Damn it all to hell.
He finally arrived at Jasmine Manor and gave Rocinante to a groom. He entered the foyer only to find the Keegans, Logan and Oates lined up in front of the painting. But it was not the servants who caught his attention, but something else.
“I know this is going to sound odd,” said Joseph. “But have you changed that portrait?”
“What portrait?” asked Mr. Keegan.
“The one of the duke and duchess.”
“Of course, not,” said Mrs. Keegan. “Whyever would we? It has always been there. I suspect it always will be. Did you have a pleasant outing?”
Stapleton could not stop looking at the painting. “But I could have sworn….I thought….well, it seemed the duke and duchess were seated much further away from each other on the blanket, just earlier today.”
“So they’re close together?” asked Mrs. Keegan with a smile.
“It would appear so, but that is impossible.”
“Quite so,” said Mr. Keegan. “Now, then, Inspector, on behalf of the staff, I would like to apologize for what is about to transpire.”
Joseph looked at him warily. “Is something amiss?”
“I am afraid you shall have to remove yourself to Lady Evelyn’s house for the duration of your stay. But do not fear for your comfort. Her staff is excellent. Your every need shall be met.”
Then he and the others smiled at him as if no further explanation were necessary.
“Might I ask why I am to relocate to Lady Evelyn’s, especially since it would be most improper for me to stay there when she has no male relative or chaperone in residence?”
“We think it would be best,” said Mr. Keegan.
That was followed by more smiling silence.
“Because?” prodded Joseph.
“Oh, very well,” said Mrs. Keegan. “We are concerned for Lady Evelyn’s safety.”
Every muscle in Joseph’s body was suddenly on edge. “Has there been a threat to her?”
“We believe her cousin is capable of anything in his efforts to secure her land,” said Logan. “Not to mention the mining company. They came around here a few weeks ago asking about Jasmine Manor, but his grace would not even consider selling. We thought it would be best if you were close by her ladyship in case she needs you.”
“I can definitely imagine her needing you,” added Oates helpfully.
“And why was I not informed of a possible threat earlier?”
There was a moment of silence as each of the servants turned to Mr. Keegan, who appeared to be giving the matter some thought. “Because,” he said slowly. “Not even Lady Evelyn is aware of the threat. Her servants have been protecting her.”
“I cannot see how that would protect her. She is a reasonable woman. She should have enough information to make decisions about her own safety.”
“Yes, and with you there to guide her, just think of how much safer she shall be. We have taken the liberty of sending your things to Lady Evelyn’s house. Now off you go, Joseph.”
Joseph had rarely been ordered out of a place with such efficiency and kindness. Truth be told, few had ever tried it. But if Evelyn was in danger, he had an obligation to keep her safe.
So with his thanks to the staff and another suspicious glance at the portrait, he went outside to find Rocinante waiting for him. Apparently everyone wanted him gone. He mounted up and set out for Lady Evelyn’s.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“What do you mean Inspector Stapleton will be staying here?” Evelyn asked her butler, Thompson.
“His things arrived earlier today,” he replied.
“But why?” Evelyn was disconcerted in the extreme to think of having the handsome Joseph Stapleton staying under her roof. Just sitting next to him in the sleigh, their legs pressed against each other, had been disquieting enough. It was a good thing Smithton never required much of a response to his lectures on farming because she had been quite incapable of forming a coherent thought. All she’d been able to focus on was how exciting it felt every time she bumped up against Joseph.
She was truly shameless. Which didn’t seem to bother her nearly as much as it should.
Before Evelyn could get answers to her questions, Joseph arrived and she had to contend with the man himself. And he looked truly ill at ease.
“My lady, please forgive my intrusion but Mr. Keegan told me my things had been sent here. He was under the impression I would be your guest.”
She had to clear her throat before finding her voice. “So I have just been informed.”
“If it is in any way inconvenient – and I find it hard to believe it wouldn’t be – I can return to Jasmine Manor.”
“It is not inconvenient in the least. But is something awry at Jasmine Manor? I cannot imagine the Keegans turning away a guest of his grace’s without good reason.”
“I have not insulted them, if that is what you think.”
“Pray forgive me, I did not mean that. Thompson, do be so good as to bring us tea in the sitting room. I fear my wits need refreshment.”
She began again when they were properly situated on the chaise, though there was nothing proper about the nature of her thoughts. This was Joseph. Here. In her home. And he would remain there overnight.
“You are perfectly welcome, Inspector. Indeed, it will be altogether more convenient to have you where I want you. That is….” She blushed. “There are a few things I want to do with you…I don’t mean… Oh, bother.” Her face was flaming and Joseph’s sudden amusement did not help.
“My lady, I think what you are telling me…” He hesitated, perhaps as unsure as she on what to say next.
“Do go on, sir. I am always most interested to learn what my thoughts are.”
He grinned. “Pardon my presumption, but I believe you might think it would be more convenient to discuss your situation if I am available any time you need me.”
