“Then I will defend you to my dying breath, Miss Goodenham,” he murmured, holding her gaze so that she could see his conviction.

  She shook her head. “I thank you for the sentiment, but your word might not matter, not with something of such value as this prize.”

  Alexander smiled. “But the value is exactly the key.” Her lack of comprehension was clear. “The gem you hold is a fake, Miss Goodenham, created solely to trap the villain.”

  “Oh!” Her pleasure made her cheeks flush and her eyes sparkle. She lowered her voice to an enticing whisper. “I knew, sir, that if you donned a disguise, it would be for a good reason.”

  “It is.”

  “It was this same villain who ensured that your sister’s name was tainted,” she guessed.

  “Indeed it was, and I have vowed to avenge her.”

  “So, justice will prevail,” she said with complete satisfaction.

  “Only with your assistance.”

  “I shall do as you instruct, Your Grace.”

  The heat of his own pleasure must have shown in his expression, for she modestly dropped her gaze and glanced across the room.

  She did not leave, however, which was all the encouragement he needed.

  “Might I confide in my sister to see your quest accomplished?” she asked.

  “Do you trust her?”

  “Utterly,” she said without hesitation. “Eurydice would never betray me, nor I her.”

  Because they had been reliant upon each other when they were orphaned.

  “And she is clever,” Miss Goodenham admitted. “I think the prospect of success much higher with her aid.”

  Alexander nodded understanding, moved more by her trust in Miss Eurydice than her confidence in her sister’s wits. “Then by all means, confide in her, but not others, I beg of you.”

  “It shall be as you say, Your Grace.” Still she did not meet his gaze and it seemed to him that her breath came quickly. He guessed that she wished for further reassurance but knew not how to ask for it.

  The situation was damnably unconventional.

  His gaze rose to Rupert, who evidently was fascinated with the ceiling. Should he send the other man away? His desire for Miss Goodenham was acute, but he would not ruin her and leave her with doubts of his intent. He did not know precisely what he might say to feed her confidence in his honor.

  Inspiration came from the fact that Daphne was staring at the vine, which now spilled to the very floor and reached for the ceiling.

  Alexander knew its tale might be of aid. “The seed was a gift from my sister,” he confessed. “And a legacy of Airdfinnan. I dropped it into water but one night ago.”

  “But that cannot be! It is of such a size.”

  “It is said to grow and bloom only when the Laird of Airdfinnan courts a bride.”

  “Am I wrong that you would be that laird, Your Grace?” she whispered.

  “You are not, and before you ask, I do mean to court a bride once this matter is concluded,” he admitted. “To be sure, I had no plan of doing as much, but I met a most beguiling girl, in a tavern, no less.”

  She flushed and began to smile. “Beguiling, sir?”

  “And marvelously perceptive, as well,” he agreed and smiled. “I like people who look beyond appearances.”

  Her gaze clung to his. “As do I, Your Grace.”

  “It would please me greatly if she granted me some small sign of encouragement.”

  Alexander barely had time to utter the words before Miss Goodenham cast herself at him with pleasure. He caught her in his arms, savoring the sweet press of her against his chest.

  She framed his face in her small hands and studied him intently. “’Twas your eyes that gave you away, sir,” she murmured. “You must promise not to look at any other girl so intently before your quest is complete or you might be revealed.”

  “The quest to name the thief or the quest to have your hand in mine?”

  “Both!” she said with a smile.

  Alexander chuckled and held her closer. “I vow that I will not,” he agreed, then bent to taste her lips again.

  Daphne could not believe her good fortune.

  The duke was not a fop! No, he was the most handsome man she had ever seen. And he had no ungainly paunch. She had pierced his disguise and even better, he had trusted her with the truth and vowed to defend her. She was convinced that she was the most fortunate woman in all of England, and that was before he kissed her.

  It was even better than the first time.

  She was the most fortunate woman in all the world.

