Conduct Unbecoming of a Gentleman (20 page)

Laurel placed the case of jewels on the floor, shut the priest’s hole behind her and propped the portrait against the wall again. Since she was already in the attic, she might as well collect Robert’s letters to read later. She couldn’t wait to desert this dim place filled with cobwebs and mysteries. Leaning over the trunk, she raised the lid.

A sudden draft whisked through the room rattling the windowpane and the flame on her candle wavered. Quickly, she glanced around, but before she could turn completely, she was suddenly thrust forward into the trunk as intense pain radiated from the back of her skull. Her brain had barely a moment to register that she’d been struck before everything went dark.

Adron rode at a fast clip anxious to reach Landings again. He’d been fit to be tied when he arrived at Kendlewood only to discover that he’d missed Laurel by a few hours. Reportedly, she had traveled to Landings but for what purpose he had yet to uncover.

His frustration mounted as he traveled. All he wanted was to protect her, to care for her, to have everything between them settled once and for all. Why couldn’t she forgive him instead of holding his every harsh word and ill-conceived action against him?

With a bitter taste in his mouth, he admitted she did have reason to distrust him. He had acted the scoundrel toward her one too many times. Lifting his chin for a moment, he lowered it again. Actually, there was no excuse for him and he uttered a profanity.

He’d always viewed women with a healthy dose of cynicism starting with his mother and her offer of only her powdered cheek for his kiss, to Genevieve whom he wanted to marry before she’d betrayed him. All the women vying for a position at his side simply because of his wealth and position had set the seal on his disdain. What a self-opinionated dolt he’d become.

Until recently, only his female relatives, excluding his mother, had escaped his censure and measured up to his standards. Much to his chagrin Laurel had been classified as flawed until a matter of a few weeks ago. She was his family now or she would be as soon as he could persuade her to forgive him and stop acting as skittish as an unbroken colt every time he approached. His lips thinned. He had driven her away with his absurd notions of what a lady should be, but she was more than a mere lady. Laurel was a woman, warm, gentle, and compassionate. His woman, all he ever wanted, if only he could persuade her to trust him. Tonight he would make another push to convince her that he would hold his temper and never desert her again. He needed her.

Adron dismounted and strode toward the house at Landings. A few paces from the door, he heard a screech and pounding footsteps followed by a scream. He bolted into the house and up the stairs where he encountered a maid wringing her hands. “What’s amiss?”

Essie poked her nose out of the parlor with Percy behind her as the butler and a couple of footmen came tearing from the back of the house. Everyone stared at the maid.

Her hands were trembling. “I was putting some linens in the closet in the back hall and I heard someone in the attics. Lady Laningham has been searching the house all day so I thought to give her a hand. I opened the door and a man wearing a mask was standing over her. She was limp on the floor like she was dead.” The maid covered her mouth and spoke between her fingers, “He come flying at me so I ran. And I screamed.”

Adron took the stairs two at a time and drew his pistol before he shoved into the attic. At the sight of Laurel crumpled on the floor, his heart seemed to flip over before racing until he thought he would choke. Glancing around, he rushed over to kneel at her side. Adron stroked her hair away from her face. When he touched her, she moaned and seconds later opened her eyes.

“My head hurts.”

“Laurel. Thank God. What are you trying to do to me?” He lifted her into a sitting position with one arm and examined her scalp only to discover a lump trickling blood onto his hand. Someone had attached her and rage boiled inside him. He managed to force it down. “Someone knocked you on the head. Let’s get you downstairs into bed.”

He gathered her in his arms and placed a kiss on top of her head. “You frightened me half to death. I couldn’t bear to lose you.”

Carrying her gingerly down the stairs, he placed her on her bed. “I’ll send one of the maids to assist you into bed. Then I want to know exactly what happened.”

After the servant helped her settle, Adron stalked into her chamber leaving the door ajar and pulled up a chair. He forced his temper down. “What are you doing here? I thought I made it clear this is no place for you at present.”

Laurel leaned up on one elbow. She caught her breath on a half laugh and half gasp of pain. “That hurts.” She sank back onto the pillow. “I apologize, Adron. I thought you would be here to protect me else I wouldn’t have come.” Laurel stopped to catch her breath. “I couldn’t stand not knowing if Percy’s uncle is the thief.”

