That Infamous Pearl (20 page)

She started at the
sound of Alaric's voice and pulled herself away from Malcolm. Swinging about
she looked back towards the house and was relieved to see that Alaric still
stood on the terrace, his broad shoulders and lean hips silhouetted against the
bright lights of the ballroom. He couldn't possibly see her and Malcolm,
standing as they did in the shadows.

"Rowena, are you
out here?"

"Brayleigh! I'd
know him anywhere," breathed Malcolm. Rowena felt him stiffen and take a
hasty step towards the house.

"Stop it!"
she hissed, grabbing his arm.

"It's him! I'd
like to strangle him now," muttered Malcolm passionately.

"Well, you can't,"
whispered Rowena. "I promised to help you, and now you must abide by our
agreement."

Malcolm shrugged. "Very
well. I'll let the hangman's noose do the job for me. Very soon you'll have the
proof I need, little sister."

"Get out of
here," said Rowena. "I can't have anyone seeing you."

"Jealous, is he?"
asked Malcolm. "Poor Rowena. Fear not, I'll rid you of him. You'll hear
from me soon."

He turned and
disappeared quickly into the shrubbery, leaving Rowena alone in the garden. She
waited until the sounds of his retreat had faded and then stepped out into the
moonlight.

"I'm here,
Alaric," she said.

"Rowena." Alaric
stepped lightly down from the terrace and moved quickly across the grass
towards her. "What are you doing outside? Are you alone? Charles said you
just disappeared." He looked past her into the dark garden.

"I wanted some
air. It was a bit close inside," said Rowena vaguely. "I was quite
alone."

Alaric wrapped one of
his big hands around her upper arm. "You're chilled." He drew her
closer to him and Rowena sank gratefully into the warmth of his body. Tears
welled up in her eyes when she realized that she couldn't tell him of her
brother's return.

"What are you doing
here?" she asked. "I thought you didn't wish to attend this ball."

Alaric raised his
hand to gently stroke her cheek. "I went home and you weren't there,"
he said simply. "I couldn't stand being in the house without you. It's
only been a few weeks, but now I'm lonely when I'm not with you."

Rowena's tears
threatened to fall at this simple statement. Alaric so seldom told her how he
felt, and now he was saying in his own way that he needed her. She gave a
little laugh that ended on a sob.

"Is something wrong?"
he asked, trying to see her face. She buried it in the front of his dark coat.

"Nothing at all,"
she said. "Not now."

"Charles told me
what Marguerite did," continued Alaric. "Once again, I must apologize
to you. I took your advice this afternoon and did not speak to her. Perhaps I
should have. It might have spared you some pain."

Rowena's eyes
widened. "You took my advice?" she repeated.

Alaric laughed. "Is
it so impossible? When I calmed down I realized you were right. Marguerite is
playing some game of her own and we must simply ignore her. But I didn't want
to admit that you were right. I wandered about town for a while, and when I got
home you were gone. So I came to find you."

"I'm glad you
came. And I'm sorry I made you angry. I shouldn't argue with you." Rowena
gave him a quick hug.

"I refuse to
believe you mean that." Alaric lifted her chin so that she looked up at
him. "Never tell me you are so demoralized. I expect you to argue with me
all our lives."

Rowena gave a watery
chuckle. How could she ever have doubted that Alaric was a good man and that he
cared for her? The seeds of doubts Malcolm had planted were speedily uprooted. But
it was still necessary for her to search the safe, she thought with a sinking
heart. Malcolm would never believe her unless she did.

Alaric pressed a kiss
to her mouth, and then gave a small groan when she opened her lips and
responded passionately. He set her away from him with shaking hands.

"Don't do that,
or we shall not achieve what I came here for."

"What is that?"
asked Rowena, surprised.

"I mean to dance
with you and show all the world that we are very happy together. I have decided
to try it your way."

Rowena flung her arms
around her neck and pressed a kiss to his chin. "You are marvelous,
Alaric."

