Conduct Unbecoming of a Gentleman (16 page)

“With the impossible unfair way you treat her, I can hardly find fault with that. What did you do to make her flee?” George met his stare with one of his own.

“And why is every move she makes to be laid at my door? I suppose I’m to blame for her stealing the estate jewelry as well.”

“What are you saying?” George’s voice held an edge and a frown furrowed his brow.

Adron’s throat tightened with emotion, but righteous indignation upheld his conviction of his actions. “She had the jewelry in her possession when she was apprehended.”

George’s eyes narrowed and alarm laced his voice. “Apprehended?”

“She’s in the Runner’s hands now.”

“You sorry sod. You deserve a good thrashing if nothing else. Set things to right,” George demanded. A red tide of anger washed his cheeks and he tightened his lips. “Undo what you’ve done.”

“It’s not what I’ve done. I’ve done nothing.” Adron bristled. “I tell you, she had the jewelry with her. But I never set the Runners on to her.”

“I dare say she did have the jewelry with her. I’m sure Heloise has pieces of entailed jewelry from your estate in her possession. Until such a time your bride requires the jewelry, she wears any piece she pleases. Is that not so?”

“But.”

“No buts about it,” George scoffed. “As with Heloise, Laurel is perfectly entitled to wear any piece of the collection she chooses until such a time her son is grown and married.”

“Indeed,” Adron finally muttered. George’s words gave Adron pause and reason to reflect on his actions. Adron had been so angry, blinded by rage and disappointment, he hadn’t considered the total situation, the rightness or the wrongness of her actions or of his. At the time he could think of nothing except her disappearance and how that would affect him.

He’d made mention of stolen jewelry. The Runners hadn’t considered that charge until he opened his mouth to abase her. She called for his help, but his temper and rigid ways had once again placed someone he cared for in danger.

Adron poured a measure of whiskey in another glass and handed the snifter to George before sinking into a chair by the grate with his head lowered.

George sat in the chair opposite and sipped his whiskey. “Have you thought of the scandal this will create not only for Laurel but the members of your family as well? What’s to happen to Laurel now?”

“I never intended to have her arrested, I tell you. I wasn’t the one that filed the complaint against her but when I find the person that did, heads are going to roll.” He flung his hands in the air. “In truth I could only see Genevieve and her lying ways. I will not let another woman dupe me again.”

George shook his head and his lips firmed. “You never learn. You let your blasted temper run away with you and you wanted to punish her as well.”

Adron’s lips tightened. “Exactly so. Besides, Gran said the scandal could be squashed with a few excuses and untruths. Gran has enough credit to carry the thing off when necessary.”

“I suppose so. With you in the family Heloise surely has had plenty of experience of squashing scandals.”

“Too true.” Adron managed a half-hearted lifting of his lips in a smile before he sobered. “I should have made a push to have Laurel freed into my custody immediately. My mistake.”

“Then why didn’t you?”

“When I found the missing jewels in her possession, I couldn’t think straight. I suppose I always expected her to fail, to betray me in some fashion. That seemed proof of how she had duped me.” Adron ducked his head and ran both of his hands over his hair to the back of his neck before looking up again.

“Perhaps she wasn’t guilty of stealing the missing jewels, but is she involved with the theft of the rest? I still have a dilemma on my hands. All of the remaining jewelry is almost worthless, replaced with paste, excellent replicas but still fake.”

“When did this come about?”

“I couldn’t say exactly. But sometime before I took charge of the estate. A week ago I had the estate gems appraised and nearly every piece is fake, paste in fact.”

“There’s your answer,” George said with excitement. “Have Horace and the Runners nose around. See if the jeweler that created the paste replicas can be found. That certainly should lead somewhere however I dare say not to Laurel.”

“Perhaps you are correct. I hadn’t finished with my investigation at Landings when word of Laurel’s flight reached me. I intend to finish my inquiries there as soon as possible.”

“Do you intend to leave Laurel in jail while you pursue the culprit?” George’s brow lifted sardonically.

