Lady Ellingham and the Theft of the Stansfield Necklace: A Regency Romance Read Online Free PDF Page B

pay Emily a morning call.’  Lady Ellingham looked disappointed. ‘But you
will see her tonight at Almack’s,’ she replied in the hope that Felicity might
change her mind.
      ‘Mama you know
perfectly well that Emily has not been able to obtain vouchers for Almack’s so
she will not be there.’
          The Countess
waved her hand in the air. ‘Well Felicity, if you must go traipsing off to Hans
Town so be it, but you know what Richard thinks of that connection and I cannot
say that I like it much myself.’
          ‘I know only too
well what Richard thinks,’ Felicity retorted and as far as I care he can go to
the devil.’
          ‘Really!’ the Countess
remonstrated but before she could say anymore, the butler knocked and quietly
poked his head around the drawing room door.
          ‘Your Ladyship,
two gentlemen have arrived and wish to speak to you, they are waiting
downstairs in the reception room.’  The butler stepped forward and presented
the Countess with their calling cards.  Sophia read them and knitted her brow.
‘Henry Caruthers and Charles Frobisher?  I cannot say I have heard of these
gentlemen.  Did they say what they wanted?’
          ‘They asked to speak
to the young master but when I told them his Lordship was not home they asked
for his parent instead.’
          ‘Very well Wilson,’
the Countess replied with her usual good nature. ‘Send them up.’
          Felicity
listening to this exchange stiffened.  The names Charles and Henry could only
mean one thing.  They were the two gentlemen who had come to her rescue last
night.  Felicity looked towards the door.  It was too late to make a quick
retreat so she would just have to make the most of it and hope that they would
not recognise her in her skirts.
          Charles and Henry
entered the room and the Countess rose to greet them. ‘Good day gentlemen I am
sorry the Earl is not here to meet you, he left for Tattersall’s an hour ago,  but
I am his mother Lady Sophia Ellingham, perhaps I can help you,’  She gestured
towards Felicity. ‘This is my daughter Lady Felicity Ellingham, and the Earls
sister.’
          Henry and Charles
nodded to Felicity in acknowledgement but showed no sign of having recognised
her. Felicity relaxed, that had been a close shave.   The Countess regained
their attention and invited them to take a seat. ‘What can I do for you gentlemen?’
          Charles appeared
to be the spokesman. ‘We have called to enquire after the young gentleman to
see how he is after his unfortunate encounter with the footpad last night, we
were most concerned, he seemed to be in quite a state of shock. Glad we were on
hand to assist.’
          The Countess was
rather surprised.  ‘I do not understand,’ she replied. ‘I had breakfast with
Richard this morning and he mentioned nothing of footpads. I think he would
have said something.’  The Countess turned to Felicity.  ‘Did Richard say
anything to you about it?’
          Felicity sat
demurely with her hand in her lap and feeling rather guilty but could
truthfully reply. ‘No mama, I have not seen Richard this morning.’
          Charles was not
to be deterred. ‘Ah Richard, is that the Cawker’s name? That is the way with
young men these days; don’t wish to alarm their mamas.’
          Henry moved
uncomfortably in his chair and spoke up. ‘I say Charles, are you sure that you
have the right house, after all it was dark and you had downed a tipple or two.’
          Charles looked
reproachfully at Henry for referring to his inebriated state but replied
pleasantly enough. ‘Well I could be wrong but I could have sworn that the young
sprig ran into this house.’
          The Countess
raised her eyebrows.  She was rather puzzled at the gentlemen’s choice of
expression for she could hardly imagine her staid son running anywhere in such
a hurry and as for calling him a sprig and a