Lady Ellingham and the Theft of the Stansfield Necklace: A Regency Romance by Miriam Rochester Read Free Book Online Page A

Thorndale
a fixed stare. ‘I think you should unhand my sister sir,’ he instructed calmly.
Thorndale dropped her arm and addressed Richard.  ‘I think Sir, that you should
learn manage your women, your sister’s accusations are intolerable.’  Richard
turned to Felicity demanding an explanation but she just stood there silent.
          ‘Very well,’ Thorndale
resumed. ‘Your sister deems to call me a thief.  If she were a man I would call
her out.’
          Richard stepped
in front of his sister.  ‘If my sister calls you a thief, she must have good
reason. I would suggest that if you have any grievance you take it up with me.’
          Thorndale gave
Richard a pregnant stare. ‘Very well, I shall spare you the glove lest we draw
attention to ourselves for people are already beginning to look this way, but I
do demand satisfaction.  Name your friends sir.’
          Felicity’s eyes widened
in disbelief at this unexpected development.  What had she done?  She stepped
forward. ‘No Richard,’ she implored. ‘Do not accept!’
          Although Richard
had automatically defended his sister out of loyalty, he was angry with her and
spoke harshly. ‘Stand back Flick, you have done enough.’ He turned back to Thorndale
who was clearly amused by Felicity’s distress even though it was self-inflicted. 
‘I shall ask Jeremy Leighton to act as my second sir.  You will find his
direction in Mount Street.’ Thorndale acknowledged. ‘I know his direction I
will send my man Giles Kavanagh to wait on him. Choose your place and weapons
sir.’
    ‘I will meet you on
Hampstead Heath at 6am, The South Wood at the back of Kenwood’s Pond. I have a
suitable pair of Manton’s if that is to your satisfaction.’ Thorndale nodded.
‘As you wish, my man will be inspecting them anyway. I will see to procuring a
doctor.’
          Richard gave Thorndale
a stiff nod. ‘Then if you will excuse me I shall be off to make my preparations.’ 
Richard grabbed his stunned sister by the elbow and propelled her back into the
ballroom. ‘Well this is a fine mess Flick, I hope you are satisfied. I do not
know exactly what you said to the man but I did warn you.  We need to find
mother and make our excuses.  I am escorting your home!’
          Felicity did not
argue but stood meekly as Richard spoke to his mother. ‘Mother Flick is feeling
unwell I am taking her home.’ The Countess looked concerned and a little disconcerted.
‘Oh dear Flick you do look pale, I hope it is nothing serious.’ Felicity blanched
but managed to give her mother a weak smile. ‘I shall be fine mama, it is only
a headache.’
          The Countess
looked undecided. ‘Richard I am not quite ready to return home yet, it is still
early. Will you be returning to collect me?’ Mr Haswell stepped forward. ‘Do
not worry Lealholme, my wife and I will see your mother safely home, you need
not worry for her safety.’
          Richard gave Mr
Haswell his grateful thanks and just about dragged Felicity out of Almack’s and
into their waiting carriage. The carriage pulled away.  Richard sat opposite
Felicity anything but amused.  He sat upright with his arms folded across his
chest and addressed his sister. ‘Well now we are alone would you care to
explain?’
          Felicity looked
stricken. ‘I am sorry Richard, it just came out and I certainly did not expect
it to turn out as it did. The man is a monster. He just brings out the worst in
me.’
          Richard was angry.
‘That is the trouble with you Felicity, you do not think, it always just comes
out.  Really Flick you will be the death of me.’ Felicity blanched.  It was an
expression Richard often used when exasperated with her, but in this particular
instance, it could turn out to be literal.  ‘Richard,’ she replied. ‘There is
no need to meet Thorndale, just let me apologise.’
          ‘What!’
Richard retorted. ‘He will