The Debonair Duke by Emilyn Hendrickson Page B

of the old chap, as well as his name. It ought to make the parcel appear most genuine.”
    * * * *
    The following day saw the delivery of an interesting package to Pamela, brought by courier at a time when the entire family was at the breakfast table together.
    “A courier just arrived with this, you ladyship,” Grimes said, but handing the parcel to Pamela. “ ‘Tis for Lady Pamela.”
    “Whatever can it be?” Lady Gresham said with more than a little curiosity. Life in London had become exciting as of late.
    Pamela glanced at the direction on the package, setting it aside for possible inspection later, swiftly opened the package, then the box, exclaiming with delight at the jewels within.
    “Who dares to send such an expensive gift to you,” her father roared.
    Unfolding the crisp note, Pamela read the contents to her increasingly amazed parents.
    “Great-uncle Charles? I had no idea he had a lost love. Chap never married, you know. This must be why,” Papa said musingly.
    “Well, I do not recall any such relative on your side, but he would have been a brother to your grandfather, so that is not surprising,” Lady Gresham said while studying the magnificent jewels. “I do not know about Pamela wearing these…” She gave her husband a doubtful look.
    “Of course she shall wear them,” the earl cried. “It would be an insult for her not to wear them. Do not think that because he isn’t here, he wouldn’t know. Word can reach the most peculiar locations.”
    Pamela’s heart sank at this pronouncement. “I will write him a letter and give it to you to frank for me, Papa,” she said at last. Knowing that her parent was fully capable of reading her letter, Pamela took ages to compose the most polite and properly vague letter of thanks that had most likely ever been written. What he could not know was that after franking, the letter would simply disappear.
    Then she had Rose alter her ball gowns, particularly the one intended for the all-important Sefton ball.
    So it was to be at this ball that Pamela not only would wear the magnificent sapphire-and-diamond jewels, but now her blue satin ball gown had a far lower neckline than when originally made.
    “Rose, tell me I do not look like a brazen woman,” Pamela said softly to her maid while she inspected her reflection in the looking glass. The diamonds coupled with the sumptuous richness of the satin gave her delicate skin a soft blushing glow while the sapphires matched the vivid blue of her eyes.
    “No, milady,” her gentle maid replied with a smile. “You look a treat for the eyes in that pretty dress. And the necklace is sure to draw attention.” Naturally, Rose dared not mention her lady’s décolletage was made audacious by the recent alteration.
    That was precisely what Pamela feared. She was all about in the attic to proceed with this mad scheme. It went against her grain to partake in deceit —yet she must, for she desired to restore the jewels to the rightful owner and it seemed to require drastic measures.
    It was evident from the moment she removed her cloak at the Sefton house and came forward to greet her hostess that the duke had done as promised. “So these are the lovely jewels from your great-uncle! What a charming gentleman, to harbor such love, then do this for you, my dear,” Lady Sefton concluded before passing Pamela along to the earl, who studied the necklace with a connoisseur’s eye.
    Pamela still felt somewhat undressed, not the least accustomed to a neckline that barely —to her sensitive nature—seemed proper. However, she reasoned that most of the people would be far more interested in her jewelry than the low cut of her gown, so she tried to appear serene.
    “Ah, Lady Pamela, Lord and Lady Gresham,” Lady Anne cried. Sir Cecil, the duke, and Algernon Thynne were clustered around the pretty Lady Anne in light conversation when Pamela and her mother entered the room followed by the earl.
    Lord Gresham nodded