Conduct Unbecoming of a Gentleman (17 page)

His eyes held an apology. “You’re correct. I could have helped you. Should have helped you, I’ll admit.” He shrugged and with searing reproach continued, “Frankly, Laurel, at that point I was so enraged I was almost beyond reasoning. You’d already purchased tickets to America. America, Laurel, where I might never have found you or Jamie again.”

His expression appeared bleak. “Do you realize the agony you put me through? And when I found you with the missing jewels, I was so disillusioned, I thought you deserved whatever punishment you’d earned. I wanted to do nothing more than wash my hands of the whole affair.”

His features softened. “I’ve apologized.”

“So you have.” Wearily she leaned against the seat as the carriage pulled to the curb at his townhouse. “Please, I must have a bath at once.”

Adron helped her alight. “All prepared, my dear. It’s on the second floor, third room on your right. I’ll have a maid escort you. She’ll show you to the nursery as well.”

Laurel nodded, climbed the stairs after the maid and slid into her bath of rose scented water. She didn’t think she would ever remove the smell of prison from her skin and hair, but after a good scrubbing, she was much refreshed. Slipping into a plain round gown of dark blue broadcloth, she quickly dressed her hair and raced to be with Jamie. Laurel dismissed the servant so she could be alone with her son. She wanted to laugh, to hold him close and never let him go.

Having thought she would never see him again, he’d grown doubly precious. She couldn’t bear to be more than a few feet from him, her eyes rarely straying from where he played. Even after he fell asleep, she still didn’t want to leave him, but the dinner hour would arrive soon and she must dress.

With the help of a maid, she changed into a lovely silk gown the color of wine, had her hair pinned in an upswept arrangement atop her head and dared to apply a very small amount of rouge. She wanted to appear at her best when she faced Rhonda. Laurel stepped into the hall and found Adron propped with one foot against the wall and his arms cross over his chest. When he gazed at her, he appeared hesitant and lacking his usual self-confidence.

Adron straightened and cast an indulgent smile at her. “Happy now?”

“Very,” she replied in a dry tone. Her voice caught and she had to swallow. “All I’ve ever wanted is to be with my son.”

Stepping closer, he brushed the back of his fingers down her cheek. “Please forgive me. I didn’t understand. I miss holding you.”

Laurel backed away from his touch. Couldn’t the oaf understand she needed time? Wishing she could forget the last several days, she longed to lean into his hand, to be held in his arms and reassured, but she couldn’t. She’d made that mistake before. Not this time.

Adron pulled back. “That was foolish of me. All true, but I didn’t intend to rush you.” He took a deep breath. “I really came to ask you a question. Nothing alarming I promise. By chance, have you ever met or encountered Percy Dimty’s uncle. I understand he frequents Landings and by all accounts at all hours, day or night.”

She shook her head. “I don’t believe so. When Robert first came home suffering from his wounds, my time had to be divided between him and Jamie. I was so busy I wouldn’t have noticed if he’d stepped on me. When Robert became able to move about again, he turned from me. He said he didn’t want my pity.”

Laurel brushed a single crystal drop from the corner of her eye. “He turned to Rhonda. I had to fight her to even see him so I spent most of my time with Jamie. I wasn’t much aware of anything outside my misery.”

He clenched his jaw. “But surely you mistook Rhonda’s motives. When her brother turned to her, naturally she would do all she could for him regardless of the strain between the two of you. She couldn’t very well turn her back on him.”

Laurel shrugged and curved her lips with a mirthless movement. “By all means let’s recognize Rhonda’s sterling qualities.” Her voice chilled with dislike as she continued, “After all, Jamie and I were his family. She might have considered that.”

“You have a point,” Adron agreed. He’d turned the subject seemingly glad to let that particular topic drop. “You’re positive you never ran across Oather Dimty?”

Perhaps pursuing another subject would be the best course to follow else she wouldn’t be able to speak to him without screaming in outrage. Nothing would give her greater pleasure than to slap both him and Rhonda, but she mustn’t forget he is Jamie’s guardian. She shook her head cloaking her emotions with a level tone. “That’s odd. Since you say he frequented Landings, it’s strange that I never saw him.”

