Page 6 of Kiss Me Lady One More Time
Also, it was because Tensford had already overcome so many obstacles in his life—and Sterne despised being even part of another.
That led to the heart of the matter, didn’t it? He’d so often been a disappointment to his family. His friends had been his salvation, the sturdy support he’d needed to grow into the man he wanted to be. He could not—would not—let any one of them down.
“How do we go about it, then?” Tensford asked. “Anyone who attended the ball that night at Greystone might be a suspect.”
“Actually, a great many of the attendees can be eliminated because they were known to be caught up in the spectacle of Keswick’s dance with Lady Glory. Whoever knocked me out, they accomplished it while the pair of them danced. But more than just attendance at the ball, we must think about who would be interested enough in such a specimen, and know enough about it, to make it both feasible and worth the trouble to commit the crime.” He watched his friend closely. “I know you don’t want to consider it, but you must admit that Stillwater is by far the most likely suspect.”
Tensford shook his head. “He’s an old man.”
“Yes, but whoever did this didn’t act alone. The theft must have been planned ahead. It must have taken several men working together to get something so large and heavy out of the house—and quickly, too.”
“You are right. I don’t want to consider him. He was a friend of my father’s.”
“And known to share your father’s interest in and knowledge about fossils. I’ve told you how he acted, coming in before dinner was over, examining the slab and the frame from all angles, asking all manner of questions I had no answers to. I thought my ignorance was the reason for his obvious frustration, but now I must wonder if my presence there was thwarting his plans.”
Tensford took a long drink.
“You’ve told me the story about the specimen you found as a child,” Sterne reminded him gently. “Your fish tail.”
“My fishtale,” the earl sighed.
“You endured a good bit of teasing over that incident. And I remember the particulars. You found the fossil. Excited, you went to fetch your father. Stillwater was with him and heard the details. Business delayed your father several hours, and by the time you both went to see it and remove it from the stone, the tail had vanished.”
Tensford rubbed a temple. “It could have crumbled away, as my father theorized. But I searched the rubble. I searched the whole damned shoreline along that section of the river. I never found any pieces of it.”
His face bleak, he glanced up at Sterne. “It’s another reason why I don’t want Stillwater to be the latest thief. The man’s notoriously territorial. He doesn’t let the locals cut across his property. No one’s been inside of his home for years. Most fossil enthusiasts cannot resist talking of their finds or showing off their collections, but Stillwater broods selfishly over his like a dragon over his hoard. He doesn’t care that others know what he has—only that he possesses what they do not.” He sighed. “If he’s taken the specimen, then we’ll never know it.”
“We shall see,” Sterne said. “The man is not a complete recluse, you know. I’ve asked about and heard that he comes here at least every week or so. He orders a pint and a steak and kidney pie, and he gossips with Thomkins. He may not like his neighbors to know his business, but he’s keen to know anything of interest going on in their lives.”
The earl’s eyes widened. “I did wonder how he knew we were organizing a fossil hunt for the house party. He angled for an invitation and I indulged him.” He frowned. “Do you think he’ll be in tonight?”
“There’s no telling, but if he is, I’ll work my uncle’s name into the conversation.” Sterne’s uncle was one of the foremost experts in the fossil field. He’d spent many an evening, eyes glazed, while Tensford and his uncle waxed rhapsodic over bones and rocks. “I’ve never yet met an enthusiast who didn’t wish to discuss my uncle’s theories and his collection.”
“Including me,” Tensford laughed. “But what if Stillwater doesn’t come in tonight?”
Sterne set his jaw. “Then I will make an excuse to come in every night, until he does.”
And if such a plan kept him out of the path of Miss Penelope Munroe, then so much the better.
Chapter 2
Penelope went straight to her room when she arrived home. Her family kept a late dinner hour, as neither of her parents wished to waste the summer’s evening light, so she had time to lock her door, sit at her writing desk and organize her thoughts.
Her first goal was partially accomplished—but it had also become more complicated. Heavens, yes, but she did still find Mr. Sterne physically attractive. The blood in her veins quickened just recalling those shoulders, and his strong legs showcased in long, leather boots. But she had to admit, his refusal to accept her help was problematic. Perhaps he was not so open-minded as she’d thought. Perhaps, like so many men, he believed women should keep quiet and in the background of life.
Her eyes closed. Oh, she sincerely hoped not. No matter how he made her pulse race and her insides ripple, she could not tolerate a life with someone who held such views.
So—she must find out more about his objection and his attitudes. She could think of no better way than to challenge him. She would begin her own investigation into the theft of Lord Tensford’s fossil. Surely, she could do as good a job as Mr. Sterne.
Reaching into a drawer, she pulled out a fresh, blank-paged journal bound in rich leather. Her father had given it to her, and she’d been saving it for something special. She could think of no greater cause than the course of her future.
Breathing deeply, she ran a finger along the first, empty page, took up a quill, and began to make notes and organize her thoughts. Her mind flew, examining possibilities and motives. Pages began to fill with ideas, names and plans. By the time the light had dimmed, and the maid had knocked at her door a second time, she had two main suspects, an immediate strategy to investigate the first and a course of action to begin for the second.
With a sigh of satisfaction, she closed the book and unlocked the door.
“We’ll have to hurry, Miss,” the maid fussed as she went to pull a gown from the wardrobe. “It’s nearly time for dinner.”
“My apologies, Emma. I’ll hurry.” Penelope turned so the girl could unbutton her. “Will you please ask Mrs. Hodge for some fresh ink? If you could leave it up here after you have your own dinner, I would be grateful. I have a letter to write this evening.”