“Don’t be absurd,” Adron spat with a quelling frown. “The first thing in the morning I’ll have all charges against her dropped. Now that I’ve had the chance to reflect, I would do so tonight but at this late hour, I doubt I could rouse the magistrate from his bed.”

“The lower orders expect to be rouse when necessary but have your way. Is all of this dust up because you suspect her of having the other jewelry replaced with paste?”

“I tell you I didn’t suspect her until I found her with the missing jewelry.” Adron heaved a sigh.

“That’s preposterous. Why would she? Every single piece belonged to Jamie did it not?”

Leave it to George to hit upon the one argument for which Adron had no answer. “Yes, you’re correct. But I’m still in the middle of the mystery. When I consider the situation calmly, I realize Laurel is in danger and why would that be if she were the guilty party?”

“You’re like to drive a man daft. Let’s hear the entire story,” George demanded.

“When she traveled to London, Horace reported a noise coming from Laurel’s room. He investigated and found Laurel in a hysterical state, babbling about a man trying to kill her.”

“Is she injured in any way?”

“Laurel says a thief broke into her chamber at her aunt’s house and actually had his hands about her throat. She did have a few bruises. The thief demanded a blue stone on a silver chain. Since the thief didn’t find the necklace, perhaps she is still in danger as she believes.”

One of the reasons he’d sat Laurel at a distance, even to the point of actually offering for Melissa, had been so he could consider the situation with a clear head. Instead of an uncluttered mind free to reason, his conduct had resulted in Laurel ending up in gaol and he was in more turmoil than ever. However, he didn’t mention that to George.

George straightened and sat forward griping the arms of his chair. “Have you discovered nothing of the man?”

Adron speared him with a glare. “No, but I certainly have more questions for Percy Dimty. His father had fallen on hard times and he had been a friend of Herbert Laningham, the twin’s father. Percy is a third son and had been forced to seek a position of employment. For that very reason he has been a highly trusted steward at Landings for a goodly number of years, but I suppose no one is above suspicion.”

“Well, you were quick to accuse Laurel. I dare say this Percy fellow is no more above suspicion than she is,” George said dryly.

Adron grimaced. “You don’t mind twisting the knife do you. I suppose I deserved that. And since we’re discussing suspicions, both the housekeeper and the butler made mention of Dimty’s uncle.”

“An interesting point but what’s suspicious in that?”

“Lately, Dimty acts very defensive and uncomfortable when questioned about the estate. He’s evasive. And when I mentioned his uncle, he appeared a trifle frightened, if that’s the correct word. Perhaps apprehensive would be more apt. I intend to meet this uncle.”

“Everyone has a relative that’s not quite up to the mark. No crime in that.” George picked up his glass and glanced over the rim at Adron.

“The housekeeper muttered something about Dimty acting as if he were the lord of the manor. I’m sure many a power hungry steward has played out that fantasy, but I do believe he’s gotten a little above his station. Perhaps there is something more there.”

“At least it’s a finger pointing in another direction,” George said.

Adron stood and placed his glass on the side table. “I’ve talked this thing to death. Let’s turn in. I must make a very early call in the morning. You may rack up here for the night if you so choose.”

“I shall and thanks.”

The two men headed up the stairs and when Adron reached the hall a wail came from the nursery. He entered and took the situation in at a glance. One of the young maids walked the floor with Jamie in an attempt to comfort him.

“Here, give him to me,” Adron demanded and reached for the boy. Jamie kicked and screamed even harder until finally he calmed to a soft whimper. With eyes the exact shade of blue as his mother’s and awash with tears, Jamie stared up at his guardian. The wounded expression in his young face smote Adron. Laurel wasn’t the only one made to suffer for his temper and actions. His throat burned with guilt.

“Mummy.” Jamie lifted both of his little hands and looked around as if asking what had happened to his mummy.

Staring into Jamie’s eyes brought a moment of blinding clarity. Adron loved Laurel. Not only lusted after her, but he loved as well. What an ill-advised moment to back away from her, to doubt his own judgment and protect himself with his foolish decision to offer for Melissa. He’d told Laurel of his intentions and that had driven her to take Jamie and leave. Could he ever make amends?

