Ravished. Part 33

"Neither had you," Gideon said coldly. "It was becoming clear that you never would recover."

"He was my firstborn son," Hardcastle said slowly. "My only son for a long, long while. Your mother was unable to conceive for several years after Randal was born. He was all we had and he was everything a son and heir is supposed to be. It was, perhaps, inevitable that he was the favored one, even after you came along."

"And equally inevitable that I could never take his place in your eyes. You made that very clear, sir."

Hardcastle met Gideon's gaze. "As I said, it was a great shock losing Randal and then having to face the scandal of Deirdre's death a short time later. We needed time to adjust, Gideon."

"No doubt." Gideon looked down at his lists. At least he and his father were not yelling at each other, he thought. This was the first time they had ever actually talked about the past in reasonable tones. "There is something I would like to know. Did you ever believe any of the other tales that were whispered about?"

Hardcastle scowled. "Don't be an a.s.s. Of course we never believed for one moment that you had anything to do with Randal's death. I admit I thought that you had behaved dishonorably toward Deirdre Rushton, but neither your mother nor I ever thought for one moment that you were a murderer."

Gideon met his father's clear, unflinching gaze and relaxed slightly. "I am glad." He had never known for certain which of the tales his parents had heard and believed. There had been so many stories going around six years ago, each worse than the last.

"What is that you are working on?" Hardcastle asked after a moment.

Gideon hesitated and then decided to explain. "I told you I was continuing to search for the mastermind behind the ring of thieves which was using the caves."

"I remember you saying it was probably someone who was accepted in Society and who also had an interest in the fossils. You, ah, mentioned that I was a likely candidate," Hardcastle murmured.

Gideon glanced up and saw the ironic gleam in his father's eyes. "You will be relieved to know that I have removed you from the list of suspicious persons."

"On what grounds?"

"On the grounds that you have not been going into Society lately. I need someone who is moving freely about in London, attending parties and the like," Gideon said. "You and mother have been living like hermits at Hardcastle House for years."

"My health, you know." The earl gave him a shrewd glance.

"As Harriet pointed out last night, your health did not keep you from rus.h.i.+ng here to Town when you got her note."

"I have been feeling somewhat better of late."

Gideon smiled coolly. "No doubt because you are hopeful of gaining a grandson soon."

Hardcastle shrugged. "It is certainly past timea Your list appears to be a rather long one."

"It is proving difficult to know who would have had knowledge of the caves of Upper Biddleton. Every time I make inquiries at my club I discover that yet another member has taken up an interest in collecting fossils. I had no notion so many people were fascinated with old bones."

"Perhaps I can help. During my fossil collecting days I met many others who were similarly inclined. I might recognize some of the names on your list."

Gideon hesitated and then turned the list around so that his father could peruse it.

"Interesting," Hardcastle said absently as he ran his finger down the list. "I think you can remove Donnelly and Jenkins. As I recall, they rarely leave London and would certainly not go anywhere as unfas.h.i.+onable as Upper Biddleton. Their interest in fossils is limited."

Gideon eyed his father and then leaned forward to put a checkmark next to the names. "Very well," he said stiffly.

"Do you mind if I ask why you are so determined to catch this mystery man?"

"As soon as we return to Upper Biddleton, Harriet will head straight back to her precious caves. I want to be certain it is safe for her. I cannot be sure it is until I know that whoever was operating the ring of thieves has been apprehended. Next time she might stumble into a gang of cutthroats, not just their stolen goods."

Hardcastle's eyes were sharp. "I see. You believe this master thief will return to the caves?"

"I see no reason why he would not wish to set up another similar operation as soon as the excitement has died down. He no doubt knows I cannot stay in Upper Biddleton all the time to keep an eye on the beach. And the scheme itself worked very well until Harriet accidentally stumbled into that cavern. Yes, I think he might try it again."

Hardcastle's brows came together. "In that case, we had best get to work." He glanced at the next two names on the list. "Restonville and Shadwick both have fortunes that would make Midas blush. They would have no need to resort to running a ring of thieves."

"Very well." Gideon checked off two more names.

He and his father continued to work for several minutes, gradually shortening the list. They were midway through the task when Harriet and Lady Hardcastle breezed into the room, dressed to go out. Gideon and his father rose politely.

"Just thought we would let you know that we are going shopping, my lord," Harriet said airily. "Your mother has expressed a desire to see the latest fas.h.i.+ons."

"I am in desperate need of a new bonnet and some fabric for one or two new gowns," Lady Hardcastle said. She gave Harriet a tentative smile.

