AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Her mother’s diamond ring. Originally her grandmother’s, it was clear that it had been legally bequeathed to Emily. Was it worth much? Did it mean she wasn’t destitute or was it just a nice memento from her mother’s family?
Searching through the box, she found two more documents for two other jewels that belonged to her. A necklace and a pair of earrings that matched the ring. Taking the papers upstairs, she slipped into her mother’s room and opened the drawers that held all her jewelry.
Running her hands along several pieces, she found the ones that had been labeled for her and pulled them from their velvet beds before carefully closing the drawers again.
Then, taking them to her own room, she set them on her vanity, staring at them. She remembered her mother wearing these, remembered the way they sparkled and winked in the candlelight.
A few tears slid down her cheek, but these were happier tears. She had these pieces of her mother that she got to keep.
Pulling out some of her stockings, she wrapped the jewels each in its own bit of fabric and then carefully tucked them in her drawer.
She didn’t know why she didn’t return them to her mother’s room except when it was time for bed, she found herself holding the stocking with her mother’s ring in the palm of her hand.
Drifting off to sleep, her parting thought was that when Jacob took her to see Aubrey, she’d bring the jewels. They were her birthright, her remembrance, and perhaps her salvation.
That thought helped her to relax as the world melted away.
The next night, Lucius Barrow sat behind his desk as candles burned around him. His most lucrative client was about to arrive.
And while Barrow worked with a fair number of the elite, he himself was a third son to a baron, he preferred clients of a more working class.
They had a certain scrappiness he admired. Tinderwell was the fourth son of a marquess who’d left his spare sons without a penny. He and Barrow understood each other.
Not like that detestable Lord Robinson. The man was a handsome waste. Barrow knew of his reputation. A rake and indebted drunkard, he did nothing but take from the people around him to suit his own needs.
So he didn’t feel the least bit of guilt for lying to the man.
The front door opened and he stood, shuffling to the doorway of his private office to greet his guest in the waiting room. “My lord.”
An older man looked at him, his steely eyes meeting Barrows. Still strong and imposing, his grey hair fell across his high forehead like an angry slash. “Let’s dispense of the niceties and get started, shall we?”
See? That’s what Lucius preferred. None of the flowery pompous conversation that was all for show. Give him a man who worked and knew the value of time. “Of course.”
“Tell me everything about Lord Robinson and my Emily.”
“He’s making trouble, sir. Interfering with the plan.”
“Start from the beginning.”
Mr. Barrow stepped out of the doorway, inviting the other man in. “He’s friends with the son. Says that he and Emily are engaged or soon to be.”
His employer snorted. “He’s never even been to the house before your meeting with him, so I don’t see how that’s possible.”
Mr. Barrow lifted his brows though he didn’t ask how the other man knew that Lord Robinson had never been to visit Miss Emily. “If the brother returns, my lie will be exposed.”
“He won’t return, not in time.”
“You’re certain?”
“By the time the new viscount comes home, you will have begun your life in the south of France, Mister Barrow. You’re going to enjoy the sunshine far away from here.”
Barrow gave an eager nod. Though he held no love for the peerage, he was glad that the new viscount wouldn’t be harmed. Hurting a lord of the realm came with swift and serious consequences. “I’m sure I will.”
“You’ve met with Lord Robinson twice now?”
“Yes, once yesterday when I visited Emily and again this morning. The funeral has surely brought him to Emily’s side. So unfortunate, what happened to her parents.” Mr. Barrow watched the man closely, looking for any sign that his employer might be involved. Much as Barrow liked working for him, he needed some assurance that his employer would keep his promises. And holding evidence of the other man’s wrongdoing would surely provide Barrow with protection.
“And what does he intend to do with my Emily?”
