Jace opened the locket and studied the couple encased there. He guessed they were her parents. He wondered what the girl would do when she discovered such a treasure missing. Would she return to search for it? To look for him? She seemed brave enough to do so but level-headed enough to think that unwise. He snapped the locket shut and dropped it into his pocket. Then he smelled the bouquet before putting it aside.
So far, his trip to London had been for naught. The man he needed to see was unavailable. Two witnesses to his alleged crimes had vanished, as had Joanna Harris. Even her mother didn’t know her whereabouts, or if Joanna was connected to the truth. Yet the woman hadn’t seemed shocked by Jace’s grim speculations.
But who wanted him framed and killed, he asked himself for the hundredth time, and why? No doubt because the guilty and cunning culprit knew Jace Elliott would never give up his search for the truth and vindication! He must prove the evidence implicating him was false. He had to learn who was responsible for the disgrace and destruction of his father. He had to discover the dark reason behind that deadly plot and the means by which it had been carried out so perfectly.
A vital clue was missing: motive. If he could discoverwhy,that would unmaskwhoandhow.This lethal mystery still seemed as hopeless and frustrating as it had over a year ago. But he was determined to solve it, and had sworn on his father’s grave to do so.
Jace’s wandering mind traveled to his best suspects: Chad Hamilton and William Webster. Yet Webster had plenty of money and business without stealing his father’s, and supposedly they had been friends. It was true that Chad had hated him and wanted revenge, but ruining Joanna Harris should have been enough cruelty and vengeance for his old friend. Chad had chosen to make Jace his enemy, and the devilish rake had done the unforgivable to him and Joanna.
Jace’s restless mind drifted to the damsel in distress he had rescued. What was her connection to Chad Hamilton? He didn’t want to envision her as one of Chad’s ill-fated conquests like Joanna had been, so, he dismissed her from his troubled thoughts.
His time was limited. He didn’t know where to look for favorable evidence, but he wasn’t one to wallow in self-pity nor to remain ignorant or in jeopardy and dishonor. He had a terrible problem and he must find a way to solve it. Before he could approach the authorities and be questioned, he had to obtain proof he was innocent of the accusations. Without it, he would be arrested and jailed, then tried and convicted and hanged. But until he returned to England and was questioned, he couldn’t be legally charged or pursued out of the country. Too, there was someone powerful trying to impede his case in order to give them time to solve it. With some of the people involved dead, others missing, and none talking, it appeared hopeless.
But nothing, Jace Elliott vowed, was utterly hopeless. Some things just required more effort than others, especially things as important as his freedom, and the exoneration of his deceased father.
He pulled the locket out again and fingered it. He had a strong feeling that it meant something special to him, as well as to Laura Leigh. He felt as if she’d been placed in his path tonight. The locket burned in his grasp and mind like a fiery but obscure clue. Perhaps it was an omen, telling him to get close to this particular female by providing him with the means and motive to do so. Was fate—after almost destroying him—giving him a helping hand? A visceral feeling told him to study that tawny-haired beauty who had a connection to his suspects. But how could he accomplish that as he couldn’t show his face in daylight without risking the loss of his head? This prize was the key to getting to Laura Leigh and unlocking her mysterious role in his destiny. Again he irritably mused, but how and when and where?
He knew her name and where she was staying. Perhaps …
Chapter Three
The following morning, Leigh went to have her torn dress repaired. The seamstress suggested replacing the snagged overskirt and also said she would stitch on a new silk bouquet. Fortunately she had another blue aigrette that would match the gown.
While there, Leigh paid for and picked up the special garments the woman had completed for her safari. Earlier that day she had purchased a pith helmet and two pairs of walking boots for her impending adventure. While she was away, many of her possessions would be left in London at Chad’s townhouse. Others—used on the voyage to and from British East Africa and during her stay in Mombasa—would be stored at the hotel there, as she could carry only so many items with her on the trail.
When she returned to the hotel with her purchases, Lord Chadwick Hamilton was awaiting her with a frown on his handsome face. He helped her with the packages and followed her inside her suite.
The dark-haired earl questioned, “Where have you been, Leigh? You promised not to go out alone again.”
Leigh smiled and replied, “I didn’t mean I would make myself a prisoner in my room, Chad. I was referring to going out alone at night.”
He exhaled loudly and shook his head. “What makes you think beautiful, wealthy females are any safer alone during daylight hours?” her guardian reasoned as he stood near the front window.
Leigh watched how the morning sunlight played over his appealing features as she related where she had gone and why. “I was very careful,UncleChad,” she teased. “I’m not a little girl, and I did carry my gun. See,” She opened her purse to show him the derringer before tightening the strings and tossing it on the sofa.
“I only have your word you know how to use it. Besides, a villain could grab your purse to rob you. Then where would you be? In danger again,” he answered his own question.
“You worry too much, Chad. I’m an expert shot, and I stay alert. Did you find my locket?” she inquired to change the subject.
He looked disappointed as he told her, “No, but I did post the description and a reward. No word from your rescuer of last night?”
“None, but that doesn’t surprise me. I doubt he’ll appear at my door. If he does, I surely wouldn’t let a stranger inside. Oh, yes …” she began. “Why didn’t the doorman tell me you were looking for me when I spoke to him last night upon my return?”
Chad thought a moment, shrugged, and surmised, “Probably we talked to different doormen, else the mystery would have been solved more quickly. As for tonight, I’ll come by for you at half past six. Right now, I need to make a last visit to my office to be certain our arrangements are in order. Unless you have something special you want to do, I think we should all finish packing and rest tomorrow and Sunday. The first day at sea can be busy and tiring.”
“I remember,” she said, recalling her recent voyage from America. “We certainly have plenty to do. It sounds fine to me.”
“When Mother returns from India,” he suggested, “you can move in with her and get out of this cramped hotel. I’m sorry the house is closed up and the servants were given time off, but we didn’t know if or when you’d arrive, and she’s to be away for a long time.”
“You’re kind and thoughtful, Chad, but this is fine. I wouldn’t want to use her home when she isn’t there.”
“Well, when we all get back, at least you can go through your family’s things. I’m sure you’ll find items you’ll want to keep. Mother said there are letters, photographs, and such that you should have.”
She smiled in gratitude. “Thank you, Chad. I’m eager to get them. It’s very kind of your mother to let me go through everything.”
“Rightfully, family keepsakes belong to you.”
“She was his wife for years, and I’m grateful she feels this way.” Leigh could not call or think of Fiona Hamilton as Mrs. Webster or as her step-grandmother. “I’m looking forward to seeing the country estate.”