  He broke his kiss and looked down at her, his gaze filled with a lazy satisfaction that thrilled her beyond all else. “My true appearance must remain a secret.”

  “I will never betray you, Your Grace.”

  “You cannot even confide this in Eurydice.”

  “I will not. I pledge it to you.” She swallowed. “I vow to be the best wife, Your Grace, and to bear you a dozen sons...”

  He smiled. “You will call me Alexander, when we are alone, and I think three sons will do nicely.”

  “As you wish.” Daphne licked her lips. “Alexander.”

  It felt both sinful and right to say his name, much as kissing him felt both wicked and heavenly.

  She smiled at him. “You should call me Daphne, then.”

  “Indeed, I should.” His eyes fairly glowed and the intensity of his look made her shiver. With obvious reluctance, he released her. He seized a dark jacket and a cloak, as well as a large hat. “And now I will see you safely back to the castle.”

  “But...”

  He raised his voice and interrupted her protest before it began. “Upon my word, Haskell, must you bring your wenches and conquests into my own chambers? For all I know, she may have fleas!”

  “I am sorry, Your Grace,” his manservant said, also speaking loudly enough to be overheard.

  “Take her away and see her home again, and make haste about it.” Then Alexander changed the tone of his voice, sounding for all the world like the manservant. “Of course, Your Grace.”

  Daphne might have stepped into a play herself.

  The manservant spoke shrilly then, mimicking Alexander’s foppish voice perfectly. “I would have my chocolate upon your return, Haskell! Hurry, man! I will not be kept waiting for the sake of your wench, no matter how comely she might be!”

  “Immediately, Your Grace,” Alexander said.

  The two men exchanged a wink before Alexander opened the door. He pulled up his hood, then Daphne’s as well, then hastened her down the stairs and out of the tavern.

  They were barely spared a glance by those arriving to work in the kitchen, and she was spirited toward Castle Keyvnor with impressive speed. He took her through the forests and by paths where they would not be observed, tucking her beneath his cloak when he heard a sound and sweeping her into his arms when he found her pace too slow. The journey was thrilling and all too soon, they approached the castle from behind.

  “You are so clever,” she said with awe. “You could be upon the stage.”

  He laughed, a lovely rich sound that made Daphne heat to her toes. “I will give up the disguise once this villain is caught, Daphne, and spend my days beguiling you instead.”

  “I cannot wait, Your Grace,” she whispered and he raised a finger, his eyes gleaming. “Alexander,” she corrected. “Though you shall have to convince Grandmaman. She said that you would never wed.”

  “Fear not, my Daphne. I will win her consent,” he growled and Daphne’s heart skipped a beat before he kissed her again.

  The third time was the best kiss yet.

  The thief was awake, for the game came rapidly to its conclusion. He seldom slept until his quarry was securely within his grasp and this time, he sensed that something went awry.

  What had that small mark been on the back of the gem? It was new, but not a scratch. A maker’s mark and not one he recognized.

  It troubled him, deeply.

  Something was afoot, though the villain could not name what it was.

  He was standing at the window of the chamber he had been given—a small room with a view of the working side of the castle, rather than the sea or the village or even the gates—at the moment that two cloaked figures made a dash from the edge of the woods to the back wall.

  Their manner was so furtive that he pressed against the glass, watching.

  Were they servants? He could not imagine as much. Every servant was hard at work at this hour of the morning. A noble couple returning from an assignation? There was no doubt that he watched a woman and a man. Did their actions have any relevance to his own plan?

  The woman glanced up at the castle walls, just before the couple parted. It was Miss Goodenham, in humble garb. The villain recognized her immediately.

  The man’s face was not revealed but he left Miss Goodenham at the door and strode back by the same route they had arrived. The villain watched until he disappeared into the shadows of the forest, noting his height and breadth, and his manner of walking. He did not recognize the man, but he was clearly not staying at the keep.