He stared at her hard and let out a long sigh. “Why were you in the attic? What were you looking for?”

Carefully easing up, she leaned her head against the headboard. Her eyes sparkled with strong emotion. “Evidence. I thought perhaps Robert’s letters might hold at least a suggestion about this mystery. I found his journal in the hidden safe in the library.” She lowered her voice to barely above a whisper. “Adron, you’ll never guess what I found. There’s a priest’s hole in the attic and there’s a leather case with the stolen jewelry inside.”

“What?” he thundered.

“Not so loud. We don’t want anyone to know I discovered the box. I’m afraid I left the case in the attic behind my trunk.”

He scowled. “Someone already knows.”

“I don’t think so. A draft nearly blew my candle out only moments before I was struck. I’d already removed the gems, closed the priest’s hole and leaned the portrait back against the wall. I reached for Robert’s letters when the intruder knocked me on the head.”

“I want you to rest now.” He stood and looked down at her. “From this moment on a footman will be posted outside your door.”

Adron headed to the door, called to a servant in the hall and relayed his orders, but before he could leave, Laurel call to him.

“Adron, are you going to retrieve the jewelry now?” Her fingers gripped the edge of the spread.

“Let me worry about it.”

“Very well,” she huffed. “After my head stops aching, I want to read the rest of Robert’s journal anyway. There might be a hint of something there else why did he leave that particular book in the safe?”

Adron’s head snapped up. “What journal?”

“I hid it underneath the loose bottom of the wardrobe. So far, I discovered Robert and Percy were at school together. He mentions Percy’s cousin too but I don’t have a name.”

Striding across the room, he retrieved the journal, examining the cover before placing the book on a table. “Now try to get a little rest. I’ll be right here so it’s safe to go to sleep.”

Her smile trembled but she settled down. Pulling the covers over her shoulders, he quietly slipped out of the room with a candle in one hand and headed for the attic. He plucked the case from behind the trunk and quickly descended the stairs to slip back inside her chamber. Adron inspected the jewelry whistling softly at the array of gems. Finally coming to his senses, he sighed and closed the box. He retrieved the journal and began to read finding the several pages of Robert’s exploits as a young man about town highly entertaining. The mention of Rhonda’s distress caused him to clench his teeth but Laurel murmured in her sleep distracting him. He laid the book aside to gently brush her hair off her forehead. Satisfied with the coolness of her skin, he resumed his reading. Suddenly his hand stilled on the page.

It’s a rotten shame that Edmond Sinclair, Percy’s cousin the sneaky little worm, is now Adron’s secretary. I can’t believe it. And worse yet, through Adron he is now privy to the information concerning my estate and I hate that. Possibly I should have mentioned my doubts to Adron at the time but he had much on his plate what with the war effort and his family. Perhaps Edmond has changed. I pray it is so.

Digesting this information, Adron frowned. Edmond’s service had been satisfactory up to this point but suddenly his secretary’s resemblance to Percy struck him. Edmond is younger by a few years and his hair is darker but the cousins did resemble one another, at least about the eyes. Adron hadn’t considered Edmond’s likeness to his cousin before, probably because he hadn’t made the connection. Still Robert’s musings left a nasty taste in Adron’s mouth and his suspicions increased as he considered the reason Robert had locked away this particular journal. Robert’s rambling about his personal feelings and the reference to Percy and Edmond being cousins was the sum total of the information contained so far. Had he missed something of importance? He inspected the cover, but nothing had been hidden there.

Adron glanced at Laurel noting her paleness and the occasional frown of pain. Satisfied she remained asleep, he shifted in his chair and continued to read finding nothing much of interest until the last few pages. Robert’s words caught his attention and he could almost picture his cousin’s excitement as he extolled the virtues of his latest flirt but this time he seemed serious.

I met the love of my life tonight, silvery blonde hair, so young and beautiful. I only have a short time to convince her and her aunt that I must have her for my wife. I join Adron and the troops in a short while but I shall have Laurel before I leave. Rhonda won’t care for my marriage but perhaps, if I allow her to remain as mistress of Landings, she will be reconciled by the time I return from the war. After all, Laurel is young and needs guidance so the solutions should work for everyone concerned.

