Chapter 1 #4
Eleanor had brought Nate’s calling cards, in addition to her own, and thought his might be the easiest for gaining entry to the gentleman’s house. She would have the footman deliver it whilst they waited in the carriage, and if accepted, they would go into the house to discuss the parure.
They planned to call on Mr LaFleur the next day during the morning calling hours, since they were not familiar with him, with hope to be given entrance on Nate’s behalf.
They would explain the delicate situation without alerting the gentleman to Frederick’s misdeeds.
They would call it an unfortunate misunderstanding regarding the jewellery suite, made difficult with his untimely death, and that of the general.
Catherine agreed it was a sound plan and was excited they would get to experience something like Emily’s exploits in one of their favourite books, The Mysteries of Udolpho.
Catherine and Eleanor had always cherished books and their shared love of similar authors.
They had been discussing books and later, lending each other volumes from their libraries since they first met in Bath.
Eleanor had always treasured the friendship and kinship with Catherine, and she blessed the day Henry met her at the Pump Rooms. It had blossomed into a wonderful and grand family for them, which had become even more dear with the recent losses and changes within their family.
Having each other to lean on during the gloomy days made the sunny days even more special.
After their successful transaction, Eleanor would hide the parure in the box under the squabs in the coach, and they would go to the modiste and a bookshop or two. They felt assured it would be a fait accompli. Somewhere along the way, they would find a shop to purchase trinkets for the children.
They read by the fire in the parlour before retiring for the night. The exhaustion from the journey to London and the planning of the next day allowed each to have a pleasant night’s sleep.
They had reached the half-mourning stage, and whilst some might expect them to wear bombazine, other colours were now acceptable. Eleanor chose a modest and unadorned lavender gown with Mary’s help. After she was dressed, she sent Mary with a grey gown for Catherine.
Catherine was always worried about what others would think, being the wife of a parson, but Eleanor assured her it was appropriate for them to wear colours other than black, and that colours would give them confidence in their endeavour.
They wanted Mr LaFleur to feel comfortable around them; two ladies in black bombazine might put him ill at ease, and they didn’t want anything to detract from the mission.
Eleanor took the coins out of her trunk and put them into the hidden pocket of her gown.
She didn’t want to risk losing the coins to a footpad or pickpocket; if her reticule were stolen, it would only contain her pin money for their later shopping.
Her cloak would decrease the likelihood of someone snatching the money from her concealed pocket.
Eleanor asked the footman to have the carriage ready after breakfast. The butler tried to delicately dissuade them from their adventure, but Eleanor stood firm and promised to take Mary, plus the footman, to accompany the coachman.
He was not happy, but he held his tongue as he had no authority over the lady of the house.
It was a lovely carriage ride, and as they approached, they saw two gentlemen enter the house where they were going.
Eleanor was worried the gentlemen might have an appointment, which would interfere with their plan.
When the gentlemen didn’t leave within an appropriate amount of time, Eleanor decided it was time to send the footman with the calling card.
He returned and said Mr LaFleur was not receiving.
Eleanor knew that wasn’t true, having seen the gentlemen enter the house, and against Catherine’s wishes, Eleanor went up the steps of the house with Catherine in tow to gain entrance.
Mr LaFleur’s butler tried to refuse, but she reminded him she was Lady Marlington, the wife of the Earl of Marlington, and was accompanied by Lady Tilney.
Mr LaFleur came out of a nearby room and seemed confused as to why they were there.
As Eleanor tried to explain, he was even more perplexed and asked them to wait.
Eleanor was starting to have second thoughts about the plan the longer they waited.
The muffled voices from the other room were coming closer.
Suddenly, one of the double doors opened, and Mr LaFleur motioned their way.
Before Catherine and she could step forwards, two gentlemen were seen approaching the now-opened second door.
“Eleanor!” Nate stated simultaneously with Henry, “Catherine!”
“What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come for Mama’s parure.”
Nate gently led her over to the corner. “Please go out to the carriage.”
“I need the parure.”
“It’s not here.”
“No?” Eleanor was deflated. “How can that be?”
