by Mary Nichols
The music stopped and the dancers began milling about, making further conversation impossible, for which Lavinia was grateful. Lady Graham was busy trying to usher everyone in to supper. ‘Come along,’ she was saying. ‘There is food in the dining room, I am sure you would all like some refreshment. Lord Wincote, do take Lady Lavinia in.’
But instead of leading her into the dining room he took her back to Frances, bowed to them both and turned on his heel, making his way from the room. Lavinia watched him go, wondering why he did not stay to eat. Surely nothing she had said had made him suddenly want to leave? It was James who took her into supper, which was a noisy affair with everyone returning to the subject of the Queen’s trial and offering their own opinion as to the outcome.
Lavinia took no part in it, she was busy mulling over the conversation she had just had with Lord Wincote. Had she really given him the impression that she would accept an offer from him? He seemed to think so. Why had she done it? Did she really want to spend the rest of her life with him? Then she thought of James sitting beside her, joining in the chatter and laughing at the jokes, and, suddenly, she knew she did not.
James did not think of her as a wife, of course, but surely somewhere in that teeming city there was a man whom she could be as comfortable with as she was with him? Or was that the only prerogative of a stepbrother, and a husband had a completely different role to play?
It was all far too much for her and, begging to be excused, she almost ran from the room. Pushing past the people still going in to supper, she made her way upstairs to the room set aside for the ladies to refresh their toilette, where she sat down on a chaise longue and covered her face with her hands. There was no doubt that her life was about to change forever.
Her come-out two years before had been meant to mark her transition from childhood to womanhood and she had always supposed that had been the turning point, the highlight of her young life, and though some things were different—the young men who flocked round her, the fact that she could go to balls and routs, take part in adult conversations and make a few decisions of her own—nothing had really altered. Simply passing her seventeenth birthday had not transformed her into a woman. That, she realised, had been still in the future.
Now it was here and she was not at all sure that she liked it, especially if it meant losing the friendship of James or having a man other than her father take over the management of her life. Marrying meant giving yourself to a man—body, soul and fortune—to do with as he pleased. It was an enormous step to take and surely love and trust were the only means of being certain that you were stepping into sunlight and not falling into a dark abyss of misery?
That had been the lot of her father and mother, and not until Papa married Frances had he been truly happy, so even he whom she revered could make a mistake. Oh, if only she could be given a sign…
She lifted her head as the sound of loud voices, and then screams, reached her from downstairs. She scrambled to her feet and ran out on to the gallery where she could see down into the hall. Judging by the number of people milling about, it seemed that almost everyone had decamped from the ballroom and was crowding round a group of people in the middle of which was Lady Graham, apparently in hysterics. She was grasping her throat as if someone had tried to throttle her.
Lavinia hurried down and joined the throng, pushing her way through to Constance who stood leaning against the wall for support. All the colour had drained from her face and she looked close to tears. She was staring at the crowd round her mother.
‘What has happened?’ Lavinia asked her. ‘I was upstairs in the rest room when I heard the commotion.’
‘Someone has stolen Mama’s diamond necklace. She was wearing it before supper, but she can’t be sure when it went…’
‘It was taken from around her neck?’ Lavinia asked in surprise. ‘Didn’t she feel it go?’
‘Apparently not. She has been so busy all evening, making sure everyone was enjoying themselves and instructing the servants that she has hardly had time to draw breath. When she did, she put her hand to her throat and realised the necklace had gone. Papa said she must have taken it off and put it down somewhere, but she swears she did not. Lord Corringham has gone to fetch a Runner, though what he can do I have no idea.’
‘Oh, Constance, I am so sorry.’
‘It has ruined the whole evening. Everyone is looking at everyone else with suspicion and wondering if they might have the necklace in their pocket. It’s horrible.’
‘Yes, it must be. But it cannot be one of the guests, they are all known to your parents—someone must have come in from outside. The town is full of all sorts of strange people, pickpockets and footpads and the like, more this year than ever before.’
