Last Dance in London (Rakes on the Run #1) - Sydney Jane Baily Page 0,52

whom Julia had mentioned having added his name to the old establishment.

“May I be of assistance?” the man asked.

“I’m looking to retrieve an item of mine that was sold to your shop. Hopefully, it still resides here.”

“We can but hope,” the man said.

Jasper narrowed his eyes. Was Rundell mocking him or being genuine? He nearly mentioned Julia, thinking to advise the jeweler not to let her sell anything more. Yet deciding upon discretion, he held his tongue.

“It’s a sapphire cravat pin.”

“If you’ll step this way, my lord, out of the showroom and into the back, I’ll see if I can find it. How long ago did you pawn it?” he asked over his shoulder as he went deeper into the recesses of the store.

“I didn’t pawn it,” Jasper practically spluttered, passing the elegant display cases as well as two gentlemen he knew, nodding to each in turn.

When Rundell faced him over a counter at the back of the store, Jasper couldn’t tell if the man believed him or not. Then he decided he didn’t care.

“How long ago did you say we acquired it?” Rundell asked, pulling out a ledger and placing it on the counter. Next, he drew spectacles from his pocket and affixed the wires around his ears until they were firmly in place.

“A few weeks,” Jasper said vaguely. It felt as if he’d known and been entangled with Miss Sudbury for quite a bit longer. “But my name won’t be in there.”

The man eyed him. “No, of course not, sir, yet a description is made of each piece that is pawned.”

Rundell said the last word so the P made an explosive sound. Jasper took a step back, feeling a little soiled.

“Ah-ha,” the jeweler said after a minute. “Here it is. You were correct, sir. There is no name as to the seller.” He looked up at Jasper again over his spectacles as if he suspected him of something nefarious.

He shrugged. This was beyond tedious, watching Rundell shuffle through small boxes lined with felt. One labeled “Gentleman’s Jewelry” and then another labeled “Sapphires.” Then the man reached up onto the next shelf and drew down another labeled simply “Pins.”

“I’m terribly sorry, but I don’t see your pin here.”

Jasper’s disappointment must have shown upon his face, for the man made a clucking sound more apt for an older woman soothing a young child.

“Come now, sir, all isn’t lost.” He glanced again at the ledger. “It doesn’t say it was sold. It may have been so handsome a piece that we cleaned it and set it out already for sale. I’ll show you where they are kept in the store.”

“Very good.” Jasper let his hopes rise again. He even managed to tamp down the retort that the man had insulted his valet. His pin would have needed no cleaning. Blumsey made sure every jewel the earl owned sparkled and every white cravat was snowy as a swan.

He followed the man back onto the main floor.

“Perhaps your cravat pin is over here,” Rundell said, as they passed the same two gentlemen. Again, Jasper nodded to each.

Approaching the display case of pins, Jasper spied it at once.

“That one,” he said, more loudly than he ought, so relieved to lay eyes upon it again.

“Ah, yes. That is a fine pin.” Rundell set it on a piece of black velvet atop the counter.

Jasper picked it up, immediately slipping it into his pocket.

“If you’ll put that on my account,” he began, but the man frowned, his gaze going toward the pocket.

“I’m sorry, sir. We don’t sell pawned items on credit. They must be paid for as we have already laid out the money for the piece.” Rundell held his hand out flat, awaiting the return of the pin. “I’m sure you understand,” he added. “If you were unable to pay, we would be out the money and the pin.”

Jasper blinked, his mouth agape.

“Unable to pay,” he echoed, surprised at this turn of events. “That pin belonged to my father. It’s a family keepsake. And not just any family — my family. I am the Earl of Marshfield!”

“Yes, I am aware you say you are, but—”

“Say I am!” Jasper’s surprise became outrage. Turning around, his gaze landed upon the two men from his club. He didn’t know them well, but one was a baron named Thomas, and the other...? He searched his memory, but he couldn’t recall. Regardless, he assumed one of them would know his identity.

Stalking toward them, he said, “Do either of you know who