by Joyce Alec
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a footman step forward and ask the lady to leave, only for his gloved finger to take hold of one of the jewels and slip it into his pocket just as the lady turned away. Before Henry could react, the footman called out in horror, catching the attention of almost everyone present.
“One of the jewels has been stolen!” the footman called, his face a mask of horror. “Stop that lady!”
Henry launched himself to his feet at once, intending to grasp the footman’s arm and pull the stone from his pocket—only to find himself swamped by the sudden crowd. The companion was now loudly protesting her innocence, whilst the footman stated that she had been the last one at the display and nothing had been missing since then. Their host, Lord Valliant, was blowing and blustering, whilst Lady Valliant suddenly swooned, causing the crowd to gasp as one.
Struggling to make his way through the crowd, Henry watched the footman melt away at the precise moment Lady Valliant fainted. He was a servant, after all, and servants were more than capable of being indiscreet and, in some cases, almost invisible. With horrified eyes, Henry saw the man bump directly into Lord Thornley, almost as though their passing knock together had been an accident, but the brief pause, and the nod of Thornley’s head told him otherwise.
Rage burst through his soul as he heard Lady Brooke’s voice, calling for a Miss Wiltshire. He realized, at once, exactly what Thornley had done, although why he had done it was yet to be seen. And he remembered the companion as Lady Brooke’s, as she had joined them for supper at a previous occasion.
“I must speak to our host,” he called, pushing himself through the crowd in desperation. “Please, Lord Valliant. I saw everything.”
“This way, please,” the older man roared, his eyes narrowing as they landed on Henry. “And do not let that woman get away.”
“I am not trying to escape,” said the older lady, almost primly, although her face was white with fright.
Henry took her arm and, with his head held high, followed Lord Valliant across the floor.
Chapter Six
Eleanor could not stop herself from shaking as she sat down next to Miss Wiltshire, one hand holding that of Miss Wiltshire’s. At this point, she was entirely unsure as to what exactly had gone on, but anyone suspicious of Miss Wiltshire was quite in the wrong.
She glanced over at Lord Armitage and saw him glare fiercely at Lord Valliant, who was already pacing the floor. She remained silent, although everything in her wanted to shout about Miss Wiltshire’s innocence, being quite sure that the lady could not have done anything untoward.
“Your name?”
Eleanor jumped as Lord Valliant spoke, realizing that he was directing his questions to her companion.
“Miss Wiltshire,” the older lady replied calmly.
“She is my companion,” Eleanor added, unable to keep silent.
Lord Valliant raised his brows. “And you are?”
“That is Lady Brooke,” Lord Armitage interrupted, loudly, evidently angry over Lord Valliant’s rude demeanor. “Widow of the Earl of Brooke.”
Lord Valliant paused in his steps for a moment, regarding Eleanor with something like surprise. “My apologies,” he murmured, after a moment, continuing his pacing. “I did not recognize you at first.”
“Not at all,” Eleanor replied coolly. “You have a great many guests, but that is hardly the issue at the moment.”
“Indeed.” Lord Valliant continued to pace, his eyes landing on Miss Wiltshire with almost every turn of the foot. “It appears you have stolen something of mine, Miss Wiltshire.”
“I have not,” Miss Wiltshire answered with only a faint trace of anger. “The footman who accused me is wrong.”
Lord Valliant shook his head. “My staff is loyal to me, and I believe that you were the last one near the display of jewels before the ruby was seen to be missing.”
There was a slight pause. “A ruby, you say?” Miss Wiltshire murmured, softly. “You see, my lord, I have not even the slightest knowledge about what jewel was taken, for, if I am to be truthful, I was not much enamored with the display.”
Eleanor drew in a sharp breath, wondering if Miss Wiltshire’s brutal honesty was not, perhaps, the best tactic for the situation. Lord Valliant seemed to swell in front of her eyes, his face growing red as he stopped pacing and glared at Miss Wiltshire.
“I can vouch for that,” Lord Armitage interrupted, just as Lord Valliant began to bluster. “Miss Wiltshire did not touch a single piece on that table, Lord Valliant.”
