Brushed by Scandal

by Gail Whitiker

  ‘This has nothing to do with her,’ Peregrine assured her quickly. ‘This is worse. Much worse!’

  Worse? Anna didn’t like the sound of that. And when Peregrine began to pace up and down the length of the room, looking as though he might burst into tears at any time, she knew there was trouble in earnest. ‘What’s going on, Per? If it’s bad news, just tell me and get it over with.’

  He stopped pacing, but didn’t look at her. ‘I don’t know how to tell you. I’m hardly able to believe it myself!’

  ‘Believe what?’

  He looked ready to say something, then squeezed his eyes shut and took a deep breath. ‘No. It’s best I show you. You won’t believe me otherwise.’ With that, he took her hand and led her out of the room and towards the staircase.

  ‘Where are we going?’

  ‘You’ll see,’ was all he would say. At the top of the stairs, he stopped and cocked his head, listening. Then, with a brief nod, he carried on until they were standing outside the last door in the hall.

  ‘This is Papa’s room,’ Anna said unnecessarily.

  ‘I know.’ Peregrine took another quick glance in either direction, then, to Anna’s astonishment, opened the door and dragged her in.

  ‘Peregrine, what on earth are you doing?’

  ‘I have to show you something.’ Closing the door, he turned the key in the lock. Then, walking over to the door that connected the earl’s room to his valet’s, he locked that one as well.

  ‘Peregrine, you’re beginning to make me very nervous,’ Anna said, unconsciously lowering her voice.

  ‘I’m sorry, but I found something in your father’s things that you really must see.’

  ‘You were going through his things?’ Anna said, shocked.

  ‘I was looking for his watch.’

  ‘His watch?’ The story was getting more bizarre by the minute. ‘Why?’

  ‘Because Edward asked me to,’ Peregrine admitted.

  ‘I don’t understand.’

  ‘Edward was supposed to take your father’s watch to Mr Munts for repair,’ Peregrine explained, ‘but he told me he was late for an appointment and asked me if I would take it instead. I said I would and asked him where the watch was. He told me the earl usually kept it in one of two places. I checked the first place and it wasn’t there. But when I looked in the second…’

  He stopped, prompting Anna to say, ‘You found it?’

  Peregrine nodded. ‘But I found something else as well.’ He led her to the large corner wardrobe and, pulling open the doors, pointed to a small drawer. ‘Open it.’

  Not sure why, Anna did—and saw a leather bag with a drawstring opening lying on a pile of neatly folded handkerchiefs. ‘Is that what you want me to see?’

  He nodded. ‘Take it out.’

  The bag was heavier than expected, and Anna felt the contents shift as she picked it up.

  ‘Open it,’ he whispered.

  ‘We really shouldn’t be going through Papa’s things,’ Anna whispered. ‘This could be something personal.’

  ‘Open it, Anna.’

  There was an edge of fatalism in his voice, and reluctantly, she loosened the drawstring and tipped the contents of the bag into the palm of her hand.

  The baroness’s diamond-and-sapphire necklace twinkled up at her.

  ‘Oh, dear God!’ Anna said—and promptly dropped it. ‘What on earth is that doing here?’

  ‘I have no idea.’ Peregrine reached down and plucked the necklace from the depths of the boot into which it had fallen. ‘But we both know it’s not supposed to be here.’

  The discovery left Anna speechless. How could the necklace

  be here—in her father’s room? In his wardrobe? He had professed his innocence and she had believed him. Then she had gone to Barrington and told him that her father was innocent of the charge and that if he didn’t believe her, they had nothing further to say to one another. Yet now she found the baroness’s necklace nestled amongst her father’s things.

  ‘It’s impossible,’ she whispered. ‘Why would he do this?’

  ‘I’ve been asking myself that all afternoon,’ Peregrine said miserably. ‘And coming up with nothing.’

  Anna stared at the necklace. It didn’t make sense. The necklace shouldn’t be here. In fact, this was the last place in the world it should be…

  ‘All right, let’s not jump to conclusions,’ she said, knowing there had to be a logical explanation. ‘Just because we found the necklace here, doesn’t mean Papa took it.’