‘Or it was one of the servants. Papa engaged extra ones for the evening. He has shut them all up in the morning room and intends to search every one of them.’
‘And if that yields nothing?’
‘Well, he can hardly search the guests, can he? Oh, Vinny, it was my last chance and now…’ Her lip trembled and the tears spilled down her cheeks.
‘Oh, I do think they make too much of these balls as a way of meeting a husband, Constance dear. And if anyone intended to offer tonight, this will not make any difference, he will come back.’
She sniffed and smiled. ‘Lord Haverley was most attentive and I thought—’
‘Lord Haverley?’ Lavinia asked in surprise. ‘But he has a family already.’
‘That does not matter to me. It might be a point in his favour that he is already past his youth and settled. And I like him.’
‘There you are, then! He will be at our rehearsal tomorrow, you will see him again then and who knows, he may yet be brought up to the mark. If that is what you want…’
‘Oh, it is, it is.’
James returned accompanied by Major Greenaway, whom he quickly introduced to Lord Graham. ‘As an investigator, he will do more good than a Runner, I think,’ James said. ‘And I can personally vouch for his credentials and his discretion.’
‘Let him do what he has to do, then,’ his lordship said. ‘I’ve got all the servants locked up. You can begin by searching them.’
‘Very well. I suggest everyone goes back to the dancing. There is nothing to be gained by standing about here.’
‘Yes, yes.’ Lord Graham turned to James. ‘Corringham, will you organise things? I must go with the Major and my wife is in no fit state…’ He looked across at Lady Graham, who had sunk into a chair and was being comforted by the Duchess.
But dancing was the last thing on people’s minds. They allowed themselves to be ushered back into the ballroom but, despite the musicians playing, remained in groups discussing the theft. Many wondered aloud if they should leave, but James, backed by the Duke, persuaded them to stay, at least until the servants had been searched.
‘It will spoil Miss Graham’s evening if we disperse,’ James said. ‘And perhaps Major Greenaway will wish to question everybody.’
‘Question everybody!’ exclaimed Lady Willoughby. ‘I never heard the like. Does he think we should stoop so low as to steal? And from a friend, too? I am affronted, truly I am.’
‘I am sure he does not,’ James soothed her. ‘Nevertheless, without realising it, you might have seen or heard something which, together with other evidence, makes up the whole picture, like the pieces of a Chinese puzzle I once had as a boy.’
‘Well, I am sure I saw and heard nothing or I would have said so,’ the lady said.
‘I think Lord Graham is right, she took it off and put it down somewhere,’ Lord Wincote added. ‘Ten to one she will find it tomorrow.’
‘Let us hope you are right,’ the Duchess put in. ‘But is seems a strange thing to do to a valuable piece of jewellery.’
‘Well, I intend to dance,’ James said. ‘Miss Graham, will you join me in the gavotte?’
Constance seemed reluctant at first, but his sympathetic smile soon persuaded her and she
joined him in the middle of the floor.
‘Come on,’ Edmund said, seizing Lavinia by the hand and pulling her after them. ‘Let us follow their example.’
‘My lord,’ she said in dismay. Dancing more than twice with the same man was considered as good as an engagement. ‘I have already stood up with you twice tonight. You will have the tabbies talking…’
‘Let them. I make no secret of my intentions.’ He swung her into the dance.
‘But you have not yet made an offer and I have not accepted. You go too fast.’
‘I beg your pardon, my lady,’ he said quickly. ‘But I cannot slow down, the measure is an energetic one.’
‘I did not mean your dancing, my lord.’ She was breathless with exertion, making further protest impossible. In any case it was too late. It was not only the exercise that was making her cheeks flame, but knowing that everyone was watching and drawing their own conclusions. She was aware of James and Constance galloping alongside them and wished with all her heart that she could disappear into the floor.
The music came to an end and she stood, breathing heavily, waiting for Lord Wincote to restore her to her stepmother, when she knew she would be in for a scolding. But it wasn’t her fault, was it? She was disconcerted when she heard James call for an encore and the next minute he had whisked her away to begin all over again.
