Emerald Garden Read Online Free PDF Page A

concealed her key. With a flourish, she extracted it, opening the chest and slipping both items Kenton had given her beneath a strand of diamonds and emeralds. “Moreover, ’tis an ideal hiding place. Since I only store my most valuable jewels here, no one touches the box but me. In fact, no one—other than Brandi—knows of the key’s hiding place.” Pamela gave a resigned sigh. “I offered Brandi complete access to my gems, hoping the prospect of donning them would entice her to attend a few more of the balls she so loathes. Unfortunately, my plan failed miserably.” Lowering the strongbox lid, Pamela carefully locked it before slipping the key back into its home. “In any case, your articles for Quentin are safe.” Meticulously, she replaced her chest in the bureau drawer, then turned to Kenton. “And now?”
    “Now we wait.”
    A fortnight later, Kenton strode into his wife’s sitting room, an air of purpose about him. “Pamela, I’m leaving for London.”
    Slowly, she put down her needlepoint, assessing her husband’s intense expression. “You’ve learned something.”
    “Yes. And I’ve just dispatched a missive that will hopefully forestall any further damage. In the interim, I received a note from Garrety. I’m to meet with him this afternoon. Ardsley is accompanying me.”
    “Ardsley! Why?”
    A brief hesitation. “Because I asked him to. This matter concerns him as well.”
    Pamela came to her feet. “Then why wasn’t he present during your meeting with Ellard?”
    “Because Ardsley didn’t know of his own involvement. He still doesn’t. In fact, he knows fewer details than you.” Kenton’s jaw set. “ ’Tis up to me to disclose them—for his own protection. After all, he is my oldest and closest friend.”
    “Enough.” Pamela’s chin lifted in an uncustomary display of willfulness. “I’m coming with you.”
    Even as she spoke, Kenton was shaking his head. “No.”
    “Please, Kenton, don’t refuse me,” she appealed quietly. “Whatever this is about, I’d be a fool not to realize it’s serious. I have no intentions of prying. But I want to be with you, to offer whatever support I can.”
    “My meeting with Garrety must remain private—at least for now.”
    “Fine. I’ll shop while you and Ardsley convene with Mr. Garrety. But at least I can be with you on the carriage ride to London and back. And, should your business run late, we can stay at an inn in Town.”
    Kenton’s jaw unclenched a fraction. “Wouldn’t you prefer spending the days at Emerald Manor with Brandi?”
    “No.” Pamela shook her head. “Brandi is relegating the entire week to assisting Herbert with the rock garden. She’ll never notice my absence. Besides, I’d prefer to be with my husband.”
    A smile. “I’m flattered. I thought you cherished your garden above all else.”
    She returned his smile. “Almost all else.”
    Kenton could feel himself relenting. “How long would you need to collect your things?”
    “A half hour at the most.” She waited, a loving plea in her eyes.
    “Very well.” He sighed, pressing her palm to his lips. “You’ve convinced me.” A new flicker of uncertainty flashed through his mind. “What about Brandi? Do you think she’ll be all right alone?”
    “She won’t be alone; she’ll have three sets of servants doting on her, at Townsbourne, at Emerald Manor, and here. Further …” A prophetic glint lit Pamela’s eyes. “Brandi is going through a most significant awakening. I think the time alone will do her good.”
    Kenton’s brows knit in question. “What is our Brandi awakening to?”
    “Herself. Her future. What it will be like when Quentin returns.”
    “When Quentin returns?” Kenton looked blank.
    “She misses him, darling. Surely you recall that the only time Brandi comes alive is with our son.”
    “They’ve always had a very special rapport,” he conceded. “But I don’t see what that has to do with …”
    “Everything,