Adron recoiled from Robert’s words and he snapped the book shut. Viewing Robert’s written avowal of his love for Laurel left him disturbed as if he’d accidentally peered into a private moment between Robert and his wife. Adron hated it but even with the journal closed, the words still burned in his mind. Jealousy ate at him. Laurel should love him, not her dead husband. He should be considering Laurel in all of this and exhaled a deep sigh.

Adron admitted Laurel certainly had reason for complaint. Although Robert loved Laurel, he’d left his sister in charge of what should have been his wife’s household. Adron shook his head at such folly. Perhaps if Laurel read this written passage of Robert’s declaration of love at first sight, she might feel a little less bitter toward Rhonda. Out of consideration for Laurel, Adron left the last page for her to read—possibly a private message from her husband.

Chapter 19

Later that night Laurel lay half-awake trying to understand what had happened, but nothing made sense. If Oather Dimty hadn’t been at Landings when the attack happened, perhaps he wasn’t the culprit after all. What a waste of a perfectly good suspect, especially since what she remembered of the thief seemed to fit Mr. Dimty’s description so well. An annoying headache still lingered, but she ignored the dull throb turning to find a comfortable position and pulled a light covering over her shoulders. She rejected all thoughts of the thief, of murder or anything unpleasant and allowed her cares to drift away. Relaxed, with limbs as limber as melted wax, slumber had almost claimed her when a rap on her door brought her up with a start. She called, “Come in.”

Adron slipped inside. “I came to check on you. How’s your head?”

“It’s fine, hardly even a tiny throb left behind.” A slight pain still hammered against her skull, but she preferred to ignore her discomfort, suspecting his censure for her impulsive trip to Landings was on the tip of his tongue. With her injury to add to his list, she would never hear the last of his recriminations. She scooted up on her pillow.

“You deserve a thrashing for your careless behavior. As a gentleman, I can hardly administer your just rewards but I’m tempted. Don’t you realize how important you are to me?”

“Important?” she parroted.

“Can you doubt it?” His voice gentled and sounded full of contrition. “I haven’t always acted in a gentlemanly fashion toward you but let me hold you, show you how much I care.”

“Oh, Adron,” she sighed, physically exhausted and overcome with emotion. In her weakened state she fought to keep from flinging herself into his arms, desperate for his warmth, his strength but above all his touch. She found the promised passion reflected in his gaze overwhelming and although accepting what he offered would be her downfall, it would keep this nightmare at bay for a while. Something she wanted more than anything.

He must have read the reluctant invitation in her eyes for he gathered her in his arms and kissed her. At first, the kiss had been tender, comforting, but finally his breathing quickened and he deepened the kiss. The heavy thud of his heart drummed against her breast and her body tingled with awareness. His arousal pressed against the side of her leg as his fingers strayed to her breast, pulsing heat throughout her body. Her heartbeat accelerated to an alarming rate until she thought she might smother with sensations. She completely lost her reasoning, but then the kiss ended and he
sat on the edge of the bed.

His voice filled with regret. “Jimmy, the footman is stationed in the hall right outside your door so you’ll be safe through the night.” He brushed a tender kiss on her forehead. “I can’t simply hold you any longer. It’s pure torture and you’re not fit for much more.”

“But Adron.”

He squeezed her hands, stood and smiled down at her. “I’d be beneath contempt to take advantage of your vulnerability. Sleep well.”

“Night, Adron.”

She sighed and turned over, thinking of him. At least his affections seemed to have deepened. He’d said he cared, not merely that he wanted or he needed, but she doubted that would be enough to hold him if he had to choose between her concerns or Rhonda’s. No words of love had been spoken and that thought followed her into her dreams.

The next morning, she winced when the new day splashed into the room. Crawling out of bed, she brushed the maid’s assistance aside to arrange her own hair. “My head is still tender. Best if I do my own tugging.”

Finishing her toilette she slipped into her gown with the maid’s help. Only short minutes later, she strolled into the breakfast parlor where Adron sat at the table. Essie whisked into the room in Laurel’s wake and began to inspect the choices displayed on the sideboard.

“Morning ladies.” Adron glanced at Laurel. “How’s the head this morning?”

“A little sore, but other than that, I’m fine. Truly.” She hoped her smile convinced him of her recovery. Laurel didn’t relish spending another hour abed.