“Perhaps you mistook him for his nephew. I understand he and Percy bear a close resemblance.”

Still quietly fuming, she drew an audible breath. “Now that you mention it, perhaps I did. I don’t know.” She rubbed her temple and glanced up at him. “I don’t remember actually seeing Mr. Dimty’s uncle but my rooms were searched once or twice. If you recall, my chamber has been searched here as well. Not, I presume, a place where Mr. Dimty would have free access, either Percy or Oather. So is he involved and if so, is he acting alone? And someone tried to murder me at my aunt’s house.” She shrugged. “Perhaps Oather Dimty. I have no idea.”

His mouth had a hard set to it and he seemed to study the matter. “Perhaps. I’ll let you know if I gain any information.”

A whispered disturbance brushed her thoughts, but she couldn’t bring the image clearly to mind and then it faded away. She glanced at Adron and decided against mentioning a shadow she couldn’t recall.

He extended his elbow. “Shall we. Dinner will be served soon and Gran is no doubt waiting. Tomorrow we’re going home.”

“You’ve put me in the mind of something. Please join your grandmother and I’ll be down in a moment.” Laurel whirled and entered her chamber.

She delved into her trunk and came out with a small Laningham heirloom, a cameo necklace surrounded by diamonds, and slipped the chain around her throat. With a self-satisfied smile, she stroked the cameo certain Rhonda would take note of the jewelry. Having Laurel, restored to her former position in spite of Rhonda’s maneuvers would cause her sister-in-law a great deal of frustration.

Laurel didn’t intend to say a word to Rhonda about her part in having Laurel cast into gaol. Adron would only jump to Rhonda’s defense again and Laurel refused to listen to his excuses. All the same, the cameo would get her point across to Rhonda.

When Laurel stepped into the room, tension fairly crackled the atmosphere. Adron leaned on the mantle with one arm and his gaze radiated anger directed at his grandmother. Heloise, with her chin elevated, turned her head, completely ignoring Adron.

Rhonda twitched her silk skirts with an angry movement, arranging the flounces over her chair. Glaring at Laurel, her gaze lingered on the piece of jewelry at Laurel’s throat. She did indeed get the point of the cameo and her expression became even more disgruntled. Rhonda quickly covered her displeasure with an insincere smile. “Laurel, Heloise seems to think I owe you an apology. I apologize for landing you in gaol, but how could I have known you had some of the missing jewelry with you? I thought only of Jamie’s safety.”

Adron’s lips softened and he smiled at Rhonda. He glanced at Laurel, but she ignored him no longer looking to him for approval.

“The jewelry wasn’t missing. You jumped ahead of yourself for no reason at all. Robert gave me the jewels.”

Rhonda’s eyes narrowed and her lips tightened. “Well.” She seemed lost for words for a second. “Eh, Jamie is my nephew. I have a right to be concerned.”

“Certainly, but he is my son and my concern.”

“And my ward,” Adron snapped.

George sprang up from the sofa and hurried to Laurel’s side. “I’m so pleased you’ve been returned to us.”

“You’re so kind. I’m pleased as well.”

“Splendid! Splendid.” He curled her fingers over his arm as the butler announced dinner. “Shall we.”

“Out right war averted,” she whispered with a grin. “Very clever of you.” Laurel allowed him to lead her into dinner. She couldn’t help but compare her destiny to the one she’d been forced to abandon. Tomorrow she would be on the way back to Kendlewood again instead of sailing away to America.

Chapter 16

Adron entered his library and sank in his desk chair. The task of questioning Rhonda’s maid, Hazel, was repugnant to him and if she said anything to implicate Laurel further, what would he do? He would search to the bottom of the heap, as Robert would have expected of him, but regardless of the outcome he would protect Laurel.