  ‘Then how did it come to be in his things?’ Peregrine asked.

  ‘Obviously, someone put it here.’

  ‘Who? No one else comes into his room,’ he said.

  ‘You did!’ she reminded him.

  ‘Only because Edward asked me to. And I certainly didn’t put this here.’ He was silent for a moment. ‘What about the servants? They come and go all the time.’

  ‘But none of them would have an opportunity to steal a diamond necklace from the baroness,’ Anna pointed out.

  ‘And we did?’ Peregrine demanded.

  ‘Of course not! But at least we move in the same circles. We have access to her house.’

  ‘But none of us would have taken it.’

  Yet, the necklace was here. In her father’s wardrobe. Peregrine was holding it in his hands.

  ‘It really is fabulous, isn’t it?’ he said, staring down at it in fascination.

  Anna didn’t want to look, but it was almost impossible not to. She had never seen such amazing stones. Even in the dim light, the sapphires seemed to glow with brilliant blue fire and the diamonds were as white as any she’d ever seen. Truly, it was a necklace fit for a queen.

  ‘A man would never have to work again if he owned something like that,’ Peregrine whispered. ‘He could buy anything he wanted. Go wherever he wanted. He’d never have to worry about money—’

  ‘Stop talking like that!’ Anna admonished, finally taking the necklace away from him. ‘This is going back to the baroness where it belongs.’

  ‘Back to the baroness? But…aren’t you going to tell anyone you found it?’

  She stared at him as though he’d suddenly sprouted a second head. ‘Are you mad? And have Papa implicated in a crime he didn’t commit? Not on your life! Whoever put this necklace here clearly intended to make trouble for Papa and I’m not about to see that happen,’ Anna said. ‘We have been unbelievably fortunate in finding the necklace before he got home. And I am going to return it to Julia at the first opportunity.’

  ‘I see.’ Peregrine crossed his arms in front of his chest. ‘And where, pray tell, are you going to tell her you found it?’

  The question stopped Anna in her tracks. ‘Oh.’

  ‘Exactly. If you can’t come up with a logical explanation, you’re better off not giving it back to her at all. It will just make her suspicious.’

  ‘But the longer the necklace is missing, the more time someone has to spread lies about Papa’s having taken it,’ Anna said.

  Peregrine glanced at the necklace and shook his head. ‘I think you should tell Sir Barrington Parker. Isn’t he the one the baroness asked to look into the matter?’

  ‘Yes, and I’ll tell you right now, he is the very last person I intend to tell about this!’ Anna said fiercely. ‘Can you imagine what he would say if he were to learn that we found it here? He would think Papa took it.’

  ‘I hate to say this, but…’ Peregrine looked distinctly uncomfortable. ‘Are you absolutely sure your father didn’t take it?’

  Anna’s mouth fell open in disbelief. ‘Peregrine, how could you?’

  ‘I’m not saying he did! It’s just that—’

  ‘I don’t want to hear it,’ Anna said, cutting him off. ‘There isn’t a doubt in my mind that my father is innocent. He would never do something like this. Never!’

  ‘Then what are you going to do?’

  ‘I’ll tell you.’ Anna slipped the necklace into the pocket of
her riding skirt, a plan already forming in her mind. ‘First off, you are going to take Papa’s watch to Mr Munts and make sure you get a receipt for it.’

  ‘A receipt,’ Peregrine repeated in bewilderment.

  ‘Yes. Then, upon returning home, you will give the receipt to Milford and make sure you tell him that Edward instructed you to take Papa’s watch in for repair, and that either Milford or James can pick it up when it’s ready.’

  Peregrine’s heavy brows drew together. ‘Why am I doing all that?’

  ‘Because I want the reasons for your being in Papa’s wardrobe to be very clear. It’s possible that whoever put the necklace here intended that someone other than Papa should find it. Most likely a servant. And knowing how servants gossip, the culprit hoped news of the necklace’s discovery in Papa’s wardrobe would start making its way through society.

  Fortunately, we found it and can make sure no such rumours leak out,’ Anna said.

  Peregrine frowned. ‘I don’t understand the reason for all the secrecy. We certainly aren’t going to say we saw the necklace.’