She wasn’t sure that was what she meant at all, because having immediate access to Joseph any time of day or night conjured up thoughts she knew she was not supposed to have. She was blushing again. And she hadn’t recovered from the other blushes. She suspected her face was beginning to resemble an apple.
“Thank you, Inspector, for your assistance in sorting this out. And you are, of course, most welcome to stay.”
Thompson entered and set the tea tray on the table.
Joseph continued. “My only concern, my lady, is that my presence in this house could be scandalous, given that you do not live with a chaperone. The last thing I want to do is create more problems for you, especially since you are in search of a husband.”
To Evelyn’s surprise, Thompson spoke up.
“It will not be a problem, sir. Lady Evelyn has lived without a chaperone since the passing of the earl. But it is well known that my good wife and I keep a close eye on her ladyship. We would not dream of allowing her to come to harm. In any way. From anyone.” Here the butler straightened to his full height. He was still a good three inches short of Joseph, but the point was made.
Evelyn was surprised that Thompson was being so welcoming in allowing Joseph to stay at all. He and his wife had been with her family since she was a young girl. They were very protective of her. Whether the Inspector realized it or not, he’d just received a vote of confidence from the two long-time servants. Though she also suspected Thompson would not hesitate to plant Joseph a facer if needed.
“Thank you, Thompson,” said Evelyn. “That will be all.”
With a bow to Evelyn, and a warning look to Joseph, he departed.
“I am not sure your butler is at all pleased I am staying here.”
“On the contrary, he would not have allowed you to stay if he were truly against it.”
“Do you often allow your servants to dictate to you?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have known me just about all my life. They have offered comfort and guidance through the years and I respect them very much.”
Joseph took a sip
of tea. “You have an unusual world view, my lady. Few people in your class would ever think to take advice from servants.”
“There are fools everywhere, Inspector. Or have you not noticed?”
“I would not be very good at my job if I had let that observation slip my notice.”
“I imagine you are very good at your job.”
“What makes you think that?”
“For one thing, his grace sent you. I do not think he would have done that if he did not have complete confidence in you. But I think even if we had just met, I would be able to tell what kind of man you are professionally and personally. Better, I might add, than you were able to judge me on first acquaintance.”
Joseph tried to keep his lips in a straight line, failing just the slightest in the attempt. “In my limited defense, I would like to point out that I never misjudged your character. I believed you to be a charming, witty, kind young woman who cared a great deal too much about the well-being of sheep.”
“In truth, you believed I was a young man.” She laughed outright.
“I admit I did get the gender wrong at first. Though I must tell you that I am now very much aware that you are a woman.”
Just like that, the room seemed much smaller. And warmer. The air seemed to have become thinner because Evelyn felt almost light-headed. She had no idea what to say. She was unaware of anything but Joseph’s dark brown eyes and how she could not look away from them.
The moment was finally broken by Thompson, who must have entered the room again, though she certainly hadn’t noticed. “My lady, Cook wishes to speak to you about the menu.”
“Of course. If you will excuse me, Inspector.”
To her surprise, her legs were able to carry her out of the room.
* * *
Joseph took the opportunity to question her butler. “Thompson, what is this I hear about threats to Lady Evelyn’s safety?”
“Threats, Inspector?”
“Mr. Keegan said you and the staff had concerns you were keeping from her. Something to do with possible threats from the mining concerns.”
“Ahh, threats,” said Thompson, who considered the matter. “There has been nothing overt, though I did not like the men from the mining company. Two of them met with Lady Evelyn for tea. She listened politely, refused all offers, then sent them on their way.”
“They did not persist in contacting her?”
“No, sir. But I do not believe that was their strategy. While the gentlemen were speaking to Lady Evelyn in here, Mrs. Thompson was having a different conversation with their servants in the kitchen as Cook plied them with tea and scones. According to them, the gentlemen were expecting Lady Evelyn to say no. They were only here to look at the land. They believed the earl would soon be the one who could sell it to them.”
“If Lady Evelyn did not marry.”
“I do not believe they knew about that part. I doubt the earl would have told them family matters, bastard that he is.” Then Thompson remembered himself. “Excuse my frank speech, Inspector. I was carried away.”
“Do not worry. I have not met the man, but when I do I am quite certain I will have the overwhelming urge to plant him a facer.”
“I hope you follow that urge.”
“Do you believe she is in danger right now? The Keegans felt my presence here was necessary to protect her.”
“If that is what the Keegans think, I would not gainsay them.”
“But is it true?”
“A woman alone needs protection, Inspector. No matter how much Lady Evelyn would beg to differ.”
The lady herself chose that moment to return. “May I show you to your bedchamber, Inspector?”
“Thank you, Lady Evelyn. And thank you Thompson.” He was heartened to know that Evelyn’s staff was protective of her. They’d employed the same means to get information from the mining men as he often did in London. Servants usually proved to be an invaluable source of information.