A short while later, Adron gazed at the servant as she entered and took the seat he indicated. He thought she appeared a little stern and her brownish-blonde hair gathered at her nape in a bun added to that impression. Her dark hazel eyes seemed apprehensive and a trifle hard.

“I have a few questions to put to you concerning the happenings at Landings but more specifically about the estate jewelry.”

She bobbed her head.

“I understand you cleaned the estate jewelry. Is that correct?”

“Lady Rhonda is mistress at Landings so she gave the orders and I cleaned whatever she asked. She sent items to the jewelers if a repair or deep cleaning was necessary.”

“But what of Lady Laurel Laningham? She became mistress of Landings the moment she married Lord Laningham. Her say should be the rule in all matters. If not before, certainly since her son became the new Lord.”

Hazel tightened her lips with disapproval. “As to that, Lady Rhonda was Lord Laningham’s own dear sister and already in charge when he married. He wouldn’t take that position away from her merely for a young girl.”

“Not merely a young girl, but his wife and the mother of his heir.”

The servant lifted her chin. “I serve Lady Rhonda gladly. Have for years since she was a young miss. Her brother wanted Lady Rhonda to be happy and content as it should be. Since she was his older sister by ten minutes and his wife was young, he allowed Lady Rhonda to remain as mistress. He could depend on her to keep things running smoothly while he was away.”

“Not exactly what one would expect to hear but let’s continue.” Adron searched every nuance of the maid’s expression. He found her tight lips, grim demeanor and lowered lashes, as if to shut him out, extremely exasperating. Perhaps Laurel had reason for complaint with her treatment at Landings. “Did you ever notice Lady Laningham with any of the estate jewelry?”

“Before his lordship passed she wore some of the pieces. Since then, only a time or two. Once I saw her coming out of the library with a necklace in her hand.”

“What sort of necklace?”

“I didn’t get a close look at the thing. All I know is Lady Rhonda had Percy Dimty place the jewelry in the safe.”

The nerve of Percy and Rhonda astounded him and he gritted his teeth. The high-handed treatment Laurel had received at the hands of her sister-in-law and the steward had been way out of bounds. “Hardly Lady Rhonda’s place, but leaving that aside, perhaps the necklace you saw is one of Lady Laningham’s own,” he suggested.

The servant sniffed. “I suspect it belonged to the estate. Lady Rhonda warned me, told me to keep an eye out for such goings on.”

His lips tightened and he admitted being spied on by the servants presented another reason for Laurel to hold a grudge against Rhonda. “Did she suspect Lady Laningham of wrongdoing?”

“Well as to that, I can’t rightly say.” She seemed most anxious to support Rhonda and show Laurel in a bad light. “ Lord Laningham just fresh in his grave, when I heard her ladyship demand that Mr. Dimty advance her some money. There was quite a stir, but I don’t recollect what came of it.”

His eyes narrowed. Laurel seemed a visitor in her own home and appalled at her treatment, he fought against the anger that washed through him. “Why would she apply to Mr. Dimty?”

Momentarily, a fierce frown marred her brow but she hesitated before she spoke. “What with Mr. Dimty being the steward and Lord Laningham depending on him to act as his man of business, he had the run of things.”

“You say his man of business?” Adron asked between his teeth. This was the first he’d heard that Percy acted as Robert’s man of business. He raised his brows. He thought Stillman handled the accounts, but servants were often more aware of the happenings than the master. Adron supposed this woman’s attitude stemmed from her devotion to Rhonda and her view of Landings. Trying to make his scowl as intimidating as possible, he allowed a measure of skepticism to enter his voice. “Explain.”

“Anyone could see that your cousin, poor soul, depended more and more on his sister. Lady Rhonda had to have some support so naturally she leaned on Mr. Dimty.” The maid shrugged and lifted her chin. “With my own ears, I heard her tell his lordship she needed help, so gradually Mr. Dimty took over.” As if to prove her point, she flung her head back. “That’s all I can remember.” With that, her mouth snapped shut and she lowered her lashes.

