Aubrey looked around, about to give whoever had greeted him short shrift, when he looked into the smiling face of Major Hancock. Swallowing an exclamation of frustration, he smiled atthe major, who was a good-natured old fellow and not someone Aubrey had the heart to brush off.
The old man was still straight as an arrow, his military bearing undeniable. Although his iron-grey hair was cut severely short, he wore an impressive pair of sideburns and his weathered face creased in a wide grin as he held out his hand to shake.
“Well met, young sir, and how are things at the Hall? I trust her grace is in fighting form today?”
“She is, indeed, sir,” Aubrey replied, wondering how long before he could politely excuse himself.
“I thought I might pay her a visit, as it happens. You see, Reverend Honeywell introduced us at church on Sunday, and I thought we got along rather well. I made her laugh a time or two, which I think she appreciated,” he said, his blue eyes twinkling with satisfaction. “But I would not wish to presume—”
“Oh, I’m sure she would be delighted,” Aubrey said, praying that were true and hoping the fellow might go off at once.
“Really?” The major regarded him with relief. “You don’t believe she’d think me a jumped-up mushroom for having the temerity to call upon—”
“No! Oh, no, indeed.”
Aubrey assured the major that his visit would be most welcome, as his grandmother loved visitors, especially if they came bearing the latest village gossip. By the time he had finally freed himself, a good fifteen minutes had passed. Cursing, he hurried up to the green door he had knocked upon once before and rapped sharply upon it.
No answer.
Muttering crossly, he hammered hard upon the door, determined not to be denied.
A few moments later, it opened. “Where’s the bleedin’ fire?” the housekeeper demanded crossly, glaring at him.
Not stopping to explain himself, Aubrey pushed past her with a terse apology. “Alfie!” he bellowed, stalking along a narrow corridor into a small front parlour, which he found to be empty.
“Alfie ain’t here!” Lill said angrily, following him as he searched. “And you weren’t invited. What kind of gentleman are you, what goes around forcing his way into respectable people’s homes?”
“Respectable?Ha!”Aubrey exclaimed, which was not the most eloquent thing he’d ever said, but it felt good, nonetheless. “I know very well that lying, two-faced devil is here, for I saw him come home.”
He pushed through the next door, which opened onto a small but comfortably furnished dining room, also empty.
“He ain’t here, I tell you!” Lill shouted, increasingly furious as Aubrey made his way into the kitchen. No Alfie. He opened the back door, surveying a slightly unkempt garden and a path that led to a back gate. He hurried to it, snatching it open and staring down the narrow alley that led out onto the main street farther along. No sign of the lad taking to his heels, but Aubrey knew well enough he was quick on his feet.
Well, he wasn’t leaving until he was certain Alfie wasn’t hiding upstairs. He went back inside and found Alice standing at the bottom of the stairs.
She looked like she’d dressed in the dark, everything crumpled and not quite sitting straight, and he opened hismouth to rail at her and stopped as he saw her face. She looked exhausted, dark circles bruising the delicate skin beneath her eyes, though those eyes blazed with indignation all the same.
“Alfie is not here,” she said coolly. “Might I ask why it is you have forced your way inside, shouting abuse at a pitch that ensures our neighbours will hear you?”
Aubrey hesitated, feeling rather ashamed of himself in the light of her dignified manner until he remembered precisely why he was here.
“Don’t try to protect him, Miss Marwick. I know exactly what your brother is, and just how he got his hands on my mother’s brooch, not to mention the rest of her diamonds.”
If she had been pale before, these words sent any remaining colour draining from the young woman’s face. She looked frightened and fragile, and he did not miss the way she reached out to clasp the newel post for support.
“What?” she asked, the word little more than a whisper.
Despite his anger and indignation, his heart went out to her. “I’m sorry,” he said, keeping his voice even. “I do not know how much you know of your brother’s affairs, though I pray you will not think me fool enough to believe you are completely ignorant of how he came to have such a valuable item as my mother’s diamond brooch in his possession. Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to check upstairs.”
“He’s not here,” she said, barring his way, a hectic splotch of red staining her cheeks.
“I don’t believe you.” Aubrey held her gaze. “Please, Miss Marwick. I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, but I know your brother stole the diamond parure from my uncle’shouse, and I promise, you would far rather deal with me than make this a matter for the local magistrate.”
“But he’s really not here,” she said, and he heard the panic in her voice, the breathless quality, but he was not about to leave until he’d checked the sneaking little rat wasn’t hiding in a wardrobe or under a bed.
“Forgive me,” he said. “But I will check for myself.” With no further word on the matter, Aubrey reached out and put his hands at her slender waist, picking her up and setting her to one side with ease before hurrying up the stairs.
“No!” she shrieked, grabbing at his coat and trying to haul him back down again, but Aubrey was too strong for her.