Chapter 15

Numb with despair, Laurel gripped her hands together and gazed around the impossibly small, almost bare cell in which she’d been thrust. The gray, slab walls with one tiny barred window coupled with the flagged stone floor left the room chilled and she shivered. A rickety cot stood against one wall with only a thin, dirty blanket for a cover. No pillow had been provided, but she doubted she could have brought herself to rest upon such an item regardless. How could this awful thing have happened to her? She’d only wanted to care for her son. What was so unreasonable about that?

She recalled the shock and rage in Adron’s eyes when he’d first burst into the room at the Boarshead and her stomach twisted in knots. He’d flung accusations at her, not listening to a word she tried to say in her defense. He actually turned from her as if she were a loathsome thief, possibly even a murderer, blaming her for placing Jamie in danger. Although she’d taken him into a questionable part of London, she had her gun with her and Adron knew she would have used it to protect her son.

Laurel collapsed on the cot and began to weep desolate sobs that echoed in the dark cell. How could he have taken Jamie from her and allowed the Runners to cast her into this cold, dank place?

The image of him standing in the room radiating anger while the Runners arrested her would be forever stamped in her memory. The Runner had mentioned Adron as the complainant against her and the necessary warrant had been issued at his behest. Hatred boiled in the pit of her stomach. She could never forget begging him to intervene and he had turned away without a single word uttered in her defense.

From the first he’d wanted her to leave, and without Jamie, but up to this point she had thwarted him at every turn. Having her labeled as a thief presented the perfect opportunity to turn his back on her.

Taking him at face value, handsome, confident, quick to protect and worthy of trust, had been her biggest mistake. She’d been a deluded fool and another sob escaped her. He’d accomplished exactly what he’d intended and she had lost everything, her son, her family and her home along with her good name.

Adron’s determination to push her aside and have Jamie under his roof at any cost made no sense.
Why?
Laurel had always been a loving mother and Jamie is heir to his father’s estate, not some lost waif. She supposed that Adron placed no store in her ability to protect her son’s interest, even with help from the steward. Fresh tears cascaded down her face.

Laurel cried until no tears were left. The horror of facing a trial, disgraced and incarceration in Newgate prison overwhelmed her with helpless dread. Rumors whispered that death would be preferable to residence in such a place and a chill raced down her spine. Huddling in a curled position on her side, she circled her arms around her drawn up legs.

Laurel couldn’t sleep, but thankfully she could no longer feel either. Numb with shock, she’d withdrawn deep within herself where nothing could reach her, no damp or cold of the cell, no hunger or pain, not even sound. Safe inside herself, almost comatose, and oblivious to her circumstances for the present, her eyes shut.

The day advanced at a rapid pace and Adron’s nerves were frayed with holding his temper in check. Dealing with the prison guards and the necessary papers had him cursing under his breath. The place smelled and he couldn’t wait to have Laurel released. Although Rhonda had taken the blame for instigating the whole mad rush to London, Adron still itched to wrap his fingers around Edmond’s throat for signing his name to the complaint, but Rhonda’s sobs had defeated him. Adron could never stand to witness her tears.

As children, both Robert and Rhonda had looked up to him, the older, all-wise cousin. As a youth, the helplessness in being able to stop Rhonda’s abusive governess had made Adron her champion to this day.

If Rhonda’s distress had him on edge, what would looking into Laurel’s face do to him now? He’d always tried to protect Rhonda, but when Laurel had needed his protection he’d failed her. Adron groaned aloud when he envisioned her huge, wounded eyes staring up at him. How had he let that happen?

Overwhelmed and bitterly angry with her, he’d been devastated to discover her with the missing jewels, but that didn’t excuse his actions. His failure to act on her behalf put him beyond the pale in his own eyes. Yesterday had been filled with anguish and uncertainty, but today he was determined to put all to rights between himself and Laurel.