He dismissed her and rubbed the back of his neck. “Blister it.” Obviously when Robert had begun to fail, being medicated had clouded his mind and he’d placed a tremendous amount of power in Percy’s hands. Although Percy is a Laningham family friend, Adron didn’t have the confidence that he warranted that amount of trust. He couldn’t help but think perhaps Robert had been manipulated into a more helpless position than necessary.

As one of the trustees of the estate, Adron had neglected his duties and shoved everything into Russell Stillman’s hands, the other trustee. Apparently Stillman had done little to alter the state of affairs or oversee the estate. No wonder the housekeeper had complained that Percy acted as lord of the manor. Adron should have taken time to look more fully into the management of the estate, but he had taken everything at face value, assuming everything had been in order.
His mistake
. He rubbed his hand down his face. Adron would soon change that and everything
would
be
in order.

Adron intended to leave for Landings in the morning, but before then he meant to spend some time with Laurel. He entered the hall and his eager stride lengthened however before he reached the stairs, Rhonda appeared in the hallway.

“Rhonda, spare me a moment.” He hesitated before he called.

A few steps brought him to her side. Rhonda gazed up at him with an expectant smile.

“Adron,” she breathed.

“Who is the Laningham family jeweler?”

Her face fell and she twisted her fingers together nervously. “What has that to do with anything?”

“A simple inquiry. Where do you send jewelry for repair and cleaning? I need the name of the jeweler.”

“Randle and Bridge, if you must know.”

“Now that wasn’t so difficult, not even painful was it?”

She sent him a patently false smile and flounced down the hall. Adron almost laughed.
Now, on with the business of coaxing Laurel into a receptive frame of mind.

Adron couldn’t wait to be with Laurel again. He wanted her to be as aware of him as he was of her. Patience wasn’t one of his virtues and the wait for her to forgive him wore on his nerves. He’d do well to watch his step or he might drive her completely away. Laurel is so giving and generous he couldn’t believe she would withhold her forgiveness, even when he didn’t deserve it.

Although no longer required to care for the children, she would be with Jamie at this time of day. Adron stepped through the nursery door.

Freddy and Jamie clung to the rocking horse newly acquired from Landings. Giggles spilled across the room and brought a smile to Laurel’s lips. The toy with Jamie astride and Freddy hanging onto the horse’s head exploded with a cracking sound. Laurel vaulted out of her seat and raced to the boys, unable to prevent the toy’s head from falling to the floor with Freddy on top. Wails broke from both of the children.

Adron strode over to the heap. “Jamie, don’t cry. I’m here. I’ll repair your horse.”

Laurel lifted Jamie into her lap and helped Freddy to his feet. He promptly scooted onto her lap as well. She planted a kiss on both boys’ faces. “Poor little fellows. That mean old rocking horse broke and dumped both of my brave knights off.”

“Let me see what damage has been done to the poor horse.” Adron said, “I’ve promised to repair the damage and so I shall. Don’t fret.”

He examined the broken toy. “I see I’ll need a few tools.”

Adron placed the rocking horse on the floor and after further examination drew a folded document from the horse’s head. “What’s this?”

Laurel shrugged and leaned forward. “I’ve never seen it before.”

Unrolling the paper, he began to read. Laurel sat the children down and gazed over his shoulder. He perused the document to the end and reread it before turning to her.

“This appears to be Robert’s Last Will and Testament duly signed and witnessed.” Adron offered her a reassuring smile. “Seems you are no longer without means.”

His words were met with silence, but her eyes were huge, and glistened with moisture. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking and that irritated him. Adron wanted to understand her and to share her thoughts as well. To some extent he supposed he did know what occupied her mind. She still cared for her departed husband and Adron empathized. He grieved for Robert too.

A hint of jealousy flashed for a moment but he quickly subdued it and reached out to take her hand in his, kissing the back of her fingers. Her hand trembled and he wanted to hold her, to offer comfort, to support her. “Seems, Robert didn’t completely forget you after all.”

