Page 98 of A Scandalous Bargain
“Why were you in his tree?” the older constable asked.
“I was spying on the duke next door.” She inclined her head toward her father’s house, weighing whether she ought to reveal the truth. “Why does it matter? I was there, and Lord Rockbourne is innocent.”
Tom stared at her, silent, his gaze unfathomable.
“If youarehis mistress, you could be lying to protect him,” the younger man said.
Rounding on the constable, Tom curled his lip. “Say she’s my mistress again, and I’ll make you swallow your damn tongue.”
Though the footman still held her arm, Beatrix reached out and just managed to touch Tom’s sleeve. “Don’t.” Threatening violence wouldn’t aid his cause.
“What the devil is going on here?”
Everyone’s head turned toward the Duke of Ramsgate, who walked up the pavement behind Tom and the constables. The latter of whom backed up as the duke approached. Tom, however, didn’t move.
“We’ve caught a thief, Your Grace,” the odious butler said from beside Beatrix.
“You’ve also obtained an audience.” The duke muttered something as he continued around Tom to stop in front of Beatrix. “Look at the trouble you’ve caused.”
Beatrix refused to waver in front of him, in front of all these people. “I didn’t take anything,” she said quietly. “Well, I did, but I was returning it.”
“The demi-parure,” he said with certainty.
Her jaw dropped. “You knew?”
“I checked it every night after your visit. Don’t forget that I know who you are. Who you’vebeen.”
“We can take her to Bow Street for prosecution, Your Grace,” the older constable offered.
The duke turned toward him. “No, I won’t be prosecuting.”
The footman instantly let go of Beatrix’s arm, and again she massaged her abused appendage. The butler squeaked.
“Well?” The duke eyed the constables. “Go on your way.”
“We weren’t here for her,” the younger man, whom Beatrix realized must be the Dearborn Harry had mentioned, explained. “We are investigating the death of Lady Rockbourne.”
“But you’re finished,” Beatrix insisted. “Because I already told you what happened, what Isaw.”
“Can we bloody take this inside, out of view and hearing of the spectators?” the duke demanded.
At that moment, a man rode up on horseback, causing several people to move back. He stopped in front of the houses and dismounted.
“What’s going on here?” Harry asked, his gaze going from Beatrix to the constables to Tom and back to Beatrix.
“It’s a terribly long story.” Beatrix suddenly had an urge to laugh.
“Inside. Now.” The duke stalked toward his house. Apparently, they were all to follow him.
And that was precisely what they did.
They did not, however, return to the sword room. He led them up the stairs to the drawing room where Beatrix had met with him.
Beatrix stood near Harry. The duke took a position near the hearth, while his butler and footman lingered just inside the doorway. Tom and the three constables moved to stand in front of the windows.
The duke glowered at the constables. “I can’t begin to imagine why you’re investigating Rockbourne about the death of his wife. Didn’t she fall off the balcony?”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Dearborn answered, looking a bit pale. “However, evidence and information has come to light that require investigation.”