“Lord Armitage,” Valliant sniffed, turning away. “What exactly were you doing watching the table, may I ask?”
Eleanor could see the anger that crossed Lord Armitage’s expression as he saw the way Valliant dismissed him, evidently still holding his past indiscretions against him.
“I was taking a few moments to gather myself,” Lord Armitage responded, carefully. “And I saw your footman take the jewel before handing it to Lord Thornley.”
A gasp left her mouth before she could stop it, her gloved finger covering her lips.
“I am sorry, Miss Wiltshire, Lady Brooke,” Lord Armitage continued, ignoring Lord Valliant’s snort of disbelief. “This is my fault.”
“Your fault?” Miss Wiltshire echoed, sounding quite confused. “Whatever can you mean?”
Eleanor saw him frown, dropping his head into his hands for a moment before looking back up at them both, shaking his head. “There is too much to reveal at this precise moment, but Lord Thornley is looking to win you for himself, Lady Brooke. I do not like to admit that I may have riled him somewhat, even mocked him for his lack of success. He is now trying his best to force your hand.”
“I cannot believe it,” Eleanor found herself saying quietly. “What is it that Lord Thornley believes he can do to force my hand into matrimony?” The whole idea seemed quite impossible and, for a moment, Eleanor was quite lost in confusion.
“I believe that if he has the jewel, he will be able to return it whenever he pleases and clear Miss Wiltshire’s name,” Lord Armitage said slowly, evidently thinking hard. “If you do not wed him, then she will carry the shame of being accused of theft for the rest of her days.”
“You are quite out of your head!” Lord Valliant exclaimed, just as Eleanor was about to reply. “Lord Thornley has nothing to do with this, and I am surprised that you would accuse another gentleman of high standing when he was nowhere near the display of jewels.”
“I saw him with the footman,” Lord Armitage said hotly. “You are making a mistake in accusing Lady Brooke’s companion, Valliant.”
Lord Valliant’s mouth curled. “I do not think I am, Armitage. I know better than to believe anything from a man like you, whereas Thornley has nothing but an impeccable reputation.”
“I made one mistake!” Lord Armitage retorted, throwing himself to his feet. “Grievous, yes, but that does not mean that every word from my mouth is a lie.”
Eleanor got to her feet and cleared her throat, afraid that the men might start throwing punches at one another, should she not intervene. “Miss Wiltshire did not steal your ruby, Lord Valliant. To accuse her without cause is unfair.”
“It is not without cause, Lady Brooke,” Lord Valliant replied loudly. “The jewel is gone, and my footman saw her take it.”
“I do not have it!” Miss Wiltshire exclaimed, her face now burning red. “I shall submit myself to a search if I have to in order to prove my innocence.”
Lord Armitage nodded, throwing Eleanor a stiff smile, encouraging her to remain firm.
“Lord Valliant, you cannot accuse the lady on the word of a footman, however loyal he may be. You do her reputation no good by such falsehoods.”
“Pah!” Lord Valliant cried, disregarding him immediately. “She is nothing more than a companion.”
“Then this will damage Lady Brooke’s reputation,” Miss Wiltshire said, firmly, ignoring the slight entirely. “As I stated, I have not touched any of your je
wels. Lady Brooke is a generous and kind soul, and I lack for nothing. I have no need of your ruby.”
Eleanor held her breath as Lord Valliant paused, evidently thinking things through. He was upset over the loss of the jewel, although he had more than enough on the table as it was. But surely, he would listen to Lord Armitage, despite his reputation, aware that he could not easily accuse Miss Wiltshire when he had no evidence of her theft.
“I will look into the matter,” Lord Valliant said, eventually.
“Then you will tell the ton that Miss Wiltshire did not steal it?” Eleanor asked, wishing she had made it sound more like a statement than a question. “You cannot surely—”
“I will say nothing of the sort,” Lord Valliant interrupted, his eyes flashing. “I am nowhere near convinced that Miss Wiltshire is not the thief, despite Lord Armitage’s ‘evidence’ to the contrary.” He turned his face away and walked towards the door, ignoring them all.
“You cannot do such a thing,” Eleanor protested, following after him at once. “Miss Wiltshire does not deserve to be condemned by the ton when she has done nothing wrong!”
