Through The Leaded Glass (11 page)

Mary scrunched her face.

Oops. The ring obviously didn’t do
colloquialisms. “I mean, they’re beautiful.”

Mary helped her into the dress and all the
paraphernalia that went with it. Strands of pearls, gold chains, a
few rings, a brooch or twelve…

She’d probably start clanking when she hit the
stairs.

But when Mary bent down to put Kate’s
stockings on, Kate stopped her. The woman wouldn’t miss the peach
polish on her toenails and that would start a discussion she didn’t
want to have. “Um… I can do that.” She sat on the bed and began
working her feet into the stockings.

“
Very well, my lady. I’ll get her
ladyship’s combs for your hair.” Into the trunk went a good portion
of Mary, then more beautiful clothes came flying out., enough to
make Kate wonder how deep the chest was.

“‘
Tis odd.” Mary tipped back to her
feet. “The combs were always stored here, but they’re gone
now.”

“
That’s all right. I don’t need
them.”

Mary tapped a finger to her lips. “‘Tis
possible Lord Shelton put them elsewhere, but when Lady Shelton
passed, he ordered them packed with her things.”

“
But I don’t need them. Really,”
said Kate.

Mary studied the trunk a little longer, still
tapping, then exhaled. “Well, no matter.” She took a velvet bag
from inside the lid and pulled out a small delicate chain and a
veil. “Will this do?”

“
Sure. I mean, um, yes. That will
be fine.” She held her head a little higher and her back a little
straighter while Mary did her hair. A countess would be familiar
with the weight of the chains on her waist and in her hair, and
she’d been slipping up left and right all morning.

She’d better get into character and stay there
if she wanted the thief—and everyone—to believe her. And she did,
at least until they found her window. Then she was kissing this
chattel thing—and, if she were lucky, Alex—goodbye.

***

“
Sorry I’m late.” Kate ran into the
solar at a most undignified, un-countess-like pace.

Alex didn’t care. She looked
beautiful.

He cursed himself for noticing. As he’d cursed
himself for kissing her.

He held out her chair, then stepped back,
denying himself the opportunity to feel her hair spill over his
fingers. He had thought of little else through the
night.

“
Thanks.” She sat before him, the
bared skin above her bodice taunting him, and he bit back a
groan.

Well, perhaps he had thought of other things
as well.

“
That room is wonderful, Alex,” she
said, as a servant brought flaky pastries drizzled in honey,
assorted meats, tarts, cakes, and dried fruit. He had no idea what
people in her time liked so he’d asked Cook to prepare a variety of
items—which was more than enough to make him question his
sanity.

As if last night’s events weren’t
enough.

“
I am glad you approve. It belongs
to Shelton’s countess.” He ignored the pain in his heart at the
thought of Jeanne sleeping there. “As do those clothes. You look
beautiful in them.”

“
Mary said these were never
worn.”

“
My wife had them made for after
her confinement, but she died birthing our second son. As did the
child.”

“
I’m sorry.”

He shrugged, the memory still painful. “They
are gone. Many women die in such a manner. My mother did, along
with my brother.” Alex turned his head, cursing the huskiness in
his voice. He should be beyond this pain.

“
It happens in my time, too. My
sister had a tough time with her twins. If she’d been here, she
probably wouldn’t have lived through it. But, luckily, she had
modern medicine and doctors and monitors.” Kate nibbled at her
pastry. Honey glistened on her lips.

Alex pulled his gaze off her mouth.
“Monitors?”

Kate spoke of things called germs and
antibiotics and other marvels from her time that could prevent
death, not only in childbirth, but for injuries as well. His mind
raced, no longer concerned with the honey.

Until she licked her bottom lip…

“
And do these antibiotics work
better than your plastic, Kate?”

