we will catch them.”
Rita didn’t need to guess what he was up to.
“You mean you want to use me as bait.”
“For the proof of your innocence,” Inverness insisted. “And to get the person who tried to make you look like the culprit.”
It was all very well to talk about it, but Rita didn’t think it would actually happen. Whoever the thief was knew it would be too risky to start stealing again. It could be weeks, or even months, before anything happened. Inverness was grasping at straws.
Rita took a deep breath. Being this close to the man was making her heart stumble over itself again.
“How do I know this is going to work?”
“You don’t.” Inverness cupped the back of her head, running his fingers through her hair. “But you have to trust me.”
“You just dismissed me. How can I trust you after that?”
“Please.”
He looked so insistent. So determined. Rita knew he wouldn’t be leaving until he got an answer. An answer she wasn’t sure she could give.
But he wasn’t going to budge. And, if she was honest, Rita wanted a piece off it. She wanted to know who the real thief was, the person who had ruined her reputation. It was only fair. She swallowed and squared her shoulders.
“All right. But on your own head be it. If this doesn’t work, I don’t want to set eyes on you again.”
Inverness’s smile was almost sad.
“I know.”
***
Rita had a feeling her return was going to cause a stir. And it did. The servants were shocked to see her coming back but most of them were delighted. Cook and Mrs. Lassiter had burst into tears and barely let her go. Even Carstairs twitched a slight smile when he saw her.
But she could tell a few people weren’t happy to see her back. Namely a few downstairs maids who were constantly trying to get into the same room as Inverness. However, the most noticeable reaction was from Victoria Sheldon, the maid who had found the jewel in Rita’s unused wardrobe. She looked like she had seen a ghost and she didn’t approach Rita at all.
This was odd, to say the least. Rita had thought she and Victoria got on really well. The older woman was certainly a good conversationalist whenever she came to change the bedding in the dowager duchess’s room or to bring her various clothing items that had been washed and pressed. She thought they were friends.
Clearly, Victoria had other ideas.
Inverness had settled Rita back, much to Duchess Christine’s evident relief. He had warned her it may be awhile before the thief attempts to try again but he was willing to wait. Rita wasn’t sure if she could, but Duchess Christine was equally excited, ready to get on with trapping the real culprit. She had begun to plan what to do to get the one who stole her jewels to come crawling back out before Rita had even sat down.
Inverness and his mother were very confident it could happen. Rita, however, needed a bit of persuasion. As the days went on and she carried on with her work, Rita’s doubts began to creep back in. And they didn’t go away. What if the thief didn’t come back again? What if the thief thought it was too dangerous?
There was far too much to suggest that it wouldn’t happen again, and Rita’s reputation would forever be sullied by this malicious rumor.
She was still thinking that when she was in Duchess Christine’s bedchamber, laying out her clothes and jewels ready for the dowager duchess’s daily walk. This was something they had started doing every day, making sure to leave Rita alone while she did it. Then Duchess Christine would enter after some time. So far, nothing had been taken. It was getting frustrating.
Rita finished laying out the dowager duchess’s walking clothes and headed into the adjoining lounge where Inverness was waiting with his mother. They didn’t say anything as Rita came in and began pacing, twisting her fingers so hard it hurt. She was surprised she didn’t twist them off completely.
“This doesn’t fe
el right,” she whispered loudly.
Duchess Christine sighed.
“How else do you expect us to do it? We have to give them something they can’t ignore.”
Inverness smirked.
“Would you rather be with Carstairs and Fawn across the hall?”
Rita scowled at him. At least, with the two of them, she wasn’t in any danger of losing anything. Nothing that hadn’t been lost already. If Duchess Christine wasn’t with them now, there would be talk about what was happening. But Inverness had been very careful since Rita had come back, never leaving the two of them together. Often, his mother was present. Rita was grateful for that. She didn’t want any more gossip and the biggest gossipers in the female servants were rife with the suggestion that she was the duke’s mistress. Rita tried to deny it, but it just fueled the flames.
Hopefully, that would all end soon.
Suddenly, Inverness straightened up. He signaled the two women and put a finger to his lips. Then Rita heard it. The door had been left partly open. There was the definite sound of clothing rustling as someone crossed the room.
Inverness stood and went to the door, peering through the gap. His expression was grim, and he looked at Rita, nodding once. That was it. Someone really was stealing. They had caught them.
Inverness barely waited for his mother and Rita to join him before he barged in. From the other door to the hall, Carstairs and Fawn the footman entered and blocked the doorway. The woman standing by the bed, Duchess Christine’s necklace in her hand, jumped back with a scream. The necklace dropped from her fingers and onto the carpet. She stared at the surrounding people.
“Your Grace? What’s going on?”
“That’s what we’d like to know, Victoria,” Inverness growled.
Rita moved around him and saw Victoria Sheldon standing by the bed, looking ready to run. The other woman’s eyes landed on Rita and then they narrowed.
“What are you doing in there with the duke, Rita?”
“Watching you steal Her Grace's jewels.” Rita went over and plucked the necklace off the carpet, moving away and handing it to Duchess Christine. “Again.”
“I…” Victoria’s cheeks flushed. “I did no such thing.”
Regency Romances for the Ages Page 76
