The Earl's Regret_Regency Romance

by Joyce Alec

  Henrietta noticed that Lord William joined them, and she found herself grateful for more help in their search.

  "Lord William," she said desperately, crossing the room to him. She clasped her hands together beneath her chin and looked up into his face beseechingly. "Have you seen the diamonds that I am to wear at the wedding?"

  Lord William tilted his head to the side, studying her face, clearly bewildered. Then recognition of what her words must mean dawned on his handsome face, and his eyes grew wide. "Whatever do you mean?" he asked, as if he did not wish to know the answer.

  She quickly explained the situation, surprised that he had not yet heard of it; the whole house appeared to be in a tizzy. "Do you have any idea what could have become of them?"

  He leaned against the doorway to the room, crossing his arms over his chest. His eyes searched the floor, "I'm afraid I do not," he replied, sadness obvious in his eyes. "I am so very sorry."

  How very much he looked like his brother, she noticed, not for the first time: the same shape of the chin, the same width of his jaw, and the same shape of the eyes.

  Henrietta sighed, looking over her shoulder at the other girls who were looking at them, expectantly. She shook her head, and both of their shoulders slumped ever so slightly.

  "I would be quite happy to help you look, however," Lord William added hastily. "If you so wish it."

  "That would be wonderful," she said, "But perhaps you could be of more use to your brother."

  "Oh," Lord William replied. "Right, of course. Where might I find him?"

  "I believe that he and your father were checking the foyer, wondering if the jewels had become mixed up in some of the boxes to go to the chapel the day after tomorrow."

  Lord William smiled and nodded. "Don't worry, Lady Henrietta. We will find those jewels. On my word."

  She smiled as he excused himself from the room.

  When night fell, and they felt as if they had thoroughly exhausted all of the possible places the jewels could be, they reconvened in the sitting room.

  Lord Boyle, Henrietta, and Lady Mary entered first, with Lady Charlotte following soon after. Lord William, Lord Pembrooke, and their father entered last.

  "So no one found the jewels?" Lord Crettingham said, attempting to keep his voice calm.

  No one said a word in reply. The tension in the room was nearly palpable, and Henrietta was not keen on the look on her fiancé’s face.

  "Did you question all of the staff?" Lord Crettingham asked Lord Pembrooke.

  He nodded in reply, and said, "Not a one had seen them. Most were unaware of the fact that we even had the diamonds in the house."

  "What on earth could have happened..." Lord Crettingham said.

  Lord Pembrooke shifted uncomfortably.

  "Something must have happened since you saw the jewels last. When was the last time you saw them?"

  Lord Pembrooke glanced briefly at Henrietta before replying, "Saturday evening, I believe."

  Lord Crettingham turned to face him, a peculiar look on his face. "Last...Saturday? You mean the night that you had your dinner party?"

  "Yes."

  Lord Crettingham stroked his mustache with one hand, his eyes glaring into his son's. "Did you, by any chance, share the location of the diamonds with your guests?"

  Lord Pembrooke, his hands clasped tightly behind his back, lost some of the color in his face. He stared back at his father, his jaw tight. "I did."

  "You did?" his father replied, his voice growing louder, his brow furrowed. "Do you have no sense?"

  Lord Pembrooke's fear seemed to bleed away into anger. "If you are implying what I think you are implying, father..."

  "I most certainly am!" His father answered, his voice nearly a growl. "What else do you think could have happened to those jewels at this point?"

  "They are missing, father, not stolen!"

  "All of the evidence is against your theory, my boy," Lord Crettingham snarled, pointing at his son. "We searched this house high and low for the better part of the day, and what do we have to show for it?

  He took a step toward his son, his eyes malicious. "You decided to have yourself a little glory the night that your friends came ‘round, and one of them, realizing the immense worth that those diamonds hold, decided to nick them for themselves. And now, because of your choices, your bride and our family have been robbed of one of our greatest inheritances."

  Lord Pembrooke could only stare at his father.

  The others in the room felt horribly exposed and could only glance between one another. Henrietta caught her brother's eye, and he could only shake his head. From frustration or disappointment, she could not be sure.

  "You should be ashamed of yourself," Lord Crettingham added, his voice quieter, and yet much more authoritative. It came out almost like a hiss. "I truly believed you to be much wiser than you have proven yourself to be this evening."

  Lord Pembrooke remained silent.

  "See? You cannot even deny it, for you know that my words are the truth." When still no one spoke, Lord Crettingham scowled and, with his hands balled into fists, made his way to the door.

  The next sound was a loud slam.

  4

  The Prayer

  Henrietta rose to her feet immediately and crossed the room to her beloved.

  "Darling," she said softly, but he would not look at her. His eyes hovered over the door, as if he could not believe what had just occurred.

  She grasped the sleeve of his jacket when he would not return her gaze. “You know as well as I do that not one of our friends would ever even consider taking something so precious to your family.”

  “She’s right,” Lady Charlotte added quietly. “I don’t think any of them are capable of such jealous acts!”

  They all nodded at one another.

  Still, Lord Pembrooke remained silent. Henrietta felt her heart flutter in her chest, wondering how in the world she could help him.

