“I’ve come to resolve the issue of your missing heirloom. Your other minions had an unfortunate setback when they assaulted Ellis earlier today, but I trust you and I may resolve this dispute in a more civilized fashion than fisticuffs.”
Ackerby’s features froze, then tightened as he digested Rayne’s disclosure. “I have no notion what you are talking about.”
“No, but you will. If we may have a word in private, I have a proposition for you, one that will be worth your while to consider.”
At Rayne’s urging, they moved aside, out of earshot. Madeline knew he was informing Ackerby about the assault on her brother and using it as leverage to purchase the necklace, for she could see the baron’s face first flush with anger, then grow ever more furious.
The Vicomte de Vasse, however, was clearly frustrated at being uninformed. “What are they saying, Lynette? What is happening?”
“You will see, Papa,” she answered with rising confidence.
Yet Madeline held her breath as she watched the tense exchange between the two noblemen.
Finally, though, Rayne seemed to prevail. Glancing back at the group, he called to Gerard. “We have reached an agreement, Ellis. May we trouble your friend Dubonet for writing implements?”
“Certainly, of course, my lord,” Gerard responded eagerly.
All three men disappeared inside the cottage, leaving Madeline alone with Lynette and her parents. When they came out again several minutes later, Ackerby stalked directly to his carriage and barked a terse order to his coachman, demanding to be conveyed to London at once. When he hastily settled inside, the fourth bruiser barely had time to jump on the rear footman’s perch before the vehicle lurched into motion.
When Ackerby had departed, Rayne nodded at Gerard, who gave a faint smile of gratitude and withdrew a velvet pouch from his coat pocket. Taking Lynette by the hand, he went to stand before the vicomtesse.
“I believe this belongs to you, madame.”
With a wary glance at her husband, the noblewoman took the pouch, but her expression turned to shock when she opened it and peered inside.
“Mon dieu,” she breathed. Her hands shook as she withdrew a magnificent ruby necklace accented with smaller diamonds and gold filigree. “I never thought to see this again.”
“The necklace is rightfully yours, madame,” Gerard said gently, “since it was stolen from you many years ago.”
“Yes, Maman,” Lynette seconded. “Gerard risked his life to recover it for you. You should be grateful to him.”
Lynette was shading events in favor of her beloved, leaving out Rayne’s part in the repossession entirely, but Madeline knew this was not the moment to quibble.
“I know not what to say,” the vicomtesse murmured, tears of astonishment and awe pouring down her cheeks.
The vicomte’s scowl had faded as he studied Gerard’s battered face, but now his voice turned suspiciously husky when he added with evident gratitude, “This necklace is our only legacy from our former life.”
Madeline understood why it was an emotional moment for both aristocrats. At least she’d had a home and a country to belong to, since her English father had wed her French mother and spared Jacqueline the destitute life of an émigré. But Lynette’s noble parents had endured a much harder existence.
The vicomtesse finally regained enough composure to reach up and embrace Gerard and kiss both his cheeks. “My dear boy, this was good of you—exceedingly.”
“It was my pleasure, madame,” Gerard replied with appropriate humbleness. “I wished to repay you in some small measure for the honor of wedding your beautiful daughter.”
At the allusion to their elopement, the vicomte’s dark frown returned. But rather than growling out fresh invectives, he gritted his teeth and cleared his throat in an obvious struggle for forbearance.
Rayne moved to Madeline’s side then and spoke quietly. “I suggest we leave these good people to resolve their differences. Ellis, you have transportation to convey your bride and her parents home to Chelmsford?”
“Yes, my lord. My carriage is stabled nearby. I cannot thank you enough, Lord Haviland,” Gerard added gratefully.
“As I said before, you should thank your sister.”
Gerard dropped his young wife’s hand and stepped closer to Madeline, pulling her to him in a fierce embrace. “My eternal thanks, Maddie,” he whispered in her ear. “You truly are the best of sisters.”
Feeling the ache of tears in her own throat, Madeline returned his embrace warmly. “Just promise me you will keep out of trouble for a while at least.”
Releasing her, Gerard stepped back, grinning. “I will do my best, I swear it.”
Leaving her brother beaming with relief and happiness, Madeline allowed Rayne to hand her into his coach. As she settled next to him, she felt hopeful that Lynette’s parents might come to forgive Gerard for stealing their daughter from them.