Page 13 of The Stolen Sparkler
“Well?” I asked, eager to hear what she had learned.
Rosalynd’s eyes glimmered with a mixture of excitement and concern. “I suspect Lavinia is in love with Lord Cumberforth,” she revealed, her voice barely above a whisper. “She didn’t say so directly, of course, but it’s clear from the way she speaks of him. She became quite flustered when I mentioned his name.”
“Interesting,” I said, considering the implications. “And the other cousin? Felicity?”
“She detests him,” Rosalynd said bluntly. “I’m certain of it. She was almost gleeful when she hinted at his faults and shortcomings, whether real or imagined. I suspect she would be delighted if his engagement to Eleanor was called off.”
The pieces were beginning to form a picture, but it was not yet clear what the whole would be.
“What about you? What did you discover?” she asked, turning the conversation back to me.
I relayed my observations about the two male cousins—Alistair’s gambling and Edwin’s financial woes. Rosalynd’s expression grew more troubled with every word, her fingers tapping restlessly on the arm of her chair.
“Any one of them could have taken the necklace.”
“Or maybe more than one. They could have worked in tandem. There’s no help for it,” I said grimly. “We’ll have to search their rooms.”
Rosalynd hesitated, biting her lower lip as she considered the suggestion. It was a bold step and one that carried considerable risk. But we were running out of time, and if we didn’t find some clue—some shred of evidence—Lady Eleanor’s future would be in jeopardy.
The gong sounded again, the final signal to proceed to the dining room.
“How are we to achieve this?”
“Eleanor has something planned for this afternoon. It should provide us with plenty of time to do what must be done.”
CHAPTER 6
A CLUE IS DISCOVERED
AFTER LUNCHEON, Eleanor had planned a skating party at a nearby pond. One which sadly I would not be attending. Claiming weak ankles, I once again excused myself from the activity. Eleanor had not questioned me—she knew me well enough to recognize when I had a purpose that would not be gainsaid.
Lavinia, however, had no such restraint. “Heavens,” she said with a smirk. “You do have quite a number of ailments, Lady Rosalynd.”
I pulled my shawl closer, feigning a delicate constitution I did not possess. In reality, I had always enjoyed robust health and skating was a favorite pastime. I loved the way the winter air bit at my cheeks and the sense of freedom that came with gliding across the ice. But today was not a day for pleasure, not when Eleanor’s future remained shrouded in uncertainty. “I shall rest by the fire and take tea,” I said in my most convincing imitation of convalescence.
“Better you than me,” Lavinia said, heading off.
The duke had begged off as well, providing the explanation he’d be discussing a proposed legislative measure with Lord Needham. No one questioned his choice.
Alas! Such was the way of the world. Most women’s actions were thoroughly scrutinized and, in many instances, criticized. Men, on the other hand, could do all manners of evil, and no one censured their deeds.
Once the skating party went on their merry way, the great hall fell suddenly silent, the absence of voices and footsteps amplifying my awareness of the task ahead. It would not be long before the duke and I began our clandestine search.
Surprisingly, my heart fluttered with the thrill of it. It was as if I were a character in one of those sensational novels I pretended not to read, sneaking about in shadows and hunting for the truth. The fact I’d be performing this task alongside the duke did not factor into it. Or so I told myself.
Eager to start the search, I made my way to the library, where the duke awaited me. As before, he stood by the mantel, his expression calm but his eyes burning with determination.
“They’ve gone,” I said, closing the door behind me. “We have at least two hours, perhaps three if they dawdle over the hot chocolate and refreshments that will be served.”
“Then we mustn’t waste a moment,” he replied, his voice low and controlled. “You’ll take the women’s rooms, and I’ll take the men’s.”
“As we agreed, yes.”
He glanced at his pocket watch. “It’s half past one. Let’s meet back here at three. That should give us more than enough time to perform the search.”
“We do want to be thorough.”
He nodded toward the door. “You should leave first. I’ll follow in ten minutes.”