"If this is the
response I get, I will humor you more often," he said softly, drawing her
closer. He kissed her gently.

"Do we have to
dance?" she asked.

"We must. But
then I shall take you home immediately. I don't want to share you for a minute
longer than I must. Come along, Rowena. We have something to prove to Society."

Rowena tried to sort
out her thoughts as she prepared for bed. She obediently turned and twisted as
Lawson divested her of her gown, combed her hair, and dressed her in a sheer
linen nightgown trimmed with fine lace. But she barely heard her maid's
inconsequential chatter. She was still trying to absorb the fact that Malcolm
was in London, that she had seen him, and that she had agreed to his
preposterous scheme to search Alaric's safe. Now in the comfort of her bedroom,
with the fire glowing brightly on the hearth and the candles illuminating the
familiar surroundings, it seemed as though she must have dreamt the whole
encounter.

But she hadn't. She
knew that, although she almost wished she had. How could she possibly convince
Alaric to tell her the combination to his safe, and how could she search it as
though she thought he was some sort of criminal? She knew he had not killed
Ingram as surely as she knew Malcolm had not. But her brother would not believe
her until she had proof. She met her own gaze in the mirror. There was an
uncertain, haunted look in her eyes.

"Is everything
all right, my lady?" asked Lawson, noting her mistress's odd mood.

"Everything is
fine, Lawson. Thank you." Rowena dismissed the maid with an uneasy smile
and settled into the bed, pulling the white linen sheets up over her shoulders.
She could see light coming from under the door that connected her room to
Alaric's and could hear him moving about and talking to Jameson. Soon he would
come in, she thought nervously. How could she act as though nothing had
happened? She felt incredibly guilty for keeping such an important secret from
Alaric. Hadn't she lectured him only a few days ago on the importance of
honesty? But if she told him Malcolm was in London, that he had approached her,
and since the issue of Lady Bingham's involvement would be nearly impossible to
conceal, Alaric was certain to be infuriated. It was far better to convince
Malcolm of Alaric's innocence first. Then it would surely not be too difficult
to convince Alaric that Malcolm was also a victim of circumstance. After that
had been settled, they could work together to solve the mystery of who had
killed Alfred Ingram. Rowena wasn't satisfied, but felt unable to see another
path.

She heard Jameson
leave Alaric's room and reached down to smooth the lace on her nightgown,
eagerly awaiting her husband's entrance. Some minutes passed, however, and he
did not enter. Rowena gazed at the door, perplexed. Alaric had been so
passionate earlier in the Burlington's garden and on the carriage ride home she
had been hard put to keep him from ravishing her. What could have happened now?

Perhaps Alaric had
become suddenly ill and needed her help. She got out of bed, pulled on her
sheer lace wrapper and walked across the room. Slowly she eased the door open
and peeked into Alaric's bedroom.

A quick glance at the
bed assured her that he had not gone to sleep, and she looked around
cautiously, wondering where he was. Then she saw his dark head over the back of
a tall, wing-backed chair that stood in the window embrasure. He had drawn back
the heavy curtains and was sitting quietly, looking out at the night sky. Rowena
took a tentative step into the room and closed the door behind her.

Alaric turned his
head at the sound and stood up when he saw Rowena. He was wearing a brocaded
dressing gown made of black silk that clung to the strong lines of his thighs,
and Rowena found her breath quickening when she looked at him. He returned her
gaze somberly and she gave him a doubtful glance, wondering if in the past half
hour she might have done something to annoy him. She smiled tentatively.

"Good evening,"
she said in a small voice. She had been in Alaric's room before--they had spent
many delightful hours in his enormous bed--but tonight he seemed rather
forbidding.

Alaric slipped the
piece of white paper he held between his fingers into his pocket and smiled. Rowena
was relieved to see his face lighten, and she came a few steps nearer. Alaric
held out his hand and she moved close enough to take it, feeling his strong
fingers close over hers.

