ungrateful chits in London, you are the worst I have ever encountered. You have no right to demand that I do anything, and I will not!”
“Dearest,” her husband said in a voice that dripped with boredom over the whole event. “Just open your cloak and show them that you are hiding nothing, then they can apologize to us for being so ungodly rude and we can go home.”
“I will do no such thing,” she exclaimed again.
Millicent took a deep breath and said, “Lady Heathecoute, I’m afraid I believe you might be the Mad Ton Thief.”
Gasps of surprise and horror sounded all around her, but Millicent didn’t take her eyes off her suspect. If she was wrong, she would have to leave London and never return—just as her mother had.
Chandler put his arm around Millicent’s shoulder and said, “I agree with her. I can’t let you leave here until we know that you are not hiding anything.”
The viscountess pretended to faint and fell back into her husband’s arms, almost knocking him over. She peered up at her husband pleadingly. In a weakened voice she said, “Tell her I don’t have to do this? I won’t do it. I must go home immediately.”
Obviously finding a little backbone, her husband pointed his nose at Millicent and barked, “You accuse my wife of such a dastardly deed after all she has done for you. I’m aghast at your behavior. Have you no shame as well as no manners?”
“It’s not just Millicent,” Chandler said. “It’s me, too, and now these people,” he said, pointing to the small crowd that had gathered.
Sneering at Chandler, Lord Heathecoute looked at his lady and said, “You must prove the chit and the earl wrong, my dear, then I will take you home.”
The viscountess clutched the front of his coat firmly with both hands. Her face was frantic with fear and rage. “I can’t, I won’t. I won’t!” She screamed and pushed away from her husband.
She tried to scramble into the carriage by herself, but her foot slipped on the wet step and she fell forward, with the clinging and clanging of metal bumping together as she hit the ground.
She tried to pull herself up, and the sound of metal rent the air again. Mutterings of outrage and surprise from the crowd filled the night air. Lord Heathecoute and Chandler hurried over to assist the helpless lady to stand, and there was more clanging.
“What is this?” the viscount asked in horror as he felt down the front of her skirt.
The accused wailed loudly and leaned against the carriage door. Her large eyes seemed to be staring straight ahead but not looking at anyone or anything in particular.
Millicent was chilled by the screeching, pitiful sound that came from the older woman.
“Dear, dear. What is going on?” her husband asked as stiffly as he moved.
Lady Heathecoute started looking through the folds of her large skirt until she came to a long slit in the side that had been hidden in the fabric. She parted the material and reached into a large pocket and pulled out a silver tea pot and a silver tray.
For the third time that evening, gasps of surprise rang out in the still air.
Chandler looked at Millicent and something he had never felt before swelled in his chest. They had done it. Together they had found the Mad Ton Thief.
The noise from the crowd grew louder.
“Someone call for the authorities,” Chandler said.
Eighteen
“Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.” Just ask Miss Donaldson. Her father accepted an offer for her hand from Sir Charles Wright.
—Lord Truefitt, Society’s Daily Column
The crowds were still thick around the Heathecoute’s carriage an hour later. The authorities arrived and after questioning the viscountess and her husband, they were taken away. Chandler and Millicent had talked to the officers at length and promised to be available later for more questions.
As soon as the officer dismissed them, Chandler saw his chance to get Millicent away from the too-curious crowd. Wanting to be careful of her reputation, he eased around to the far side of his coach with her and helped her inside before climbing in after her. He took the seat beside her rather than opposite her.
He knew taking her to his home was dangerous for more than one reason. If anyone saw her going in or out of his town house, her reputation would be ruined, but he needed a few minutes alone with her. He’d