  Had Miss Goodenham sought him out? The villain could think of no other way she could have returned in the other man’s company.

  Could he be the Duke of Inverfyre’s man? He had kissed Miss Goodenham before they parted. Would she be so fool as to accept the attentions of a valet? It was difficult to believe she would be so unambitious, but she might be one to put much credit in love.

  The greater concern was for the prize that the villain had thought safely hidden in Miss Goodenham’s trunk. Had she discovered and removed it, perhaps granting it to her paramour for safekeeping?

  The villain did not know.

  And what of that mark? What if the gem was a forgery? He could not fathom how it had been replaced in the single night between its delivery and his theft of it, but what if it had been switched?

  What if he had stolen a fake?

  How much did Miss Goodenham know?

  The villain did not like surprises or uncertainty.

  He certainly did not intend to be caught.

  Which meant that he had to speak to Miss Goodenham alone and learn the truth of whatever she had done.

  No matter what the cost.

  Chapter 5

  Eurydice awakened to find that Daphne was gone. Jenny was inexplicably huddled in the corner of the room, still sniffling from her cold. She was wrapped in a blanket from Daphne’s bed and looked to be miserable.

  Eurydice sat up and felt so chilled that she shivered. How she hated to fall ill! “Where is Daphne?” she asked and the maid lifted a finger to her lips.

  “She told me to wait here and be utterly silent,” Jenny confessed in a whisper.

  “But why?”

  The maid shrugged, proving once again that she was possessed of less curiosity than Eurydice. Even if Daphne had been stern and mysterious, Eurydice would have been more interested in the truth than Jenny appeared to be. She made to get out of bed and sneezed again.

  “My lady, it seems you had better stay in bed today,” Jenny said, still keeping her voice low. “I’ll fetch you water to wash, for a change of nightrail will be welcome, as soon as Miss Goodenham returns.”

  “But where has she gone?” Eurydice asked in exasperation. She could hear the house beginning to stir and she was hungry.

  Jenny shrugged again, and then Daphne herself came quickly through the door. She was out of breath from running and dressed in Jenny’s clothes. Her hair was only braided but her eyes shone with audacity and satisfaction. She was flushed and delighted in a way that Eurydice did not trust.

  Surely her sister had not been so foolish as to meet a man?

  Daphne quickly shed the clothes she wore and helped Jenny to don them, then sent the maid for hot water. Once the maid was gone, she hurried to her trunk and tucked something into it before facing Eurydice.

  “What are you doing?” Eurydice demanded, sensing a scheme and wanting all the details. “Tell me that you did not have an assignation!”

  “Shhhh!” Daphne said, practically flying across the chamber to lay her finger across Eurydice’s lips. “Do not speak of it, and keep your voice low no matter what you say.”

  “Where did you go?”

  Daphne glanced to the door and leaned close, her lips practically against Eurydice’s ear. Even so, Eurydice had to concentrate to hear her. “There is a thief in the house and the duke is intent upon catching him,” she confided. “I heard someone in our room and found the Eye of India in my trunk this morning. I knew the duke would best advise me what to do.”

  “You went to him?”

  Daphne nodded.

  “I imagine you had a shock if you saw him before he was dressed. Is he bald, too?”

  Daphne shook her head, impatient with such details. “He bade me put it back and said there would be a search called this morning. If not, I’m to encourage one.”

  Eurydice sat back in horror. “But then you’ll be named...”

  “No,” Daphne said. “He said he’d defend me if so, but he thinks it will not be so. I am to observe who searches our chamber and report to him.”

  “Why would the thief hide it here?”

  “The duke has a notion that he would see proven.” Daphne glanced about herself again then whispered even more quietly, “He thinks the thief uses an unwitting guest as his accomplice to remove his prize from the house, then pilfers that person’s luggage later.”

  “What a devious fiend.”

  “Indeed.”