  “Brother, money is of little consequence to our little group,” Lord William said, standing to his feet. “Surely you must know this.”

  Lord Pembrooke turned then on his brother, his senses apparently returning to him. His brow was tight and furrowed, and he glared at him. “William, surely you remember the true value of those jewels?”

  Lord William appeared affronted. “How could I not? Father boasts of them any chance he can.”

  Lord Pembrooke sighed heavily, his shoulders tense. “It isn’t the wealth that concerns me. Father is right. Those jewels represent connections to the royal family; they signify power.”

  “Are you inferring someone would wish them for what…a collector’s piece?” Lord Boyle asked. “Something to show off to their friends at parties?”

  Lord Pembrooke seemed to recoil at his words, and Lord Boyle noticed at once.

  “I meant no harm –”

  “And that still does not prove that one of our friends, our friends, my love, has taken them. Can you truly look at those around you and accuse them of theft?”

  Lord Pembrooke looked down at his beloved, into her searching and hopeful eyes, and seemed to relax ever so slightly. He scanned the faces around him, from his frustrated brother who had his arms folded across his chest, to the ladies sitting together on the settee, to Henrietta’s brother, who also seemed frustrated, standing beside the armchair.

  “You’re right,” he said eventually, after a few moments of painful silence. “You are right, I’m sorry.” He looked between the faces, who all seemed to relax as well. “I hope you can all forgive me for even allowing myself to entertain such terrible thoughts. “

  “Of course we do,” Lady Mary said. “It is only natural to be afraid when something so dear is missing.”

  “If you ask me, our family would likely be far better off if we had no such treasure in our possession,” Lord William said. “Then we would never have found ourselves in this situation.”

  Lord Pembrooke sighed. “William, I do not believe that i
s the right attitude either.”

  “There can be nothing more done this evening,” Lord Boyle said. “I think it would be wise for us to get our rest, for church will come early tomorrow, and everyone needs to be fresh and amiable.”

  “You’re right,” Lord Pembrooke said. “Let us get some rest.”

  The next morning came quickly, and Henrietta awoke with a heavy heart. She worried about where the jewels were, of course, but her primary concern was for her betrothed. As she sat on the edge of her bed, watching the sun start to streak through the trees outside the window, she realized that there had never been a time in her life when she had seen such fear on Lord Pembrooke’s face. She had never seen him so ashen, so pale, and so without words before.

  She heard Lady Mary roll over in the bed beside hers and turned to look at her. She felt a twinge of jealousy at the ease with which she and Lady Charlotte slept. They both looked so peaceful. How she longed to feel that way, especially so close to her wedding.

  She slid down off the bed and positioned herself on her knees. She gazed out the window at the breathtaking scene that was unfolding before her and felt a sense of peace wash over her.

  She folded her hands, bent her head, and closed her eyes.

  Lord, she prayed, there has been a great disturbance in this house in the last few days. We aren’t sure what has happened, but it has caused great distress in my husband-to-be. I come humbly before You asking for Your help once more.

  Please first and foremost, give us peace as we approach our wedding day. Help us to keep our sights on what truly matters.

  And please, give Daniel and his father the resolution they need. And lastly, if it be in Your will, please help us to find the jewels. Not because we want the wealth, but because I would like to put this all behind ourselves as a great misunderstanding.

  Thank You for everything that You have done for us, for getting us this far, and for all that You will do for us in the days to come. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

  She sat in silence for a few moments, allowing the peace of her moment in prayer to envelope her.

  She heard stirring, and when she looked over her shoulder, she saw Lady Charlotte stretching as she laid in her bed.

  “Good morning,” Henrietta whispered, smiling.

  Lady Charlotte lifted her head and looked toward the window. “Oh, Henrietta. Good morning.” She sat up. “Did you sleep quite all right?”

  Henrietta nodded. “I did. And you?”

  Lady Charlotte nodded, stifling a yawn. She noticed that Lady Mary still slept, so she quietly made her way to sit beside Henrietta on the floor.

  Together they watched the sun flickering between the branches in the trees, sharing the moment together.

  “Do you believe that someone could have taken the jewels?” Lady Charlotte asked quietly.

  Henrietta glanced at her. “I do not. Do you?”

  Lady Charlotte hesitated before she answered. “I…am not sure. I would very much like to believe that everyone is innocent.”

  “I cannot doubt my friends,” Henrietta replied. “I cannot afford to become suspicious of those trying to help me prepare for marriage.”

  Lady Charlotte nodded. “I understand. Allow me, then, to worry about it for you.”

  Henrietta felt a familiar flicker of anxiety in her chest, and she took a deep breath to steady herself. “I don’t want you to worry about it either.”

  Lady Mary began to roll in her bed once more.

  Henrietta laid her hand over her friend’s. “Come, let us rise and ready ourselves for church this morning.”

  Within the hour, two carriages were making their way down the quiet road towards the church, everyone bundled up in warmer clothing as the sun was not a great source of warmth that morning. Everyone seemed in much better spirits than the night before, and by the time they reached the church, thoughts of the diamonds had almost left their minds entirely.