Gideon did not miss the expression in his mother's eyes when she looked at Harriet. It occurred to him that his wife was successfully charming his mother, just as she did everyone else.

"Nothing like a shopping expedition to give two women an opportunity to get to know each other," Harriet said briskly. "Your mother and I have so much in common, my lord."

Gideon arched a brow. "Such as?"

"You, of course." Harriet grinned.

Lady Hardcastle's gaze flitted anxiously back and forth between her husband and son. "I see you two are occupied."

"Quite so," Hardcastle said. "We are going over Gideon's list of suspicious persons."

Harriet's eyes widened. "Suspicious persons?"

Gideon groaned. "I meant to warn you not to say anything about it," he growled to his father.

"What is this about suspicious persons?" Harriet demanded eagerly.

"I am looking for someone who might have organized that ring of thieves who invaded the caves," Gideon explained shortly. "I have reason to believe it is a person who is admitted to the best drawing rooms. That person must also be someone who might have had an opportunity to know about the caverns in the cliffs."

"A fossil collector, perhaps?"

Gideon nodded reluctantly. "Yes. Quite possibly."

"What a brilliant notion. Fossil collectors can be a very unscrupulous lot, as I have told you, my lord." Harriet said. Enthusiasm lit her eyes. "Mayhap I can help. I have made the acquaintance of many collectors here in London and I can think of several who strike me as a bit shady."

Gideon smiled ruefully. "You find the vast majority of your colleagues untrustworthy. I do not think your opinions would help us narrow the list much. Nevertheless, you can give me the names of the members of your Fossils and Antiquities Society. I can compare it to my lists."

"Certainly. I shall work on it as soon as we return from shopping."

Lady Hardcastle glanced at her husband. "Who is on the list thus far?"

"Several people. It is quite a long list," Hardcastle said.

"May I see it?" Lady Hardcastle floated over to the desk.

Harriet followed and peered over her shoulder. "My goodness. How will you ever find the culprit among all those suspicious persons?"

"It will not be easy," Gideon said. "I suggest you and my mother be on your way, madam. My father and I have work to do."

Lady Hardcastle was frowning over the list. "I do not see Bryce Morland's name on here. He was never interested in fossils, as I recall, but he certainly knew the terrain around Upper Biddleton."

Gideon met his mother's questioning gaze. "I have considered the possibility that Morland was behind it. He would certainly have no scruples about turning to theft. But I do not think it was him. In the event it was, we have nothing to worry about. He has left the country."

"Quite true." Lady Hardcastle continued to peruse the list. "What about Clive Rushton? I do not see his name, either. He was an avid collector at one time." She looked at Hardcastle. "As I recall, he was the one who introduced you to the hobby, my dear."

There was an acute silence. Hardcastle s.h.i.+fted uneasily in his chair. "The man was my rector. Hardly the sort to operate a ring of thieves."

Gideon sat down slowly. He gazed thoughtfully at his mother. "I put his name on the list initially, but removed it when I realized he was not showing up on very many of the guest lists of houses that were eventually robbed. That was one of the reasons I removed Morland's name, too. The man I am after is invited into the most exclusive homes of the ton. Rushton and Morland did not move in those circles."

"Heavens, that does not signify," Lady Hardcastle said lightly. "The best homes are filled to the rafters with people on the night of a large soiree or ball. The affair would be counted a failure if everyone did not proclaim the event an absolute crush. It is true one is supposed to present one's invitation at the door, but you know how it is. The front steps and hallways are packed at such times. One could slip past."

"Your mother is right, my lord," Harriet said quickly.

"Why, if one is properly dressed and appears to be in the company of someone else who was invited, it would be simple to slip into a crowded ballroom. Who would notice one extra guest in the crush?"

Gideon drummed his fingers on his desk. "You may have a point."

Hardcastle appeared much struck by the notion. "Damme if they do not. Why, one could even wait until the crowd was at its height and then enter from the garden. No one would notice."

"If that is the case," Gideon said, thinking swiftly, "then Rushton is still a viable candidate. So is Morland. d.a.m.nation, so are a great many others."

Hardcastle held up a palm. "There is still the fact that whoever masterminded the ring of thieves had to be very familiar with the caves of Upper Biddleton. That will keep the list from growing too long."

"Yes. I suppose so."

"Feel free to call upon Harriet and myself if you need further guidance in the ways of Society." Lady Hardcastle smiled as she tugged on her gloves. "Come along, Harriet. We must be on our way. I am eager to walk down Oxford Street again. There used to be a little French milliner there who created the most exquisite bonnets."

"Yes, of course," Harriet said politely. Her eyes lingered longingly on the list in front of Gideon. It was obvious she would rather be working on it than going shopping.