  ‘Of course not. And before this day is out, the necklace will be safely back in Julia’s hands. But if, for some bizarre reason, this does fall back on us, I want it made very clear that you went into the wardrobe looking for Papa’s watch because it needed to go to Mr Munts for repair, and that you did not see anything untoward while you were there.’

  ‘So if anyone asks, we’re going to lie,’ Peregrine said simply.

  ‘Precisely. It’s the only way we can protect Papa. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get dressed. I have a very important call to make!’

  * * *

  There was only one thought on Anna’s mind as she turned her phaeton into Mayfair a short time later. She had to get the necklace back into Julia’s house—and she had to do it without anyone seeing her!

  It should be relatively simple. Once in Julia’s parlour, she would pass some pleasant time with tea and conversation before making an excuse to leave the room. A visit to the convenience would probably be the best. That would give her time to slip upstairs and make her way to Julia’s bedchamber.

  Once inside, she would place the necklace on the floor beneath Julia’s bedside table, or better yet, under her dressing table, and then return to the drawing room to resume her visit. In the next few minutes, she would bring the conversation round to the necklace and casually ask if Julia had looked under the furniture in her room since jewellery could so easily slip off a night table or a dresser and become lost. If Julia replied that she or the servants had already looked in such places, Anna would simply advise her to look again and casually change the subject; then, after a suitable amount of time, she would bid Julia a good day and leave.

  Really, it was so simple. Julia would find the necklace exactly where Anna said it might be, laugh at herself for not having been more careful—and that would be an end of it. There would be no more stories about the necklace having been stolen. No more rumours about her father’s possible involvement. And no need to involve Sir Barrington Parker at all.

  Anna almost felt like laughing as she walked up to Julia’s front door.

  Unfortunately, her neatly laid plans began to fall apart the moment she walked into the house. As the butler opened the drawing room door and announced her, Anna was horrified to see Sir Barrington Parker sitting comfortably at Julia’s side.

  ‘Sir Barrington!’ she gasped, completely ignoring her hostess.

  ‘Lady Annabelle.’ He rose to greet her, his voice decidedly amused. ‘You look as though you’ve seen a ghost.’

  ‘Do I?’ Calm. Above all, she had to remain calm. No one must know this was anything but a routine visit in the course of her social day. Easier said than done given the weight in the bottom of her reticule. ‘Perhaps just my…surprise at finding you here. I didn’t see your carriage in the street.’

  ‘It being such a lovely day, I decided to walk,’ Barrington told her. ‘A brisk walk is always good for clearing the mind.’

  ‘So I’ve heard,’ Anna murmured, wishing desperately for something that might clear hers. ‘Julia, how rude you must think me. I greeted Sir Barrington without even acknowledging you.’

  ‘No apologies are necessary, my dear,’ Julia assured her with a smile. ‘You probably came, hoping to have a cosy chat, and were surprised at encountering our mutual friend. I would have been similarly nonplussed.’

  ‘You are too kind in your forgiveness. But how well you look today.’ Anna flicked a cautious glance in Barrington’s direction. ‘Am I to hope you’ve had news concerning your necklace?’

  ‘In fact, Sir Barrington and I were just talking about it.’

  ‘Really?’ Anna felt her heart skip a beat. ‘What did he say?’

  ‘I was about to inform the baroness,’ Barrington said smoothly, ‘that I am following up on several leads and hope to have an answer for her very soon.’

  Anna pasted a smile on her lips. ‘How encouraging.’

  ‘Yes, isn’t it?’ Julia said happily. ‘At this point, the only thing that matters is recovering the necklace. I really don’t care who took it—’

  ‘You don’t? I mean…it’s important that we know who did take it, of course,’ Anna said as two pairs of eyes turned to stare at her. ‘But surely its safe return is the more important issue.’

  ‘It is to me,’ Julia said. ‘I was going to tell Sir Barrington that I won’t press charges if he feels that might encourage the thief to return the necklace to me intact.’

  ‘Oh, but that is exceedingly generous of you,’ Anna said, aware that matters were improving by the minute.

