Oh, dear God, he smiled. Why now? It wasn’t fair.
“You read the note didn’t you?”
She nodded.
“And came to the Dinner Club.”
She nodded again.
“It’s not what you think.”
“That excuse has been used for a millennium.”
“In this case, it’s true.”
Just then a commotion erupted where Edward stood with the other two men. Encircled by police and the detective, the two men held up their hands.
“It seems justice is being done.”
But it was not Edward who the detective cuffed but the other two men. “Carmichael and Tanner?”
“You know them?”
“I heard their names from Edward. He said they were in league with Wah Lee.”
Edward strode up then, surprising Maggie. “I see, Miss Francis, that you thought I would be hauled off with the other two.”
Maggie’s cheeks heated as Edward chuckled. He slapped a hand over Clayton’s shoulder. “I’m glad you’re both safe. It’s been a long time coming, Clayton, but justice has been done.”
“So why are you not accompanying them,” Maggie blurted. “Oh, you were very obliging inside, but what about everything else? The diary. The emeralds. The opium.”
The detective came alongside them. “All a ruse on Lord Hindmarch’s part, Miss Francis, it appears. Only my Superintendent was savvy to his Lordship’s doings.”
“I’m sorry for my subterfuge, old friend,” Edward said with all seriousness.
“Already forgiven.”
“Forgiven! Clayton, are you insane? How can you? He used you.”
“He also works for the police, Maggie.”
Maggie looked from Clayton to Edward, confusion overriding sensible thought.
“He’s correct, though not officially. It’s more of a quiet-behind-the-scenes sort of way every now and again,” Edward confirmed.
“When I was in France, I sent Edward a letter telling him of my suspicions about those two over there.” Clayton nodded towards the two men being manhandled into a waiting police wagon. “One night I blundered into their stash of stolen goods. They weren’t happy.”
“So they shot you.”
“Unfortunately, and with that, my memory of the event went, until I started having dreams. And then the other day when we were down here, remember I saw someone in the crowd, but couldn’t remember who it was?”
She nodded.
“It was Carmichael, but I couldn’t remember his name. I went to the military records department, to sift through the names of men in my battalion. Carmichael and Tanner’s name came up as having survived the mustard gas attack.”
“But how does this all work into the diary being stolen and Edward using Bellerose’s warehouse for hiding the opium?”
Edward offered a sheepish grin. “I’m sorry for the deception, but using the diary was a way I could get in league with Wah Lee and the other two. I needed something to woo them.”
Realization struck. “So when the detective arrived at Bellerose informing Clayton about the investigation, you hightailed it back to London—but not before stealing the dairy.”
“Wah Lee has a passion for emeralds, hence the name of not just his restaurant, but also his importing business. I thought I would borrow it for a while and use it as a way to draw him and the other two out. I’m sorry, Maggie. Will you forgive me?”
“But your home. It’s…”
“Rather derelict. I know. Blame that on gambling.”
“So you are gambling.”
Edward shook his head, but the light in his blue eyes dulled. “Definitely not. Thankfully, I’m not afflicted with the addiction that grabbed both my grandfather and father. However, their practices stripped the Darlington estate of everything. Those missing pictures were all sold by my so-called esteemed forebears to pay their staggering debts.” He faced Clayton. “I may be a peer, but I’m broke, and unfortunately I’m not that great at business.”
“But you did a damned good job at digging out this scum.” Clayton waved toward Carmichael, Tanner, and Wah Lee.
“I’ll take that as a compliment. I couldn’t tell you what I was doing. I knew they were all connected to the black marketeering that was going on in France. They tried to kill you and I couldn’t let it rest. I asked the superintendent not to let on. After the attack on you, I kept an eye on you.”
Shocked, Maggie’s eyes widened. “That was you following me in the cemetery.”
“Subterfuge, it seems, is my second name.”
Clayton reached a hand out to Edward’s shoulder. “Thank you, friend, but now if you’ll excuse me, Miss Francis and I need to have a talk.”
“Make sure she listens, Clayton. She’s a spirited woman you’ve got there.”
“She is, and she’s mine.” Clayton wove an arm around her waist and drew her into him.
“Before you go, Miss Francis, I have two questions. How did you know it was me who stole the diary?”
Maggie slipped a hand into her pocket. “Your button.”
Edward’s brows knitted. “My what?”
She withdrew the button from her pocket and held it out on the flat of her palm. “Your dinner jacket. You wore it that night at Bellerose. It seems your tailor needs to do a better job of sewing on your buttons.”
“It could have been Clayton’s.”
“You think I didn’t check?”
Edward chuckled. “It would seem I’m not the only one good at detective work. So whoever stole the diary left the button behind, thank you for reminding me to make sure my tailor’s stitches are tight.”
Maggie smiled, pleased that she had been proven right. “My pleasure.”
“And you came here to Limehouse. How? Why?”
Clayton tightened his hold on her, drawing her closer. “Wah Lee’s goon paid your home a visit while we were seeking you out. He wore a tiger emblem around his throat.”
“But surely that’s not enough to go on.”
Clayton smiled down at her. “You can thank Maggie for that. She found a scrap of paper with the tiger on it behind one of Bellerose’s invoices.”
Edward slapped a palm to his forehead. “Bloody hell! I got interrupted, I meant to put it in my notebook.”
