Lady Ellingham and the Theft of the Stansfield Necklace: A Regency Romance Read online

  Lady Ellingham

  And the

  Theft of the Stansfield Necklace

  A Regency Romance

  By

  Miriam Rochester

  *****

  Cover Design

  by

  Melody Simmons of eBookindiecovers

  This Novel is a work of fiction with all main characters being a product of the author’s imagination.

  All references to real characters and places are in a fictitious context and any resemblance to actual places, people or events is purely coincidental.

  No part of this publication can be copied or transmitted without the author’s permission.

  Text Copyright 2014

  Miriam Rochester

  Table of Contents

  BLURB

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Further Reading

  BLURB

  Lady Felicity Ellingham is as impetuous as she is beautiful; a character trait that frequently leads her into trouble. One day she goes too far when she accuses the Marquis of Thorndale of stealing a valuable sapphire and diamond necklace belonging to her friend. Unaware that the necklace is a famous family heirloom belonging to The Marquis’s grandmother the Dowager Duchess, Felicity steals it back, nearly being caught in the process. As Lord Thorndale sets out on a crusade to find his blue-eyed burglar, Felicity has the problem of returning it. Her impetuosity has serious consequences resulting in a duel at dawn, subterfuge, kidnap and eventually the endangerment of her very life. The only man that can save her from herself is the very man she has accused.

  A light heated yarn that will keep you amused.

  Chapter 1

  A Startling Accusation

  1816

  It was the middle of London’s little season and Felicity Ellingham was sitting in the drawing room in Upper Brook Street enjoying the rare luxury of her own company. It was raining outside once again, it had never ceased for the whole of the summer. The authorities had put it down to low solar activity and increased volcanic eruptions throughout the winter of 1815, resulting in such heavy rainfalls.

  Felicity was engrossed in a wickedly delicious novel when Wilson, the family butler, entered to announce the arrival of her friend, a slightly damp Emily Entwhistle. The butler tactfully withdrew and Emily entered the room in obvious agitation. Felicity put her book down and rose to greet her friend. ‘Why Emily whatever is the matter?’ Emily could no longer contain her composure and burst into tears. ‘Oh Flick, what am I to do. The most dreadful thing has happened.’

  Felicity guided her friend to the sofa and sat down beside her. She took hold of her slim white hand and patted it reassuringly. ‘Emily, I cannot imagine what can have put you in such a fret but I am sure it is nothing that cannot be sorted out in a moment.’ Emily took out a white lace handkerchief from her reticule and dabbed her eyes. ‘Oh Flick, you cannot imagine, I do not know where to turn. Whatever am I to do?’ Felicity looked patiently at her friend. Knowing her propensity to exaggerate, she was not alarmed. She replied calmly, ‘Well Emily, I can hardly advise you if you do not tell me what it is.’

  Emily blew her nose loudly. ‘It is Lord Alexander Sheraton, the Marquis of Thorndale, he has taken my sapphire and diamond necklace and refuses to give it back. Grandmamma lent it to me for the season. Oh, how can I tell her that I have lost it? She will never forgive me’

  Felicity’s jaw dropped in astonishment. She knew the Marquis had a shocking reputation, but she could not imagine that he would stoop as low as theft and especially from someone less privileged than himself. ‘Are you sure that you have not just lost or misplaced it? How can you be sure that he took it?’ Emily nodded her dainty head. ‘No I have not misplaced it. You do not understand, he took it from me forcefully last night at Lady Colchester’s ball.’ Emily burst into fresh tears. ‘Oh Felicity I have been so foolish. The Marquis has been paying me so much attention lately and I really thought he liked me, oh how can I have been so taken in?’

  Felicity was still stunned by the revelation. She had not particularly noticed that the Marquis had singled Emily out for any special attention, but there again they did not always attend the same circles; neither could she understand his behaviour. She was perplexed. ‘But I do not understand how he could take it from you in the middle of a crowded ballroom, indeed he must be very clever or very quick for no-one to notice.’