“
Funny.” She speared a sliver of
apple with her knife. “Yes, they do, but the last thing we need to
read about in the history books is medieval doctors talking about
bacteria. Though…” She tapped the slice against her lips. “I could
eliminate the use of those disgusting leeches if I teach you guys
properly. But it’s probably not a good idea to start changing world
history.” She slid the apple into her mouth. “Looks like I’m only
good for altering personal history.”

Her honeyed lips embraced the fruit, her
tongue teasing him as she licked a drop of juice before it
fell.

Oh, she could be good for a few other
things.

He blew out a breath. Kate was a distraction
he could ill afford. ‘Twas why he’d sent his men out before first
light this morn to seek out her window.

“
So.” Kate took another pastry. One
without honey, thank God. “Do you have any suspects yet?” Her
tongue flicked out again to whisk a crumb from the corner of her
mouth.

He must speak with Cook about preparing
plainer, less tempting, food.

“
Everyone is suspect. Farley, for
certain, is a possibility, but he wouldn’t know where the ring was
kept, nor would I expect him to want to kill William, for it won’t
gain him my lands.”

“
So who
did
know where you
kept it?” Kate’s fingers brushed his hand.

He let his senses drown in the feel of her
skin on his for the moment, unable to help himself.

Unable to help himself?

Alex pulled his hand from hers. He would be
under no one’s—no woman’s—thrall. “In my lifetime, only my father,
my older half-brother Frederick, and our steward, Stephen Benton,
knew. And his father before him. All are dead save for Benton. And
him, I trust.”

He did trust Stephen. With his life. Stephen
had never abused that trust, though lord knew, he’d had
opportunity. But Bentons had been serving Shelton for generations.
He’d stake his life—and he was for William
was
his life—on
his steward’s loyalty.

“
What if someone blackmailed him?”
Kate said. “Maybe Farley kidnapped his wife or sister, and he took
the ring to bargain their freedom?”

“
No. Benton’s family, what little
there is, is safely ensconced within my grounds. His nephew is my
squire, and his sister, Beatrice, organizes the staff. Both are in
residence. You speak of a conspiracy over many years. Why would
someone wait until now?” He shook his head. “Neither my father nor
Benton’s would divulge the ring’s whereabouts. There are other
items hidden with it that were not disturbed. It doesn’t make
sense.”

“
What about your brother? Would he
have told someone?”

“
Frederick? Hardly. He regarded the
title as his treasure, and only told me because I was required to
manage Shelton in his absence. He’d been called to service for
Henry’s challenge against Richard of York for the throne. Frederick
almost committed treason by not going, though. It galled him to
give control of Shelton to me. He was the heir. But with no
legitimate sons, he had no choice. I’m certain he’s cursing himself
as we speak for getting killed on the field of battle and
relinquishing the title to me.”

Alex leaned back in his chair. “No, Kate, I
don’t know anyone else who’d be aware of the hiding place. Nor why
they left the other items. There’s a reason behind the ring’s theft
and to discover it, we’ll continue our betrothal and watch for
treachery.”

Kate stood and clasped her hands. The long
sleeves of the chemise fell forward, revealing crimson gussets and
the gold belt he’d been prepared to give Jeanne on the birth of
their second son.

He sucked in a breath seeing his possessions
on her.

“
I know finding this jerk is
important to you, Alex, but couldn’t having the ring back change
what happens? You still have your health and your fortune. Maybe
there’s nothing to worry about anymore.”

“
A possibility I’ve considered,
Kate, but just because you and I know history is altered doesn’t
mean this thief does. To him, one of his plans went awry. How many
others does he have? When will he stop?” He shook his head. “We
must continue our play-acting until he reveals his
hand.”

“
About that.” Kate gripped the back
of the chair. “I’d love to stay and help, but I have an appointment
I can’t miss on Friday and if I’m not there, any hope of getting my
little girl will be gone. I don’t intend to miss it. I’ve wanted
her for too long. So, I’d like to borrow a horse, that reward we
spoke of, and head into town to find my window.”

