“The tiara,” Lady Harriet said. “It’s mine now.”
Carenza suddenly realized why they’d come. “Oh, my goodness, of course. I quite forgot the tiara belonged to Hector’s side of the family.”
“You should not have been wearing it at a public ball. It made it look as if you still consider yourself to be the countess.” Lady Harriet’s face was flushed and angry.
“My sister is still the dowager countess,” Allegra pointed out. “That’s a fact.”
“It was a genuine mistake,” Carenza said evenly. “I have no desire to be the countess. I will have it fetched for you immediately.”
Tobias bowed. “That is most kind of you.”
His wife spoke over him. “And what about the other things?”
“What things?” Carenza stared at her.
“I believe my wife is referring to the rest of the jewelry that belongs to the estate.” Apparently emboldened by the rudeness of his wife, the earl found his tongue. “There are several pieces missing.”
“And you think I have them?”
Lady Harriet glared at her. “You have the tiara.” Carenza tamped down her instant desire to defend herself and rang the bell. When the butler appeared, she said, “Ask Agnes to bring down my jewelry box, will you? And anything else of that nature that I have in my possession.”
Carenza was too annoyed both with herself and with the couple in front of her to have time to make small talk. She’d genuinely forgotten that the tiara was a Smythe-Harding piece and would never have worn it if she’d remembered.
When Agnes came into the room with the jewelry boxes, Carenza unlocked them, retrieved the tiara, and gestured to the new earl and countess. “Perhaps you’d like to look through all my jewelry and make sure I haven’t taken anything else?”
“That’s hardly necessary,” the earl said, as if he’d finally realized how rude he was being.
His countess had no such scruples. She rummaged in her reticule and brought out a list. “I’ll do it.”
Julian met Carenza’s gaze and raised his eyebrows, obviously offering his help.
Carenza didn’t need it.
After a thorough inspection, the countess appeared somewhat annoyed. “There is nothing that matches the descriptions on my list. What have you done with the other pieces?”
Carenza turned to the earl, who was now bright red. “I suspect Hector pawned the other items to pay his debts.”
“I’m quite certain Lady Carenza is correct,” Julian spoke up. “As the late earl’s best friend, I can vouch for his propensity to gamble to excess, leading to an inability to pay his bills.” He studied the earl. “And if I might offer a little bit of advice? Next time you have a family dispute, perhaps you should ask your solicitors to manage matters for you, rather than barging into a lady’s house during visiting hours and calling her a thief.”
Lady Harrier raised her chin. “She woremytiara.”
“Considering your appalling manners, I’m surprised you didn’t rip it off her head at the ball.” Julian’s voice dripped with contempt. “Lady Carenza is well respected in society. Your behavior toward her has been noted, and will do you no favors.”
“I quite agree.” Olivia came to stand beside Carenza. “Even Hector wouldn’t have behaved so badly.” She looked down at Lady Harriet. “I hope you enjoy your tiara, my lady, because if this story gets out, I doubt you’ll find anyone who’ll invite you to a social event where you can display it.”
“That is grossly unfair.” The earl cleared his throat. “My wife is a passionate woman who believes in being honest. The fault is clearly Lady Carenza’s.”
Julian walked over to the door and held it open. “May I suggest you leave before I kick you out?”
“You have no authority in this house, sir,” Lady Harriet said as she turned to the door.
“You gave me all the license I need by revealing a family matter in front of Lady Carenza’s guests,” Julian snapped. “If you didn’t wish your appalling behavior to be known, you should have conducted yourself more honorably.”
Lady Harrier visibly bristled. “Don’t you worry about this story getting out, sir. I’ll be telling everyone I knowexactlywhat happened!”
“Be my guest. If you wish to look more a fool than you already do.” Julian bowed as she swept past him, the red-faced earl following.
Julian shut the door and looked over at Carenza. “Please don’t worry about such nonentities.”