  A faint blush rose to Emily’s dimpled cheeks and she lowered her head in embarrassment. ‘I am ashamed to say that I accompanied him into the garden. Oh, I know I should not have but he was so persuasive. You must admit Felicity he does have a certain presence and he is very handsome. He led me to the pagoda and he kissed me.’ Emily’s colour rose even more as she continued with her story. ‘He was everything I desired. He stirred feelings in me that I did not think I could have. For a moment I felt like I was in the clouds but then he became more demanding and wanted more.’ Emily turned her head away as she recalled. ‘His hands were everywhere, I became frightened and I tried to push him away but he just laughed and carried on.’

  Felicity could feel her anger rising as Emily continued. She could hardly voice her fears. ‘Emily he did not...’ she left the sentence unfinished. ‘No, he finally gave up and released me. He said I was an ungrateful chit, considering all the attention he had bestowed on me but he was not one to take an unwilling Lady in Lady Colchester’s garden.’ She sighed. ‘I was so relieved but then without warning he grabbed me again, pulled me too him and took the necklace off my neck. He said that if I did not want to give of myself, some little gift in payment for all he had spent on me should suffice. I was never more mortified. So you see Felicity, things could not be much worse. What am I to do? I cannot go back home to grandmamma without the necklace.’

  Felicity was incensed. Everyone knew the errant Marquis was wild but this affair sunk him beyond reproach. This was certainly not the behaviour expected of a member of the ton, even someone with a reputation like Lord Thorndale. To resort to common thievery seemed unthinkable, and goodness, it could not be as if he needed funds.

  Felicity patted Emily on the shoulder. She looked small and vulnerable with her short brown curls cut in a boyish bob and her big brown eyes hopeful behind her unflattering spectacles. Emily was obviously expecting her friend to come up with some miraculous solution but nothing presented itself but the obvious. ‘Well Emily there is only one thing you can do. You must tell your uncle for after all he is your guardian and must bring Lord Thorndale to account.’

  Even as she said it, Felicity doubted that Emily’s uncle would be equal to the task of confronting the Marquis. Her uncle was a tall, thin and somewhat fragile looking gentleman in his early forties and had accompanied Emily to London for the season. He presented himself more as a fop as opposed to the Corinthian leanings that marked the character of Alexander Sheraton. No Emily’s uncle appeared to be no match for the likes of the Marquis of Thorndale.

  Emily broke into her thoughts. ‘Thorndale would deny it and who would believe us? Not even the magistrate would take the matter seriously. It wo
uld be the word of a mere Mr Entwhistle as opposed to that of the Marquis, despite his reputation. Without evidence, my uncle would be a laughing stock.’

  ‘But surely you must have proof that the necklace is yours, a receipt or perhaps a matching piece.’ Emily nodded her head dismally. No the necklace was not part of a set. It was a family heirloom and she doubted the existence of a bill of sale. Felicity was not to be outdone. ‘Maybe it features in a private portrait somewhere at home.’ Emily sighed. ‘You forget Felicity that I am not like you, the daughter of an Earl and a great Lady. My grandmamma has saved up most of her life so that I could enjoy one season in London. I may be gently born but I do not come from one of the great family houses, my home in Northumberland is hardly scattered with an abundance of family portraits.’ Felicity bit her lip. ‘I am sorry I did not think. Dear me this is a dilemma.’

  Emily started to say something but hesitated not quite knowing how to formulate her request. ‘I thought that perhaps your brother could do something, perhaps approach the Marquis on my behalf.’

  Felicity knew her brother well. Well enough to know that he would not interfere in a matter that did not concern him. Moreover, she knew that he had no great fondness for Emily and disapproved of their friendship. She had not known Emily long but she had found her refreshing and entertaining and the two had quickly become friends. Emily continued as if reading her thoughts. ‘I know I am not Richard’s most favourite person but if you explain matters maybe he would help me just this once.’

