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The faintest glint of a mocking smile edged the corners of her mouth.
“Then, if my assistance is required, I must be made aware of the particulars of the necklace and of the theft itself. Who is its owner?”
“I am not permitted to say,” Grandison replied.
She sighed heavily.
“I see you do not mean to make this easy. Might you inform me of where the necklace was being kept before it went missing?”
“Again, I am not at leisure to speak of the circumstances,” Grand said evenly.
“Then, pray tell, how am I to assist you if I know nothing of the crime?” she demanded.
Regarding her with remarkable self-possession, he said, “I do not believe that Lord Liverpool considered your personal involvement in the investigation. It is my understanding, his Lordship simply requires the names and locations of those likely to be involved in what can be called a crime ‘demanding’ his personal attention. I will take the initiative to locate and question the possible suspects.”
The lady raised a sleek eyebrow.
“I assure you, my Lord, you would not last five minutes in the seamy underside of London, that I suspect we must travel, without my assistance. Where we must go, being an arrogant Earl holds no standing. If you truly wish the necklace’s return, you will convince Lord Liverpool that he requires more than a list of possible suspects. You will require my personal assistance.”
Annoyance came to rest fully on Grand’s shoulders.
“If such is so, I suppose I will be required to detain you until you change your mind and cooperate with the investigation, Miss Everley.”
Instead of responding to his threat, the lady asked, “Might I borrow your handkerchief, sir?”
Grandison frowned in confusion.
“My handkerchief?”
She presented him a cursory glance.
“Never mind,” she said with a too sweet smile. “I already possess it.” She pulled a handkerchief bearing his family crest in its corner from a pocket in her dress. “Along with your monogramed button cover.” She placed both on the low table beside the tea service. “And a note which either contains my direction or that of another.” A folded-over card followed the other items. “My education, as you observe, contained more than numbers and letters and history and science,” she explained.
A simmering vexation arrived. Grand did not enjoy being made to appear the fool, but he knew that Liverpool would expect him to place that emotion aside in order to return the queen’s necklace to the Prince Regent.
“You have earned my attention, Miss Everley,” he ground out through tight lips.
“It is not your attention I require, your Lordship, but rather your cooperation.”
Chapter Two
Colleen should have permitted Caro or Jones to respond to Lord Harlow’s knock, especially as she still wore the day-dress she had worn to her meeting with the lady who assisted in overseeing the foundling home, which Colleen had organised and supported for more than three years, but she could not quite quash her curiosity. She could easily recall how she had observed Lord Harlow, then Lord Franklyn, once in Hyde Park. She had been upon her father’s arm, and it had been glorious to be among those of society, for, at the time, all of London had no idea of the notoriety which would one day fill her life. Lord Franklyn had been with several other young gentlemen, who bowed and doffed their hats to her, Lord Franklyn going so far as to speak his ‘good day’ before walking on.
Colleen had been hard-pressed not to turn and look more closely upon the young man who was the most strikingly handsome man she had ever seen. Ironically, although she had hoped that he had not aged well, the same fluttering of anticipation she had known on that fateful day in Hyde Park had settled in her chest when she looked upon his Lordship’s fine countenance today.
After that day, she had combed the newsprints for word of Lord Franklyn. She knew when his father had passed — knew when he took his seat in the Lords — knew the names of his various mistresses over the years — and knew something of his reputation for quirkiness. In the sketches of him in the more gossipy news, he was referred to as ‘Grandison, the Great’, a wealthy lord who was very regimented in his ways and who had earned the praise and loyalty of those populating the higher positions of England’s government and society as a whole. He was so popular among the lords and ladies of fashion, he had been dubbed ‘the great’ for more than the uproar caused by Lady Jenest when he released her as his mistress. The man was said to possess a great mind, great wealth, and great… Well, young ladies of society were not supposed to be interested in his other ‘great’ attributes. The idea made Colleen smile when she looked upon him.
It was also said that Harlow collected artifacts and relics of ancient civilisation, as well as rare books, with a robust interest, equalled by his desire for the ‘jewels’ of fine society.
Her father had often spoken of the man’s collections as if they were the Holy Grail.
Tall. Muscular. Dark hair and eyes. A well-honed attitude of superiority, one that would certainly name her as far below his notice. Such was the reason Colleen had used her own fully-developed skills to remove a variety of items from his person.
“You have earned my attention, Miss Everley.”
“It is not your attention I require, your Lordship, but rather your cooperation,” she said, never allowing herself to forget the disdain apparent in his eyes and what she named as his patronising way of speaking to her. It made her wonder what had happened to the young man who had briefly flirted with her all those years ago, and why she had ever privately claimed a fascination with him.
Colleen considered simply sending Lord Harlow on his way. If she chose to find the necklace, she could certainly do so without his Lordship’s presence at her side. Harlow would more likely prove to be a detriment: his disapproval of her lineage serving as a plague upon her ability to meet with the necessary people to locate the necklace. Jones could escort her just as easily as could Lord Harlow, and Jones, her butler, would, most assuredly, be better trained than was his lordship in the event of trouble. It was time to set her terms and learn Lord Harlow’s response.