“The general already acquired it from Mr LaFleur, before they departed on their journey.” Eleanor looked at Catherine, who looked as if she were about to faint. “Henry!” He quickly walked to her side to hold her up.
Eleanor produced smelling salts from her reticule and handed them to Henry. “I believe this may help.”
“Thank you.” Henry led Catherine outside.
“Mr LaFleur, are you all right? He looked apoplectic, a red flush on his face and beads of sweat pouring from his form. Before Eleanor could help him to a chair, Nate was leading her towards the door.
“Mr LaFleur, I thank you for your time. We will take our leave.”
They rushed down the steps, and Nate led them all to his town coach, sending the other carriage to the townhouse, where he handed Eleanor and Catherine inside before he and Henry joined them.
“You should not have come here without invitation or a chaperone,” Nate said in a gentle but firm voice.
“I needed the parure,” Eleanor reminded him. She showed him the pawn ticket and letter the Bow Street Runners found.
“Unfortunately, I believe it may be gone forever.” He scrubbed his face. “The general had it on the return trip, and Henry and I went through all of the items recovered from the accident. It wasn’t there.”
“Perhaps someone else found it. You could offer a reward.” Eleanor suggested earnestly.
“Henry and I have already had the Bow Street Runners look into the villages surrounding the accident, and no one had any information.” He held her hand. “They even told the pawn shops Frederick was known to frequent about the reward.”
“I can’t believe it’s gone forever.” Eleanor was devastated at the possibility.
“If it were to be found, it would be hard for someone to pawn or trade it without damaging it. If that were to happen, it would be unlikely to be ever found again.” Henry was checking on Catherine, whose colour had returned to her countenance.
“With the Bow Street Runners letting businesses know about the reward, if someone were caught in possession, it could be a criminal matter.” Nate was not one to mince words.
“Does that mean someone might not turn it in, even with the reward? Catherine asked, seemingly recovered.
“I’m afraid so,” Henry replied in his solemn way. “It’s a very valuable set, and the crime of larceny would have harsh consequences if one were caught and tried.”
“But someone found the letter in the debris, there’s always a chance.” Eleanor wasn’t convinced it was gone forever.
“The area where the accident occurred is a dangerous spot, known for highwaymen. It probably added to their haste.” Nate squeezed her hand.
“I think it’s time we go to Marlington House.” As Nate was about to knock on the roof, Eleanor stilled his hand.”
“Catherine and I have an appointment at the modiste, and I promised the children I would bring trinkets.”
“I think there has been enough adventure for one day.” Nate looked at Henry. “I’m sure the modiste and the rest of your shopping can wait until tomorrow, and we can accompany you to the bookshop and the market stalls to find something for the children.”
“How did you come to know of Mr LaFleur?” Eleanor asked of her husband, relenting her cause for the day of shopping, which would have to wait on the morrow.
“Another runner found us at Eton.”
As the autumn days were shortening, the children were looking forwards to Jerome’s return from Eton as December approached. The modiste had made a beautiful claret-red gown for Eleanor’s birthday and a Pomona green gown for Christmastide.
The harvest season had been bountiful for Marlington Manor.
Nate had been in good spirits, and Eleanor had come to accept that the parure was gone.
Eleanor looked out her window and enjoyed the view from her parlour, the visage of the park greater without the verdant leaves of summer and the colourful leaves of autumn now spent. Winter was surely around the corner.
Caught up on her correspondence, she made her way to Nate’s study. This morning, she had found the crowns she had meant to return to Nate’s locked box. He was usually out at this hour, walking the grounds, discussing the estate with the steward, or in the stables checking on the horses.
The beautifully appointed room was unoccupied. The dark walnut panelling and hunt-and-hound portraits lined the walls. A substantial mantle was flanked by two large windows. She oft wondered if he was content with the responsibilities he had inherited. He had never complained.
Eleanor had opened the drawer and was about to pull out the black metal box to return the two coins when she was startled by a familiar male voice.
“I wondered who had pilfered my box.” Nate approached and kissed her on the cheek.
She handed him the coins. “I had borrowed them to pay Mr LaFleur, if need be.”