Page 26 of The Lady Glass
“Keep her close,” she said, motioning to Theresia. “Your lady will not stay safe otherwise.”
He wanted to hold out his arm and pull Theresia more fully behind him at the very mention of a threat, but it was absurd of him to buy into such a false claim. Rolland cleared his throat. “And the blessing?” He was eager to hurry this useless meeting to its end.
“Oh yes.” Her demeanor softened, and when she smiled, it was like cutting a line into a dried prune. She raised her hands to sprinkle invisible dust on him and Theresia. “Your love for each other will be steadfast and true, followed by years of fertility. Your wedding will be followed by a dozen healthy and robustchildren. Mostly girls. Some boys. But mostly girls.”
The back of Rolland’s neck burned, and he cleared his throat again. Wedding? Children? Girls? “Thank you for your time. I really must go now.” He jumped to his feet and helped Theresia stand. They could not leave the fortune-teller’s tent fast enough. Mrs. Bedrich stayed behind for a reason he cared not to know. “Utter madness,” he mumbled.
“Exactly. Twelve children?” Theresia put her hand across her middle. “Must I really bear so many?”
“You can have as many as you please,” he said before catching himself. “With some other man, of course.”
She glowered at him. “That was implied.” Her steps slowed when they neared the carriage. “I know the blessing part was silly, but when she spoke about death, I had shivers run down my back. She seemed to really be able to see into the future. How else would she know about your house party and your friends?”
“It was easy enough to deduce, what with Their Graces’ happenings being the talk of the town.” If only everything could be seen so logically. For starters, he couldn’t explain his strong desire to keep Theresia close in case of a real threat. She had proved herself recklessly brave but without any real ability to protect herself. He didn’t like the idea of leaving her at the camp. Many Roma in England were known for their thieving and immoral, lawless behavior. He wanted to believe this particular group was in town to help with preparation for the harvest since Mrs. Bedrich and Theresia were good people, but he could not trust the entire camp so easily.
But why was he involving himself at all? After Theresia’s vase was found, she would be out of his life forever. He must focus on what was within his control. “I will send word if I discover any news.”
“Thank you.”
He hesitated to accept her gratitude. “I should be the onesaying thank you. I forgot to mention my appreciation for the bandages and herbs. Granger will appreciate not having to procure more for me.”
“You found them so quickly?” She tangled her hands together. “I had thought only Granger would see them.”
For all her improper behavior, there was no mistaking her heart. She was all that was good and kind, and somehow life had shown her its worst. Rolland hoped something someday would change that. If finding her vase meant a better future for her, then he wouldn’t give up until it was returned.
He turned to ascend into the carriage but paused. Facing her again, he said, “One more thing. I will keep your name and your vase a secret since I know it is important to you, but I ask permission to share your theory of a Frenchman in our midst with His Grace. It might be pertinent to our investigation.”
She pursed her lips. “Do you really think so?”
“I cannot say for certain. It’s merely a hunch.”
“Very well. If it is just His Grace. I’ve never been trustful of Englishmen, no offense intended.”
“You are subject to your own opinions, Miss Dvorak.”
She froze. “MissDvorak?” Then she squeezed her eyes shut and muttered, “Mrs. Bedrich’s stories!”
He nodded. “Forgive me for referring to you as such. I did say I would call you Miss Theresia. I shall not forget to do so again.” He tipped his head and stepped up into the conveyance.
Her affronted expression and sputtering mouth improved his mood and kept him nearly smiling the entire way back to Ashbury Court. It wasn’t like him to tease—especially a woman, but Theresia was different, and their acquaintance was anything but normal.
That thought alone should have sobered him. Any sort of familiarity with anyone but his future wife should be out of the question. He would have to do better to draw stricter boundariesin the future. For it was Miss Shields, not Theresia, whom he would marry.
Chapter 13
Rolland perched on the edgeof his seat in the library. He finally had a decent plan and was ready to execute it. He tapped his foot while Marcus scratched away at a piece of parchment. They were waiting for Lewis to join them before their meeting began. It had already been a quarter of an hour past the time they had previously agreed to meet.
The duke pulled at the curl by his ear and suddenly growled impatiently. “Where is Lewis? I have left Tansy alone long enough to host our guests without me.”
“We will have to start without him,” Rolland said decisively. “Our prolonged absence will only make the others suspicious.”
Marcus gave an understanding nod. “I will begin. Mr. Haversham and Mr. Hawke are indeed more than acquaintances. I received a missive this morning from one of my connections, confirming my theory.”
“One of the London operatives?”
“Yes, we can trust him. He said their business together is done privately. Still, it stands to reason that if one of them is guilty, so is the other.”
“And their motive?”