“Capital. But I insist you take it easy for a day or two. As a matter of fact, if your head will allow, I left the last few pages of Robert’s journal for you since his writings seemed to be of a personal nature. I collected his letters from the attic as well and left everything on the desk in the library.”

Adding eggs to her plate, Laurel sat down and narrowed her lids with an accusatory stare. “You’ve been to the attic?”

His expression dared her to take him to task. “Just so.”

After a long moment of hesitation, she lowered her gaze. “It seems I’m destined to read today.”

“Very wise, my dear. Men being men,” Essie said as she filled her plate and sat down across from the two large windows giving a view of the south lawn. “I saw a man race away from the house while all the commotion was going forward yesterday.”

Adron stopped eating and stared at her. Laurel paused with her fork half way to her mouth. “Do you mean you saw the culprit who hit me?”

“I don’t know that, but someone dressed in black raced away from the house when the maid set up a screech. He rode out of the woods and disappeared in a flash.”

Adron frowned and his voice held an edge. “Why didn’t you tell me that last evening?”

Essie calmly began to eat, but after a few bites she glanced up. “I told Mr. Dimty. Certainly he must have directed the groundskeepers and stable master to give chase. At the time, it seemed the most reasonable thing to do what with the upset.”

Adron scraped back his chair. “Ladies, please excuse me.”

“Is he displeased?”

“Don’t be concerned,” Laurel soothed absently. Consumed with the journal and what the last bit might contain, her attention wandered. Moreover, she wasn’t looking forward to scanning Robert’s letters again. Besides, she could recall nearly every word, but perhaps without knowing of the circumstances she’d missed a sentence or two that hinted at the identity of the culprit. Excusing herself, she made her way into the library and firmly shut the door before turning the key. She didn’t want to be interrupted or surprised again.

Saddened, she gathered the letters along with the journal and started with the last pages. Reading of Robert’s love for her brought to mind his intimate love words whispered in her ear each night, but all too soon he’d left for war. The backs of her eyes stung. When he returned wounded in both body and spirit, all of his love seemed to have melted, allowing him to push her away. His rejection still had the power to hurt as she blinked back tears and turned to the last page of his journal.

Laurel, time is short. If you are reading this I will be gone. I want you to know that I will be grateful when God takes me home. I can’t deny that will be a mercy and you’ll be free to love again. Don’t be alarmed. With your compassionate nature, I know what foolish thoughts popped into your head. I do not mean to hasten God’s will. I would never do such a thing to you and Jamie but I am uneasy with something I’ve discovered. There is danger afoot.
The pen seemed to have sputtered, leaving a blot on the page before continuing,
Someone’s coming. I wish I had more time to explain. Perhaps later.

Stunned, Laurel stared at the words before her. When she realized he hadn’t committed suicide, horror paralyzed her as chills raced down her spine. He had been murdered. Filled with trepidation, she glanced around the room as if expecting the killer to jump out before slowly shutting the journal. The sound of Adron’s voice in the hall galvanized her into action.

She sprang to her feet and crossed the room to unlock the door peering around only to discover Adron followed by a stranger heading down the hall.

“Blister it,” she mumbled under her breath and stepped back inside watching from the doorway as he and the stranger continued to the back of the house.

Adron strode into the estate office with the Bow Street Runner behind him. Percy looked up from the opened ledger before him and quickly stood. “Milord.”

“Percy,” Adron acknowledged. “Meet my new assistant, Samuel Spencer. I mean to install him to help me with the estate.”

“But, Milord,” Percy stammered. “Surely—you know I’m available to assist you at any time.”

“Certainly you are, however, your role as steward takes much of your time.” Adron turned and waved toward the Runner. “Hence, my assistant. He can work alongside you. By the way, Mrs. Calhermin brought it to your attention that she saw a man racing away from the woods late yesterday.”

“I intended to report to you shortly.” Percy took a deep breath. “I sent James and a couple of the footmen after the rider immediately. James is a tracker with a fine eye but full dark caught him and the others before much could be discovered. He found where the rider had tied his mount in the trees back of the house and where he came out of the woods. By that time, nothing further could be discovered and during the night rain washed away any remaining signs.”

Adron stared intently at Percy before springing a question. “Could the rider have been your uncle?”

