Page 83 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

The man’s face was not revealed but he left Miss Goodenham at the door and strode back by the same route they had arrived. The villain watched until he disappeared into the shadows of the forest, noting his height and breadth, and his manner of walking. He did not recognize the man, but he was clearly not staying at the keep.

Had Miss Goodenham sought him out? The villain could think of no other way she could have returned in the other man’s company.

Could he be the Duke of Inverfyre’s man? He had kissed Miss Goodenham before they parted. Would she be so fool as to accept the attentions of a valet? It was difficult to believe she would be so unambitious, but she might be one to put much credit in love.

The greater concern was for the prize that the villain had thought safely hidden in Miss Goodenham’s trunk. Had she discovered and removed it, perhaps granting it to her paramour for safekeeping?

The villain did not know.

And what of that mark? What if the gem was a forgery? He could not fathom how it had been replaced in the single night between its delivery and his theft of it, but what if it had been switched?

What if he had stolen a fake?

How much did Miss Goodenham know?

The villain did not like surprises or uncertainty.

He certainly did not intend to be caught.

Which meant that he had to speak to Miss Goodenham alone and learn the truth of whatever she had done.

No matter what the cost.

CHAPTER5

Eurydice awakenedto find that Daphne was gone. Jenny was inexplicably huddled in the corner of the room, still sniffling from her cold. She was wrapped in a blanket from Daphne’s bed and looked to be miserable.

Eurydice sat up and felt so chilled that she shivered. How she hated to fall ill! “Where is Daphne?” she asked and the maid lifted a finger to her lips.

“She told me to wait here and be utterly silent,” Jenny confessed in a whisper.

“But why?”

The maid shrugged, proving once again that she was possessed of less curiosity than Eurydice. Even if Daphne had been stern and mysterious, Eurydice would have been more interested in the truth than Jenny appeared to be. She made to get out of bed and sneezed again.

“My lady, it seems you had better stay in bed today,” Jenny said, still keeping her voice low. “I’ll fetch you water to wash, for a change of nightrail will be welcome, as soon as Miss Goodenham returns.”

“But where has she gone?” Eurydice asked in exasperation. She could hear the house beginning to stir and she was hungry.

Jenny shrugged again, and then Daphne herself came quickly through the door. She was out of breath from running and dressed in Jenny’s clothes. Her hair was only braided but her eyes shone with audacity and satisfaction. She was flushed and delighted in a way that Eurydice did not trust.

Surely her sister had not been so foolish as to meet a man?

Daphne quickly shed the clothes she wore and helped Jenny to don them, then sent the maid for hot water. Once the maid was gone, she hurried to her trunk and tucked something into it before facing Eurydice.

“What are you doing?” Eurydice demanded, sensing a scheme and wanting all the details. “Tell me that you did not have an assignation!”

“Shhhh!” Daphne said, practically flying across the chamber to lay her finger across Eurydice’s lips. “Do not speak of it, and keep your voice low no matter what you say.”

“Where did you go?”

Daphne glanced to the door and leaned close, her lips practically against Eurydice’s ear. Even so, Eurydice had to concentrate to hear her. “There is a thief in the house and the duke is intent upon catching him,” she confided. “I heard someone in our room and found the Eye of India in my trunk this morning. I knew the duke would best advise me what to do.”

“You went to him?”

Daphne nodded.

“I imagine you had a shock if you saw him before he was dressed. Is he bald, too?”

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