Free Ransomed Jewels by Laura Landon Page A

you?”
    “A little.”
    “The relationship is not widely known. I find it easier if few people know of my ties to nobility. It avoids talk and speculation concerning my political activities.”
    “Are you and your cousin close?”
    “As close as I can get to anyone without risking exposing myself. My uncle and I share a certain closeness. Perhaps because he took me in after my parents died and assumed the only role of parent I knew growing up. Or, perhaps because I am not heir to the Rainforth dynasty. Therefore, nothing out of the ordinary is expected of me.”
    “The Earl of Cardmall and his father do not get along?”
    “I’m sure in time they will. As soon as Ross assumes the maturity his father demands, and the sense of responsibility he will need to carry on the Rainforth name. What about you and your brother?”
    “Alex?”
    “Yes.”
    Claire sighed. “We are very close.”
    “Are there just the two of you?”
    “No, I have another brother. But he’s away at the moment.”
    Claire felt a wave of unease. She didn’t want to talk about either of her brothers. The less the major knew of her family, the better.
    “So Alex is the family you rely on most. I can see why you are so close.”
    Claire smiled. “As much as a sister can be. He was the heir and raised accordingly. His world growing up was much more diverse than mine.”
    “Did you resent that?”
    “A little. It must be fascinating to have the experiences men take for granted.”
    “For example?”
    “The freedom.”
    “You don’t think you are free?”
    “Not like you are, Major. I cannot come and go unescorted like you do. I cannot walk through the door of any establishment like you can. I am not expected to be able to carry on a serious conversation or express . . .” Claire dropped her head back on the pillow. “Well, there are many things a woman cannot do without causing a scandal.”
    “What mutinous thoughts. And all this time I thought you were the compliant daughter the nobility expects.”
    “None of us is exactly as we seem. You more than anyone should realize that.”
    “Yes, I should, shouldn’t I? And it was quite shallow of me to assume you were nothing but an ever-so-docile wife to Hunt.”
    “I am hardly perfect, Major. If Hunt were here he’d tell you—”
    She stopped short, then closed her eyes to conceal a multitude of emotions. Hunt wasn’t here. Would never be again. She’d been far from the perfect wife. As he’d been far from the perfect husband.
    “If Hunt were here, he’d tell me what?”
    “Nothing,” she whispered, trying to keep the regrets she lived with hidden. What good would it do now to wish things had been different? Or reveal the secrets Hunt had taken to his grave?
    Claire squeezed her eyes tight and fought the confusion that haunted her.
    “I hope you don’t mind,” he said, his velvety voice now coming from the other side of the room near the fireplace.
    She hadn’t heard him move, but that didn’t surprise her. She could imagine him with his elbow propped casually against the mantel.
    “I’ve made myself quite at home here. I took the liberty of spending a few hours in your morning room.”
    Claire’s eyes shot open, her heart’s rhythm increasing steadily.
    “Why?”
    “When I asked, one of your servants informed me that room is your favorite. The one in which you plan your busy schedule and do your correspondence. I thought perhaps I could find the necklace and this whole mess would be over.”
    “Did you find it?”
    “No.”
    She wanted to cry out in relief. Instead she willed her breathing to slow and her nerves to calm.
    “Do you know what I did find, though?”
    She paused. Her heart thudded harder in her breast.
    “I found your social calendar.”
    “Did you find it interesting?”
    “There was nothing in it. Not one entry since the day your husband died.”
    “I am in mourning, sir. What did you expect? That I’d fill my days and nights making merry and