attended all of the parties where there were robberies to less than twenty.”
Millicent frowned. “That is still a lot of men to consider.”
“I know, but better than the near fifty we started with. First thing tomorrow morning, Doulton will be checking the bank records of these men to see if any of them might be under financial pressure.”
“That should narrow the field even more. I really can’t imagine why a person would steal unless it was for monetary gain.”
“I suppose there are those who steal for the fun of it, or because of sickness, but both those reasons seem a bit far-fetched to me.”
“Me too. But we are making progress in our elimination game.”
“So it seems.” He stepped closer to her. “I’ve noticed all evening that your smile doesn’t seem as bright tonight. Is something wrong?”
Yes.
“No, I’m fine.” She tried to prove it by smiling at him but felt sure it fell short of her expectations.
“I’ve missed you. I’ve wanted to come see you, but I’ve respected your wishes.”
She tried to lighten the mood. “Which has made you a perfect gentleman.”
“I’ve always told you I know how to be one, but it’s been a dreadful life.”
She laughed. “You are such a delightful rogue.”
“You are such a delectable lady.”
“And you are trying to change the subject.” She started scanning the area in front of her. “I couldn’t find Lady Heathecoute earlier. I was looking for her when you walked over.”
Glancing over her shoulder, Chandler said, “Look no longer. Here she comes.” Suddenly his eyes narrowed. His brows drew together. “Millicent, look at the front of her skirt. Does it not look odd shaped?”
Millicent turned around and looked at the large woman walking into the room. Her gaze dropped to the front of the viscountess’s skirt. The dress she wore was high-waisted, fitting snugly under her breasts and dropping with a full, heavily gathered skirt. She was walking stiffly as if she were trying not to move, and low in the front of her skirt, the area between her abdomen and knees, there was an unusual bulge.
Chandler was right. Something didn’t look quite right under the yards of fabric that was her skirt.
A chill ran over Millicent. She looked up at Chandler. “I think… you don’t suppose…”
“That she has something hidden under her skirt?” Chandler finished the question for Millicent.
She looked up into his eyes. “Don’t even think it. It can’t be possible.”
“We’ve known for some time that the thief had to be someone who is free to come and go at every party,” Chandler gently reminded her.
Millicent looked at the lady again and knew for certain there was something wrong with her skirt. Millicent’s stomach knotted with apprehension. “What are we going to do?”
“I don’t know, yet, but we’ll think of something.”
“We’d better come up with it fast because she’s heading this way with her husband. I think they are going to tell me it’s time to go.”
“She’s not leaving until we know if she’s hiding something under her dress,” he murmured under his breath as the Heathecoutes approached.
“Lord Dunraven, how are you this evening?” the viscount asked, his nose held high and not a hint of a smile on his thin lips.
“Well, thank you. How about you and your lady?”
“We’re in fine shape, too.”
Chandler turned to their prey. “You are looking very nice tonight, viscountess.”
She offered a little smile that twitched her lips. “Oh, thank you, sir, but I’m afraid I can tell it’s the end of the evening. I’m a little tired and ready to quit the night. Are you ready, Millicent, dear?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Good, then we’ll take our leave.”
“Lord Heathecoute,” Chandler spoke up after a quick glance to Millicent, “do you mind if I walk out with you to the carriages?”
“No, not at all, my lord. Pleased to have you join us.”
Millicent was quiet and watchful as they stopped for their cloaks. Thankfully, her chaperone didn’t try to engage her in conversation. Millicent couldn’t help but notice that her ladyship immediately wrapped her large cloak around her body as if she were trying to ward off the harshest of winter nights instead of a pleasant spring evening. Millicent left hers to hang free from her shoulders as was the current fashion.
She didn’t want to believe that the woman who’d chaperoned her these past three weeks was a thief. Lady Heathecoute had been diligent in her care and respect for Millicent, and she felt dreadful about what she was going to have to do.