“We have met in the past,” Lord Stratford said, with the slightest of bows to Asher. “Your grace, I knew your father and your brother. My condolences.”
“Thank you,” Asher said woodenly. “Mr. Pine, perhaps an explanation is in order?”
“Of course,” Pine said. “Let us all have a seat. Now, you have each contacted me regarding a note you received. One rather… threatening.”
Had Stratford received a note? And why was his daughter here?
His very beautiful, if slightly aggravating daughter.
Asher glanced over at them, but all he could gather was that Stratford was concerned, his brow pinched as he stared at his daughter with some trepidation.
She appeared just as relaxed as she had when she had been staring at the tapestries, as though nothing in the world could ever bother her.
Intriguing.
“Your grace, you contacted me because you received a threatening message suggesting that you were to blame for the theft of the Paragon Diamond, correct?”
“Yes,” Asher said through gritted teeth, displeased that they had an audience for this discussion. “Which is ludicrous.”
“As it happens, so too did Lady Evelyn.”
“You were there?” he said, addressing her with some disbelief in his tone. How had he not noticed her at the party?
“I was,” she said, with a smirk that told him she was clearly thinking the same thing. “The note said that all would be revealed in time, but to know that I was suspected.”
“That is similar to mine, although it said it was due to my interest in the piece.”
“Wereyou interested in it?” she asked, the two of them speaking directly to one another as if there was no one else in the room. He liked that she wasn’t intimidated by him, that she did not drop her eyes or hide herself, but rather faced him as nearly an equal.
“My mother always had a particular penchant for it, I believe, because my father always seemed to. He made a point to see it the few times it was put on display,” he said. “But there are many other items in this world just as beautiful.”
Damn it, he had looked at her as he had said that, and her eyes had lit up in interest.
“What options do we have at the moment?” Asher asked, returning his attention to Pine, who was watching them with great curiosity and a glint in his eyes.
“There is no threat within the note, so perhaps we just wait and see if you receive anything further,” Pine said. “I am curious… have you had any previous dealings with one another? Any reason why the two of you would have been targeted?”
“None whatsoever,” Asher said confidently, not missing the hardness that crossed Lady Evelyn’s face.
“I compared the wording of both of the messages, and they are the same handwriting, seal, style, and threat, so we can say with confidence they came from the same sender,” Pine continued. “I know that doing nothing is difficult, but what I would suggest for now is to not show the note to anyone, even trusted servants. You know how it is — if there is an inkling of scandal, it will grow. Watch for others receiving similar accusations. There is no reason to think that it is just the two of you involved. This could be part of a wider plot. I would also hesitate before approaching the Marquess of Eastclere. I have learned that he has already hired a detective to search for the diamond, and it is best not to be involved. Approaching him could make you appear defensive, unnecessarily implicate you, and tip off the culprit.”
“You suggest we do nothing, but I assume you will handle this?” Asher said, sitting back and crossing his arms over his chest.
Pine looked at him with a brow raised, appearing unintimidated.
“Allow me to make discreet inquiries. I will speak to clerks, ask printers if they recognize the paper, and quietly check who might have recently purchased this sealing wax or stationery. It is most important that the two of you avoid behaving as though you have anything to hide. Attend events. Be seen in public. And contact me if you have any further concerns.”
Asher nodded grimly.
He had experienced a paucity of control for most of his life, and just when it was starting to return, he was forced into this.
A situation where he lacked any control at all.
He hated it. Meanwhile, Lady Evelyn just sat there, as though she had not a care in the world. He supposed she didn’t, besides deciding which gentleman to marry. He didn’t know why heconsidered others vying for her hand so infuriating, and he rose to his feet abruptly to hide his annoyance.
“I will be going then,” he said. “Good day.”
And with a tight jaw, he left them all behind as he walked out into the cool light of the day.
