An Unexpected Countess. Laurie Benson
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for you.’
Hart almost swallowed his tongue. ‘Miss Forrester? I assure you I have no designs—’
‘I meant Augusta. Should anything happen to me, I’ll need you to look out for her. Having that responsibility on your shoulders might do you some good.’
‘She is your child. Should anything happen to you, of course I would do everything in my power to see she is taken care of. There was no need to go to this measure.’ Augusta slept a great deal from what he could recall of seeing her after she was born. Katrina had told him the only time she really fussed was when she was hungry. They had similar interests.
‘In any event, I am honoured you have accepted.’
Miss Forrester’s voice carried to where they were standing. ‘But what about when I return home? I might never see you or Augusta again.’
A heavy feeling settled in Hart’s stomach. Was there something wrong with the brandy?
Katrina rubbed Miss Forrester’s arms. ‘We will not think about that day. And when you do, you will make certain to return for visits. We would be happy to welcome your husband and children into our home.’
Her husband? Her children? He crossed his arms, recalling their encounter on the rooftop. Was there someone in particular she planned to marry? After all, he had run into her on a rooftop in London in the middle of the night and it was hard to imagine what else she would have been doing other than fleeing an illicit liaison. Common courtesy demanded he should not bring up the subject with her—however, he was curious by nature. He was determined to find out just what Miss Sarah Forrester was about, but first he needed to fetch that damn bracelet.
The moment Lyonsdale and the Earl left the drawing room, Sarah could breathe normally. She didn’t appreciate the way being near Hartwick left her all fluttery inside. Now that she was alone with Katrina it was easier to concentrate.
‘Again, you have my apologies, Sarah, I know how much you loved those slippers. You’re a true friend to sacrifice them the way you did. I promise to buy you another pair.’
‘I had to do something. You would have run inside and I would have been left to face your perplexed footman.’ She really needed to stop thinking about those slippers. It wasn’t improving her disposition.
‘Have you given any more thought to how you will get Lady Everill’s bracelet?’
‘I have, usually at three in the morning when I’m wide awake and fretting about my parents finding out what my brother did. Searching the Everills’ house was terrifying. I’d prefer not to do that again. And if Lady Everill has been showing it off everywhere, then the only time I could retrieve it is when they’re home asleep. That idea terrifies me even more. It’s maddening to know that bracelet is only the first step in finding the diamond and yet I can’t get my hands on it long enough to study it so I can discover where the stone is hidden.’
‘I think you should practise removing my bracelet again.’ Katrina held her arm out to Sarah. The diamond-and-sapphire bracelet sparkled in the light. ‘If you become proficient, you can slip the bracelet from her wrist the next time you see her.’
‘We’ve already tried. I’m horrid at it.’ She leaned back in her seat and stared at the cherubs looking down at her from the gilt moulding around the ceiling. Why couldn’t they help her figure out what to do? ‘I can’t allow my parents to endure additional suffering because of this vile man and his blackmail. I have a fortnight before he sends word of where the exchange will be made. If I don’t find the diamond by then...’
Katrina held her hand. The warm pressure steadied Sarah’s tremors. ‘Are you certain this is worth keeping from your father? Perhaps you should just tell him.’
‘Katrina, I can’t take that chance. His heart will never survive this. It will destroy him. It will destroy them both. I’m sure of it. I don’t have a choice.’
Their conversation was interrupted when the Dowager opened the door and stepped into the room. She eyed them before scanning the surroundings.
‘Are you looking for someone?’ Katrina asked, removing her hand from Sarah’s.
‘No. No. I was...about to do some reading, but I could not find my spectacles. I might have left them somewhere in here earlier today.’ Her studied gaze swept over Sarah from her half-boots to her hair. ‘I say, Miss Forrester, are you still here?’
‘It would appear so. Would you like us to help you find them?’ Sarah asked, hoping it would distract her enough to give a brief reprieve from her troubles.
‘Find what, my dear?’
‘Your spectacles.’
The Dowager’s brows wrinkled briefly before she seemed to recall why she had entered the room in the first place. ‘Oh, yes...that’s very kind of you, but not necessary. Go about your conversation. Pay no attention to me.’ She walked away and scanned the surfaces of the small decorative tables.
Sarah glanced at Katrina, knowing their conversation was finished. She would go home, crawl into bed and stay under the blankets until she had devised a plan to retrieve that bracelet. It should only take a year—a year she did not have.
She stood and brushed out her skirt. ‘Well, I should go.’
‘I shall walk you to the door,’ Katrina replied.
‘Miss Forrester,’ the Dowager called before they reached the door, ‘I was wondering if you and your parents enjoyed science.’
‘Pardon?’
‘I was planning on having a small gathering in a few nights’ time to show off some of the wondrous things I’ve been hearing about during the lectures I’ve been attending at the Royal Institution.’
‘You were?’ Katrina eyed Julian’s grandmother with suspicion.
Sitting through an evening of dull lectures was not how Sarah wanted to spend her time, even if she did adore the Dowager. ‘I would have to enquire with my mother. It’s possible we have accepted an invitation already for that evening.’
The Dowager’s eyes narrowed. ‘I haven’t told you which evening it will be.’
Sarah looked away, trying to find something to say.
‘I have invited just a few friends,’ the Dowager continued with a graceful wave of her hand. ‘The Tates, the Everills and a few others.’
It was impossible to miss Katrina’s pointed stare.
‘It will be on Wednesday. Shall I send an invitation?’
If it took two days, Sarah was going to master removing Katrina’s bracelet without her noticing. ‘Yes, please. A Wednesday evening that I do not have to spend at Almack’s would be lovely.’
* * *
Three days later, Sarah sat in the Crimson Drawing Room of Lyonsdale House sipping tea and trying not to stare at Lady Everill’s bracelet, which was on prominent display on the woman’s wrist. It had to be the bracelet described in the letter. It was comprised of square gold links and had paintings on porcelain. Sarah was waiting for the perfect opportunity to try to slip it from Lady Everill’s wrist without getting caught and sending the woman into hysterics. It sounded so easy in theory.
‘I must admit,’ Lady Everill said, lowering her teacup to its saucer, ‘I am surprised you’re attending scientific lectures.’
‘There is no sense in wasting away at our age, Harriet,’ the Dowager said, shaking her head from beside Sarah on the crimson silk brocade sofa. ‘And after tonight, you may decide to accompany me to the next one.’
Sarah’s mother stirred her tea. ‘And what do you have