"What are you
doing here?" asked Alaric.

Rowena blushed. "You...you
didn't come into my room, so I was wondering if there was something wrong."

Alaric chuckled. "No,
nothing is wrong. I received a message that I needed to read and I was simply
thinking about it."

"Is it something
important?"

"No, not at all."
Alaric gave her a sidelong glance. "Did you enjoy the ball tonight?"

Rowena's gaze shifted
slightly. "After you arrived," she answered quietly.

"I hope we made
a convincingly happy couple. After your little altercation with Lady Bingham,
it was probably necessary."

Rowena frowned. "I
wish she would leave us alone."

"She's a
spiteful woman. You mustn't pay any attention to the things she says." Alaric
spoke very quietly, but it seemed to Rowena that he was trying to convey
something to her. She looked up, scanning his face for some clue.

"I will try not
to." Rowena reflected that Marguerite seemed to have invaded every part of
her life. Malcolm was here because of the baroness's interference, and seemed
to be staying in London under her auspices. That was hardly a situation that
boded well for the happiness of Rowena's marriage. She couldn't imagine that
Marguerite would not try to make further trouble. Whatever Malcolm's aims were,
Marguerite's were surely to cause problems for Rowena.

There was a pause,
and then Alaric squeezed her hand gently. "As you can see, I am quite
well," he said in a teasing voice. "Was there something else you
wanted?"

Rowena flushed. "I
was just concerned for you. I see that everything is fine. I'll go back to my
room now."

Alaric laughed and
tightened his grip on her hand. "I don't believe that you only wished to
reassure yourself as to my health. Be honest, Rowena. Why did you come in here?"

Rowena could feel her
face turning hot and wondered if the blush was spreading all the way down to
her chest. "You come to me every night," she said defensively. "I've
gotten used to sleeping with you. It is very...comfortable."

"Only
comfortable?"

"And very
pleasant," said Rowena firmly.

"Pleasant?"

Rowena stamped her
foot. "It isn't kind of you to tease me," she protested hotly.

"No, I suppose
it isn't. But you make it irresistible." Alaric reached down and scooped
her up in his arms, holding her high against his chest. Rowena gave a little
gasp at his sudden movement and looked at him uncertainly.

"You are really
too lovely," said Alaric. He carried her to the large chair he had been
sitting in when she entered the room and sank down into it again, still
clasping Rowena firmly to him. He settled her in his lap and smiled at her. "Tell
me what you want from me."

"That isn't
fair," complained Rowena.

"I promised to
be truthful with you, but I don't believe I promised to play fair,"
observed Alaric. "Now, is this what you came for?"

He leaned forward and
kissed her gently, his lips just brushing hers. Rowena gave a little sigh and
wrapped her arms around his neck, offering her mouth up for another kiss.

She felt very
comfortable in that moment, held securely in her husband's arms. She would
never have guessed only a few weeks ago that she would find this sort of
contentment in her marriage to the Earl of Brayleigh. The idea would have
seemed preposterous, but now a fragile hope arose in her that she could make
Alaric love her. He certainly seemed to care for her, and today he had even
listened to her and taken her advice. Perhaps that sort of trust would blossom
into something greater.

Then her heart gave a
sickening lurch. In the pleasure of Alaric's company, she had completely
forgotten Malcolm. He was depending upon her to deliver information that would
convict the man she held in her arms at this very moment. Rowena, despite her
certainty that Alaric was innocent, felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. If
Alaric knew what she was doing, he would be very angry. The same thoughts
circled in her head that she had pondered earlier. In order to prove Alaric's
innocence to Malcolm, she had to do as he requested. And she couldn't tell
Alaric of Malcolm's presence until she was sure he would not try to harm her
brother.

She raised her head
and placed her chin on Alaric's chest, gazing up at him thoughtfully. Her
violet eyes were very wide, her expression thoughtful. Alaric could be so
tender, but she had also had some experience with his temper. He would feel
hurt and betrayed if he discovered what she was doing.

