Rogues, Rakes & Jewels

“Here is the thing—I am, immensely. Didn’t think I would like this damned Isle of Wight, but having a jolly good time, and what is more, like the Henshaws, every last one of ’em.”

“So then, don’t you want to stay?”

“Yes, Rye … I want to stay, but I want to stay under m’own name—don’t want anyone to think me the wealthy marquis …”

“We will straighten it all out soon—very soon.” Ryker put up his hand. “Shh … I am fairly certain that lone figure on horseback must be Ben Clay …”

“What the devil is he doing?” Robby asked in some surprise.

“No doubt he has returned the—what did you call her—little hellcat to wherever she lives, and he is returning to the Silver Heart.”

“Why wouldn’t he stay the night with the beauty?” Robby snorted. “I would.”

Ryker laughed. “And you not in the petticoat line!”

“Don’t want to marry ’em … not in that line …” Robby clarified.

Ryker laughed out loud and said, “This situation with the masked beauty is deep, Robby, very deep, and it has naught to do with larking. There is a why that drives them to it.”

“You have lost me, Rye … as you usually do, so I am not going to ask, because I am a bit in m’cups … and besides that, I know you … and know you aren’t about to answer me. Best get to Henshaw House and get to bed …”

Nine

CLOTHED IN BRIGHT yellow muslin and carrying a large, old, and much worn portmanteau, Jewelene sped down the hall from the rear third-floor staircase to her room. She closed her door, breathed a sigh of relief, and said out loud to the form who had chosen to take a nap beside the small fireplace in her bedroom, “Whew, that was close, Caesar!”

She moved to set the bag on her bed and added, “I thought Aunt Dora was going to catch me. If Elizabeth hadn’t called her … I would have had to lie to her—and an out-and-out lie, although you will say a lie of omission is still a lie, but it is different in my book. Thank goodness Babette will have to make only one more appearance, because between you and me … not really enjoying it as much as I made Ben think. Want it done, want the odious Omsbury out of our lives … want … oh, Caesar … the man of my dreams is naught but a rogue … and a libertine … kissing me and propositioning Babette a few hours later. How is it I still feel so much for him?”

She heard something belowstairs and scrunched up her face. “I wonder what is afoot?” She pulled out two of her mother’s gowns and shook them out, deciding immediately on the royal blue velvet. She was pleased it was still in such good shape and hung it by the window to air out. “There … that should do nicely …”

“Now come along, Caesar … Jimmy should be back by now, and I suppose everyone will be dawdling in for breakfast … and I am sure Aunt Dora will quiz me about oversleeping …” Jewels sighed heavily. “I shall have to fib … but a fib isn’t a lie … is it?”

Caesar moaned as he padded forward. “Yes, I know … it is a lie … and now I am in one tremendous lie, but some lies, now and then, especially when it is for the purpose of producing something good, are necessary.”

Caesar did not seem to agree as he turned and gazed at her mournfully before leading her down the stairs.

*

Belowstairs in the parlor, Ryker looked on as Aunt Dora and Elizabeth were entertaining Lyla and Ben Clay and Robby, when Jimmy joined them with his usual jovial manners. Aunt Dora left them to their own devices when she was called to the kitchen, and then Jimmy suddenly took a reluctant Ben with him to the stables.

Robby was left to dodge Lyla’s advances, and Ryker returned his attention to the open doorway.

Elizabeth giggled and leaned towards him as she watched Robby’s face and Lyla’s intense maneuvers. “Poor man—Lyla cannot see that he is not interested.”

Ryker grinned. “Oh, it isn’t that she cannot see … she will not.” He frowned then and remarked in what he hoped was an idle tone, “It would appear we are not to see your cousin Jewelene this morning,”

Elizabeth’s dove eyes regarded him quietly, but she smiled. “It is unlike her to oversleep, but she has been so overburdened as of late …” She frowned, and her eyelashes fluttered as though she realized she had said too much.

“Overburdened?” he said, encouraging her to continue.

She sighed. “It is most unbecoming to speak of my cousin’s affairs.”

“Not at all—it shows a great deal of caring, only that,” he said kindly but with the hope that she would tell him more.

“Jewelene, being Jimmy’s older sister, takes on all the problems of Henshaw. She seems to think it is her place to set things right for Jimmy’s future. And then of course there is that odious man, Omsbury, forever after her …”

“And why does she not send him to the devil?” Ryker asked softly.

Elizabeth blushed rosily. “I … I … am not … I should not be speaking of him … or of Jewelene’s business … Oh, do forgive me! I cannot imagine … what moved me to do so …”