It was an intimate experience to climb the stairs beside Evelyn. This was her home and he was being admitted to the family quarters. He was seeing a side of her most people didn’t. The house was clean and smelled of lemon and beeswax. It was not overtly female, though there were several plants scattered throughout the house. Perhaps he should get one or two for his own home.
“You’ll be staying in the starlight suite,” said Evelyn, as she opened a set of double doors and entered the bedchamber.
It was an elegant room, furnished with accents of dark green. There was a chaise lounge near the fireplace, as well as an overstuffed chair. His toiletries had already been laid out on a cherry wood dresser and his clothes were hanging in the adjoining dressing room.
“Why is it called the starlight suite?”
“My father loved to study the heavens. The large French doors open up onto a balcony that extends all the way along the house.” She opened the doors to show him. Cold air greeted them both. “Papa would bring his telescope out here and we would make discoveries in the heavens. We even named a few stars. Not officially, of course. But I believe our names were much better than the ones the astronomers chose. I named one for Papa. And one for my first pony and one for my imaginary friend. On summer nights, I would sometimes sleep out here, lying on my back, watching the stars.”
It was a moment of beauty, to think of the young girl and her father admiring the heavens. He had no similar story in his past. Nothing to compare it to. “Which rooms are along this balcony?” he asked.
“The next set of French doors opens into my bedchamber.”
Now he was assured of getting no sleep for the duration of his stay. Her room was next to his? What the devil was Thompson about, placing him in the bedchamber next to Evelyn’s? If he’d been the watchful butler, he would have put himself in the bloody dungeon.
“Is something amiss, Inspector?”
Just the fact that temptation would be at hand the entire night. He tried to collect his wayward thoughts. “I cannot like that your bedchamber is so easily accessible. For others. I mean. Intruders. It would be altogether too easy to scale that wall, hop onto the balcony and walk into your room.”
“Why would anyone scale that wall? The country offers little in the way of crime, other than the odd chicken theft or poaching.”
If it meant the chance to be with her, he would scale that wall even if the staff was pouring hot tar from the roof. But he couldn’t very well tell her that. “Forgive me, my lady. Old habits die hard and I am used to London’s crime. But I would advise you to cut the ivy from the wall, which would make it immeasurably harder to climb. In addition, I would install locks on these doors.”
“But I shall have you in the next bedchamber. Am I not safe with you in residence?”
He met her gaze. “No, my lady. You are not.”
Her eyes widened. He was on the verge of kissing her, when he forced himself to turn away. “I do not wish to keep you from your activities. And I should try to figure out where your most able staff unpacked my things. What time is dinner?”
“Six of the clock,” she said, sounding a bit breathless. “We eat early in the country and I do not dress for dinner. If both of those are agreeable to you.”
“Quite.” He smiled, then bowed.
She took the hint and departed.
Lynwood would have his head, mused Joseph. He would have his head and his bollocks, too, if he knew how he’d been flirting with the woman he’d been charged with protecting. When she’d told him where her bedchamber lay, his first thought hadn’t been for her safety. It had been relief that he could visit her that night without being seen by her staff.
Remove the ivy, indeed. He’d scale that wall with his fingernails if it meant having the chance to be with her at night. Not that he would get the chance. It was obvious she was an innocent. Her blushes were only flaming his ardor. Her innocent flirtation had him harder than anything a seasoned courtesan could say. Or do.
He wondered if her life was as
lonely as his. At one point, he’d believed the wealthy did not have real problems, but he’d long since learned that some things were universal: the need for acceptance, the longing for love and the ache of loneliness.
He wanted to know more about Lady Evelyn. He would never have a lifetime in which to make his inquiries. But he would at least have dinner.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The figures didn’t lie. The debts had mounted. The income had dwindled. There was no escaping it. Without Evelyn’s fortune and land, it would be ruination. But so far, she’d resisted all efforts at wooing her. She seemed determined to go her own way in life, even if she lost her own fortune by not meeting the deadline.
How could she be brought to heel? She wasn’t like other ladies. Didn’t respond to flattery. Had little use for fashion, considering she kept herself holed up on her estate most of the year. Didn’t she realize how ridiculous she was, remaining unwed at her age when any number of men would have had her given her fortune? Some would have taken her with even half the dowry.
But what use was half the dowry when all of it was available?
There was no doubt about it. The field was growing crowded. And if she did choose to marry, it was anyone’s guess who the groom would be. There must be some way to manipulate things to their optimal conclusion. Some way to get hold of that money and land.
Perhaps, if she felt threatened she would realize what little good her independence was to her. She needed a man to protect her. Not forever, of course. Once the marriage was consummated, all her worldly goods would belong to her husband. And he could do what he liked with her.
But just what kind of threat would work? And how could it be accomplished without her suspecting? She was all together too smart for her own good. It wouldn’t do to be found out. So the plan had to be a good one. And it had to succeed. There was too much at stake to fail.
Never Turn Away (Kellington Book Six) Page 6
