Page 85 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

“And I am heartbroken,” he said lightly. “Would you do the honors this morning instead?”

Daphne frowned as Gryffyn Cardew joined the other two men and their murmuring continued.

The theft had been discovered then, and they were deciding what to do.

She continued to chatter, as if oblivious, though her heart was skipping. “I had thought of taking a walk in the garden,” Daphne said.

“Oh, but that would suit me perfectly!” Mr. Cushing said. “Is it true that there is a maze?”

“A very fine one, sir.”

“Then I would entreat you to show it to me this very morning.” He made a pout, although his eyes were twinkling. “Otherwise, Miss Goodenham, my heart may never recover from the blow you have dealt it.”

Daphne laughed, as she was certain she was meant to. She truly didn’t care about showing Mr. Cushing any detail of the house or garden, but she supposed she should behave as if all were normal. The duke could act brilliantly, so she would try to do the same. The gentlemen in the foyer clearly came to some agreement with Morris. The butler then conferred with Mrs. Bray before the pair set off together.

There was purpose in their strides.

But if only Morris and Mrs. Bray did the searches, did that mean one of them was the thief?

Or had Alexander been mistaken?

Daphne’s throat tightened with the prospect of the Eye of India being found in her trunk. What would her grandmother say? What could she do? She had promised the duke to do as instructed, and this was but the first test of her obedience.

She would not fail him.

* * *

It was the housekeeper, Mrs. Bray, who knocked on the door.

“Whatever areyoudoing here?” she demanded when Jenny opened the door.

“Lady Eurydice is ill, Mrs. Bray, and thought I should attend to her...”

Eurydice managed to summon an impressive sneeze. She sniffled and dabbed at her eyes as the housekeeper surveyed her with disapproval. “Good morning, Mrs. Bray,” she said, ensuring that she sounded as if her nose was blocked.

“If I may say so, it does not appear to be a good day for you, Miss Eurydice,” the older woman said sourly, then turned to Jenny again. “What you should do is tell Nelson of your mistress’ illness so that Lady North Barrows is fully aware of the situation.”

“Yes, Mrs. Bray.”

“I suggest you do so immediately.”

Jenny cast a glance at Eurydice.

“It would be very sensible, Jenny,” Eurydice said. “Please go.”

No sooner had the door closed behind the maid, then Mrs. Bray fixed Eurydice with a look. “I do apologize for the inconvenience, miss, but there has been a theft. Morris has instructed me to search the baggage of lady guests in the remote chance that the Eye of India has been...misplaced.”

Eurydice strove to appear both surprised and alarmed. “The Eye of India? Isn’t that the gem that was given to Lady Tamsyn?”

“The very same.”

“I cannot imagine how it might be in our luggage.”

The housekeeper gave her a quelling look. “Surely you do not wish to obstruct the course of justice, Miss Eurydice?”

“Surely not, Mrs. Bray,” Eurydice said, clenching her hands together beneath the sheets. Was Mrs. Bray the thief? It did seem unlikely.

But if the housekeeper wasn’t the thief, then the duke had given Daphne bad advice. The gem would be found and Daphne would be accused of taking it. Had her sister granted her trust in the wrong place?

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