  Felicity was most embarrassed for her brother and took Emily’s hand. ‘You must not mind Richard,’ she assured her. ‘He never was a good judge of character but I know that he will not involve himself in this imbroglio. He will just advise you to go to your uncle or to the authorities.’ Emily gave a wan smile. ‘I am sorry Felicity I should not have asked it of you, it was unfair of me but I am at my wits end.’

  ‘Well,’ Felicity replied. ‘Maybe the Marquis just means to let you to suffer for a while because his pride is hurt and he has every intention of giving the necklace back to you. After all what could he want with it? It is not as if he needs to sell it, he is one of the richest men in England. Why, he must be richer than Croesus himself. No I do not understand it.’

  Felicity was not too confident but tried to reassure her friend. ‘Don’t worry Emily I am sure we will think of something.’

  ******

  Not long after Emily left, Felicity’s mother Lady Sophia Ellingham the Countess of Lealholme, entered the drawing room to find Felicity lost in thought. The Countess picked up the book that Felicity had been reading and gave her an affectionate scold. ‘Mmm Ambrosio, or the Monk, reading saucy novels again, I should really reprimand you but I have not the heart in me to do so.’ She turned the book over in her hand and then thumbed through the pages. ‘It looks quite scandalous, when you have finished reading it, you must lend it to me.’ Felicity laughed. ‘Really mama, you are worse than me, and how can you possibly scold me when you are itching to read it yourself.’

  Her mother quipped mischievously. ‘Ah but you forget Felicity, I am a widow and as such I am allowed to read such things.’

  Felicity’s mother at 47 was still an attractive woman and Felicity was very much like her. They were both tall with slender figures but Felicity was an inch taller than her mother. They both had the same deep violet blue eyes that sparkled with mischief and it was clear that Felicity had inherited her mother’s sense of humour, her feisty nature and longing for adventure. Felicity however had these qualities much more in abundance; often causing her mother moments of unease and disquiet, for Felicity’s impetuous nature led her into trouble more often than not.

  The Countess’s hair of mid blonde, was beginning to show a hint of grey and did not quite compare to Felicity’s luxurious deep golden curls and the Countess would often tease Felicity that each grey hair was as a result of each one of her countless scrapes. Felicity only laughed reminding her dear mama that she could not complain as her grand mamma’s hair was lily white!

  Sophia Ellingham was still thumbing through the pages of the novel when Felicity broached her with a question. ‘Mother, what do you know about the Marquis of Thorndale?’ Her mother looked up sharply. ‘The Marquis of Thorndale? Why are you asking about him?’ Felicity was nonchalant. ‘Oh I was just curious that is all.’

  Felicity’s mother was easy going but her laid-back demeanour had its limits. She was immediately alert. ‘Do not tell me that you wish to set your cap at him!’

  Felicity sighed. ‘Mother, I promise I do not wish to set my cap at him. He has shown an interest in a friend that is all.’

  ‘Thank God for that,’ the Countess replied. ‘I may appear indolent but I will put my foot down at that connection, and goodness knows what Richard would say.’

  A deep pleasant voice sounded from the doorway. ‘What Richard would say to what?’

  Both heads turned at once to see the tall, handsome countenance of the Earl of Lealholme standing in the doorway. The family resemblance was remarkable. His hair was a darker blonde with copper tones but he had the same deep violet blue eyes. He had a more serious disposition than either his mother or his sister but perhaps that was just as well as he had inherited the Earldom at an early age, after the premature death of his father just two years previously. At 23 years of age, he was the same age as his sister and in fact, her younger twin by eleven minutes. He was still very young to take on his father’s mantel but he had proved capable. Richard walked over, kissed his mother on the cheek, and repeated his question. ‘What Richard would say to what mother?’

