That Would Be a Fairy Tale - By Amanda Grange Page 0,62

was going to be difficult enough for her as it was - a smouldering glance would have made it impossible.

Fortunately, Mrs Lessing, as hostess, did most of the talking for the next ten minutes. She made Mr Evington feel at home, then arranged everything as they went through into the dining-room for lunch.

Once the first course - a clear soup - had been served, the conversation turned to the matter of the theft.

‘I have managed to take the Kurhaus,’ said Mrs Lessing as they began to eat. ‘I have had to pull any number of strings, and call in one or two favours as well, but it is done. Unfortunately, however, I have not been able to take it for Friday.’

Cicely looked up. This was an unwelcome complication.

‘We will have to amend our plans slightly, that is all,’ said Mrs Lessing, ‘and stage the theft for Wednesday.’

‘That doesn’t give us much time,’ said Cicely, not liking the change in the arrangement. ‘Mr Goss won’t arrive in Marienbad until Monday. You then have to arrange to make his acquaintance and invite him to the dinner. I don’t see how it can be done in such a short space of time.’

‘I’ve thought of a way round that,’ said Sophie exuberantly. ‘We don’t need to make his acquaintance at all - at least not properly, by waiting for someone to introduce us. There is another way.’

‘Not a way I like,’ put in her mother reprovingly.

‘But it will work.’ Sophie turned to Cicely. ‘I mean to bump into him on the promenade, which will cut out all need for a formal introduction. "So silly of me," I will say, fluttering my eyelashes. "I cannot have been looking where I was going." He will say "It is quite alright, Miss . . . ?" I will introduce myself, he will doff his hat and introduce himself - to mother, of course, observing the niceties - and then, apparently wanting to make up for bumping into him I will tell him he must let me make amends by inviting him to our dinner party.’

‘It’s a good idea,’ said Alex approvingly. ‘Goss is a vain man. He will be flattered by your attention, and he is therefore likely to accept the invitation. Engaging in a flirtation with a pretty young woman is just his style.’

‘I think it’s a dreadful idea,’ declared Mrs Lessing, putting down her spoon with a determined clatter. ‘You were not brought up to play the coquette,’ she said to Sophie. ‘You were brought up to be well behaved.’

‘But mother, it is only acting,’ said Sophie appealingly.

Mrs Lessing shook her head. ‘I would rather we could think of another way.’

‘But that’s just it,’ said Sophie with a sigh. ‘We can’t.’

‘And we do have to make sure Goss attends the dinner party,’ Cicely reminded her aunt.

‘I suppose so,’ said Mrs Lessing with a frown.

‘And it is in a good cause,’ Sophie reminded her.

‘I wish there were another way,’ said Mrs Lessing again, ‘but if there isn’t then we must go ahead with it. I just hope, after all this, we catch the wretched man, that’s all.’ She turned to Sophie. ‘And you, miss, will see that no one we know is close by when you do your bumping trick.’ Having voiced her concerns, Mrs Lessing became practical again. ‘Now, as to who else is to be invited to the party. . . ’

Mrs Lessing outlined her plans for the dinner party, ending by saying, ‘I have made out the guest list, but I will need help with the invitations.’

‘Sophie and I will help you write them this afternoon,’ said Cicely.

‘Meanwhile, I will give the private detectives their instructions, and make sure they know exactly what they are to do,’ said Alex. ‘As to the tiara . . . ’ He pulled a box out of the inside pocket of his jacket and laid it on the table. He lifted the lid. Inside was an exquisite tiara. It was made of diamonds, with three sapphires set into the rim.

Sophie gasped.

‘That will certainly tempt him,’ said Mrs Lessing. She frowned. ‘Sophie will not be in any danger, will she? He is not likely to harm her in any way? Because if he is, then this ends now.’

‘No.’ Alex spoke certainly. ‘Goss has never been guilty of violence. Stealth is his style. Sophie will not be in any danger.’

‘Even so.’ Cicely spoke out boldly. She had a feeling that Alex would not like what she was about to