“So, you can possess them.”
He shook his head. “No. This would not be the first priceless artifact that I have seen safely returned to its rightful place,” he answered.
“Andwheredo you believe the rightful place for the necklace to be?”
His teeth flashed with a smile. “Again…exactly what I’m hoping you might help me with. If you recognized the piece from my drawing, I’d assume you know something of its origin.”
Eleanor felt herself softening.
She didn’t want to believe it was because of his roguish smile or the intensity of his stare or the way she felt when he looked at her. Mishra had obviously trusted the viscount. Her grandmother had always trusted Mr. Mishra. Should it then follow that she could trust the viscount?
Laughter suddenly burst from the drawing room windows, startling Eleanor from her thoughts and reminding her that they were not alone. Her brother would no doubt be growing concerned for thelength of her absence.
“Lord Waring,” she began, sweeping her gaze back to the viscount’s only to have her next words completely flee her mind.
It was his eyes. So bright and sparkling and blue and green. They quite simply made her lose her head.
An irritatingly knowing glimmer entered those eyes as he flashed a smile. “Yes, Lady Eleanor?”
She cleared her throat. “I believe your visit has lasted long enough. You may see yourself out.”
She turned and strode back to the house. Tense with the mixture of dread and anticipation that the viscount might follow her, she didn’t glance back until she was inside. But instead of going to the drawing room, she entered through a different door. Once in the small entry hall, she finally glanced back to the garden to see it empty. The viscount was gone.
Striding toward the drawing room with the intention of rejoining her cousins, her way was blocked just outside the door as Lord Ackerly stepped out. Startled, Eleanor came to a swift stop, actually taking a step back when he pressed toward her.
“My lord?” she muttered. “I did not realize you’d come to call. Are you leaving?”
“Not yet.” An unusual tension changed the shape of his face and sharpened his stare. “I feel I must warn you, my lady. Lord Waring is not worthy of even a minute of your time or attention. Yet, I continually see you indulging him. I simply cannot allow it.”
Eyes widening with each word, Eleanor stared at him dumbfounded. Surely, he wasn’t suddenly acting as though he had some claim to her. “Allow?”
He gave a firm nod. “I must insist that you cease such unbecoming behavior.”
Shocked indignation brought words to her lips before she could stop them. “My lord, you have no right whatsoever to say such thingsto me.”
For a second, it looked as though he desperately wanted to argue but then he clenched his teeth and held his tongue.
“It is time for you to leave,” she said to the second man in less than ten minutes. “And I’d appreciate if you refrained from approaching me in the future.”
His features hardened drastically as he lifted his chin. “I suppose I must forgive you this defiance since you do not understand. But you will. And soon.”
Then he stepped past her and left the house, leaving Eleanor astonished, confused, and just a bit shaken.
What in hell had gotten into the man?
Chapter Fourteen
In a rareoccurrence, Bridget’s mother, the Baroness Greenridge, invited the three cousins to join her in attending a gala at Vauxhall Gardens four nights later. Apparently, the Regent was expected to be in attendance. Though Ralston argued against the impropriety of taking young ladies to such a potentially scandalous venue, Lady Greenridge laughed off the concern, stating that most of the gardens were perfectly proper. As long as the girls stayed near the main stage and didn’t wander down any of the dark walks or slip into any of the other little wildernesses unaccompanied, there was nothing to worry about.
Ralston clearly didn’t like it, but their aunt—ever the rebellious hoyden—heard nothing against the idea and swept the young women up in her carriage for a night of questionable revelry.
Vauxhall Gardens was one of the few entertainments in town that allowed and promoted the mingling of folks from all classes and means. An affordable entrance fee made it easy for anyone to enjoy the many attractions found within. Though the elaborate suppers were an extra fee and could be quite costly, the art, fascinating architecture, music, and other performances were available to all who entered the gates to stroll along the many lanes.
Bridget was nearly bouncing in her seat at the prospect of such a thrilling evening. Even Lydia, who didn’t typically enjoy large social gatherings, confessed that she was looking forward to seeing thenotorious gardens in person.
Eleanor had a very different reason for the trembling in her belly and the flush to her skin.
Earlier that day, she’d secreted a note to the Viscount Waring advising him to meet her near a particular feature in the park just after the sun set.
