No, she wasn’t going anywhere near Stanhope Street.
Chapter Seventeen
Jenna paused outside the gate of number twelve Stanhope Street debating whether or not to go in. Despite her determination not to go to Lady Dudley’s sister’s house, there she stood. It wouldn’t hurt to see if there really was a box. Then she could satisfy her curiosity and forget about it.
She glanced worriedly over her shoulder, fearful that someone was lurking, just waiting to apprehend her. Her anxiety was making her nauseous, but after last night’s attack, she could ill afford to be lax in her attention. Finally, convinced that no one was going to pounce, she opened the rusty gate, wincing when it protested with a loud creak. The overgrown walkway to the front door needed attention badly, and cracks dotted the faded stones. When she reached for the knocker, it nearly fell off in her hand. Easing it back into place, she opted to rap on the door with her hand.
An aging butler opened the door and smiled at her. Jenna presented her calling card and said, “I am here to see...” Oh dear, what was Lady Dudley’s sister’s name? But the butler stepped aside and gestured her in before she could decide upon the best way to explain her presence.
“Come in, my lady. I’ll summon Miss Somerset at once.”
Jenna tucked away the name for future reference and followed the butler in. He ushered her into a sitting room that sported faded, threadbare furniture and dim light. The furnishings were outdated, all reminiscent of the last century. Few paintings adorned the walls and were covered in a light sheen of dust and cobwebs.
As she sat and waited, Jenna looked curiously around. Miss Somerset appeared to have fallen on hard times. Surely the viscount would have provided for her. Wouldn’t he? She glanced up at the sagging chandelier that was liberally covered with spider webs. An assortment of flies hung suspended in the thick silk, and she wondered if there was no maid to clean them.
Her attention was drawn to the doorway where an elderly lady entered the room. She was petite, with silver hair and warm, gentle eyes. And she looked delighted to have a caller. “Lady Jenna is it?” She crossed the room, a welcoming smile on her face. “I am Evelyn Somerset. I am so pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Jenna returned her smile. “I am pleased to make yours as well.”
“Would you care for some tea, dear?”
Not wanting to refuse, she nodded, and Miss Somerset rang for a tray. “I realize my arrival is unexpected, but I was hoping you could help me with something.”
“Yes, of course, dear. What is it you need?”
“I understand that your sister is the late Viscountess Dudley.”
Sadness shone in the older woman’s eyes. “Yes, she was my sister. Did you know her?”
Jenna cleared her throat. “I am engaged to her son Stuart.”
“How delightful!” she exclaimed. “So you will be a new family member. Congratulations.”
The butler returned with a tray of tea and began pouring for the two ladies. Miss Somerset took up her cup and looked at Jenna over the rim. “I hope your marriage will be a happy one.”
Jenna smiled politely and accepted the cup of tea the butler handed her. “Thank you, ma’am. Now as to the reason behind my visit. I don’t know how to say this, but I found a letter from the viscountess last night. She asked me to retrieve a box from you. Would you know anything about it?”
An immediate change fell over Miss Somerset. She set aside her teacup. Gone was the warmth from her eyes. She looked sharply at Jenna. “A letter, you say? Where did you happen upon this letter?”
Tell no one, trust no one. The words filtered back to Jenna in a moment of alarm. But surely she could trust this woman. After all, the viscountess had entrusted the box to her. Deciding to take a chance, she took a deep breath and said, “In a locket she gave me on my sixteenth birthday. I only discovered it because the locket broke and the note fell out.”
The woman seemed content with Jenna’s explanation, but then a frown crossed her lips and she asked, “How did it break?”
Something told Jenna she could trust this woman. She hoped she wasn’t wrong. “I was set upon by two men last night. Their intention was to steal the necklace. It fell and broke.”
“Good heavens! Are you all right?”
Jenna nodded. “Do you have the box?” she asked, bringing the focus back to the matter at hand.
Miss Somerset studied her for a long moment as if trying to decide if she could be trusted. Finally she rose from her seat. “Yes, I have a box for you. I’ll be back in a moment.”
Tension settled into her stomach as she watched the woman glide from the room. What could be so important about this box that the viscountess had gone to such lengths to hide it? A prickle of apprehension trickled down her spine. More importantly, someone was going to great lengths to find it if, as she suspected, the two attacks on her was related to the locket.
Miss Somerset returned a moment later carrying a small wooden box. It looked large enough to house a few jewels or letters, but was otherwise unremarkable. She pressed the box into Jenna’s hands. “Guard this with your life. There are those who would go to great lengths to get their hands on it.”
Jenna stared at her questioningly, but the woman’s lips were drawn tight. She wasn’t going to offer any further information. “Thank you,” she said. “I must be going now.” She rose and smiled at the elderly woman.
“I do hope you will call on me again sometime,” Miss Somerset said, as Jenna made for the door.
