Page 48 of The Scholar's Key
She tilted her head to the side.
“From what I have seen of the woman, I suggest we tell her the truth.”
He wasn’t sure about admitting to their theft, but followed Percy’s lead as she knocked on the door, the butler allowing them entrance. As they waited for Mrs. Compton, Noah took the opportunity to wander the room, studying the many artifacts that lined the shelves.
He was interested, yes, but he also knew that if he spent too much time sitting next to Percy, he might be inclined to do something he shouldn’t – like claim her as his own.
They had shared a night of passion, but that didn’t mean she would be ready to leave her life and what was expected of her to be with a man like him. She had made it very clear that she was interested in a powerful man – in more ways than just physical – a description he did not match.
“Lady Persephone and Mr. Rowley.”
Noah turned when Mrs. Compton strode into the room, her wrapper floating behind her, her black hair with its grey streaks piled high on her head like a crown.
“How lovely for you to visit me again.” She paused. “Mr. Rowley, you are looking quite fine.”
Percy beamed in obvious pride. Noah cringed slightly at the reminder that Percy had only become interested in him since she had recreated his image into a man of her liking. “He does, doesn’t he?”
“I apologize that our last conversation ended in such a dreary manner.”
Percy stood, clasping her hands together, clearly excited to share their news with Mrs. Compton. “As it happens, we have come to fix that.”
“Whatever do you mean?” Mrs. Compton asked, sitting next to Percy on the sofa, while Noah remained standing by the window, his hands clasped behind his back.
“After we left, we decided that we wanted to right the injustice that had been done to you,” Percy said, causing Noah to raise a brow. Obviously, Percy was not going to share theentiretruth. “We were at an event one evening shortly after and saw a woman wearing a necklace we were certain was yours.”
“Who is this woman?” Mrs. Compton asked, standing now.
“It doesn’t matter,” Percy said hurriedly, and Noah appreciated that she saw fit to protect Mrs. MacNall. “It was given to her. However, we knew it didn’t rightfully belong to her so…”
Percy reached out, picking up the box off the table where they had left it. She held it out toward Mrs. Compton.
“We retrieved it for you.”
Mrs. Compton reached out, her hands slightly shaking as she opened the box, gasping when she saw the necklace within, running her fingers over it.
“My rubies,” she said, looking up at them, her lips parted in surprise. “But how—”
“It doesn’t matter how,” Percy said, shaking her head slightly. “I am only happy that we could return them to you.”
“Thank you,” Mrs. Compton said, looking down as she appeared to be overwhelmed with emotion. “Thank you ever so much. These are special to me for many reasons. They have been in my family for years, of course, and contain much history. They are also very valuable. But more than that, they—”
She stopped, shaking her head, suddenly realizing that she was, perhaps, saying too much.
“We have Cassandra’s confidence,” Percy said gently, placing her hand on Mrs. Compton’s arm as she sat back down.
“They were passed down to me with clear instructions,” she said softly. “I was to always keep them in my possession, to never sell them or give them away. It was never made clear why, only that it was important to keep them safe.”
Percy looked back at Noah, who shook his head. He could understand Percy’s desire to share with Mrs. Compton her own family’s story, but it wasn’t their place to do so. It should come from her niece and nephew.
“I am happy that we were able to return them,” Percy said. “They’re beautiful.”
“Although you should, perhaps, consider, just how they were stolen,” Noah said pragmatically. “Can you trust everyone in your household?”
“I should hope so,” Mrs. Compton said, although she appeared troubled. Percy shot Noah a look of displeasure, as though she didn’t like that he was questioning the woman’s domestic help, but, if anything, concluding who the culprit was could prevent them from being stolen again.
He caught Mrs. Compton’s intuitive glance between them and realized she had sensed the silent conversation they were having. Her gaze turned speculative.
“Come,” she said, dimples appearing in her cheeks. “I have something I should like to show you.”