“I shall state that the jewel is missing and that an investigation is underway,” Lord Valliant said crisply. “Now, good day, Lady Brooke.”
Eleanor watched helplessly as Lord Valliant opened the door, stepped through it, and began to address the assembled crowd.
She shut the door behind him, feeling like some kind of caged animal, for to leave now would have every eye on both her and Miss Wiltshire. She did not want that for her dear friend, not when she had already endured so much.
“I cannot believe he would continue to leave her culpability in question,” Lord Armitage muttered as Eleanor came to sit next to her friend. “I am sorry I could not convince him otherwise.”
“It is not your fault,” Miss Wiltshire assured him, her voice hoarse with emotion. “My dear Eleanor, I do believe that it is best that I leave your side for a time.”
“Whatever are you talking about?” Eleanor gasped, as Miss Wiltshire brushed a tear from her cheek. “I shall not be without you, Miss Wiltshire, so do not even ask me to consider it.”
“But you must.” Now that Lord Valliant had left, it appeared that Miss Wiltshire was unable to hide her true feelings any longer, her voice breaking as she spoke. “Your reputation will suffer needlessly should I remain in your house. It is best that I go elsewhere so that you will not be stained by the situation.”
Eleanor shook her head, firmly, reaching to clasp Miss Wiltshire’s hand. “I absolutely refuse your request, Miss Wiltshire. You are to stay with me, just as you ought. You are not in the least bit guilty, and I refuse to allow anyone to think so. If I were to turn you out, that would suggest that I believe you to have stolen the jewel, when you know I think precisely the opposite. No, do not ask it of me. You will remain just as you are, and we shall continue as we are. This is not your fault.”
For a moment, Miss Wiltshire held her gaze, her eyes glistening with moisture, and Eleanor thought she might argue her point once more. Instead, the older lady sighed, her shoulders slumping.
“You are too good to me, Eleanor,” she mumbled, shaking her head. “I cannot thank you for your kindness.”
Eleanor smiled softly and squeezed her hand lightly. “You are my family,” she replied softly, “as well as my friend. What sort of lady would I be if I did not show unwavering loyalty to those I love?”
Lord Armitage cleared his throat, interrupting them both.
“I will help you if I can. As I said, I believe Lord Thornley is behind this. I am quite sure that I saw him take the jewel from the footman. He has set things up in order to trap you into matrimony.”
“I will not bend,” Eleanor retorted, feeling heat rising into her cheeks. “I have no intention of marrying and certainly will not be manipulated into doing so.” She was quite sure she saw a sudden flash of disappointment cross Lord Armitage’s face as he got to his feet, but disregarded it almost immediately. Now was not the time to consider Lord Armitage. She had to consider what Miss Wiltshire was to do.
Lord Armitage walked to the window, his head bowed and hands linked behind his back. He was evidently deep in thought, considering the situation.
“You said that there was something between you and Lord Thornley,” Eleanor said suddenly, remembering his previous statement in front of Lord Valliant. “What was it, may I ask?”
Lord Armitage turned back towards her, a guilt-stricken look on his face. “I very much hate to tell you this, but I have been engaged in a gamble with him.”
“A gamble?” Eleanor repeated. “You mean, a bet?”
“Of sorts,” Lord Armitage said, shaking his head. “Lord Thornley owes me a great deal of money, and, as he has not much to rub together, was unable to pay me. Therefore, he came up with a proposition which, much to my chagrin, I agreed to.”
Miss Wiltshire raised her head, her emotions now evidently under control. “What was the bet about, may I ask?”
Lord Armitage cleared his throat again, with one finger tugging at his cravat. “Lord Thornley swore he could be betrothed by the end of six weeks and placed his debt on the table. Were he to succeed, then I would clear his debt and pay him some more in kind. If he were to fail, then his debt would increase.”
A sickening feeling made Eleanor’s stomach clench, her eyes staring at Lord Armitage as though not quite able to accept what it was he was saying.
“Unfortunately, Lord Thornley has decided that you are to be his conquest, Lady Brooke. I am terribly sorry.”