‘My lord,’ she protested. ‘This is the third time tonight.’
‘So it is,’ he said mildly. ‘But if Lord Wincote can dance with you three times, then so can I.’
‘Everyone will talk.’
‘I hope they may,’ he said. ‘They will come to the conclusion that I saw Wincote’s faux pas and, to save you from mortification, stepped in to follow suit. I hope it will be considered the act of a gentleman.’
She pondered this as they galloped up and down the dance floor until she was exhausted and called a halt. ‘Please take me back to Mama, James.’
‘Certainly.’ He stopped and offered her his arm.
She laid her fingers upon his sleeve and they walked decorously back to the Duchess, passing Edmund dancing with Lady Rattenshaw on the way. ‘He is certainly enjoying himself,’ James commented.
‘He has spoken to Papa.’
‘The devil he has!’
‘Yes. Papa has given him leave to pay his addresses.’
‘And how do you feel about that? Is that what you want?’
She looked up at him. He appeared to be gazing at something above and beyond her head, as if he were not particularly interested in her answer. A little wave of annoyance passed through her, which she did not understand, and that was followed by the need to assert herself.
‘Of course,’ she said brightly, and immediately wished she had held her tongue. It was simply not true and she cursed her contrary nature which so liked to tease. Not an hour before, she had been telling herself she could no longer roast him and here she was doing it.
‘Then may I offer my felicitations,’ he said, through gritted teeth.
It was too late now to explain, too late to say she had not made up her mind, too late to protest that she had never wanted it in the first place, too late to retract. In any case, the opportunity was lost because Donald Greenaway returned with Lord Graham and both looked grim.
Their arrival silenced the musicians as if they had been given a signal, the dancing came to an abrupt halt and everyone stood expectantly facing them. ‘We found nothing,’ the Major said.
‘They could have hidden it,’ Lady Willoughby said, loudly enough for all to hear. ‘There is no other explanation.’
‘If they have, then we have not uncovered it. If you would all have a little patience while I ask a few questions…’
‘If you think I am going to stay here to be insulted with questions, then you are in error.’ Lady Willoughby turned to her husband. ‘Come, George. And you, too, Benedict.’ She sailed up to the door, intending to leave.
‘My lady, I would not for the world detain you,’ Lord Graham said, moving aside to allow her to pass. ‘Nor anyone else desirous to leave.’ Then, to Donald, ‘You can’t go round accusing people. They are my guests, here at my express invitation, every one a member of the haut monde.’
‘I do not intend to accuse anyone, my lord. But if you want the jewels restored to you, then some questions must be asked.’
‘No. I would as lief lose the jewellery than lose my friends.’
Donald sighed. ‘Very well, let them go home, if that’s what they want, but if you want me to continue the investigation, I shall require a guest list.’
The whole evening was coming to a sad conclusion. No one felt like dancing and, one by one, they took their leave of Lord Graham and Constance. Lady Graham had long ago retired distraught to her bed.
‘What a to-do,’ Lavinia said, as their coach took them home. ‘It is Constance I feel sorry for. She told me she had almost brought Lord Haverley to the point when it happened and she was very much afraid it had put him off.’
‘Why should that be?’ Frances asked. ‘Constance could not help it and if he is so easily deflected from his purpose, then I do not think his intentions were so fixed after all.’
‘I told her she would see him again at our next rehearsal.’
‘Vinny,’ her stepmother said, ‘you are on no account to allow them to be alone together. Her mother would never forgive me.’
‘Yes, Mama.’
‘Talking of making matches,’ Marcus put in. ‘You know Lord Wincote spoke to me earlier?’
‘Yes, Papa. He told me you said he could approach me.’
‘That does not mean the whole thing is cut and dried, you know, and so I told him. I mean to make enquiries.’
‘Oh.’ His lordship had not told her that.
