things in his life, including entering a willing young lady’s bedroom window, but he had stopped that foolishness years ago. And even then, he did it for the sport, for the thrill of not getting caught, not because he was in love with the lady. He’d risked Millicent’s reputation and his freedom because he wanted to be with her.
He risked a lot for a lady he knew very little about. What was she hiding? He had settled for himself that she had nothing to do with the Mad Ton Thief, but why was she always making notes and being so secretive about her family? He should try to find out more about her before his heart became involved with her.
“Excuse me, Lord Dunraven.”
Chandler looked up to see his valet standing in the doorway, impeccably dressed. With thick gray hair smoothed away from his face, Peter Winston, a short broad-shouldered man, had been with Chandler since shortly after finishing his education.
Chandler had been immediately impressed with the older man when he’d interviewed for the job. Winston hadn’t cowered or become flustered from Chandler’s tough questioning. He’d remained confident and certain that he was the best man to serve Chandler, and Winston had never let him down.
“What is it, Winston?” he asked, turning back to his desk and the pretense of looking at the books before him. Fines was right, he’d done far too much woolgathering recently, and he hadn’t spent enough time thinking of ways to capture the Mad Ton Thief.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, my lord, but there’s a Mr. Percy Doulton here to see you. I inquired whether he had an appointment. He admitted he didn’t but hoped you might be available to see him.”
“Maybe at last the man has some news. Show him in.”
“Certainly. Should I bring in tea or will you be offering something stronger?”
“No need for either, Winston. I’m sure he won’t be long. Ask him to come in.”
Chandler stood and started closing books scattered on top of his desk. Within moments, the man walked in.
“How do you do, Doulton. Come in and make yourself comfortable.”
“Thank you for seeing me, Lord Dunraven. I have some information that I wanted to share with you right away.”
“Good news, I hope.”
“No, not at all.” He took the winged chair in front of Chandler’s desk. “It appears that, despite all our efforts, there was another theft last night.”
Chandler sat down. “Damnation! Where?”
“At Lord Dovershaft’s.”
The name sent a cold chill up Chandler’s back. Last night, when he saw Millicent at Almack’s, she said she had just come from Lord Dovershaft’s. She said they were late because they got a late start. Was that the real reason? Had he exonerated her too quickly?
“It was a small painting, not large at all from what I understand, but apparently priceless. The earl is in a temper, while the countess is having friends in to see the place on the wall where the painting used to hang.”
“Damn, this is disturbing news.”
“Not according to the countess. She’s quite certain Lord Pinkwater’s ghost now has the painting.”
Chandler was resolute. “She’s wrong. A thief has it. Was a Runner there?”
“Yes. He insists he was at his post all evening and no one could have gotten past him with a painting.”
“He would certainly insist that. Can he be trusted?”
“He’s been with me for two years. I’ve never had a problem with him, sir.”
“Until now. Get rid of him and find another to take his place.”
Doulton cleared his throat. “There is hope, Lord Dunraven. The dinner party was a small gathering. Less than one-hundred people. The earl and countess are certain of their guest list. Neither of them saw anyone they didn’t know, and together they believe they saw everyone who attended.”
“Did anyone offer any clues?”
“No, sir. As I stated before, my man swears he was at the front door the entire evening and no one left carrying anything the size of a lady’s small parasol.”
“A parasol?”
“The Countess insists the painting was the size of a young girl’s parasol when it is open.”
“That’s impossible.”
Doulton remained quiet.
“If your man didn’t leave his post, we can assume the thief left by a window.”
“My thoughts exactly. Servants would have seen anyone leaving by the rear door. I don’t have enough men to guard every room at every party.”
“No. I’m not suggesting that, but something more needs to be done. There’s been a robbery a week since the Season began, and we’re no closer to finding him.”