  “And he is here, perhaps a guest at the castle.” Already Eurydice was reviewing the list of guests and considering which was most likely to be a jewel thief.

  “So it appears.” Daphne frowned. “I believe the duke’s sister’s reputation was soiled by this man and his schemes.”

  “Then he must be caught.”

  “Agreed.”

  Eurydice reflected upon the matter. “If I were to organize a search to find such a missing treasure, I would wait until all the gentlemen were in the dining room, as well as whatever ladies were coming down. I would then search the gentlemen’s rooms quietly, without their awareness, and search the ladies’ rooms after they had made their way downstairs for the activities of the day. It could all be accomplished with great discretion, save the searching of individual persons.”

  “Do you think the earl will allow that?”

  “Not if he wishes to keep the theft and the search secret. It will be up to the butler, Morris, to orchestrate the details. You should dress and go down for breakfast as soon as possible, to learn as much as you can of their scheme.”

  “And you?”

  Eurydice smiled. “I fear I am too sick to leave our chamber.” She sneezed with gusto and pretended to sniffle. “Jenny has already told me to remain in bed. I will do as much and feign sleep. Then I will see who searches our chamber and where he or she looks.”

  “Jenny should remain with you.”

  “If I were the thief, I would not search the chamber until she was gone.”

  “Do you think it quite safe for you to be alone here?”

  “Perhaps not, but it is devilishly exciting.” Eurydice smiled. “Like something from a novel. Return before luncheon and I will tell you what I have seen. After all, I would not have you be without tidings for your duke.”

  Daphne gripped her hand. “Thank you, Eurydice.”

  “I still cannot fathom what you find appealing about the man.”

  Her sister’s smile was quick and triumphant. “Perhaps love works in mysterious ways.”

  “Love?!” Despite her protestation, not another word about the duke could Eurydice pry from Daphne’s lips.

  Daphne listened with care as she descended the main staircase. She could hear the murmur of men’s voices, and thought she detected a thread of urgency. The earl was conferring quietly with the butler, Morris, the pair of them very solemn.

  “And are you not a fine sight with which to greet the day, Miss Goodenham?” Mr. Cushing demanded cheerfully, his voice behind Daphne enough to make her jump. “I daresay you are the prettiest girl in Cornwall.”

  “I thank you, sir,” she said, taking his elbow to continue into the dining room. “Do you mean to ride today?”

  “Oh, I think not,” he said easily, then wagged a finger at her. “You neglected to give me a tour yesterday.”

  “Indeed, I did. I am sorry but my grandmother required our attendance.”

  “And I am heartbroken,” he said lightly. “Would you do the honors this morning instead?”

  Daphne frowned as Gryffyn Cardew joined the other two men and their murmuring continued.

  The theft had been discovered then, and they were deciding what to do.

  She continued to chatter, as if oblivious, though her heart was skipping. “I had thought of taking a walk in the garden,” Daphne said.

  “Oh, but that would suit me perfectly!” Mr. Cushing said. “Is it true that there is a maze?”

  “A very fine one, sir.”

  “Then I would entreat you to show it to me this very morning.” He made a pout, although his eyes were twinkling. “Otherwise, Miss Goodenham, my heart may never recover from the blow you have dealt it.”

  Daphne laughed, as she was certain she was meant to. She truly didn’t care about showing Mr. Cushing any detail of the house or garden, but she supposed she should behave as if all were normal. The duke could act brilliantly, so she would try to do the same. The gentlemen in the foyer clearly came to some agreement with Morris. The butler then conferred with Mrs. Bray before the pair set off together.

  There was purpose in their strides.

  But if only Morris and Mrs. Bray did the searches, did that mean one of them was the thief?

  Or had Alexander been mistaken?

  Daphne’s throat tightened with the prospect of the Eye of India being found in her trunk. What would her grandmother say? What could she do? She had promised the duke to do as instructed, and this was but the first test of her obedience.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10