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“Such is what Dostoff and I anticipated,” Harlow confirmed.
“Then how did my father come into possession of the necklace? Moreover, how did he escape the ship heading for the penal colony? I watched him board the prisoner ship in chains.”
She turned away from Lord Harlow to compose herself.
“He said something about a storm, and the ship setting into a port on the African coast, but nothing of the details of his escape. All I know is he ‘supposedly’ purchased the necklace in Spain. In fact, he was aboard the same ship as I on my return to England, but he was in disguise, at the time.”
“And now what?” she demanded with a return of her anger.
Harlow ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.
“I remain in the dark. After your appearance at Carlton House, your father was to bring me the necklace. I am not certain what will happen now. Did the game change when he made an appearance at Prince George’s table? Do you suppose he stole something from our future King or Prince George’s guests to balance off the cost of the necklace?”
“If so, my father’s efforts to lift me up in Society will be for naught. If he is caught again, the name of Everley will be splashed all over London. Any hope I had of a normal life will be ripped from my fingers again.”
“I am deeply grieved, Miss Everley,” he said dutifully.
“I think you should leave, my Lord. Do not return. I wish nothing more to do with you or Lord Liverpool or Thomas Everley.”
“Please,” he began, reaching out for her. “I was angry with your father, not with you.”
“Your actions are insignificant to me. I no longer care to be a part of this charade,” she said as tears flooded her eyes. “Farewell, my Lord.”
“Colleen,” he pleaded.
The sound of her name on his lips was nearly her undoing. Yet, she managed to call for her servant.
“Jones!”
In less than a half dozen seconds, her butler appeared.
“Yes, Miss?”
“Lord Harlow is leaving. See that the house is secure. If others ask, no matter if the person is Prince George himself, I am not accepting callers.”
With that she crossed through the door leading to her private quarters — never looking back to either man. Inside her bedchamber, she paused briefly as the truth of her life rushed in, and the dismal future spreading out before her caught her in misery as she sank to her knees to permit the tears their due.
Chapter Nine
Another four days had passed, and Thomas Everley had yet to make an appearance, with or without the necklace.
Grand had suffered through a thorough set down from the Prince Regent, in which he had been called every foul name possible for bringing the plan to reclaim the necklace to Prince George’s attention.
“I presented that dastard’s daughter a place at my table, and for what?” the Prince screeched.
“I have told Lord Liverpool that Everley is not likely to appear with so many guards posted around my house,” Grand attempted to reason, but to no avail. “Harlow House is much of the nature of a fortress.”
Other than being summoned to Carlton House, Grand had spent every hour of those last four days holed up in his home, waiting for Everley’s appearance and drinking more than he should in a poor attempt to rid himself of the desire simply to sit in the same room as Miss Everley again. Just to look upon her perfect countenance — to hear her tart opinions on a variety of subjects.
Therefore, this morning, he had declined breakfast at home and made his way to his club. Choosing a table in the corner, he had ordered his meal and taken up a copy of the latest newsprints while he sipped the strong tea before him.
He had been there less than a quarter hour when someone sat across from him.
“I specifically told the staff that I wished no company,” he said, as he readjusted the paper, lifting it higher to avoid whoever dared to approach him without his permission.
“Then I am to assume that you do not wish the package I promised you,” his unwelcome table mate declared.
Grand slowly lowered the paper to view Thomas Everley, dressed as a perfect gentleman and grinning largely.
