Always Forever (Emerson Book 5)

by Maureen Driscoll

  Jones bowed deferentially, but seemed to be curious as to why they were there. “His grace asked me to prepare some ledgers of his shipping investments.”

  “This is certainly a queer place to be doing that. Can you not do it in your room in the servants’ quarters?”

  He turned a curious glance to Rose, but then nodded. “Aye, your grace, I can certainly do that.” Then he left, but not before Mirabelle said, “He doesn’t know his place” loud enough for him to hear it.

  Mirabelle opened Bancroft’s own jewelry chest, which contained some of her pieces. Once again, Rose turned her rapt attention to it. Nate was going to be most disappointed when she told him how much his wife coveted the pieces. Mirabelle was quite looking forward to it.

  “Is that it?” Rose said.

  “Excuse me?”

  “I would have thought there would be more. Or is Bancroft one of the lesser dukes?”

  Mirabelle turned on her heel, then removed the painting which hid the bedroom safe. With deft fingers, she unlocked the safe, then removed the lockbox which contained all of Bancroft’s most prized possessions. She opened the box, then set aside papers to reveal the jewels within. It was an extensive collection with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls and every shade of gold. Some of it looked to be from France and Italy. It was all expensive and would make the ladies of the ton extremely envious.

  She turned to Rose, expecting to see the same emotion on her face. But instead she looked disappointed.

  “And there is nothing more?”

  “How can you want more?”

  “Every woman wants more, my dear,” said Bancroft as he entered the room. “Did you not know that?”

  “What are you doing here?” Mirabelle asked him, for the last person she ever wanted to see in the ducal chamber was the duke.

  “I could ask the same of you, if it weren’t such a pleasure to find my two favorite ladies here.”

  “I fear it is my fault, your grace,” said Rose, as Mirabelle packed everything away. “I confess that I was curious to see the jewels.”

  “They may be yours someday, my dear, but it will be a long time from now,” said Bancroft. “Where are you going, Duchess?”

  “I have the headache and am going to restore myself.”

  “Mayhap we should call the surgeon. It seems you often get the headache when you are in here.”

  That was because it was the only way to keep the old fool off her. “I shall let you know if that becomes necessary. Now you both really must excuse me.”

  With that, she made a quick exit then shut the door, leaving Rose in Bancroft’s bedchamber.

  * * *

  Rose was unnerved to be alone with the duke, but she would not let it show. She had been disappointed that Mirabelle’s display of the duchess’s jewels had not included the Ridgeway ring.

  “I have to wonder if Grayson knows his wife is so interested in the riches of the estate.”

  “Many ladies are interested in jewels, your grace. But my interest lies mostly in the history of the heirloom pieces. Her grace showed me some lovely pieces, some of which looked like they could be traced back to pre-revolutionary France.”

  “Far earlier than that,” said Bancroft as he walked toward her.

  Rose fought the urge to back up.

  Bancroft walked around her slowly. “I can see why Grayson was so drawn to you. Your form is quite pleasing.”

  “I do not think this is an appropriate conversation, your grace.”

  “Grayson has admired my wife – surely that has not escaped your notice – so it is only fair that I examine his.”

  “That is quite enough!” said Rose, turning to face him.

  His slow smile showed grudging respect. “Very well. But I could not help but think how lovely the Bancroft jewels would look on you. Would you like to try some on?”

  She wanted to leave immediately. But she still needed to find that ring. “I do not believe the duchess would like that, your grace.”

  “Then it is good that I do not make my actions dependent upon her approval. Just try on one tiara.” He moved toward his jewel box.

  “I must admit I am tempted,” said Rose. “But her grace already showed me those. Perhaps, there are jewels she does not know about?” She could not be too curious, but she hoped he would open another safe.

  He looked at her with an inscrutable expression before walking to a wall, removing a picture and opening another safe. “How did you know there were jewels I had not given her?”

