Page 80 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

She lifted the bag with a shaking hand. “But I found this in my trunk this morning. I don’t know what to do, but I knew you would give me good advice.”

So, this was how the gems left the house after they were stolen. Cushing selected a guest with an excess of luggage, relied upon the gem not being discovered before that guest’s departure, then retrieved it at some later point. Perhaps he chose someone who openly admired the prize, as Miss Goodenham had.

He recalled Anthea mentioning that they’d encountered Nathaniel Cushing at a tavern on the way home to Inverfyre after the accusations were made against her. He had reportedly been sympathetic about the accusations against her and had shared a meal with Anthea and her companion.

Alexander could imagine that the other man had also retrieved the stolen gem from Anthea’s luggage.

But there had been a search. How had the gem not been found in the house where Anthea had stayed? He was missing yet a piece of the puzzle.

His decision made, he turned to Daphne. “Put it back.”

She paled. “But it will be missed. There must be a search for such a treasure...”

“There should be, and if there is not, I would ask you to encourage there to be one. A word to the butler should see it done.”

Her lips parted in astonishment and she rose unsteadily to her feet. She looked very young and uncertain. “But I should be accused when it is found.”

“I wonder if it will be found,” Alexander said. “For if it were, there would be no point to the theft.”

She frowned and looked down at the velvet sack. “I do not understand.”

“Tell me who is given the task of searching your chamber,” Alexander advised.

Her eyes lit. “You think the thief will volunteer to assist, that he or she will search my chamber but fail to find the gem!” She bit her lip. “But why?

“So you would take the gem from the castle, unwittingly.”

“And the thief would waylay us somewhere and reclaim it.”

“I see no other solution. Do you?”

“It is bold and clever.” She stroked the velvet and looked so fearful that he wished to ease away every one of her concerns. “But what if you are wrong, Your Grace?” she asked quietly.

“Then I will defend you to my dying breath, Miss Goodenham,” he murmured, holding her gaze so that she could see his conviction.

She shook her head. “I thank you for the sentiment, but your word might not matter, not with something of such value as this prize.”

Alexander smiled. “But the value is exactly the key.” Her lack of comprehension was clear. “The gem you hold is a fake, Miss Goodenham, created solely to trap the villain.”

“Oh!” Her pleasure made her cheeks flush and her eyes sparkle. She lowered her voice to an enticing whisper. “I knew, sir, that if you donned a disguise, it would be for a good reason.”

“It is.”

“It was this same villain who ensured that your sister’s name was tainted,” she guessed.

“Indeed it was, and I have vowed to avenge her.”

“So, justice will prevail,” she said with complete satisfaction.

“Only with your assistance.”

“I shall do as you instruct, Your Grace.”

The heat of his own pleasure must have shown in his expression, for she modestly dropped her gaze and glanced across the room.

She did not leave, however, which was all the encouragement he needed.

“Might I confide in my sister to see your quest accomplished?” she asked.

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