“The same notebook you noted all the deliveries, dates and times?”
“You found it?”
“We did. And the paper with the tiger emblem.”
“It was easy, really,” Maggie grinned, enjoying her success. “Just like connecting the dots.”
“Remind me to ask for your help next time I get into a fix, Miss Francis.”
“Any time.”
Edward smiled. “I just might take you up on that. Now, I must go. Paperwork unfortunately awaits.” He waved at them, turned and walked towards Brownley and the Superintendent.
“Well, that was a surprise.”
“Indeed.” Clayton leaned into her, dotting a kiss on her temple. “We need to talk, Maggie.”
“I won’t change my mind.” She couldn’t afford to.
He leaned into her and his lips brushed along the curve of her neck. “Will this help?”
“Stop! What are you doing?”
“Trying to kiss you. Trying to change your mind.”
“But what about Elaine?”
“Miss Forrester does not exist. It’s just you and me. It has been from the very first day you barged into my world.” He reached for her hand and drew it up to his cheek, her fingers automatically caressing him.
She stared at him. “Your scarf. Your face.”
“Is out of hiding forever. I don’t need to hide, Maggie. I am what I am, and I am the man who loves you devotedly. You taught me that. You also taught me to love you. That I do not want to hide, but to have you at my side, making a life together.”
“But...”
“No buts, sweet Maggie.” Releasing her hands, Clayton suddenly bent down on one knee.
Magg
ie sucked in a breath. “Clayton. Get up. People are watching.”
“They can look all they like. I have nothing to hide any more. I am for the world to see. Besides, it’s not me they are looking at, but you, my glorious fiery woman. Maggie Francis, I love you. Would you do me the honor of marrying me and putting me out of my misery.”
“Clayton!”
Suddenly, Maggie realized everything had silenced. She glanced around her. All eyes were on them, mouths ajar, hope in the onlookers’ eyes, just as she had had hope in her heart. Hope for a future. A new life. Love.
And it looked like she’d got all her wishes.
“Oh, dear Clayton. Yes. Yes. Yes. For I love you just the way you are.” She dug into her pocket then and pulled out the diary and held it out to him. “It’s a bit bedraggled, but it’s survived. I think I found another clue regarding Josephine’s emeralds. She skimmed the diary, but Clayton put his hand over hers.
“No, sweetheart. Don’t read it. We have no need of those hidden riches. You love me. That’s the richest reward I could ever have.”
Epilogue
Maggie sat at the desk in the library at Bellerose, glancing at Clayton sitting in front of the fire.
Happiness filled her heart. She had found her new life, and the love of her life.
She went to reach for the fountain pen, but her hand hesitated and instead she picked up the well-crafted box with its velvet lining. Lifting the lid, she smiled.
Her mother’s mirror—all fixed.
Oh, there were scratches and a dent that could not be straightened, but the mirror itself had been replaced and the craftsman who had worked on its silver engraved backing had done a remarkable job.
Clayton had done this. He’d insisted that day that she gather up the remnants of her cherished mirror and he’d secreted it away to be repaired.
Her heart swelled with love for him.
Christmas had come and gone, the New Year begun. Soon they would be married. Husband and wife—forever.
Reaching for the pen, she opened the diary at a blank page and began to write.
1st January 1919.
Men and women crave riches, but sometimes they forget the riches around them until they open their hearts and their lives.
The emeralds are safe. Let them be.
Emerald Quest Series
This is book 1 in the Emerald Quest Series
Other Books are:
Book 1 – Capturing the Pirate’s Heart by Annie Seaton
When Madeleine Bellerose sets out from her English manor on her quest to recover a priceless family heirloom in New Orleans, the last thing she expects is to be held captive by the infamous pirate, Sebastien Le Clerc. Will Sebastien mend his wicked ways and help Madeleine in her quest? Can love overcome the lack of trust and the web of lies that is spun in the race to find the emerald necklace?
Book 3- Winning the Heiress’s Heart by Susanne Bellamy….January 2015
Book 4 –Capturing the Bodyguard’s Heart by Sara Hantz…February 2015
About the Author
Multi-published author Jane Beckenham lives in a tiny slice of paradise just north of Auckland, New Zealand. From her office she can watch the tuis and fantails flit about, along with families of pukeko and quails and a pair of lorikeets have taken up residence.
Along with the menagerie of bird life, are Jane’s husband of thirty years and two daughters, and her beloved dog, Bingo.
For the last ten years Jane has sat in her office every day, writing stories of hope and dreams that bring a smile to her face and hopefully her readers too. Romance, love and honour are the words in Jane’s tag line, and words she believes are the centre of all her romances.
Jane’s love of reading began as a child when she spent years in hospital. Those days inspired her dreams, which over the years have become a crucial part of her life. Dreaming of being able to walk again, then dreaming of her own happy after, and dreaming of becoming a mother, and subsequently adopting her daughters from Russia.
Come and dream a little while with Jane.
Visit Jane’s web site www.janebeckenham.com
Email [email protected]
Twitter @JaneBeckenham
Facebook www.facebookcom/JaneBeckenham
Other books by Jane Beckenham
He’s the One
Romeo for Hire
Secrets and Seduction
Desperately Seeking Santa
To Kiss An Angel
Recipe for Love
The Highwayman’s Bride
Saving the Soldier's Heart (The Emerald Quest Book 2) Page 24