“Certainly not. He hasn’t been here for several days,” Percy denied but his gaze shifted down for a second. He glanced up again and his voice turned belligerent. “Are you accusing him of being the culprit who attacked Lady Laningham?”

“No, I asked your opinion.” Percy’s reaction stirred doubt in Adron’s mind.

“It couldn’t have been him.”

Adron hesitated for a long moment. “Very well. Arrange the office to accommodate the two of you. And Percy, every item must be open for my assistant’s perusal.” He drilled Percy with a level gaze before he turned to leave.

With each strike of his heels on the polished floor, disquiet prickled between his shoulders and he finally came to a halt for a moment of reflection. He’d known Percy for several years and although the Dimty family had a bout of ill fortune, Percy had seemed a trustworthy, reliable companion for Robert. Adron had been glad Percy landed on his feet, even taking his recommendation of Edmond as the perfect secretary. Now Adron found it strange Percy hadn’t mentioned being Edmond’s cousin. Had Percy’s failure to mention the relationship been an oversight or something more sinister?

Adron grudgingly admitted George had a point when he indicated that because Robert and Percy’s fathers had been lifelong friends was no reason to grant Percy an unlimited benefit of the doubt. After much consideration, Adron deemed it wise to wait for the Bow Street Runner’s report before taking any action. With his mind settled he went in search of Laurel.

Impatience nearly got the better of her as she waited for Adron. A footfall announced someone’s approach and she peered out. Finding Adron alone, she motioned to him as she stepped back into the library. “Adron, I must speak with you.”

He smiled, stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

“I’m so glad you’re here.” Laurel moved back.

Before she could continue he gathered her in his arms. “I’m delighted too. I’ve missed you.”

Laurel laughed reluctantly. “It’s been all of two hours.”

“I need this,” he said and proceeded to kiss her.

His lips against hers and the touch of his tongue as he thrust inside her mouth sent wonderful, seductive sensations down her body and erased everything except this delight racing through her. She shivered and broke loose from the daze created by his kiss.

Laurel wedged her forearms against his chest. “Adron, this is serious.”

“Indeed it is serious. I can’t tell you how serious.” His hands still cupped her shoulders as he stared into her eyes. Adron kissed her again.

“Adron,” she cried. “Enough. This is important.”

He sighed and let his arms drop to his side. “Very well, but the kiss was imperative, not merely important.”

“It’s about Robert’s journal.” Laurel paced a few steps. “Robert was murdered,” she cried from behind her trembling hand. “He didn’t take his own life. His writings told me so.” She pressed her fingers to her temples. “Robert mentioned his unease, his concern with a threat, an unknown danger. Someone laced his whiskey with enough laudanum to kill him.”

“What? Let me see,” he thundered. Grabbing the open journal, he flipped to the last couple of pages and quickly scanned the lines. Stunned speechless he couldn’t say a word for a second. “Too bad Robert didn’t mention a name or names of his suspected murderer. Considering this information, it’s fortunate I hired a couple of Bow Street Runners.”

“You did? When?”

He waved a dismissive hand toward her. “I want you out of here, back at Kendlewood where you’ll be safe.”

“But what about the jewels? What about Robert’s murder?”

“No, Laurel.” He stared at her with unsettling shrewdness. “You will not involve yourself further. We’ll leave that to the Runners if you please.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “You’ll be safe at Kendlewood.”

The touch of his lips had been sweet, but exasperation edged her voice. “Adron, I want this over as much as you do. I might be able to identify Percy’s uncle as the thief. That’s why I originally came to Landings.”

“You’ve been told he isn’t here.” He eyed her with annoyance. “Since your poor judgment sent you scurrying off to Landings and into all sorts of danger, I had no choice but to chase after you. I sent Horace to London in my place to search out Oather, but no sense in talking in circles. I must join him soon. You may as well resign yourself. You are leaving.”

“But Adron.”

“If Oather isn’t here, who hit you over the head? There are too many unanswered questions and now we know there is a murderer as well. More than one person is obviously involved.” Unexpectedly he took the conversation in a different direction. “Did Percy resemble the thief?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “His eyes are the same color and shape.”

“Laurel, be reasonable. You’ve done all you can do. I don’t want you in danger.” He glanced at the bracket clock on the mantel. “I ordered a maid to pack for you and sent round for my coach. I intend to see you on your way within the hour.”