Lady Ellingham and the Theft of the Stansfield Necklace: A Regency Romance (17 page)

The Countess flustered,
‘No Richard, your foot! You cannot possibly be galloping off at this time of night.
Please leave it to the Gareth and Alex.’

Richard looked derisively
at his mother. ‘I am afraid I cannot oblige you mother, you do not expect me to
lie here on my bed when my sister has been abducted by that scoundrel. If you
expect it you have windmills in your head.  Now please leave me I need to get
dressed.’  Lady Ellingham looked helplessly at William who stepped forward to
the breech.  ‘Your Lordship I do not think you should attempt it. It would be
difficult to know where to start and I do not know how you expect to ride into
Harrogate with your foot strapped up as it is, why I doubt you will even be
able to get your riding boots on.’

Richard ignored his
Valet. ‘Where there is means there is a way.  Now please my clothes if you
will.’

William dug his heels
in. ‘I am afraid I cannot sir. You are in no fit state to be riding out and I
for one am not prepared to aid and abet you.’

The Dowager and The
Countess looked at William with open mouths, astonished at his open defiance. 
Richard could hardly believe his ears either.  William had been with him since
he was fifteen and had never openly flouted him, even when Richard was younger. 
The two men looked at each other with determined eyes, neither prepared to
concede to the other.  Richard was the first to speak.  ‘In that case you are dismissed;
you can collect your wages in the morning,’

William gave an
affirmative nod, ‘Very well your Lordship, I will leave you then, but I would
strongly advise you not to be so foolish.’  He turned on his heels and left the
room.  Lady Ellingham looked at her son, who she could see was regretting his
hasty words. ‘You cannot dismiss William,’ she gasped in dismay, ‘he has served
you loyally for 8 years.’

Richard looked
patiently at his mother. ‘I will attend to William later but meanwhile I have
something to do.  I will just have to manage myself and it will take me
longer.  Now please leave me while I get dressed.’

There was nothing Lady
Ellingham could do to dissuade him and Richard was becoming visibly angry, a characteristic
his mother rarely had the chance to observe.  She knew it was futile.   The Dowager
took the Countess by the arm and led her away.  It was well past eleven thirty
when Richard was ready to leave.  It had taken him much longer to get dressed without
the assistance of his valet. He was still not able to put weight on his injured
foot and was using the stick that Alex had acquired for him; neither had he been
able to pull on his riding boot, so had wrapped up his foot as best he could to
keep it warm and supported.  It struck him that they would not have obeyed his
orders to instruct the groom to saddle a horse and swore with frustration, for
that would delay him further.  He was just hobbling down the stairs, leaning
onto the banisters as he went, when the front door opened and the Duke strode
in.  Alex carrying Felicity in his arms followed him closely. The Duke looked
up at Richard standing fully dressed on the stairs and sighed. ‘There was really
no need. Did your mother not tell you that everything was under control?’

‘Indeed they did sir
but I could not lie in bed and do nothing,’ he replied curtly.  He nodded to
Felicity in Alex’s arms. ‘Is she alright?’  Alex nodded, ‘she is fine. No harm
has come to her.  I think Entwhistle must have slipped her a huge dose of
laudanum, she is drowsy, that is all.’  On hearing the voices, the ladies came
running out of the drawing room.  Lady Ellingham ran over to her daughter. ‘Oh
thank God,’ she said with such relief as she stroked her head. ‘Oh I cannot thank
you enough.’

Alex smiled at the
Countess. ‘I will carry her to her room and you can make her comfortable, she
will be fine by the morning.’  He looked at the Earl, ‘Give me a minute
Richard, I will just get myself sorted and will come up and apprise you of
everything that has happened this night.  Rest assured there is nothing to
worry about.’

Richard gave Alex an
appreciative nod and hobbled back upstairs.  He knocked on the adjoining door
to summon his Valet to help him undress.  He was not ready to admit it but the
ordeal of getting dressed had sapped him of his strength and shooting pains
were pulsing through his foot.  He began to realise that he would not have been
up to the task of retrieving his sister and was rather grateful that he had
friends such as the Duke and Alex.  William answered his summons and Richard
gave him an apologetic look. ‘Forget what I said earlier William. I was
frustrated and distraught and I did not mean it.  You have never disobeyed my orders
before and I know you thought you were doing what was best. I hope you will
forgive me.’