  “Every man has his secrets, your grace.”

  “How very true,” he said as he removed another lockbox, then placed it on his bed. “Come here, my dear.”

  Rose hesitated a moment, but then walked toward him, keeping a safe distance.

  “Closer,” he said. “I do not want to miss your expression when you see these.”

  He emptied the contents of a velvet pouch and Rose could not help her look of astonishment. Mirabelle’s jewels, while impressive, paled in comparison to these. There were coronets and emerald broaches the size of her fist. There were silver filigree hair pins so delicate they most certainly could not be used for their intended purpose. There were diamond bracelets, made up of ten strands side by side, along with a matching choker. There were sapphires to attach to shoes and an amethyst ring to cover three fingers. But there was no ruby and diamond ring.

  “What would you like to try on, my dear?”

  Each time he said “my dear,” the hair on the back of Rose’s neck stood up. But she would not back down. “I have always liked the color red. Do you have any rubies?”

  Bancroft stilled and for a moment Rose worried he had figured out what she was about. But instead, he spread the jewels out on the bed, so it was obvious that all were displayed. “Ahh,” he said. “This is what I was looking for.”

  It was a multi-tiered ruby necklace, a priceless piece which looked like it belonged in a museum. Rose wondered if it had been the family heirloom of one of Bancroft’s blackmail victims.

  “Let me put this on you,” he said as he lifted the heavy necklace.

  “I could not possibly wear it.”

  “You can.”

  “No, your grace.”

  “I insist, Rose. Come here.”

  Rose took two steps closer. She would not show him fear.

  “Now turn around.”

  Rose did as she was told, while also looking around for something which could be used as a weapon in case he attacked her. The lockbox looked heavy enough and it was almost within reach.

  She gasped as the cold stones and metal touched her skin. Bancroft placed his hands around her neck as he tried to fasten the heavy necklace.

  “It shall just be a moment, my dear. I fear time has made the metal a bit brittle and I am having a difficult time with the clasp.”

  She could feel his hands on her neck. They were warm and strong, despite his age.

  “Has Grayson been treating you well?”

  “Very well, your grace. He is an excellent husband.”

  “I am certain he is at present, given he is in the country with few distractions. But I fear that may change once he goes back to London and is tempted with the reminders of his former life. I do not believe there is a gaming hell he has not frequented and his female acquaintances are many.”

  “I have faith in my husband, your grace.”

  “How quaint.” He ran the fingers of one hand across her neck, as he struggled with the clasp. “Tell me, my dear. Has he been diligent in his duty to both you and the Bancroft line?”

  “He is most dutiful in all things.”

  “But is he working to produce an heir?”

  Rose did not hesitate with her response. Not if it would help keep Nate safe. “Yes, your grace. Even now I may be with child.” That much was true. She had not had her courses, though they were not yet due.

  Bancroft stilled and for a moment his hands tensed. Rose realized she had been foolish to place herself
in such a vulnerable position. Bancroft was as tall as Nate and age seemed to have weakened him very little. He could snap her neck in an instant. She was just reaching for the lockbox when he suddenly walked away with the necklace still in his hands.

  “I am very glad to hear it, Rose. To know that the Bancroft line will continue.”

  “But you already knew it would, your grace. Your heir is young and healthy.”

  “Yes, but given Nate’s general recklessness, it is not beyond reason that he might not outlive me.”

  Rose took a step closer to him. “Oh, he will outlive you, your grace. I am sure of it.”

  At that moment, the door to the bedchamber flew open and Nate charged in. He was almost at his father, when Rose stopped him in his path, throwing her arms around him to disguise the fact he had been about to attack Bancroft.

  But Nate pulled away from her kiss. “What is the meaning of this?”

  “Grayson, you are behaving like a jealous husband and it is most unbecoming,” said Bancroft. “Your wife had expressed a keen interest in the estate’s jewels, so I was showing them to her here.” At that, he held up the ruby necklace.