  ‘Oh Richard, we were just discussing the Marquis of Thorndale and his outrageous reputation and Felicity was wondering if he is so very bad.’ Richard stiffened. ‘Thorndale? You mean Stansfield’s heir? I know of him, enough to tell you that Lord Alexander Sheraton is no fit subject for conversation in this drawing room. I do not know what your interest could be but I can assure you on this fact, he is no fit husband for you Felicity, no matter how gentle his birth or large his fortune.’

  Felicity giggled. She could not help but laugh at Richards’s rigid countenance. ‘Do not be such a nodcock Richard; I have no desire to court the interest of Thorndale. I was just curious about his reputation. Rumour has it that he is a thief.’

  Richard was taken totally by surprise. 'A thief! What nonsense is this? Thorndale may be many things but he is no thief. Anyway, from what source have you this information? I have heard no such rumours in the clubs and doubt very much that they could be true,’

  Not wishing to implicate her friend, Felicity hesitated to answer but Richard was not one to be easily gulled. ‘I take it you have been speaking to Emily Entwhistle again, well Felicity you know my opinion on that connection and I would advise you not believe a word she says. Why if the man were a thief, he would not be tolerated in Society. No Felicity, Emily goes too far.’

  Felicity recalled her interview with her friend earlier in the day. Her distress seemed real enough and so were the tears. No, she thought to herself, Richard was sadly mistaken this time and rose admirably in defence of her friend. ‘No, you would not believe it if the facts were right in front of your very nose for you have never cared for Emily. I am sure I do not know why, whatever has the girl done to you to warrant such dislike?’

  Richard frowned, for in truth he could not account for it, only his instincts had warned him against her. He had tried to scotch the friendship when his sister had met the girl a few weeks ago but Felicity as usual got her way. He knew he had no logical argument and replied weakly. ‘I am not the only one of the same opinion.’ Why only last week Lady Drummond Burrell refused her vouchers to Almack’s and you cannot say she is not a good judge of character.’

  ‘Humph’! Felicity retorted. ‘Lady Drummond-Burrell indeed! And what has she to say to anything. You just have to look at her the wrong way and you would be blackballed. She is the most severe of critics; Princess Charlotte herself would n
ot get past her if it did not suit her.’

  ‘Well my girl, do not let the patrons of Almack’s’ hear of you talking like that or you may see yourself banned from those hallowed rooms, and then where would you be?’ he warned.

  Lady Ellingham listened to a conversation that was fast descending into an intense argument. ‘Now my children, I will not have harsh words in this house.’

  Felicity looked contrite. ‘Sorry mama, I do not mean to quarrel but you know how Richard goads me so.’

  ‘I refuse to quarrel either mother,’ he retorted. ‘But mind this Felicity; you are not to get involved with Emily’s machinations. Why if it got back to Thorndale that this family was the source of such rumours, he would be likely to call me out. I would have no hesitation in defending my family, but for goodness sake Felicity, please let it be for a cause that is honourable.’

  The Countess gave Felicity a panic-stricken look at the thought of violence. ‘No Flick, your brother is right, you are not to be involving Richard in things that are not our concern and putting him at risk.’

  Felicity patted her mother on the arm. ‘Do not worry mother, I would not dream of such a thing but honestly, Richard makes Thorndale sound like a perfect paragon. It is a wonder that he cares to warn me against him.’

  Richard bristled at that. ‘Do not fool yourself, he may keep within the bounds of propriety but he has other vices that I hardly think are suitable for conversation in this drawing room. One thing is for certain, he certainly does not care what people think of him.’

  ‘His women you mean?’ replied the Countess.

  Richard was indignant. ‘Really mama, this is hardly a subject for ladies!’

  Sophia Ellingham just smiled. ‘Oh Richard, do not be such a prude, everyone knows that Thorndale is not adverse to a petticoat. Why only last week my dear friend Mrs Haswell was telling me about the flirt he keeps in Russell Square.’