"Oh, by the bye," Lady Hardcastle added as she paused briefly at the door, "it is time Harriet gave a soiree. I am helping her plan it. The invitations will be going out this afternoon. Do not make any other plans for next Tuesday evening."

Gideon waited until Harriet and his mother had left the library. Then he met his father's eyes across the desk.

"Harriet may be correct," Gideon said slowly.

"About what?"

"Perhaps I should explain myself and my plans to others more often. I have learned more about my list of suspicious persons this morning than I have managed to come up with on my own during the past several days."

Hardcastle chuckled. "You are not the only one who has learned a few things recently. Now, then, I have another suggestion. What do you say we drop in on a few of my clubs this afternoon? I can renew a few acquaintances, ask some questions and see if I cannot help you shorten this list still further."

"Very well," Gideon said.

He realized that somewhere along the line this morning, he had come to accept the notion of his father as his partner in this venture. It was an unfamiliar sensation, but not an unpleasant one.

There was a murmur of surprise when Gideon and his father walked into the club. Several of the earl's old cronies nodded, clearly pleased to see an old friend after so many years.

Before anyone could approach the pair, however, Applegate and Fry swooped down on them.

"Join us in a gla.s.s of port, sirs," Applegate invited jubilantly. He looked at Hardcastle. "We are toasting St. Justin's successful rout of Morland. Expect you have heard about it, Hardcastle. The story is all over Town today. The coward fled to the Continent rather than face your son."

"So I have been told."

"Must say, it puts an entirely new light on all that unpleasantness six years ago," Fry declared. He leaned confidentially toward the earl. "Lady St. Justin has clarified one or two points about those events, you know."

"Has she, indeed?" Hardcastle accepted a gla.s.s of port.

"And now this business with Morland more or less proves that all the gossip about the past was completely off the mark," Fry concluded. "St. Justin a.s.suredly ain't no coward and he certainly ain't afraid to fight for a lady's honor. Furthermore, he's proved he's willing to do the right thing when necessary."

"Lady St. Justin has maintained that all along." Applegate shook his head. "You know how it is with gossip. Devilishly nasty stuff."

Two or three other men drifted over to pay their respects to Hardcastle. Then they turned to Gideon.

"Heard about Morland," one of them said. "We are well rid of him. Never quite trusted that man. Had his eye on my daughter last Season. Wanted to get his hands on her inheritance, no doubt. Silly chit thought she was in love with him. Wasn't easy talking her out of it."

"I say," his companion said to Gideon, "my wife tells me you have given your lady a spectacular mare. She's quite envious and wants me to select a new horse for her. Wonder if you'd give me your opinion at the Thursday sale at Tattersall's."

"I had not planned to attend the sale," Gideon said.

The man nodded quickly, flus.h.i.+ng with embarra.s.sment. "Quite understand. Did not mean to impose. Just thought if you happened to show up, you might give me a word of advice."

Gideon caught his father's narrow, warning glance and shrugged. "Certainly. If I am at Tattersall's on Thursday, I shall be happy to point out one or two animals that might be suitable for your lady."

The gentleman brightened. "Appreciate it. Well, then, I'll be off. No doubt I'll see you at the Urskins' ball this evening. Wife says we shall be putting in an appearance. Claims the whole world will be there to see you and Lady St. Justin."

The whole world, or at least the entire ton, was very much in evidence in the Urskins' ballroom that night. And it was obvious immediately that they had come to pay court to Gideon and Harriet.

Lord and Lady St. Justin had become all the rage overnight. The presence of the Earl and Countess of Hardcastle in Lady Urskin's ballroom was an added bonus for the proud hostess.

Effie and Adelaide were thrilled and extremely gratified at finding themselves connected to such a fas.h.i.+onable couple. Felicity found it all vastly amusing.

At the height of the evening, Hardcastle sought out Gideon where he stood near a window. It was the first time Gideon had been alone all night and he was relis.h.i.+ng the moment of solitude.

"It is amazing how many friends you appear to have acquired lately." Hardcastle sipped his champagne as he surveyed the crowd.

"Isn't it? It would appear that as far as Society is concerned I have removed the stain on my honor. I owe it all to my amazing little wife."

"No," Hardcastle said with unexpected fierceness. "Thanks to your lady you have regained your reputation in Society's eyes. But your honor was always yours and yours alone. And you never tarnished it."

Gideon was so startled he nearly dropped his gla.s.s of champagne. He turned to stare at his father, not knowing what to say. "Thank you, sir," he managed at last.

"There is nothing to thank me for," the earl muttered. "I am proud to call you my son."