As he followed the guard down the hallway to Laurel’s cell, he hoped she would forgive him. The damp, chilled atmosphere of the place washed over him and the atrocious smell assaulted his nostrils. Appalled at the condition of the cell assigned to her, he uttered a furious oath.

At first in the dim light offered by the small window, he failed to locate the slender, unmoving figure lying on the cot against the gray wall. When he discovered her, he shuddered with guilt. True she had taken her son, but not without provocation.

“Laurel,” he called from across the room.

She didn’t stir. Adron swallowed heavily and crossed the chamber in a few strides. “Laurel!”

Again she failed to respond and he began to doubt she still lived. Paralyzed with panic, his heart nearly failed him. He couldn’t lose her now. Biting back his emotions, he inhaled and shook her shoulder. She opened her eyes and with a dazed expression, stared up at him. Shivering, her blank gaze mirrored her despair.

“You,” she whispered and drew back.

Adron hated the fear in her eyes.

“Come along. Let me help you,” he coaxed and without her assistance brought her to her feet. Tremors raced through her slender body and shook him as well. Under his breath, he hissed a savage oath against the circumstances and himself. “You’re being released into my custody.”

Adron inspected her dirt smudged face. Her lovely hair appeared dull and he touched the unkempt tangles. How could he have let this happen to her without lifting a finger? He longed to run someone through for the treatment she’d received, closely followed by self-contempt. He’d been a real bastard, never dreaming his rigid observance of his standards and his doubts would result in distress to Laurel or to her child. How could he have been so blinded by his own self-loathing? At the very least, he deserved to be horsewhipped.

The long walk down the dim passageway to the entrance seemed to take forever. Adron assisted her into his waiting carriage before he tucked a blanket around her. Laurel stiffened and winced away from his touch.

His solicitude had come too late and she loathed him now. Laurel wouldn’t even glance in his direction and never wanted to again.

“I’m not a monster, Laurel.”

Sniffing, she rolled her lips inward to keep from giving him the trimming he so richly deserved.

“I identified myself to the Runners, but the short fellow would have none of it. His self-importance and sense of power over one of the Quality was all that concerned him. What more could I have done?”

When no answer was forth coming, his jaw tightened and a muscle beside his eye twitched. “You brought the entire episode on yourself by your foolish flight. What did you expect me to do when I discovered you were gone?” he asked.

His caustic comment added to her sense of outrage. She turned her head even further away. If he dared say another condemning word to her, she would scream in his face.

“Laurel. Please forgive me. That remark was uncalled for.” Grimacing, he held out his hand. “I don’t have a delicate way to say this. Our relationship had gotten out of hand, racing ahead perhaps to disaster. I needed to slow down and think. You know the world, including my grandmother all expect me to offer for Melissa. I couldn’t very well let her be held up to ridicule because I didn’t come up to scratch. I’m a gentleman and she’s a lady. I couldn’t ruin her reputation.”

“And what am I?” Laurel bristled.

“A widow. It’s not the same,” he dismissed. “She’s young and innocent.”

“And I’m soiled. Is that it?” Anger flooded through her and she drew in deep gulps of air.

“No. Will you listen?” Adron shifted in the seat. “I was torn in half, on the verge of offering for Melissa and wanting you too. I felt betrayed when you ran away. More confused than ever and furious with myself as well. I did nothing to help you. It was a mistake on my part.” Running his fingers through his hair, he exhaled a long breath. “I had some justification. After all, there is a mystery to solve. Someone stole the jewelry.”

Her head snapped around and she glared at him.
Arrogant bastard.

He held up both hands. “No, I’m not accusing you. But you must admit there is compelling evidence for that conclusion.”

Silently she regarded him with a baneful look. She hoped her scowl said it all.

“We’re making progress. At least you’re looking at me now,” he said with a sigh.

She quickly averted her head and gazed out the window at the passing scenery. The sensation of being free washed over her. The rattle of the wheels and movement of the horses caused freedom to seem real at last.

