The Unquiet - J. D. Robb [69]
“Well, now we know why someone wants the necklace.” Chase spoke into the silence.
To Lydia’s relief, Grandmama allowed the change of subject.
“But we do not know who wants it,” Lydia said. And then added, “Do we?”
“According to Nesbitt, someone with an accent.”
“I have no idea who Nesbitt is.” Grandmama’s annoyance at being left out was obvious. “But I suspect the villain is Irina.”
“Irina!” Lydia stood up. “But how did she know anything about it? Did you tell her?” Lydia answered her own questions. “Of course not.” She walked around the room, wishing she understood people better. “Alexei must have told her about it. Nesbitt referred to it as the necklace that is my ‘greatest treasure,’ which is exactly how Alexei described it.”
Lydia stopped her pacing and looked at Chase. “But why would she not just ask me for it? Surely there is magic enough to share.”
Grandmama answered without pause. “Because Irina is a selfish witch who cannot imagine anyone as generous as you are. It is not enough for her to inherit the purple dye when I go to God. If there is more money to be had, she wants it. Money is the reason she married Mr. Allerton. Not affection for anything but the riches he could shower on her. But I am telling you, Lydia, this coin has no value outside of its magic. You can be sure that Alexei investigated that thoroughly.”
“Yes, Grandmama, he would,” Lydia said, as if this was a story with which she was all too familiar. She nodded her head, her resolve clearly firm. “I am going to call on Irina right now and see if we can come to some agreement.”
The old lady raised her hands in disgust. “You would give everything away if I did not restrain you.”
Lydia leaned down to kiss her on both cheeks. “Yes, Babushka, you are completely right. I am lucky to have you help me be sensible. But in this I am firm. I will go to her and give her the coin.” Then another thought occurred to her and she turned to Chase. “Unless, my lord, you would like to make a wish first.”
“Thank you, Lydia, but I already have.”
“You did?”
“Like you, it was an accident, but it was what I would have wished for if I had known the coin was magic.” When she still looked blank, he added, “Last night I wished you would appreciate me for the man I am despite the title.”
Oh yes, she thought, she did recall that. “I am so sorry you wasted your wish. I think I already appreciated you as fully as possible.” Indeed, he had already won her heart.
“Oh, lovely,” the old lady said as she clapped her hands together in pleasure.
The two words convinced Chase that he had won Grandmama’s approval. Lydia might have been hesitant to introduce them, but he now saw that it was an essential step to gaining her trust.
With another kiss of farewell, Lydia gathered her bonnet and gloves, inviting Chase to accompany her to see Mrs. Allerton. As if she had a choice.
His carriage waited outside the shop, and she allowed him to help her inside and then gave the direction to the driver.
They settled back and Lydia stared out the window. He watched her profile. There was a loneliness about her that made him sad for her. “Are you thinking about your husband?”
“I was thinking that it was time to tell you the truth.”
“Thank you, Lydia. I must admit that the conversation with Mrs. Chernov roused as many questions as it answered.”
“What is the first that comes to mind?” She faced him with a slight smile, as if the first question he would ask was a test.
“Your father helped the Chernovs leave Russia. Where is he now?”
“He died three weeks before we left St. Petersburg. I had no plans to leave with the Chernovs, but when Papa died there was no reason for me to stay, no means of support, no family to turn to. With Napoleon so near, the embassy was in chaos, so when Alexei suggested I accompany them as his wife, I accepted.”
He listened to the way she phrased that last sentence and wondered, but went in another direction instead. “Your father worked for the embassy?”
“Yes, he did. I spent most of my life in St. Petersburg.” She closed her eyes and he watched