Page 59 of Stolen By the Rogue
With no other option, Jane made her way back to Coal Yard Lane and home. As she turned the key in the front door, she paused. Would this house ever be a real home? Or was it just another stop, on her life’s journey? Perhaps this afternoon’s audience with George’s father would give her the answer she sought.
And perhaps it might have all been a ruse, and he has just walked away with a fortune.
No. She couldn’t think like that; she had to trust him. George had paced the floor until the early hours of the morning, but in the hour before the dawn, he had finally come to lay beside her on the mattress. He had held her and whispered his love.
Normally, she would have gone to visit the bakery on Brownlow Street, but her stomach was unsettled this morning and she didn’t bother with breakfast. One part of Jane’s mind was doing its best to convince her that the nausea was simply nerves and worry, while the other offered up a more life-changing answer. At this moment, she wasn’t certain which would be the more welcome.
Inside the house, she tidied up the parlor and the kitchen, then uncharacteristically found herself overcome with fatigue and in need of a rest.
I haven’t eaten. That is the only reason.
Seated at the table, Jane pondered what she would do if indeed her feeling out of sorts was more than just that. What would she say to George?
The list of items from the treasure chest lay in front of her.
Eight large rubies
Fourteen medium-sized emeralds
Eleven large and six small sapphires
Seven gold chains of various lengths
Eighty-six gold coins, thirty-four of silver
Assorted other small gems
“And a partridge in a pear tree,” she whispered.
It was an impressive haul, all of which was now securely buried in the secret vault under the stables in Gracechurch Street, along with the rest of George’s escape money.
She was about to fold the list in half, when she stopped. Jane examined it once more.
The sapphire-studded ring was not on the inventory list.
“He could have made a mistake.”
Who on earth are you trying to fool? He’s taken the ring to sell and will keep the money.
“The only person who has made a mistake is you, Jane Scott. Why? Because you are a silly girl. Yet again you have let your heart rule your head. But this time, you might not be the only one who has to pay the price.”
She put a hand over her face, desperate to keep the tears from starting.
“Jane?”
In her distressed state, she hadn’t heard George open the door and walk into the kitchen.
Strong hands lifted Jane from the chair and held her tight. She wrapped her arms around his waist, not holding him, but punching George firmly in the back.
“You left the ring off the list and then you took it. How could you? I trusted you.”
“If you would stop hitting me for a minute, I will tell you why,” he replied.
She pulled away, out of his arms, bumping her leg on the chair. Whatever lies he was going to tell her, she didn’t care. She just wanted it over.
“I took the ring. But not for the reason I suspect you think I did.”
George put his hand in his coat pocket and withdrew a small box. He held it out to her. “It’s in here; where the jeweler put it after he had cleaned up the stones and repaired one of the broken claws.”
