Page 10 of One Jewel-tide Scandal (Singular Sensation #10.5)

Hot panic filled her chest. How could any of them betray her like this?

As her world tilted and shifted into something ugly she’d never experienced before, Charlotte raced out of her room.

In some abstract part of her mind, she knew that her unexpected house guest could help; he had that look about him, so she went directly to the drawing room once more.

“Alexander!”

Immediately, upon seeing her in the doorway, he scrambled to his feet. “What’s wrong? What has happened?” After resting his glass on the small table nearby, he crossed the room and took her hands.

Charlie lifted his head with a soft woof while Cleo flicked an ear and cracked open one eye.

“Tell me.” The baron squeezed her fingers as he peered into her eyes. “You look white as a ghost.” The resolve and concern in his dark eyes encouraged her to find calm.

“I…” When she attempted to pull her hands from his, he tightened his hold.

That touch sent a series of tingles twisting down her spine.

“Shortly before his death, my husband gifted me with a valuable diamond necklace. Each stone was nearly an inch in height and round. I rarely wore it because why would I put it on merely for me?” With the shake of her head, she willed the knots in her belly to stop growing.

“I kept it in a drawer of my clothespress, beneath a false bottom, but when I took the box out tonight, the necklace was gone.”

“Had you always kept it in the drawer? Recently, have you removed it for any reason?”

“Yes, or at least I thought I did.” She frowned then another thought came to her. “But I did take it out a few nights ago to look at it and have it polished.”

“Did you give it to a maid for the task?”

“No. I always did that myself.” She held her bottom lip between her teeth for a few seconds, and when his gaze dropped to her mouth, she let go. “That necklace was my security of sorts.”

“How so?”

“Well, if my brother-in-law suddenly decides to send me to the dower house and cut off my funding, that necklace will allow me to live in comfort for the rest of my life.” When she shrugged, she met his gaze again.

“Perhaps I shall buy a small cottage in the country and fade away from everyone’s memories. ”

“That’s understandable. Security allows us a certain modicum of comfort.” Alexander tsked his tongue. “But you are far too vital a woman to consign yourself to the background.”

“That is a lovely thing to say.” This time, when she tugged on her hands, he released her.

The instant loss of warmth made her gasp.

“You don’t seem all that surprised regarding this particular necklace.

With anyone else, the talk of more than several large diamonds would have provoked at least shock. ”

“Well, I…” A flush rose over his cravat as he clasped his hands behind his back. “At one time in my past, I was a jewel thief. Accidentally, but a thief nonetheless.”

“What?” Charlotte stared. Both animals lifted their heads to look in the baron’s direction. “Is that true or are you having me on?”

“I’m afraid it’s true. Some years ago, I took a diamond brooch from a French nobleman. This is what led me to being invited to join the Rogue’s Arcade club in London, by the Duke of Edenthorpe no less.”

“He is quite a pillar of society,” she answered as she remembered that man’s history. “My husband, when he spoke about the duke, had nothing but praise for him.”

Alexander nodded. “That invitation changed my life. Within that club, I found a family I never knew I needed, a family removed from my birth one that it leaves me surprised every damned day.”

For long moments, she regarded him, roved her gaze over the cut of his jaw, reveled in the scent of his shaving soap, the intriguing depths of his eyes that had the tiniest golden flecks swimming in that brown, but then she took a step back from him before she became distracted.

“In light of this new information, and since you are well off—”

He snorted and interrupted her. “Not well off since I rent rooms and have a title. The coin in my coffers is stretched thin with taking care of my family—”

Charlotte spoke over him as if he’d never spoken.

“And you are the only new arrival to this house as well as being no stranger to theft, it was you who took the necklace.” She clasped her hands together to hide their shaking.

“Admit it. You used the storm as cover, and once the roads are clear, you’ll escape from here with a king’s ransom in your pocket. ”

“I would not!” His denial was too vehement to have been falsified. “That is not my lifestyle, and even if it were, I’m no good at it. The last time was an accident. In fact, I have no talent to speak of in any area of my life.”

“Now that I find difficult to believe.” The man was handsome in an easy sort of way, not a blatant way that would make a man flaunt those looks, and from what little she knew of him, he was not arrogant or a braggart. “Then where is the necklace? Did it suddenly grow legs and wander off?”

“How the devil would I know? I only just arrived yesterday. And hell, anything smaller than a hat, Charlie tries—and usually succeeds—in eating.” The annoyance in his voice was all too real.

They both looked at the beagle. Surely the dog wouldn’t have swallowed a whole necklace.

If he had, the baron would have mentioned the odd thing he’d discovered in the dog’s stool.

“Did he?”

“Of course not.” Then he frowned. “I apologize for the harsh words.” He huffed, and there was a look in his eyes that made her believe him.

“You can think that I’m lying or think whatever you’d like, but I’m standing before you, telling you the truth.

I’ll help you search for the necklace and take the thief in hand if need be. ”

“Then you didn’t kiss me to distract me from the theft?” It was the only plausible explanation.

Shock crept over his face. “Absolutely not. I kissed you because… Well, I wanted to. You were ever so delectable standing near those decorations.” He gestured toward the boxes still on the sofa where they’d left them.

“Despite what you may believe, you are an attractive widow and a countess of some consequence. Don’t discount either.

” Then he made to move around her toward the door.

“Now, if you will excuse me? I’d rather not remain where I’ve been accused of stealing.

It doesn’t set well with the digestion.”

Obviously, he was in high dudgeon. And she hated herself for making him feel thusly.

With a sigh, Charlotte went after him. “Alexander, please wait.” She laid a hand on his arm, staying his flight, and his muscles went taut beneath her fingertips.

“Of course you didn’t take the necklace, and I would appreciate your assistance in finding out who did. ”

He eyed her askance while keeping his mouth in a tight line. “The storm is passing. I’ll make certain I don’t stay a moment longer than I need to.”

Another wave of panic rose in her chest. “Alex, please.” Slipping her hand down his arm, she clasped his hand, threaded their fingers together, and that innocent touch felt all too right.

Almost… electrifying. When she peered up into his eyes, she caught her breath at the emotions warring with each other in those dark depths.

“I need you.” For what, she refused to say; he could discern that if he was of a mind.

It was enough she’d let down her guard to say it.

Finally, he nodded. “Very well, but only if you ask your cook to make some mince tarts for dessert tomorrow. It’s one of the things I actually do enjoy at Christmastide.

” When she agreed, he winked. “And I’ll assist in getting some decorating done.

No better way to keep an eye on suspects than moving in and out of rooms being prepped for the holiday. ”

Unable to remain out of sorts with him, Charlotte tugged him back into the room.

“Come finish your brandy while I work at embroidery. We can discuss our favorite books.” She glanced at him.

“By the by, did you happen to bring any books with you? I’m afraid I’ve read all the interesting ones in the library… ”