  “If she needs any jewels, I will provide them.”

  “I hear felicitations may be due,” said Bancroft. “Rose said she may be with child.”

  Rose never realized until that moment how well Bancroft could disconcert his son. For Nate wore an expression of shock, pleasure and extreme protectiveness.

  “I only said it was possible, Nate,” said Rose. “We do not yet know, though I am hopeful. Now, we should let his grace go back to his business.”

  She all but dragged her husband out of the ducal bedchamber. She could tell he was seething with anger at his father and probably not best pleased with her for taking such a risk. But, worst of all, they were still no closer to finding the ring.

  * * *

  Frederick Mortimer was in the great hall, staring up at the larger than life painting of the current Duke of Bancroft. That arse of a butler had gone on and on about the artistry of the portrait and its hallowed space in the hall. It was so precious no one was allowed to touch it, lest they mar the paint which had been specially imported from Italy.

  Frederick wondered who would want to touch it, other than to paint a mustache on it or to write Great Big Sot on it. He was interrupted in his musings by Jones, who was now standing a foot away. It was disconcerting that the large man could move that quietly. Frederick had learned the hard way to always be alert. But he had let his guard down, which could be deadly. He should be safe in the great hall of a duke’s home, surrounded by servants. But he did not trust Bancroft in the slightest.

  “Would you care for a walk?” Jones asked him.

  “Not as far as the woods. They seem to harbor a high percentage of wayward gunshots.”

  “Maybe you’d like to go to the roof, instead?” asked Jones quietly.

  “I believe I will decline that invitation, as well. But I would not be adverse to sitting on a bench in the garden.”

  “I guess you’re not as tough as you think.”

  “That depends entirely on how tough you think I am. I rarely come to the country and would not mind enjoying this clean air which seems to be in almost suffocating abundance. Shall we?” He motioned for Jones to proceed him with one hand, while checking the knife in his jacket pocket with the other.

  The two men walked across the garden toward a bench which was out of hearing range of any servants, yet close enough to the house that neither man could attack the other. For Frederick was fairly certain Jones would like to either beat him or kill him. Perhaps both.

  Once they were settled, Jones wasted no time. “Did you try to kill the duke?”

  “No. Did you?”

  “Why would I do a thing like that?”

  “I have less of a reason to kill him than you do. You have already earned a great deal of wealth from him, if I do not miss my mark. If you work for him too much longer, you risk being recognized. That is a liability for you both. There is no known association between the duke and me and I stand to earn a great deal of money if I work for him. So it sounds like if anyone has cause to kill anyone, it is you killing me.”

  “The idea has merit, but I don’t do nothin’ without orders and the duke hasn’t told me to kill you. Though who knows what the future may bring? Did you push the gargoyle off the roof trying to kill Grayson?”

  “No.”

  “Why not? I thought the duke told you to take care of him. You might not know this yet – not having no ‘known association’ with him – but the duke likes his orders carried out straight away. I reckon you only have another day before he decides to give the job to me.”

  “I wonder why he did not do that in the first place,” said Frederick.

  Jones shrugged. “He don’t have to explain himself. But I do know that if you don’t get the job done in the next day, we’ll be meeting again, but we won’t be talking.”

  With that, Jones walked away, leaving Frederick to figure out what he was going to do with Nathaniel Gage.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  “I cannot believe you would allow yourself to be alone with my father!” said Nate, once he and Rose had reached their bedchamber. “He had his hands on you!”

  “Only my neck.”

  “Only your neck? You do realize that is a very vulnerable part. He could have snapped your neck in an instant.”

  “I needed to see if he had the ring!” Rose could not believe her husband was being so unreasonable, but he had been most upset with her ever since returning to their suite. She had thought he might kiss her senseless. But, he had apparently decided on simply being senseless.

  “You were never supposed to have even seen him. The plan was to goad Mirabelle into showing you the jewels. That was bad enough since I do not trust the woman in the least, but to be alone with Bancroft? What were you thinking?”

