A Devil Named DeVere (The Devil DeVere)(15)

"But 'tweren't no robbery, my lady." The maid wrung her hands.

"What on earth do you mean? My jewel box is gone missing!"

"'Twas my Lord Reginald, my lady," the maid sobbed. "He came shortly after you went down to breakfast. He was frantic to know where you kept your coin, and then he saw the box."

Diana's hand flew instinctively to her neck, relieved to find the double strand of pearls with the diamond clasp, a family heirloom that she usually wore only on special occasions. She supposed she had the duchess's arrogant disdain of her to thank for their safety. She would never have worn them otherwise. But for Reggie to have taken her money and jewels was indefensible.

In her mortification, Diana felt the spots of color staining her cheeks. "I am certain Lord Reginald had good reason for his actions. He was likely seeking some personal effect he had given me for safekeeping."

"If you say so, my lady." The maid looked dubious.

"Do you know where he is now, Polly?"

"No, my lady. He's left his chamber, but he was dressed in riding clothes."

Diana made a strangled sound. Let hell and a thousand furies strike him! He's done it again! This time he'd stolen every penny and all but the pearls about her neck just to go back for more? Diana's eyes burned, and her body shook with rage, yet she refused to break down in front of a servant. "Do you know if Sir Edward is in his rooms?"

"I also saw him depart earlier, my lady."

Diana frowned. "Then perhaps they are both only gone down to watch the training runs. If not, mayhap Sir Edward or Hew knows Lord Reggie's whereabouts. Pray help me into my riding habit. Then I would be grateful if you would put the room back in order."

***

Diana followed the well-travelled, gravel path from the back of the house through the impeccably landscaped park to the first of a set of low brick, slate-roofed buildings that comprised the DeVere stable block. An undergroom rushed out to meet her. "Have you come to watch the training runs, milady? Master Hew has challenged my Lord DeVere to a match race out on the down."

"Has he? I presume Sir Edward and my husband Lord Reginald are there as well?"

"Sir Edward for a fact, but Lord Reginald did not accompany him. Instead, he called for his saddle mount and rode out an hour ago."

Diana fought the rise of panic in her voice. "Did he perchance say where he might be going?"

"I'm afraid not, though he did go off in the direction of Clay Hill."

Damn him! It was just as she had suspected. Was there no end to this madness? She felt suddenly unsteady on her feet. The groom reached a tentative hand to her elbow. "Are you all right, my lady?"

She took in a restorative breath, willing herself to calm. "Yes. I'm fine, thank you."

"Will you be needing a mount saddled?" he asked.

"No, I don't think I'll be joining them after all," she said.

"I'm to take another horse down there directly. Is there any message?"

Diana considered what she should do. She knew she needed assistance but hesitated to reveal even to Edward and Annalee the depths of her predicament. At the same time, she knew she was in way over her head. Reggie had spiraled completely out of control.

"Please," she said. "If you would let Sir Edward know that I wish to speak with him on a matter of great import."

"I'll do so directly, my lady." The groom tugged a forelock and trotted off.

Diana entered the building that stabled the racehorses in a state of discomposed abstraction. She wandered blindly past the first few empty stalls that housed the mounts currently out on the down seeking that of her own mare, Cartimandua, and would have walked right by had not the mare greeted her with a low nicker. Moving mechanically, Diana entered the mare's box only to collapse in the straw, face buried in her hands. "He has ruined us," she cried. "He has gambled away everything! And worse, the fool doesn't even know what he has in his own stables."

As if in sympathy, the mare lowered her face to her mistress, tickling her cheek with warm, grass-scented breath. Clutching the mare's neck, Diana sobbed into the silky mane. The mare snorted and pawed the straw. And suddenly Diana knew what she must do.

***

"What is it, Diana?" Annalee asked, her face full of concern as Diana paced the room.

"Reggie has taken everything and returned to Clay Hill."

Edward was grim-faced. "I'll go and get him at once," he said, already rising to his feet.

"Don't you see it's futile?" Diana stifled a sob. "There is no controlling him. Besides, the damage is done. I know he's already ruined us and has wagered what little we have left on the race."

Annalee put her arms around her cousin. "But surely there is something that can be done." She looked plaintively to her husband, who raked a hand through his sandy hair.

"I wish to God I knew what," he said. "Just how did it come to pass, Diana?"

"I don't know," she said. "He has always gamed, but for the past few months, perhaps even the past year, the race meetings, cockfights, and who-knows-what-else have become almost an obsession. I hardly see him anymore. He's had no care for the estate and doesn't tell me anything he does."

Ned and Annalee exchanged glances.