“Would you care for some port?” She uncorked a bottle and pulled out two glasses, setting them on the counter and beginning to pour before Leonard answered.
“Port?” he sputtered. “It is only three.”
A whisper of a smile crept to the corner of her mouth. “Are you one to follow convention, Mr. Stanton?”
He adjusted his cravat, needing something to do with his hands as nerves coursed through him. “Not particularly.”
“Would you prefer some tea and biscuits?” She turned, holding a finger of port in a glass in each hand.
Leonard dared another glance about the room, and to say it was eclectic was an understatement. Haphazard paintings and brightly colored tapestries decorated the walls. The furniture looked to be newly upholstered with a flamboyant floral print, only dimmed by the numerous tasseled pillows scattered throughout.
“It appears as if you have already chosen for me.” He eyed the two glasses she held.
“Of course not. I am happy to call for something else.”
Leonard leaned forward, clasping his hands together. “Then I believe I would prefer tea.”
Without a word, Mrs. Gillingham poured one glass into the other, then set the empty cup down and picked up a bell with her now free hand, giving it a loud jingle. As if clockwork, a maid appeared in the door.
“Mr. Stanton would like some tea and biscuits, Fanny.” The maid dipped her head, then left the room, and Mrs. Gillingham turned back to Leonard. She lifted the glass, now with twofingers of port, to her lips and gave a slow sip as she studied him. “What is this visit about, Mr. Stanton?”
Leonard worked his jaw. How did one accuse someone of stealing without any sort of proof? “I believe you know why I am here.”
“I can assure you I do not.” She swirled the liquid in her glass, giving an air of indifference to her demeanor.
Perhaps directness was Leonard’s best chance. “You stole my great-grandmother’s ring.”
At least Mrs. Gillingham had the decency to act surprised. She sputtered on her port, placing a hand to her chest as she recovered. “Excuse me?”
“Three days ago, we ran into one another on the street. After which, my ring was suspiciously gone.”
“I do not recall this.”
“It was outside of Mr. Notley’s jewelry shop.”
Mrs. Gillingham looked about the room before meeting his eyes again. “If you take the time to look about you, Mr. Stanton, you will see I have no need to steal anything from anyone.”
Before Leonard could answer, Mrs. Gillingham’s maid entered with the tea tray. It gave him time to collect himself, for this was not going very well. The lady was correct. Leonard had no way to prove she had done anything. And he didn’t wish to give away his source.
When the maid left, Mrs. Gillingham poured a cup of tea, then handed it to him. “That is a rather ludicrous statement you have just made, Mr. Stanton. I have half a mind to throw you out.”
“And yet, you haven’t.”
She put a hand to her head as she retrieved her port, then sat across from him in the opposite chair. “Perhaps I enjoy a handsome face coming to visit.”
Leonard’s eyes widened. “This is more a business meeting than a social call. I hope you realize this.”
“Goodness, you are no fun. No witty retort? I admit I am more than a little disappointed.”
He huffed a breath. “As I said, this is not a social call. I have an important matter to sort out.”
“And why were you walking around with your great-grandmother’s ring in the first place?” She leaned back in her seat, eyeing him like a cat as she sipped her beverage. “I’m assuming it’s because you have a quick need of funds and wished to sell it to Mr. Notley.”
“I am afraid that is none of your business.”
“It is if you are going to accuse me of being a thief.” She ran a finger along the lip of her glass, her gaze steady.
“Very well. Let me put it this way.” Leonard leaned his elbows on his knees. “I had the ring in my pocket as I left my carriage. Then, out of nowhere, you run into me only to vanish like a ghost. And to top it all off, when I went to hand Mr. Notley the ring, it was gone. Now, you tell me what I am to assume.”