William nodded, ‘I know
Sir.  I did not take you seriously and knew you would see sense in the light of
day, think nothing of it.  You look fagged to death; here let me help you off
with that boot and make you comfortable.’  The Valet helped Richard out of his
riding Jacket and breeches and by the time Alex arrived, Richard was lying
comfortably on the bed in his nightshirt with his foot propped up on a pillow. 
Alex walked in with a tray containing a brandy decanter and two glasses and set
it on the bedside table.  He was wearing a silk dressing gown embellished with
a brown and gold leaf pattern. He pulled up a chair to the side of the bed and
settled himself upon it with his feet popped up against the side of Richard’s
bed.  He gave Richard a devilish smile and poured them both a brandy,  ‘Well
you young fool, I cannot say that I blame you for making the attempt as I would
have done the same myself, but you should have believed me when I said I would get
her back.’

Richard looked a little
embarrassed, ‘I did believe it but I am not one to sit back and let others
carry out my responsibilities for me.’

Alex understood but
replied, ‘never the less, it is not wrong to accept help when circumstances dictate
it.  No one would think any the worse of you for it, on top of which you were
not there and had entrusted your family to me.’

 The two sat sipping
brandy and chatting and it was nearly one o’clock in the morning by the time Alex
had acquainted Richard with a detailed account of the night’s events.  Unlike
Alex and his father, Richard was not surprised when he informed him of the true
identity of Adrian and Emily Entwhistle.  Richard furrowed his brow, ‘I know
you once had a tendre for Emily but I never could like that girl.  I have
always prided myself with being a good judge of character and there was something
about her I found lacking.  Flick and I argued about it but as usual, she would
not heed me and won the day.  She just thought I was being bull headed.’

‘It seems you were
right,’ Alex replied, ‘I thought I was well past the age of being gulled but I
fell for her hook, line and sinker. It is strange but after what they have done
this night, I had no feeling left for Emily when the magistrate came to take
her away.  The bile that issued from her mouth was like something from the
gutter. It seemed unearthly coming from someone you thought a Lady. She was
certainly a consummate actress.’

Richard looked at his
friend in sympathy. ‘I am sorry to have put your though all of this tonight. 
If it were not for Felicity, you would not have been put in this position.  She
should not have gone to the Entwhistle’s box alone.  I can only apologise.  I
do not know what I am going to do about Flick.  We are of a similar age and she
will not heed me.’

Alex chuckled, ‘It is I
who should apologise, for after all you left her in my care.  You need someone
to take her off your hands, someone older.  She needs a husband who knows how
to deal with her without subduing her spirit.  Someone who would could handle
her strong will and not recoil whenever she succumbed to that impulsive streak
of hers.’

Richard gave Alex a
watchful gaze. ‘If you know of such a man please let me know.’

‘I am such a man.  I
have made no secret that I find Felicity attractive and I want her.  I know
that you and I have always got on amiably enough but a few weeks ago, you told
me in no uncertain terms, that you did not view me as a suitable husband for
Felicity.  Now you have come to know me better are you still of that view?’

Richard laughed, ‘If I
was still of that view I would not be staying here as a guest under your roof
with my sister and mother in tow. I am no fool, I know you did not invite us
here just for my company.’

‘You do me and injustice
Richard.  I did indeed invite you here to enjoy your company.  I will not deny
that Felicity gave me that extra impetus but I would have invited you here in
any case to enjoy a bit of shooting and fishing.  I thought it would be rather
fun and my grandmother also seems to be enjoying your mothers company.’

 Richard sighed. ‘I am
only sorry that I have cramped your style with this dam foot of mine but never
mind I will be up and about in a day or two.’

Alex laughed, ‘I doubt
you will be dancing anytime too soon but hopefully when the swelling goes down
we will be able to get you back on a horse again.  Meanwhile we will have to
organise some more sedate entertainment.’

Alex poured them both
another drink and hesitated, ‘Richard let me tell you something. I have to
admit that tonight when Entwhistle took Felicity from the theatre I was
fearful. Judging by my action your mother would never have been able to credit
it, but my emotions were in turmoil and I have never felt such overwhelming
relief as when I got her back.  It made me realise that I love her.  She is
mine Richard. I want her and I will have her.’

