Page 12 of Swindled By a Spinster
Eyes narrowed, Lady Alice said, “I don’t recall having met Lady Margaret.”
“That is because she is rarely introduced to anyone. She prefers to don muted colors and sit in darkened corners where she is afforded an excellent view of the festivities. Before her accident, she was the complete opposite. Her lively conversational skills and pleasant smile often resulted in Lady Margaret being sought out by both gentlemen and ladies. Yes…Lady Margaret was someone you wouldn’t forget meeting.”
Lillian let out a deep sigh and stood. “How extremely sad.” Her host collected the empty glasses and strode to the sideboard to refill the tumblers. Except this time Lillian filled them with what looked to be unwatered-down wine.
After another deep breath, Lady Alice began to regain some color in her cheeks. “Spinster seating is full of unwed ladies. I doubt unhappiness is motivation enough to plan and carry out such a bold heist and to kidnap a gentleman, a lord no less.”
“I’ve not heard any rumors of Lady Margaret’s family falling upon hard times. If not for financial gain, what other reason could there be to steal gems?” Ruth asked.
The four of them looked at one another.
Simultaneously Ruth said, “Revenge;” Lillian said, “Excitement;” Lady Alice said, “Gratification;” and Phoebe blurted, “Love.”
Lady Alice stood and began to pace the perimeter of the room. “Hmm…revenge. Plausible. Excitement…also possible if she’s escalating the stakes. But love…love might actually be the reason since the emotion can motivate those of sound mind to act like fools.”
Phoebe couldn’t help but notice the similarity in the manner with which Lady Alice and Kilman filtered and analyzed information. Was that part of their training or a trait they both naturally possessed?
One more turn of the room and then Lady Alice stopped in front of Phoebe. “If you are correct, and I suspect you are, we need to discover who Lady Margaret is in love with.”
“You think her lover is conspiring with her?” Lillian asked.
“Not necessarily. If the gentleman in question is a lord, he might not be unaware of her obsession with him.”
Brows knitted in concentration, Ruth asked, “Did she favor a gentleman before her accident?”
“Not one that I am aware of.” Phoebe rattled her brain to recall the details of Lady Margaret’s accident. Uttering thoughts as they came to mind, she said, “There was, however, gossip that her accident was linked to some sort of wager.”
“Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.” Lillian shook her head and said, “Nothing good comes of gambling.”
“Do you remember who was involved?” Lady Alice asked.
“Give me a moment. Much has occurred over the past seven years since the ordeal.”
Eyes ablaze with enthusiasm, Ruth shared, “During our investigations, we came across the Earl of Galston’s given name on multiple occasions, did we not?” Ruth loved solving puzzles, and with her extraordinary ability to recall details and recite entire conversations, she was like a walking vault of information.
“Lord Galston?” Why didn’t she have perfect recall? Phoebe pondered a moment longer and then said, “Aha! Lord Galston, Gavin Lake. I remember the man now. But he’s been away on the Continent for years. Originally it was said he was on a grand tour, then rumors spread he’d been captured during the war, and the latest on-dit about the man suggests he’s married and has decided to remain abroad.”
“Where is Lord Galston’s country residence?” Lady Alice asked.
Lillian jumped up to her feet and marched over to a writing desk near the windows covered in parchment. Her friend shuffled the sheets about until she withdrew a map, waved it in the air briefly before running her palm over it on the desk, smoothing out the wrinkles. It was but a minute or two before Lillian looked up and said, “Egad! It’s on the English-Scottish border. Quite close to where we intercepted the bandits and retrieved the diamonds.”
Lady Alice, who had resumed her pacing, stopped once more and once again turned to face Phoebe. “I’ll give you a two-hour head start before I do my duty and inform my superiors.”
Ruth stood, but before she could take a step forward, Lady Alice added, “Lillian. Ruth. You are both to remain here.”
Lillian’s mouth fell agape, while Ruth argued, “We are a team. We shall accompany Phoebe.”
“You are not going anywhere.” Lord Foxton entered the room and joined his wife. “If Alice says you are to stay put, then that is what you shall do.”
“Welcome home, husband.” Lady Alice greeted her husband with a smile.
Rather than returning his wife’s smile, Lord Foxton let out a groan. “Why me?”
The couple apparently had exchanged words with mere looks.
Lillian’s brother gave his wife a kiss on the forehead and then walked back toward the door. “Come along, Lady Phoebe. Let’s go fetch Kilman.”
She scurried after Lord Foxton, who had in a matter of strides made his way out of the room into the hall. Over her shoulder she called out, “My thanks, Lady Alice.”
