A Scandalous Bargain (The Pretenders #2) - Darcy Burke Page 0,88
do.” He rubbed his hand along his jaw. “It seems I chose a poor time to get married and take a respite from my position.”
“Don’t say that,” Beatrix said. “This is all just an unfortunate situation. Lady Rockbourne’s death was an accident, and her mother needs to accept that.”
Harry nodded. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Selina stood as he came toward her, and they exchanged a brief kiss before he left.
Beatrix rose, nervous energy making her pulse pick up speed. “I hate waiting.”
“I know. It won’t be long. Do you want something to eat?”
Glancing at the clock on the mantel, Beatrix saw that it was half four. And it was Thursday. Precisely the time and day her father went to the park for the fashionable hour. Which meant he wasn’t home. Furthermore, it was the afternoon when several members of his household were given free time.
“I’m going upstairs,” Beatrix said. “I think I just need to rest and try to get my mind off things.”
Selina narrowed her eyes at Beatrix. “You are going to rest?”
Beatrix didn’t even bother arguing—Selina knew her too well. “I can try. I’ll probably just pace.”
“I’ll let you know as soon as Harry returns.”
“Thank you.” Beatrix would need to hurry. Which she would—all she had to do was replace the genuine demi-parure with the fake one she’d put there Monday night. She’d gotten in and out quickly then and had no reason to expect things would go differently today.
Except that had been late at night. Today, it was still light, and she would almost certainly be seen. It was a good thing she had a plan.
Beatrix managed to get away from the Spitfire house without encountering anyone. Dressed as a maid, she made her way quickly to Grosvenor Square. Instead of stealing through Tom’s garden and climbing the wall into the duke’s garden to gain access to his house, she would boldly enter through the servant’s entrance. With her cap pulled tight about her head and a scarf tied around that, she prayed she would escape notice. She was also especially grateful for the knowledge she had of Ramsgate’s house and his servants.
It was just after five when she stealthily made her way into the entrance on the lowest floor of the house. The sounds of the kitchen permeated the corridor as Beatrix hurried to the stairs that would take her straight up to the first floor, where the duke’s chambers were located.
On the way, she noted an open cupboard. Inside were cleaning supplies. She grabbed a broom before continuing to the stairs.
Upon reaching the landing on the first floor, she hastened along the narrow corridor to the last door. It led directly into the duke’s dressing chamber. Would his valet be present? Beatrix briefly closed her eyes and sent up a prayer that he would not.
Clutching the broom and holding her breath, she carefully opened the door. She peered inside and, upon finding it empty, exhaled.
On her last visit, she’d had to find the jewels in this very chamber. She’d known precisely what she was looking for—a purple-velvet-covered box. She’d run her small fingers over the soft velvet countless times as a child.
Today, however, she thankfully didn’t need to waste time searching for the box. She went directly to its location in the bottom drawer of a narrow dresser in the corner.
She leaned the broom against the wall, taking care to be quiet in case the valet was in the bedroom. Crouching down, she eased the drawer open. The box sat where she’d found it, to the left side.
She opened the case, and the faux emeralds winked up at her. Moving quickly, she scooped up the pieces one by one and stuffed them into her left pocket.
“Thief!”
Beatrix squeezed her eyes closed. She didn’t turn. Her heart thudded, and sweat broke out across her neck and brow. Trying to remain calm, she reached into her right pocket and removed the real jewels. “Here they are. There’s no theft.” She set the jewelry into the box, her hands shaking.
“Which maid are you? That new girl in the scullery?” The man—presumably the duke’s valet—grabbed her by the arm.
She reached for the broom and jabbed him in the stomach with the handle. Yowling with pain, he bent over. But Beatrix didn’t wait to see what happened. She dropped the broom and bolted for the door to the back stairs. She didn’t bother to close it behind her before racing down.