Page 29 of The Lady Glass
After a few unsettled moments to himself, he heard a soft knock on the door.
She was here.
He stood and shook his hands out at his side. With the servants conveniently gone for the afternoon, he opened the front door himself. He caught sight of Theresia’s stunning amber eyes right off, framed perfectly beneath her bonnet. But what caught him off guard was her normal attire—at least, compared to her previous costumes, this one was simple, with straight lines to match her trim figure and the higher waistline to match the style of the day.
Her appearance did the oddest thing to him. He could suddenly see her as part of his world. Appropriate attire wasnecessary if he were to pull off his mad plan, but seeing her clothed in the dress of his station also led to other thoughts that were perhaps even more mad since they evoked an involuntary tug in his chest. He stumbled over his greeting. “G-good day to you both.” Odd. That had never happened before when addressing anyone. He cleared his throat and motioned to Theresia and a curious Mrs. Bedrich. “Please come in.” He stepped back against the wall so they could pass by him in the narrow vestibule. “Just to the left is the sitting room.”
Theresia set her bonnet on one of the hooks that lined one side of the wall, turning slightly to give him a small, unsure smile. She and Mrs. Bedrich turned the corner, and he followed them, berating himself for his fanciful ideas. Maybe he had spent too much time at sea.
He motioned for them to sit on one of two sofas in the room, and he stole the single chair by the cold fireplace he’d occupied earlier.
“Are you both in good health?” He was still rusty with the niceties of genteel conversation, so this was the best he could do. They both murmured the affirmative, and he could think of nothing else but to jump in to his business. “As you can tell by the lack of servants and the borrowed use of this home, this meeting requires the utmost secrecy. I must apologize that I have not discovered your vase yet, but I have a proposition that might lead us to it and benefit my mission too.”
Mrs. Bedrich patted Theresia’s lap. “I told you he would propose marriage.”
Rolland gaped. “Pardon?”
Theresia coughed. “Mrs. Bedrich, you cannot say such things.”
Mrs. Bedrich batted the scold away with her hand. “Why must the English dance around the important topics? Must I find a matchmaker for two grown adults who are capable of speaking for themselves?”
How had the conversation gone so far south? Rolland had to rein it in before he found himself engaged to the wrong woman. “I apologize if I misled anyone, but my proposition is strictly a business arrangement.”
“Is that what they call marriage these days?” Mrs. Bedrich scoffed and shook her head.
“This is about my vase, isn’t it?” Theresia said quickly.
Rolland latched on to the saving topic and pointed at her. “Yes, it is entirely about the vase.”
“That again?” Mrs. Bedrich sighed. “The crystal might put food in your mouth for a few years, but it will not satisfy for long.” She folded her short arms over her thick girth, solidifying her opinion.
After a tense pause, Rolland caught Theresia’s apologetic gaze and started again. “I have thought on what you said about identifying the voice of the thief. It might be a difficult task, but I cannot rid the possibility from my mind. We ought to try it. And what better way for you to accomplish it than to be a guest at the house party yourself?”
Theresia leaned forward in her seat. “You cannot be serious. You want me to come to a duke’s house party?” She scoffed. “I would stand out like a thistle among roses.”
She might stand out, but being a thistle was far from why. “Some of the guests have more thorns than blooms, I’m afraid. Seeing you dressed as you are now removes any concern about your ability to appear the part. You have the speech and mannerisms to solidify the idea already.”
“Captain, you have been away from Society for too long. Even I, with my little experience, know this dress might be cutsimilarlyto that of your friends at Ashbury Court, but it is outdated and cheaply made. It will not stand the test against the company you keep.”
“What if I told you we could take care of your wardrobe?”
“I would say it was the least of our problems. I know I said I was good with tones, but it is a hope more than a guarantee. I cannot promise a victory after a single night. It would be easier if you would rid the house of guests and let me search it from top to bottom.”
“Perhaps,ifthe thief leaves the vase in the house.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”
“If it’s as valuable as you say, there is a high probability it’s already been moved to a safer location.”
“Don’t say that! It has to be there.”
He held up a hand to calm her. “I have not had sufficient opportunity for a thorough search, but I did a quick walk-through of the house and found nothing.”
“We must try again and search every nook and cranny.”
“Then, think of this as a trade. You come to the house party, and we help each other. We need as many eyes and ears on our side as possible. The safety of Great Britain’s foreign council depends on it.”
Theresia shook her head. “If the thief learns my real name, he will rid himself of the vase immediately and likely throw off your entire investigation.”
