Page 11 of Swindled By a Spinster
Admittedly, Phoebe had debated whether to share everything she’d come to learn of the bandits and their operation with Lord Archbroke, but not for more than a split moment. Kilman’s fate hung in the balance.
Breath held, Phoebe took a sip of her drink. Once the burning sensation in her throat subsided, she admitted, “I did. I provided them with a full accounting.”
Staring into her glass, Lillian said, “Did you…umm…well…”
“Simply tell me what it is you want to know,” Phoebe snapped. Having spent three tiresome days with men asking her the same questions over and over, she was done answeringinquiries. She wanted to hunt down the villains who had dared to kidnap Kilman.
Lillian looked up at Phoebe with a frown.
Phoebe immediately said, “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.” Lillian walked over and joined Ruth on the settee. “I know how trying Lord Archbroke and his lot, especially my own brother, can be.”
Thankful that her friend understood, Phoebe left the rows and rows of books and settled into the wingback chair facing both Ruth and Lillian. While the pair had been friends with one another for years, they treated Phoebe as if she too had been their boon companion since childhood and not as if they had only become acquainted with one another a year ago. Feeling as if she neither belonged among the row of wallflowers or in spinster seating, Phoebe had established the habit of hiding amongst the greenery where she often bumped into Ruth and Lillian. It was hidden amongst the potted plants that the trio had overheard rumors of the missing diamonds. At the time, none of them were aware that the gems belonged to the Royal Treasury. Not that it mattered, for they still would have investigated since it was a far cry more interesting than watching their peers entertain and be entertained.
Glass empty, Ruth reached out and placed her tumbler on the table that sat between the settee and the chair Phoebe occupied. “Does Lord Archbroke also know that you suspect the mastermind behind the theft to be a lady…a spinster, to be exact, and not in fact a gentleman?”
“No.” Phoebe shook her head. “He never gave me the chance to share my hypothesis.”
“Men.” Lillian spat the word out like it was a filthy word to use before draining her glass.
Ruth leaned back and sighed. “It’s a blooming shame Lord Kilman was the one taken, he’s always open to listening to our suggestions and theorems.”
“I wish my brother was more like Lord Kilman in that sense, but David has always kept his personal affairs from me. If we hadn’t gone missing, I still to this day might have been clueless to the fact that my own sister-in-law is an agent for the Home Office,” Lillian shared.
“Where is Lady Alice?”
Lillian pulled out a pocket watch from the pocket secretly sewn into her skirts. “She should be joining us shortly. She’s been feeling wretched for the past month.”
“Is she with child?” Ruth asked the question Phoebe wanted to ask but didn’t dare.
With a shrug, Lillian said, “I wouldn’t be surprised if she were, but she claims to be…”
“I’m merely tired and adjusting to Cook’s meals.” Lady Alice walked into the room and sank into the chair opposite Phoebe. Lady Alice, who was three years her junior, crossed her legs at the ankles and said, “Lady Phoebe, why don’t you share with me how you would like to go about finding Lord Kilman. I promise to assist as best as I can.”
Phoebe inhaled, taking a moment to organize her thoughts because she was still in shock at the news that Lady Alice was in fact an agent for the Home Office. After having Lord Archbroke reject her multiple requests to become an agent, Phoebe had assumed that the man simply didn’t want women agents. An ache settled in the center of her chest. It was a devastating hit to her pride to find out that there were, in fact, ladies employed in an official capacity for the Home Office.
“Lady Phoebe?” Lady Alice’s prompt snapped Phoebe out of her own world.
Phoebe clasped her hands in her lap and tamped down the bubbling ire rising within her. “I’m not certain where to begin.”
“The beginning is always a good start.” Lady Alice’s pink cheeks whitened and she wrapped her arms about her waist. “No, I retract that statement. Rather than rehashing the details that Lillian has already provided, please share with me the name of the lady you suspect behind these treasonous crimes.”
Finally—someone willing to take action and move forward. Seizing her opportunity, Phoebe said, “I suspect Lady Margaret, eldest daughter to the Marquess of Maldon.”
“Impossible. The lady is…” Lady Alice covered her mouth, closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.
While Lady Alice was silent, Phoebe countered, “Not entirely impossible. Lady Margaret might not be able to walk unassisted but her mind works perfectly fine.”
Lady Alice removed her hand from her mouth and asked, “Why would she wish to steal the crown jewels?”
“Maybe because she’s unwed, unwanted, and unhappy.”
“Are you friends with Lady Margaret?” Lillian asked.
“I wouldn’t say friends. She and I debuted together. Back then she had the full use of her legs and was considered quite the catch, despite her bookish ways. That was the case until she injured her back. She was thrown from a horse.”
Ruth gasped. “Oh, how unfortunate.”