“
Kate, once more you insult me.
I’ve already dispatched my men to search for it. When they recover
it, you’ll have the means to return to your time. In the meantime,
we must maintain the pretense.”

“
Fine. But we need to track down
the gypsies, too. I’ve got less than a week, Alex. If we don’t find
the window soon, there won’t be any reason for me to go home,
because no agency in the world is going to give me another chance
once I blow off the most important appointment of my—and that
little girl’s—life.”

“
My men will find your window,
Kate. I give you my word and when the earl of Shelton gives his
word, you can trust in it.”

“
Thank God.”

“
Or me.”

“
Smartass.”

***

Nick paced in Isobel’s hall, not surprised to
be kept waiting. Issy was nothing if not practical, but it’d be
nice if she were trusting. His lands might not equal hers, but he
wasn’t landless. She’d be a fool to turn him away.

Isobel’s steward rounded the corner. “Her
ladyship is indisposed, my lord.”

Nick gritted his teeth. She was refusing to
see him? Not if he had anything to say about it.

“
And just where is this indisposed
lady, Dalfour? You entered from the courtyard and her ladyship’s
rooms overlook the hillside.” She’d used this very same ploy after
her husband died and it hadn’t worked then, either. He’d been able
to disguise himself and slip up to her room.

The steward cleared his throat. “At my lady’s
request, I had to deliver instructions to Cook. I came here from
the kitchens.”

Nick snorted. Isobel couldn’t put him off that
easy. “Dalfour, you’re a loyal man. I’ll remember that in years to
come.” God—and Issy—willing, he’d be in a position to do something
about it.

He dodged the steward and strode to the
stairs, taking them two at a time—and found Issy in the
stairwell.

“
Nicholas.” She halted two steps
above him, the surprise in her voice echoing along the stone
wall.

He laughed. “If it isn’t the indisposed lady
of the house, miraculously recovered. How fortuitous I didn’t leave
immediately. Now we can have our chat.”

“
I fail to see what you could
possibly—”

“
That’s because you fail to give me
the opportunity.” He reached for her hand, tugging her to join him.
“Come now, Issy. We both know you aren’t ill. Perhaps an injured
pride, but nothing more.” He tucked her arm in his and patted it.
“A few moments are all I ask. Surely you won’t deny me
them?”

“
It’s pointless, Lord Caversham.”
Her actions belied her words as she allowed him to draw her into
the hall.

“
Oh?” He had to remain cool for
Isobel was known for her temper.

He’d seen that fiery rage when they’d come
across a man beating his horse. Isobel, uncaring of who watched,
proceeded to flay the man with her words, her beautiful chestnut
hair falling from beneath her veil as she’d stalked over to him,
her strides threatening to dislodge her breasts from her bodice,
blue eyes flashing when she’d rejoined him. He’d had to have her.
All that passion, that life, corralled, then set free in his bed.
She hadn’t disappointed him.

“
Yes, Nicholas. Pointless. I don’t
want to hear more.” She glared at him, but he was immune. “You try
to rise above your station and I’ll not be party to it.
Why—”

He backed her into the stone doorway to the
courtyard. “I remember a time,” he whispered, “when you didn’t mind
that I rose above. And plunged down, Issy, over and over.” He
linked his hands with hers and brought them up against the wall by
her head. “Do you remember? You begged me to continue.” He set his
lips against hers, just touching. “You begged me until you fell
apart in my arms.”

Her breath came shallow and fast and moist
against his lips and Nick fought the urge to surge against her.
He’d have her wanting him as she made him ache.

“
Nicholas, please. I—”

“
That’s right, Issy. Just like that
you begged.” He stroked her lips just once, giving her a glimpse of
what she asked for. “We could have it, Issy. There’s nothing to
keep us apart now.” Her eyes, the centers large like platters,
stared into his, her chest rising and falling against his, the
raised outline of her nipples brushing his tunic. It’d be so
easy—