  “I was thinking I wished to find the Ridgeway ring, incriminate your father and restore the Ridgeway fortune.”

  “First of all, I would rather allow my father to go free than place you in danger. And I am certain beyond all doubt that Colin would rather go to debtors’ prison than allow you to be harmed. When he hears of this he’ll have my ballocks.”

  “Then we simply will not tell him.”

  “You wholly misunderstand. I deserve to have Colin take my ballocks for allowing you to carry out this plan.”

  “You did not allow me to do anything, Nate. I came up with the plan and executed it. Your father’s appearance was an unforeseen development.”

  “And a very dangerous one.”

  “No one thought this mission would be without risk. But the important thing is that we can be fairly certain the ring is not in the safe, for I do not think he would have hesitated showing it to me.”

  “I have half a mind to send you to Win and Alex’s.”

  “You have half a mind if you think I will agree to that.”

  “You are my wife and mine to do with as I please.”

  “That works for you in the bedchamber, dear, but nowhere else,” she said, as she kissed him.

  His arms came around her in a tight embrace. The truth was she had been scared and her bravado with Nate was just that. She needed to show him she wasn’t scared so he could tame his own fears for her safety. And with his arms around her she felt safe and loved.

  “There was a moment when Bancroft had his hands around my neck.” Rose could feel Nate stiffen. “I did not know what he would do, but when I told him I might be with child, he backed away.”

  “That doesn’t make sense.”

  “I believe your father values his noble line above all else. Just the possibility of my being with child kept me safe that day in the woods when I fell from my horse. He does not care about me. But I do not believe your father could kill a future Duke of Bancroft.”

  “He would kill me in an instant if I got in his way.”

  “Only if he thought yo
u meant him harm. But, for some reason, I believe he would protect my babe.” They held each other, gently swaying. “I wonder what your reaction will be when I one day say you will be a father.”

  “I fear I would embarrass myself by puffing out my chest with the knowledge that I have been clever enough to produce a child. There would also be the possibility of a few tears.”

  “You would cry?”

  “I fear you would cry when you saw what an arse I was making of myself. I would call on your family and tell them the good news. They would be justifiably horrified that their poor, sweet sister would be saddled with my child who would undoubtedly turn out to be a profligate wastrel.” He kissed the top of her head.

  “What if it is a girl?”

  “I was talking about a girl. If it is a boy, I fear he would come out of the womb, salute his beautiful mama, then make his way to the worst gaming hell in London.”

  “What if I have the baby in the country?”

  “He would commandeer a carriage. After all, he would one day be a Duke of Bancroft and they are not the sort to idly sit back when they want something.”

  Rose stood back as far as his arms would allow her. “I believe, Lord Grayson, that you would be a loving father who would gladly spend time with his son or daughter. Any child of ours would be quite fortunate to have you as a father. Just as you are a wonderful husband.”

  “A husband who wants to keep you safe. Promise me you will never put yourself at risk again.”

  “I cannot make such a promise as long as you and my family are in danger. The best I can do is to promise not to take unnecessary chances. That will have to do.”

  “You are a stubborn woman, Lady Grayson.”

  “Yes,” she said as she kissed him. “I am.”

  * * *

  Mirabelle had recently discovered there was someone more disgusting to have relations with than her husband. And that was Viscount Canning.

  “I keep thinking about Bancroft’s reaction if he knew I was cuckolding him!” said Canning, completely oblivious to the fact that while he had enjoyed their brief coitus, Mirabelle had not.

  “If Bancroft had a clue, you and I would be dead. Pray keep that in mind.” They were in a distant hall of the old wing of the castle, far enough removed that the maids didn’t even go there to dust. It was the only way she felt safe enough to cheat on her husband. “If your aim had been better with the gargoyle you could have killed both Bancroft and his heir. I was very disappointed you did not succeed.”