"What is it?"
asked Alaric. "Shouldn't you be going to sleep?"

"I was just
thinking about the rubies you gave me," she answered.

"Is there
something wrong with them?" Alaric's voice was lazy, as though his
thoughts were elsewhere.

"No, of course
not. They're beautiful," Rowena hastened to assure him.

"You looked
lovely in them tonight. You are the only woman I can imagine wearing them."

Rowena smiled at the
compliment, but then resolutely returned to her goal. "I was just worried
about leaving them in my jewelry box," she said in as casual a tone as she
could muster. "Don't you think they should be locked up when I'm not
wearing them?"

Alaric shrugged. "I
don't see why. The servants are honest and I doubt anyone would have the
temerity to break into my home. It's well-known that I guard what I own."

"I am sure you
are right, but it makes me uneasy," continued Rowena. "They are so
very valuable. What if I misplaced them?"

"Then I should
have to buy you some more," answered Alaric promptly, dropping a kiss on
her nose.

Rowena moved
uncomfortably. Alaric was doing nothing to alleviate her feelings of guilt.

"I would feel
easier if I could keep them in the safe when I'm not wearing them," she
said softly.

She glanced up at him
to see how he was taking her suggestion. There was a wary look in his eyes.

"I don't think
that is necessary," he said, his voice low. "I am sure they are quite
secure in your jewelry box."

Rowena sighed and put
her head back on his shoulder. She could no longer meet his eyes. "Please,
Alaric. I have never owned anything so valuable before, and I would feel
terrible if I lost them."

"Very well. If
you are so uncomfortable I will put the rubies in the safe for you in the
morning." Alaric's voice sounded slightly strained.

Rowena hesitated. "If
you would not mind, Alaric, I would prefer it if you could tell me the
combination so that I could do that myself." She felt him stiffen at her
words and she hurried on. "After all, you are not always about. I could
not have worn them tonight, for instance, for you were not home."

"I will promise
to be home whenever you are dressing to go out," said Alaric. "Will
that satisfy you?"

Rowena managed a
light laugh. "Don't be silly. You cannot do that. You have far too many
engagements to be waiting about the house for your wife to get dressed."

Alaric's arm
tightened about her shoulders. "Perhaps I will take away all your clothes
and lock you in your room with nothing to wear but your jewels. Then you will
have no need to get dressed and the rubies will be safe as well."

"You are being
nonsensical," said Rowena as lightly as she could. She could sense some
undercurrent in the conversation and it made her uncomfortable. Alaric surely
couldn't have an inkling of what she was up to. "If you don't trust me
with the combination, there is no more to be said, of course."

"So it is to be
a matter of trust, is it?" Rowena could feel Alaric's heart begin to beat
slightly faster under her ear. "If I will not tell you, will you punish me
in some way?"

Rowena turned at that
and looked up directly into his green eyes. They were glaring down at her
intently, as though he was trying to see directly into her thoughts. "Of
course I won't," she said hastily. "I never said that. I simply
thought it would be more convenient for you if I did not have to bother you. It
is really quite unimportant."

Alaric gazed at her
for another moment, and then seemed to make a decision. "Very well. I will
give you the combination. You are my wife, and, as you pointed out, worthy of
my trust. What is a marriage without trust, after all?"

He spoke sternly, and
Rowena stared at him in concern. She hadn't thought her request would bring
about such a strong reaction.

"This isn't a
test of our marriage, Alaric," she protested. She would simply have to
find another way to convince Malcolm that Alaric was innocent. "Please, it
doesn't matter."

Alaric lifted her and
stood up, and then placed her gently back into the chair. He strode over to the
desk that stood nearby and seized a quill. "I will write it down for you,
so that you will not forget it."

Rowena watched in
silence as the pen scratched across a small piece of paper. Alaric picked it up
and brought it to her, thrusting it into her hand.