  All except for Henrietta, who had been mulling over what Lady Charlotte had said that morning. Her deepest fear still was that one of their friends, people that they trusted above all others, had possibly stolen the jewels from them. The idea that it was even remotely possible, that she even questioned it, made her stomach turn over inside of herself.

  The minister at the parish greeted her and Lord Pembrooke most warmly that morning, saying how delighted he was to be performing the ceremony for them in just a few days’ time. He welcomed them to the front to share with the entire congregation who they were and the fact they were to be married. There was much rejoicing, especially from each of their friends. Henrietta smiled as she looked into each of their faces.

  Who could it have been? Who could be smiling so widely and so happily up at them right now, knowing that their little secret was never to be discovered?

  She paid little attention to the hymns they sang and was nearly lost in her own thoughts as the minister began his sermon before the words he spoke caught her ear.

  “…and in Exodus, we can see most clearly how the Lord despises a great number of atrocities of the heart. Murder, adultery, theft…”

  She stared at him, wondering if perhaps the Holy Spirit inside her stirred, or if it was her own heart responding to his words. Theft? How strange he would choose to mention that when there was such a question hanging over their own heads about it.

  “I was troubled to hear that the Jefferson farm was once more a victim of theft; someone has been after their goats for a few months now, and their number has decreased drastically. I have felt it laid upon my spirit to discuss the importance of not only resisting temptation, but also to make things right if you have wronged someone else.”

  Henrietta could not believe her ears. How strange was it that the minister said words that she herself wished she could say to the person who perhaps had stolen her beloved’s jewelry? Had someone told him? Was he aware of the fact that she felt that he was speaking directly to her?

  He opened his Bible and continued speaking. “The Word has quite a lot to say about stealing. A few examples were as follows; ‘Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another,’ in Leviticus chapter nineteen, verse eleven. And in Proverbs, chapter ten, verse two, ‘Treasures of wickedness profit nothing.’ And on several occasions, the Lord plainly says, ‘Thou shalt not steal.’ My dear friends, take heed the word of the Lord. Listen to it clearly. Stealing does not simply apply to criminals. We are all capable of it. Jealousy is a snare that all of us shall encounter in our lives, and we must be prepared to resist.”

  He looked around the room at those gathered, and continued. “If this is something that you have struggled with, or know of someone who has struggled with it, take heart. The Lord is faithful and wants to forgive us. If we have wronged the Lord, first we must make it right with Him, accept his forgiveness, forgive ourselves, and then ask for forgiveness from those whom we have wronged. But what I wish to discuss this morning is how we can resist such a temptation and how to prepare your hearts against the twisted claw of jealousy.”

  Henrietta realized she had been holding her breath. She attempted to appear as if she still listened to the minister, but her mind was far from him. Stealing does not simply apply to criminals. We are all capable of it.

  Everyone who had been at the dinner party that Saturday evening was with them at church that morning, so they all had heard the very same thing that she had. Would they have listened in the same way that she had? Would it have struck a chord with them, causing them to immediately realize that they had done wrong?

  She hoped against all hope that if the very worst had happened, if one of their friends had betrayed them and stolen the jewels from right underneath her fiancé's nose, the person who had taken them would be so moved by the minister's sermon that morning and return the jewels to their rightful place that afternoon.

  At that point, she didn't even care who had done it; she couldn't bring herself to accuse anyone, not even in the deepest recesses of her mind. No one
stuck out; no one seemed suspicious. All she hoped was that they would make it right, and they could be forgiven, and they could move forward with the wedding without any more trouble.

  When they arrived home from church that afternoon, Henrietta watched each guest very closely. They enjoyed a wonderful afternoon together, with tea on the cobblestone terrace, dinner in the grand dining hall, and music and games in the evening together. If anyone ever left the group, they left in groups of two or more, never alone. She forced herself to be patient, to wait until just before heading to bed before she checked the cabinet one more time.

  She told Lady Charlotte and Lady Mary that she was going to the washroom to freshen up before bed and made a short detour to the sitting room.

  The room was dark, all of the candles extinguished. She was thankful for a bright moon, for the room was easily navigated. She made her way to the cabinet, her heart slamming painfully against her ribcage. Pulling the doors open, she looked inside. It was dark, even with the light of the moon. She laid her hand inside, sweeping all along the shelves.

  They were still gone.

  She closed the door to the cabinet, leaning her back against it, sighing heavily. She wasn’t sure why she had believed in such a strong way that the thief would return the jewels. She had hoped that the message that morning had somehow stirred something deep inside them just like it had her, and that they would have been changed.

  How fickle people were, she realized. She felt sorrow overtake her, and some tears spilled from her eyes. She didn’t know why she was allowing doubt to take control of her, doubt of her friends and their decisions. What could they gain, she wondered? What would the point be?

  She made her way upstairs to her room, attempting to convince herself that she was being foolish, that of course none of her friends would have stolen the jewels. She was tired of the back and forth inside her mind, the fighting with herself. It was wearing on her, and she prayed once more for a resolution to the situation.

  She heard footsteps down an adjacent hall from her room as she reached her door, and she noticed a dark shape in the distance. The moonlight allowed her to just make out his features.