The Many Sins of Cris De Feaux (Lords of Disgrace 3)

‘Relax!’ It came out as a shriek before she could help herself. ‘How do you expect me to enjoy this?’

‘We are going to tie Chelford in knots,’ Gabriel said with relish. ‘Hang him up by the ba—that is, by the toes and leave him swinging in the wind.’

‘There is no need to mince your words for me, Mr Stone,’ Tamsyn said crisply. ‘I like the idea of suspending Franklin by the balls. It appeals very much indeed.’

‘To which end, I’d be glad if you’d go back to London, Gabe, and carry on with the investigations we discussed this morning.’ Cris released her hand with a small squeeze.

‘After the inquest. I might pick up some more information there.’

‘Mr Stone is here for more than the delivery of the sedan chair, is he not?’ she demanded.

Cris shrugged. ‘He has been investigating Chelford in London for me.’ He leaned forward so he could look at his friend across her. ‘There was no reason, other than incorrigible curiosity, for him to have come down here himself instead of writing.’

‘I told you,’ Gabriel said laconically. ‘I am running away from a woman.’

*

It was not until they reached Barbary Combe House that Tamsyn realised that the two of them had managed to keep her distracted and laughing with their inconsequential teasing, all the way back. She let Cris help her down from Foxy, allowing herself the indulgence, this time, of sliding down his body, and then stayed close, enjoying the heat and the feeling of strength and the evidence that her body next to his aroused him.

She was conscious of the sergeant watching them and deliberately raised her voice as she broke free from Cris’s supporting hands. ‘If you wait just a moment, I will bring you what is left of the herbs that the farrier gave me for Foxy’s sore hoof. If Jackdaw is favouring his off hind, it might help.’

The militiamen made no move to stop her as she ran into the house, through to her study, and took the key to the strongbox from its hiding place behind the desk. The old lock creaked and protested as she turned the big key, but it opened easily enough and she rummaged quickly, burrowing beneath the documents for the box with the silver hand. It was not there.

She searched again, then once more, tossing the papers out on to the floor, heedless of deeds and indentures mixing with a roll of banknotes. There was no box except the aunts’ jewellery and those boxes were all too small, or too flat, to hold the pendant. There was no silver hand, not even the chain. She scooped it all back, just as it was, slammed the lid on the chaos and locked the strongbox, then ran to hide the key and on to the stillroom to find a mixture of harmless herbs.

‘There was no need to hurry so,’ Cris said when she reached his side again. He was talking to one of the militiamen and gave him the sort of look that always made her want to slap a man. Silly female, still, we have to tolerate them, don’t we? it said. The sergeant smirked.

He is getting him on his side, Tamsyn realised. ‘What I was looking for was not there any more,’ she said brightly. ‘But I thought this might help with any swelling.’

Cris took the bowl from her hands, sniffed it. ‘To be applied as a poultice? Can you show Collins?’ He glanced at the militiaman. ‘We are just going up to the stables. Are you coming?’

‘Don’t see how I needs to, sir.’ The man shifted his feet uncomfortably. ‘Load of foolishness, if you asks me. The sergeant said I was to watch the lane, not follow anyone about. Dan’s round the back, Sarge is looking at the beach. You’re not going nowhere, are you, ma’am?’

‘No, I am not. You’re Willie Downton’s brother, aren’t you?’

‘Yes, ma’am. Jed. I liked Mr Jory, I did. I’d known him since I was a boy. They’ve no cause to be hounding his widow, not no how.’

‘Well, thank you, Jed. But you must obey your orders, I don’t want to get you into any trouble. If you stand there, then you are keeping an eye on the stable yard and the lane.’

In the yard Collins was unsaddling Jackdaw. ‘Is he favouring the off hind?’ Cris asked. The man grunted, his gaze sweeping the yard and surroundings while Cris ran his hand down Jackdaw’s leg and lifted the hoof.

Tamsyn came and studied it, close by his side. ‘The hand has gone,’ she whispered. ‘And the chain. Nothing else is missing, not even a roll of banknotes or the jewellery.’

‘When did you last see it?’ Cris made no attempt to moderate his voice and Tamsyn copied him. Being seen whispering would only look suspicious.

‘Months ago. It was in a black bag. I wouldn’t notice it unless I was looking especially for it.’ She bit her lip in thought. ‘I haven’t seen it since before Franklin was last here. He could have taken it easily.’

Cris made a remark to Collins about Jackdaw’s hoof, handed him the herbs and took Tamsyn’s arm to walk back down to the house.

‘He must have been planning this ever since Aunt Izzy refused to move to the dower house,’ she said, as they went in through the kitchen door.

‘He has taken an object that not only ties you in closely to your late husband, but is a potent symbol of his smuggling activities.’ Cris sounded grim.

She swung round to face him. ‘You are worrying me now.’

‘And you are not already concerned?’ His wry smile sent a jolt of panic through her. ‘There is no point in me treating you like some feather-headed chit and pretending everything will be all right without us putting some effort into it. What would Chelford think would happen to your aunts if you were hauled off to prison to await trial?’

‘He would never believe they could manage on their own.’