Chapter Seven
Eleanor felt as though all of her breath left her body in one fell swoop, her hand clutching her middle as she tried to draw breath.
“I may have mocked him for his lack of success,” Lord Armitage continued, each word burning her soul. “And so, determined as he is to defeat me, he has chosen unscrupulous methods to attempt to win. As it stands, I shall speak to him at once and hand him back his vowels without question. I had no idea that he could be so despicable. In truth, in speaking to you of this, I have now some of my own fortune to give him. Had I thought he would do such a thing, I would have done as much beforehand.”
Breathing hard, Eleanor clutched at Miss Wiltshire’s hand, her stomach churning. So this was why Lord Thornley had been so attentive, why he had been so pushy. She had been a mere pawn in a gentleman’s game, a trophy that Lord Thornley was intent on winning.
“I am sure you must think less of me now, knowing what I have done,” Lord Armitage finished, sounding quite miserable. “But it is no less than I think of myself. I should have refused Thornley the moment he suggested such a thing, but my frustrations with him pushed me to accept. I do beg your forgiveness.”
There was too much to consider, too much to take in. Eleanor got to her feet a little unsteadily, Miss Wiltshire rising with her.
“We should return home,” she said softly, suddenly unable to look at Lord Armitage. “Come, Miss Wiltshire.”
“Please,” Lord Armitage interrupted, coming closer to them. “Do not rush from me so. I know there is a great deal that has occurred this evening, but I cannot let you leave when you are both so affected.”
Eleanor drew herself up to her full height and drew in a shaky breath, managing to look at him sternly. “I am quite able to take care of myself, Lord Armitage. I am well aware that the ton will be waiting to look us up and down as we emerge, but I will not shy away from that. Miss Wiltshire is entirely innocent, and I will not be treated as a mere stake at the card table. It is utterly despicable. Good evening, Lord Armitage.”
Still clutching Miss Wiltshire’s hand, Eleanor opened the door and walked swiftly along the corridor, ignoring the many stares that followed her. The music was still playing and dancing continuing below, but she could not help but hear the whispers of the many ladies present as she made her way towards the door.
“Ah, Lady Brooke.”
Lord Thornley stepped into view, blo
cking her path completely. Eleanor wanted to slap him firmly across the face, but Miss Wiltshire placed her hand through Eleanor’s arm, ensuring that she could not do such a thing.
“You are not leaving, I hope?”
“I am, Lord Thornley,” Eleanor replied through tight lips. “Please excuse me.”
“I shall call upon you tomorrow, of course,” Lord Thornley continued, as though he had not heard her. “There has been a great deal for you to endure this evening, and I should not wish to distress you further, but I believe that there are things we need to discuss.”
“Discuss?” Eleanor’s gaze shot to him, seeing the slight smirk on his face. “So, what Lord Armitage says is true, then?”
An ugly look crossed Lord Thornley’s face, but he did not deny it.
“I have nothing to say to you, Lord Thornley,” Eleanor whispered, her fingers itching to strike him. “You are not welcome at my home. Besides, I believe, having spoken to me of your game, the bet is now over.”
His hand snaked out and caught her arm, dragging her closer to him, despite Miss Wiltshire’s protests. “You would do well not to refuse me, Lady Brooke,” he grated, his voice filled with malice. “I could bring the earth to shatter around you if you are not careful. I do not care for Lord Armitage’s wealth. I want more than he has to offer. In short, I want your fortune. I want you, and I will have you.”
“I will not be intimidated,” Eleanor answered with more firmness than she felt. “Do not think that you can somehow threaten me, Lord Thornley. I care very little for my wealth. Even were I to give you half—which I am not inclined to do in the least—I would have more than enough to keep me in good comfort until my last days.”
He did not, however, seem in the least bit put off. Still holding her tightly and ignoring Miss Wiltshire’s protests, he glared at her. “You think that wealth is the only thing I can take away?” His eyes shot to Miss Wiltshire for a moment, before looking back at her. Her blood froze like ice in her veins. “I will win this wager by any means, Lady Brooke, and you will not prevent it. I will have the entirety of your wealth, and you will submit to me. Have no doubt of my success.”