“Poor, Rhonda, will take this very hard indeed. She’s been set aside in your favor.” Regret for his cousin’s plight lingered in his voice.

Laurel’s expression darkened and she jerked her hand out of his hold. “Adron, how can you say that? I happened to have been his wife, but you sound as if I robbed her of her birthright or something equally evil. And by underhanded means as well.”

He could tell he’d blotted his copybook again, but he had to stand his ground or the misunderstanding would roar out of control. Adron stood, bringing Laurel with him and his eyes narrowed unpleasantly. “I implied nothing of the sort. You’ve taken my meaning in the wrong way. I’m thrilled, Robert provided for you as is proper but realize Rhonda loved him too.” His voice deepened as he continued, “She was his sister and after all these months this will be a shock for her. Rhonda thought Robert had left her everything not entailed, as witnessed in the previous Will. Naturally I’m concerned for her. She’s family as was Robert.”

“Of course and I’m the outsider.” Her teeth snapped shut on her withering comment and she glared at him.

He couldn’t prevent his voice from rising in open reproach. “I’m not saying that. You’re a part of this too. How can you doubt it?”

Flashing an ironic smile at him, her disbelief echoed in her eyes, however she remained silent.

“I merely expressed concern for her because I care for my family, is that so wrong?” With a startled oath, he headed out the door. “I must personally inform Rhonda of the circumstances before word gets about.”

Laurel motioned for the nursemaid to take charge and she sprang out the door to follow Adron. After the way he’d acted, she wasn’t sure what to expect but she managed to enter the drawing room in his wake.

“Rhonda, a word with you if you please.” Adron motioned for her to follow him. “Alone would be best.”

“If that’s the case, I would like to read the Will immediately,” Laurel demanded with dry significance.

Rhonda paled and her fingers covered her lips. “Will, what Will? What are you saying?”

Adron sighed. “Come along then. I only wanted to spare her pain.”

Of course he wanted to spare Rhonda pain. When had it ever been different? Laurel’s exasperation increased as she fumed.

He took Rhonda’s elbow as if she were spun glass and guided her into his library. “You both had better sit.”

Laurel sank in a chair beside Rhonda and a shiver crawled down her spine. She always felt uncomfortable in his library where more often than not he called her on the carpet for one reason or the other. The same feeling of dread hovered over her now.

Adron sat in his chair behind the desk and opened the Will. His eyes were filled with sympathy as he gazed at Rhonda. “I’m saddened to find it necessary to tell you, Rhonda, but the new Will has been found. Robert left everything not entailed to his wife. Laurel has the invested funds, the property, everything in fact.”

“You’re saddened by the necessity to tell her?” Laurel hurled at him in a blaze of anger.

Rhonda blanched and jumped to her feet. “No. Impossible. Robert would never do this to me.”

Ignoring Laurel and her anger, Adron rounded his desk with his full attention on Rhonda. Laurel might as well not have spoken. Then she glanced at Rhonda and understood his concern. Rhonda was now flushed and shifting from one foot to the other with her hand to her throat. Her mouth worked, but no sound emerged.

Laurel reached toward her shoulder. “Are you ill?”

Rhonda jerked away. “Don’t touch me. Landings has always been my home. Now all is lost,” she wailed.

Laurel knew what Robert would have wanted and she decided to honor his memory. With a sinking sensation and much reluctance, she made an offer. “You’re welcome to continue making your home at Landings.”

“How dare you offer me your charity,” Rhonda snapped. “With you lording over the domain I’d rather starve.” She broke into sobs and fled the room.

“That went well,” Laurel uttered wryly.

“What did you expect? Rhonda looked on your charity as condescension and her pride was offended.”

Laurel lifted her hands. “That wasn’t the spirit in which I offered her a home.”

“I know, but you might recall Landings has always been her home. In her eyes, having something that has always been hers offered to her is extremely offensive, no matter you meant it for the best.”

A long uncomfortable silence ensued. “And she might try a dose of reality instead of deluding herself into thinking she is the victim in all of this.”