At the moment, she wanted nothing better than to leap out of the carriage into the sunshine where the light could shine on her face and she could breathe in the clean air. No more horrid odors to assail her nostrils or weaken her stomach. After the damp chill of the prison, she could hardly believe she had been freed and on the way to her precious child.

Moisture gathered in her eyes and her throat worked with the effort to hold back her emotions. The troubling silence inside the carriage consumed her but she forced herself not to glance his way again.

He moved restlessly and cleared his throat. “Please allow me to make amends. I want you and Jamie to find comfort in my home. Give me the opportunity to prove you may trust me again. I’m more wretched than I can make you understand.”

How could she possibly believe him when he had her cast into gaol? Where is the trust in that? And he’d lied to her about Melissa.
Trustworthy indeed.
She speared him with a contemptuous glare. “Actions, Adron. Actions not mere words.”

He stared at her now and with a grimace took another track. “Jamie is waiting for you. I beg you to forgive me. I didn’t understand. I know you’ll want to spend every minute with him, but will you please dine with the family tonight?”

Studying him, she raised her brow. “Your family! Your sister, your grandmother, your cousin and least we forget, your intended bride, Melissa.” As she hurled each word out, sarcasm fairly dripped from her lips.

“Now, Laurel. Melissa isn’t my intended bride nor liked to be. It true I must speak to her. Let her down gently, but there will be time for that later. I promise you, only Heloise and Rhonda are here in London. The others are still at Kendlewood.” He seemed reluctant to add, “George will be present as well.”

She barked out a brittle laugh. “Jolly good. I’ll take a tray in my room.”

“Laurel, please. The family will think it odd.”

“We certainly can’t have that,” she retorted, hoping her eyes spoke volumes of the disgust and outrage she had bottled up inside. She wanted to scream, but she managed to control the urge. “After having spent the night in gaol, how could anyone imagine I’d care to be excused from a formal dinner tonight? How thoughtless of me.”

“I deserve everything you have to say and I realize how difficult forgiveness can be, but please put this unpleasant incident behind you. Tomorrow we return home. Perhaps that will put you in a better frame of mind.”

“Since I’m in your custody, am I to remain a prisoner there?”

“Certainly not. You are free to come and go as you wish.”

Laurel interrupted him. “But without Jamie I presume.”

“Exactly so. I must insist you give me a chance to redeem myself. If you tear off with Jamie, how can that happen?”

Her chin quivered and her mouth worked. “How can that happen when you had me cast into gaol?”

Adron tried to make light of it. “I didn’t. I’ll admit I intended to give you a good shake when I finally caught up with you, but I had no intentions of having you locked away.” He stared at her for a long interval. “You knew I’d be after you when you fled.”

“Yes, I knew and I’d do it again if I deemed it necessary.”

“Laurel, don’t try it,” he warned with a growl and eased back. “I’ll never give you cause to leave me again.”

“You didn’t have to set the Runners after me.” Her voice trembled.

“I tell you I knew nothing of it until the Runners arrived.” In an exasperated tone he continued, “the complaint had been lodged against you in my name, but without my consent.” He glanced down at his hands clasped together. “Rhonda thought to help me. Nothing more. She had Edmond sign the thing.”

“Rhonda,” Laurel spat and clinched her teeth. “Your precious family again. I’ll so love spending a few hours with dear Rhonda at dinner tonight.”

“Don’t blame her. It was my fault. I was away at Landings and I’m afraid she took my attitude toward you to heart. Rhonda only did what she thought I’d want her to do. I apologize for that as well.”

His defense of Rhonda when he wouldn’t defend her stabbed her to the heart. Brushing the moisture from her lashes, she sniffed and raised a brow. “Should I thank her tonight for having me clapped in gaol? Oh, that’s correct. She was thinking of you. Then it falls to you to thank her for her assistance.”

Her voice cracked. “You could have helped me.”

“I’m an insensitive brute.” His tone held regret. “Most men are primitive, savage creatures full of pride. That’s the way we are, simply men. In any event, I’m not sure I could have prevailed with the Runners. The one in charge seemed bent on doing his duty.”

She glared at him.
How could he lie with such a straight face?