Page 96 of Tempting the Highland Spy
Chapter Twenty-Five
Throughout what remained of the evening, Grace kept an eye on Belle. Was it her imagination, or was the heiress unduly tense, even given the unfortunate stir Lady Sybil had created? For his part, Raibert appeared unaffected by Lady Sybil’s accusations. He’d downed a tumbler of whisky and headed to the game room for a rousing round of billiards, besting Thornquist’s shots numerous times, much to Lady Edythe’s apparent chagrin. She’d relished the idea of cheering on the man, but Raibert’s skill made that more unlikely by the minute.
Raibert turned to Harrison, who’d observed the action with a tumbler of whisky in hand.
“What do you say, MacMasters? Let’s see what you’ve got.”
With a nonchalant shrug, Harrison set his drink on a marble-topped table while he accepted the challenge. Within a few minutes, he’d cleared the table.
“I didn’t know they taught that skill in medical school,” Thornquist observed drily.
Harrison chalked the cue. “They don’t. English pubs are another story.”
“Another round?” Raibert’s question sounded like a challenge.
“Of course,” he said.
Grace glanced around the dimly lit room. The older man, McGinty, lounged in a corner chair, conversing with Mrs. Carmichael.
Belle fanned herself, a flush covering her cheeks as she appeared suddenly overheated. “My, it is warm in here,” she said.
“Are you all right?” Raibert asked over his shoulder as he prepared to take a shot.
“Yes, I’ll be fine,” she replied. “I could do with something cool to drink, a glass of water.”
“An excellent idea,” Grace said. “I’ll accompany you to the kitchen. Mrs. Carmichael, may I bring you something?”
“I’m fine, dear,” she said.
“Would anyone else like something?” Belle asked.
Raibert flashed a little scowl. “You do realize we have servants to fetch whatever you’d like?”
“There’s no sense rousing anyone from their sleep to bring me a glass of water. The household staff has their work ahead of them as the wedding nears.” Belle cast a pointed glance at McGinty’s cigar. “Besides, I’d welcome some air that doesn’t smell of smoke.”
The excuse to leave the billiard room seemed an opportune escape. As Grace and Belle made their way along the corridor, away from the ears of those they’d left behind, Belle lowered her voice.
“I am so very sorry about Lady Sybil. I will see to it that she does not trouble you again.”
“Please don’t concern yourself. It does appear to have been an unfortunate coincidence that we both attended Lady Fenworthy’s ball. I suppose the sight of the ear fobs led her to jump to conclusions.”
Indeed, it was ironic that she’d been accused of a theft at one of the few events she’d attended without helping herself to something along the way. She gave silent thanks that in this case, she could truthfully proclaim her innocence.
“You are so very gracious. I don’t know if I could be so forgiving.” Belle’s gaze warmed. “Still, one must wonder how her brooch ended up in the library. I do hope one of the chambermaids has not developed a penchant for theft.”
“I cannot imagine that is the case,” Grace replied. Someone had searched her things and displaced her brooch. Not a theft. More of a statement, making it clear her privacy had been invaded. As had Lady Sybil’s.
“Do you think she might have made up the story?”
Grace pondered the question. “I suppose it’s possible. She might even have dropped it without realizing it. There’s really no way to be sure. I am thankful she’s found it. I understand how difficult it is to lose a cherished possession.”
“Ah, yes, I do know what you mean.” Belle sighed. “When Father died, I wished to have the garnet ring he’d always worn as a keepsake. It wasn’t exceptionally valuable, but it had great sentimental meaning to me.”
“What happened to it?”
“I don’t know.” Belle looked down at her feet for a heartbeat. “On the night he died, he was fully dressed. His pocket watch was in his vest pocket. His money clip was full. Everything was there, except that ring.”
“How very peculiar.”