Richard choked on his
brandy. ‘You do have a way with words Alex, it is a good job I know you, for
your manner is shocking.  Whatever happened to the customary etiquette of
requesting a ladies hand from her guardian?’

‘I was never very good
with etiquette Richard but seeing it is you I shall oblige,’ he replied in mock
amusement. ‘May I have the hand of your lovely sister in marriage Richard, but
if you say no I will have her anyway?’

‘Thank the lord for
that,’ Richard replied, ‘Yes you may, if she will have you. Have you asked her
yet?’

‘No but I shall ask her
tomorrow if she is well enough.’

Richard had the last
laugh, ‘I pray she says yes and if she does may god have mercy on your soul.’

The two men sat for a
good while longer chatting and drinking brandy and it was 2am when Alex left
Richard’s bedchamber, having arranged to go fishing the next day.  The river
was not too far away and it was a sedentary occupation that would not put too
much strain on Richard’s foot.  Both men had a better understanding of one
another and Richard was of the opinion that Alex would make rather a fine
brother in law after all.  It only remained to see if Felicity would have him. 
One thing was for sure, Alex seemed determined and he did not appear to be a
man easily deterred.  Richard reflected that it would be a fine solution for
since coming to London, Flick was becoming increasingly infuriating and Alex
may just be the man to tame her impetuous soul.

The next morning the
party arrived downstairs for breakfast late.  Both Alex and Richard felt worse
for wear after the flowing measures of brandy they had imbibed the night
before.  The Countess looked forlorn. Alex could guess why, for Richard looked
as if he had chewed on a wasp and Felicity was sitting looking pale and with a
mulish look on her face.  It was obvious that the two of them had been at each
other’s throats again.  No doubt, Richard had given her an early morning ear
bashing about her antics the night before.

The Duke was the only
person at the table who looked cheerful with a beaming smile on his face.  The Dowager
was not present and as usual had her breakfast in bed. The party looked up as
Alex entered and the Duke gave him a jovial welcome, ‘Ah there you are Alex,
come and help me to inject some cheer into this miserable lot.’  Alex helped
himself to some ham and eggs and sat down, ‘yes I think we all had rather a
late night but all’s well that ends well and today is another day.’

Felicity looked rather
relieved, at least Alex was not angry.  Richard had spoken to her in no
uncertain terms that morning, on top of which she had the most obnoxious
headache. He had made it entirely clear that her behaviour had been totally
unacceptable, enough for her hosts to have a disgust of her. The Duke however wiped
his face on his napkin and smiled.  ‘The Countess advises me that she would
like to go shopping in Harrogate and I thought that we could make up a party.’ 
The Countess managed a smile. ‘Yes I want to buy a new pelisse for the winter
and the Dowager tells me that there is a very good modiste in Harrogate.  I
never did get one ordered in London.  Gareth has offered to take me.’

Felicity looked guilty,
as she knew that it was her fault that her mother had never got to Madam
Fournier’s that day.  The Countess looked reprovingly at her daughter. ‘Flick
has left a perfectly good pelisse in London that would have served its purpose
but she would not let me have it, even though she does not care to wear it
herself. She said the colour would not suit me but with suitable accessories, I
think it would have served very well.’

Felicity glowered at
her mother. She did not reply, as she did not want to continue the
conversation.  Her mother only had to mention the colour of the offending
garment and she would slide off her chair and under the table in
mortification.   Alex has guessed at her discomfort and looked across at
Felicity with a mischievous grin. ‘Does it happen to be grey by any chance,’ he
quipped playfully.  The Countess looked surprised, ‘Why indeed it is, however
could you have guessed that?’ Felicity returned his gaze and flushed, wishing
that the ground would just open up and swallow her whole.  The Countess noticing
the tense undercurrent, decided to ignore the matter but made a mental note to
ask Felicity about it later.  She changed the subject.  ‘Well Flick would you
like to go to Harrogate and help me choose some fabric?’

Felicity held her head
in her hands, ‘You will have to hold me excused mama for I have a dreadful
headache. I don’t know what it was that dreadful man gave me last night, but I
still do not feel quite the thing.’

Alex looked at
Felicity, ‘What you need is some fresh air to clear your head.  After breakfast
I will take you for a walk around the gardens and a little later perhaps you
can come fishing with Richard and I.  We arranged it last night, for it is an
activity Richard can do sitting down.  We can take the carriage down to the
River, instead of walking down.’  Felicity readily agreed and so the day was
planned.

