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“Shall I ring for tea?” she asked the gentleman.
He shook off the idea. “I cannot stay long, but I knew you must be overwrought with worry.”
“I was,” she reluctantly admitted. “Please be seated, sir.” She gestured to the chair directly opposite her, rather than the place beside her on the settee. Colleen wished to re-establish the ‘distance’ at which she had once held the gentleman. The expression on his features said that he perfectly understood her ploy. “Were you and Lord Harlow able to locate Lord Ridgeworth?” she asked when he was settled.
“Unfortunately, we were not. Nor were we able to secure the necklace, but Lord Harlow continues to search for the Queen’s jewellery. He departed for the Continent two days prior in the hope of securing the item,” he explained.
“I am confused,” she confessed. “I thought you were to seek Ridgeworth through those to whom the Viscount owed debts.”
“We did,” he confirmed. “Yet, we were too late. According to those we questioned, Ridgeworth presented the necklace as payment to clear his debt more than a week before our search led us in his direction, and the jewels were quickly sold to a buyer on the Continent. However, from what Harlow and I can determine, the necklace was stolen from the courier sent to deliver it to Spain and the buyer. The Earl and I have abandoned our search for Ridgeworth. We both agree that the Viscount has most likely been killed, and someone has disposed of his Lordship’s body. Or perhaps Ridgeworth committed suicide rather than face the wrath of the Crown, but, either way, Harlow and I agree that the Viscount’s days are numbered. Those with whom Ridgeworth conducted business are not likely to forget or forgive his actions. Theft from the royal family will ruin him forever, as well as placing the Viscountcy his son should inherit in a tentative position. Likely, the crime will be considered treason, and, therefore, Ridgeworth’s family will also suffer through ‘corruption of blood’, preventing Ridgeworth’s immediate family and heirs from owning property or conducting business — essentially, ruining the family forever.”
She said softly, “It would have been better if Ridgeworth had allowed the men to whom he owed his debts to end it for him. Stealing the necklace damned his name for all time.”
“We assume it was Ridgeworth who had the necklace stolen from his creditors, but we cannot prove as such. Lord Harlow believes that perhaps the Viscount had a change of heart, but it was too late to save himself or his family.” He shook his head in sadness before continuing. “Prince George is adamant regarding the need to punish Ridgeworth’s actions. It is only with Liverpool’s influence that word of this fiasco has not become common knowledge.”
“Then Lord Harlow continues to search for the necklace, rather than Lord Ridgeworth?” she asked.
Colleen did not like the idea that the Earl could be in danger, nor did she approve of the evident animosity between Harlow and Mr. Dostoff. She wished to know specifically where the Earl searched, but she did not dare to ask. She did not have the right to know of his well-being.
“Obviously, the necklace is his Lordship’s prime objective,” Dostoff continued his explanation, “but if he can also discover Ridgeworth, more the better.”
She ventured, “Shall Lord Harlow know success?”
“If any among Liverpool’s agents holds a chance of knowing victory, it will be Harlow, especially on the Continent. The Earl possesses many connections abroad who deal with relics and valuables. Such provides him an advantage which I, for example, do not have.”
“And what of Lady Jenest?” Colleen asked.
The image of a ‘broken-hearted’ woman upon her Ladyship’s features as they departed Jenest Hall had haunted Colleen’s dreams. She imagined such a look upon her own countenance the day that she learned Lord Harlow had married another.
“I am to call upon her Ladyship when I leave you,” Dostoff explained. “As he promised, Harlow has called in a few favours. First, Liverpool sent the current Lord Jenest a scathing letter, demanding that Jenest increase her Ladyship’s widow’s allowance or face the scandal of his mother being arrested for her illegal activities. The Prime Minister also oversaw adjustments in her Ladyship’s spending to carry her through the immediate future. Meanwhile, Harlow has corresponded with Sir Richard Shanland, whose brother oversees one of the Baronet’s smaller estates in Northumberland, near the Scottish border. Sir Richard’s brother is a widower with a son full grown and two younger daughters, who require someone to bring them out in Society. Shanland has guaranteed to Harlow that his brother would think Lady Jenest an acceptable second wife, especially with her Ladyship’s connection to not only Jenest’s Viscountcy, but, also, to her late father’s Earldom.”
Colleen smiled, “As the daughter of an Earl, it will not be necessary for Lady Jenest to abandon her courtesy title completely with such a marriage. She may still be called ‘lady’ so-and-so. What is Lady Jenest’s Christian name? Do you know?”
“Olivia. She was formerly Lady Olivia Brownstone,” Mr. Dostoff confirmed.
“Then, although her husband is a mere ‘mister’, she may still be ‘Lady Olivia’,” Colleen summarised. “Will Lady Jenest accept the gentleman? She has been on her own for several years.”
If someone arranged a marriage for her, especially to a complete stranger, Colleen would choose her independence, but, then again, she had always been on her own. Perhaps Lady Jenest’s attachment to Lord Harlow was nothing more than a cry for assistance.
“Liverpool has sent me to reason with the woman,” Dostoff admitted. “The Shanlands are a respectable and wealthy family, and the marriage would be a means for Lady Jenest to begin again. Her Ladyship has few other options.”
“A sad reality for many women,” Colleen observed.
Dostoff did not comment further on the situation. Instead, he stood to leave.
“I will continue to keep you informed.”
Colleen rose also.
“I appreciate all you have done, sir, to keep my name in this matter away from others.”
“I would see you safe in all matters, Miss Everley,” he said tenderly. “If you would permit it.”
“I am well aware of the extent of your kindness, Mr. Dostoff, but I am not in a position to choose a life other than the one I have had thrust upon me,” she repeated stiffly, not wishing to inflict punishment on the man.
“Your answer is not as I had hoped; yet I understand.” He bowed to her. “Farewell then.”
“Farewell, sir,” she responded softly.