  Or were until Barrington said, ‘It is generous of you, Baroness, but I doubt the authorities will agree. A law has been broken. Someone must be made to pay.’

  ‘But surely if Julia does not wish to press charges, there is no need for the authorities to be involved,’ Anna said, annoyed at his interference.

  ‘As I said, a crime has been committed and retribution must be made. I suspect the baroness’s wishes will be taken into account, but I cannot guarantee they will be honoured.’

  Anna abruptly stood up, her stomach twisting. ‘Julia, will you excuse me for a moment?’

  ‘Of course, Anna, but are you feeling all right? You’ve gone dreadfully pale.’

  ‘Have I?’ Anna clutched at her reticule. ‘Perhaps it’s the heat. I am feeling a bit faint.’

  ‘Then you must lie down.’ Julia immediately got to her feet. ‘I would suggest my room—’

  ‘Oh, yes, that would be perfect!’

  ‘Except that I have workmen repapering all the bedrooms,’ Julia finished. ‘I fear you would have no solitude at all.’

  ‘No, really, that would be fine,’ Anna assured her. ‘I just need to lie down for a moment—’

  ‘Then you must lie here on the sofa,’ Barrington interrupted, getting to his feet. ‘And I shall leave the two of you to some quiet conversation.’

  ‘No, please, that isn’t necessary,’ Anna said, seeing her carefully thought-out plan disintegrating. With workmen in the bedrooms and people coming and going, she wouldn’t have a hope of secreting the necklace in Julia’s bedroom without being seen. ‘I hate to see you leave on my account.’

  ‘Rest assured, I was preparing to depart when you arrived,’ Barrington said with a smile. ‘I only dropped by to apprise the baroness of my progress. But I do hope the next time we meet you are feeling more like your old self.’

  Wondering if she would ever feel like her old self again, Anna murmured, ‘Yes, I’m quite sure I shall be fully recovered by then.’

  ‘If you will wait for me at the front door, Sir Barrington,’ Julia said, ‘I’ll fetch that list of names you asked for. Anna, will you be all right on your own for a few minutes?’

  ‘Yes, of course,’ Anna said, fighting back disappointment as she sank down on the sofa. ‘I shall just…lie here and wait for you.’

  She was aware of Barrington ling
ering in the doorway, but didn’t have the courage to look back at him. The man was too observant by half. Anna was terrified of what he might read in her eyes. As it was, she felt the necklace glowing like a beacon in her hands. But what was she to do with it now? She couldn’t take it away again. Not with the clock ticking on her father’s exposure. She had to make sure Julia found the necklace today. And if she couldn’t safely get upstairs, she would just have to leave the necklace somewhere in here. But where?

  The moment the door closed, Anna sprang to her feet and started searching for a likely place. It couldn’t be somewhere immediately visible or Julia would wonder why she hadn’t seen it before. But if it was too well hidden, she wouldn’t find the necklace at all and the point of the exercise was to put it somewhere that it would be found.

  Then, Anna spotted it—a large palm standing by the half-open French door. If the necklace was found in the branches, it could be suggested that during his escape, the thief had clumsily dropped it and it had landed in the tree. It was feeble, Anna admitted, but at the moment she had nothing better. And she was fast running out of time. She had to make sure the necklace was found in Julia’s house today.

  With that in mind she moved towards the palm, scanning for a likely branch. The necklace was too heavy to be supported by the uppermost branches, but it would be obscured if it was dropped directly into the base. She could, of course, put the bulk of it in the base and leave part of it trailing out…

  Risking another glance at the door, Anna unfastened her reticule and reached in for the necklace. She would try it in several places and leave it in the one that looked best. Unfortunately, one of the claws holding the centre diamond was tangled in the fabric, causing her to waste precious seconds extricating it. Finally, it came free and, with infinite care, Anna leaned forwards to place it amongst the thicker branches lower down on the trunk. She tried to arrange it in a manner that made it look as though it had fallen, but the dashed thing kept bending the branches and falling into the base.

  And then, the unthinkable happened. Hearing a movement behind her, Anna turned—and blanched.

  Sir Barrington Parker was standing by the door, watching her.