After breakfast, Alex
patiently waited in the hall whilst Felicity went to fetch her Pelisse.  She
was longer than he expected but just as he was about to send out a search party
she arrived in the hall suitably attired. ‘I am sorry I am late Alex, I thought
I would take Tiber but I cannot find him anywhere.  He would have loved to have
come for a walk.’

Alex grimaced, the last
time his was alone with Flick the little dog and been an infernal nuisance.  He
could not get near to Felicity without him snapping at his heels. As far as his
beloved mistress was concerned, Alex was the dire enemy to be kept at bay at
all costs.   He looked around him, ‘where was that annoying little mutt anyway?’ 
He smiled at Felicity. ‘Never mind.  I know he has made a good friend of the
cook.  I expect he is his down in the kitchen and being fed tit bits.’

Felicity moved back
from the front door. ‘Oh just give me a moment I will go and collect him.’ 
Alex grabbed her by the arm and yanked her back. ‘Leave him Flick; I am sure he
is happy where he is.  Just you and I for this once, for I have something I
wish to say to you.’

Felicity looked at him suspiciously,
‘if you are wishing to give me an ear bending I can inform you now, that I have
already had my fill from Richard.   If that is what you wish to talk about I would
rather I stayed indoors and be on my own. Besides I am not quite sure if I have
forgiven you for your abominable behaviour at the breakfast table.’

 Alex laughed, ‘I am
sorry I could not resist it, your face was a picture.’  They stepped out into
the garden and he took her gloved hand and slipped it through his arm. ‘As far
as last night is concerned, I am just pleased everything turned out as it did.’
He looked at her with affection. ‘The outcome could have been very different
you know.’  Felicity bit her lip, ‘I know and I am sorry to have caused you so
much trouble but who would ever have guessed that Adrian would act is such an
unpredictable way.  I did think to wait for you, really I did, but you had been
a while and I wanted to talk to Emily before the third act started or I may
have missed her entirely. I never even dreamt that Adrian Entwhistle would
attempt such a thing in the middle of a crowded theatre.’ 

‘Well I did warn you in
London that Entwhistle was not as he seemed.  His appearance belies his
strength and his cunning, at that made him dangerous.’

Felicity conceded, ‘It
is hard to believe, he appeared to be such a fop.’ I only wish I could have
warned the gentleman Emily was with about her character, but he had disappeared
when I arrived at her box.  Oh I do hope he was not so hopelessly duped, Adrian
overpowered me before I got the chance.’

‘You can rest assured Felicity
that Mr Maitland was well informed for I made it my business to enlighten him. 
He was obviously fond of Emily and bitterly disappointed but no doubt he will
get over it.  He walked away a disillusioned man but at least he left with his bank
balance intact.’

‘Oh Mr Maitland, was
that his name? I am so glad you were able to be of service to him, it makes it
all so worthwhile,’ she replied gaily.

Alex smiled to himself
for it was just like Felicity to say such a thing.  She never realised how
close she came to losing her virtue in the pursuit of someone else’s happiness
and wellbeing.   Her empathy for others was one of her most endearing qualities
but she had the most unfortunate propensity for getting into trouble because of
it.  He could only be thankful that she had slept through most of her ordeal
and was not aware of the situation he had found her in.  A few minutes later
and the outcome could have been so much different.  He shuddered at the thought
of it.  Not wishing to add to Richard’s admonitions that morning, Alex looked
down on her and smiled. ‘Let us put last night behind us. As far as I am
concerned everything is forgotten.’  He quickly changed the subject. ‘For now I
am going to take you to the most wonderful place in the garden, I can guarantee
you will like it.’

Felicity took note of
the direction they were walking and beamed. ‘I know where we are going; you are
taking me to the rock garden.  Oh you are right it is the most beautiful
place.’

 ‘You have seen it?’
Alex enquired rather disappointed, ‘When was that?’

‘Of course I have seen
it.  I found it that day when you all went out hunting.  It is such a peaceful,
tranquil place.  I have never seen a rock garden so magnificent.  Of all the
grounds it is by far my favourite place.’

Alex gave a reminiscent
smile. ‘It is my grandmother’s favourite place as well. My grandfather had it
commissioned for her when he first brought her home as his duchess.  In the
summer she still comes here to sit, but the weather it is too cold for her at
the moment.’