‘No.’ She could sense her father smiling in the darkness of the coach. ‘I told him the greater part of your dowry would be withheld until you had been married two years.’
She laughed. ‘Oh, Papa, you never did!’
‘Is that not what you wanted?’ he asked, affecting surprise.
‘Yes, but…’ She paused. ‘How did he take it?’
‘Oh, he blustered a bit, said that the dowry was of no consequence at all and he was mortified that I should think it did.’ He chuckled suddenly. ‘But methinks he doth protest too much.’
‘He said he is going to call tomorrow,’ Lavinia said. ‘Well, today, since it is gone midnight.’
‘Oh, then I had better be at home,’ Frances said. ‘It is an inconvenience, but I will not have you receive him alone.’
‘I do not intend to, Mama,’ she said, laughing. ‘He does not know it, but I have called a rehearsal for tomorrow—he will be one of many on our doorstep.’
‘Vinny, you are a wicked girl,’ Frances said, smiling. ‘Have I not told you thousands of times, it is unkind to tease. It would have been better to have turned him down outright, if you do not intend to take him seriously.’
‘Oh, I take him very seriously,’ she said. ‘But I mean to test his mettle.’ She paused as the coach stopped outside the house and the groom jumped down to open the door. ‘But please, Mama, not a word to James.’
‘James?’ queried the Duke, as they left carriage. ‘What has it to do with him?’
‘Oh, everything, I think,’ Frances murmured.
Lavinia was already going up the steps to the front door, which had been opened by the late-duty footman, and did not hear them.
Chapter Six
Lavinia accompanied the Duchess on the customary courtesy call to Lady Graham the next morning, to find the house almost as full as it had been a few hours earlier. The King and Queen had been replaced as the main topic of conversation by the mysterious robbery. Lady Graham was lying on a chaise longue, looking pale and exhausted.
‘I cannot imagine how I did not feel it being taken,’ she moaned, dabbing at her eyes with a lace handkerchief. ‘But I was so busy. Lord Graham is very angry. He believes I should have been mor
e aware of what was happening, but I was not. I think it must have been someone very practised in the art to have undone the clasp without me feeling the slightest thing.’
‘Then it could not possibly be one of your guests,’ the Duchess said. ‘We know everyone. Their lives are an open book.’
‘We do not know Lady Rattenshaw,’ one of the other ladies pointed out.
‘But Sir Percy does,’ Frances said. ‘You might as well accuse Sir Percy himself.’
‘That I never would,’ Lady Graham said weakly. ‘Sir Percy is so rich, he could buy my necklace a dozen times over, even though it was a family heirloom and worth thousands. And everyone knows he is as honest as the day is long, for all his strange ways.’
‘Besides, Lady Rattenshaw was dripping with diamonds,’ Lavinia put in. ‘Lord Corringham assured me they were real. She has no need of more.’
‘But there is Lord Edmund Wincote,’ someone else said. ‘He is new to town and something of a dark horse.’
‘That is a dreadful thing to say,’ Lavinia exclaimed, furious at the suggestion. ‘He is a gentleman.’
‘And you would know, of course, since you have set your cap at him.’ This from Decima Rowland, a young lady of three and twenty with a long nose and protruding teeth.
Lavinia opened her mouth to make a sharp retort, but Lady Graham was there first. ‘I am exhausted with all the speculation,’ she said. ‘Lord Graham will not allow his guests to be questioned, so that is an end of it. Mr Greenaway has said he will keep a look out for the necklace being offered for sale; it is the only way it will be recovered.’
Taking this as a dismissal, some of the visitors began drifting away and the Duchess and Lavinia were preparing to leave when James was announced. In spite of having only a few hours’ sleep he looked fresh and alert. His chin was newly shaved, his hair neatly arranged and his cravat pristine. He bowed to Lady Graham and asked how she did, to which she responded wanly, and then he turned to greet everyone who remained. He smiled when he came to Lavinia. ‘Why, my lady, I hardly expected to see you about so early.’