They had reached the
rock garden and Alex led Felicity to the little stone bench in the centre of
it.  The colour of the flowering plants was sparse this time of year but the
sound of the waterfall flowing over the overhead rock gave a soothing ambience.

  Felicity sat down on
the bench and looked up at Alex. ‘What did you want to talk to me about?’ she
enquired, with some amount of trepidation, the matter of the sapphire necklace
being very much on her mind.  She did not for one minute think that he had forgotten
the manner of its return and he had already intimated that he would not rest
until he knew the whole truth.  The fact that he had remained standing did not
escape her.  He was a large man and looked even larger as he paced in front of
her.  Well if he thought he was going to intimidate her and wheedle her secret
out of her that way, he was going to be bitterly disappointed.  She sat on her
hands looking at him as he paced in front of her and prepared herself to dig
her heels in.

  His next sentence
therefore came as somewhat of a surprise.  ‘Felicity, I cannot explain to you
how I felt last night when your mother first told me what had happened.  I have
never experienced such fear, desperation and rage.  It made me realise that I would
not wish to lose you. You must realise that when I invited your family to stay
with me, it was in order to get to know you better. I know that life will not
be the same for me without you in it and I am asking you to marry me.’

Felicity gaped at him
in complete shock for it was not what she had expected. She was undeniably
attracted to him and discovered that she very much wanted to say yes.  If she
admitted the truth to herself, she had loved him since the day of the duel when
he had deloped, and later that day at his home when he had shown her his
grandmother’s portrait and explained to her the truth about the necklace.  But
he did not know the truth about her, he would be staggered if he knew she was
the thief who had broken into his London home and stole the Stansfield
necklace. Her actions had gone far beyond what was proper for a Lady of the
ton.  She knew how she had felt about him when she had thought him a thief. 
She was sickened and revolted and no doubt, if the tables were turned he would
feel the same about her.   She could not marry him with such a secret on her
conscience, she needed to enter any marriage with truth and honesty, but if he
knew the truth, he would have a disgust of her.

  Alex stood watching
her waiting for a response.  She looked up at him with haunted eyes desperately
looking for words to say to him. ‘You think you know me Alex but really you do
not.  I cannot marry you; there are things about me you would not like.’  She
turned her head away, ‘Oh I cannot explain.’

Alex sat down beside
her and took her gloved hand. ‘Nonsense Flick, nothing can be that bad,
unless,’ he added jokingly, ‘you have murdered someone and stored their remains
in the cellars.’

Felicity gave a feeble
smile, ‘Of course not,’ she murmured, ‘but there are things about me you could
not like.’

Alex laughed, ‘if you
mean your tendency to jump into things with both feet without thinking about
the consequences, I find that rather endearing. Do not think you could
embarrass me or put me to shame for you could not. In fact I rather like your
spirit and I think we would deal very well together.’

Felicity turned her
head away in despair her eyes filled with tears.  She had finally found the man
she loved yet she could not marry him. ‘You say that now but you do not know
the whole.  I trip from one disaster to the other and Richard quite despairs of
me.  Oh.... just trust me when I say I cannot marry you.’

Alex put his arm around
her shoulders and pulled her toward him.  She buried her head in his coat and
stifled a sob as he bent over to kiss her head.  He lifted her chin and forced
her to look at him. ‘Very well, I will not press you any further today Flick
but I must tell you that I am not prepared to take no for an answer.  If you
will not tell me what is troubling you I will find out by other means but I
assure you that it cannot be as bad as you think it is.’   She glanced up at
him in anguish.  He leaned over and with his free hand pushed an errant curl
away from her face in order to kiss her tear glistened cheeks.  As she made no
effort to prevent him he trailed his lips slowly down the side of her face to
her chin and then to her neck. He felt her succumb to him as she shuddered with
sensual desire and he slowly brought his lips down on hers in a gentle but passionate
kiss.  Felicity felt the warmth of his body through his clothing as her breasts
brushed against his chest, and as she leaned against him she could feel the
rapid pounding of his heart beating to match her own.  He felt powerful and
comforting and she allowed herself to bask in the strength of his touch but she
knew it could not last.  She pulled away from him in frustration and slowly
attempted to rise off the bench. Alex caught her wrist to stop her and looked
into her eyes. ‘Believe it when I say it Flick, we will be married before the
summer.’