Page 38 of Miss Dramatic
“I would stake five acres of wheat that you are right, my dear: Gavin is not a thief, but I’d also have said he wasn’t the sort to decamp without notice, having arranged a position for himself with a troupe of traveling players, in whose company he whiled away two whole years. He is a talented actor. Who knows what roles…? That feels…”
Hecate pushed the trousers over Phillip’s hips to pool on the carpet. “Gavin is not a thief, but I have no doubt something was stolen. Something valuable. Why shouldn’t women be thief-takers when women can be thieves?”
“Valid point. You are stealing my wits at this very moment.”
“We can consult with Lady Duncannon. She knows every scandal, on-dit, and whisper passing through Mayfair. If some valuable necklace was purloined, she will know.”
“I’m not sure we… can.” He braced himself on the washstand, his shoulders rising with each inhalation.
“Almost done,” Hecate said, leaning close to delicately swab Phillip’s jewels. “You were saying?”
“God alone knows…” He stood straight. “Lady Duncannon’s given name is Delphine?”
Another slow, gentle pass of the cloth. “It is.”
“She was quoted as having had a look at DeWitt’s finances. If you do that again…”
“Yes?”
“Please do that again. As often as you like.”
He let her torment him for some moments before taking the cloth from her, muttering about revenge, and tossing her onto the bed like a laughing sack of wifely grain.
“We must speak more about what you’ve overheard, Phillip. This could be a problem.”
“A far more pressing problem plagues me, your ladyship.” He came down over her and gave the wordpressingparticular emphasis. “Did you know that a husband’s unsettled nerves can be remedied by his wife’s kisses?”
She drew her toes up his calf. “One hears rumors to that effect. Kiss me. We’ll test the theory.”
The theory was well and truly proven, and Hecate was drowsing blissfully on Phillip’s chest when his earlier comments came back to her.
“If Lady Duncannon, Lady Iris, and Miss Peasegood are all involved in this thief-taking business, we ought to confer with Amaryllis and his lordship. They doubtless overheard much of what was said.”
Phillip’s hand, which had been caressing her hip in a delicious, slow rhythm paused. “Somebody ought to tell Gavin. I built that gazebo for him.”
“What…? Oh, by the river. Why did he need a gazebo?”
“After his father died, he needed a place to escape his womenfolk. He was little more than a boy, with a man’s expectations thrust upon him overnight, and yet, he was not master of his own household. Nobody is at that age. I built the gazebo so he’d have a place to retreat and ponder the world. He took the Bard with him, as well as the philosophers, lurid novels, and a few poets. I suspect he learned to tipple and smoke there and caught more than a few naps.”
Hecate kissed her husband on the mouth. “You are so kind, Phillip. Did Gavin ever thank you?”
“He thinks I built that gazebo for myself. I had the whole Lark’s Nest manor house to rattle around in, not to mention miles of bridle paths to wander, and more solitude than one man needs in a lifetime. We’ll let this be our secret, shall we?”
She subsided into the warmth and security of his embrace. “Somebody else is keeping secrets at this house party, maybe several somebodies. I object strenuously to the notion that Gavin is being spied on, but if we say anything…”
“First, I cannot imply to Amaryllis and Tavistock that I overheard the same conversation they did, or endless mortification will ensue, at least on my part. Tavistock appears to have no shame. Second, we know the spies are among us, and much insight might be gained by spying upon them.”
“I don’t like it, Husband. A house party is to be full of good company and enjoyable diversions. Not intrigue and whispering.”
“I don’t care for conniving and scheming either.” Phillip resumed stroking her hip. “Nonetheless, Gavin is innocent. He has no need to steal, no history of stealing. Telling him that he’s suspected of thievery will only add to his troubles, and for all his pleasant good cheer, he strikes me as a man with troubles enough.”
In his usual fashion, Phillip had seen to the bottom of matters. Gavin was unhappy. Hecate didn’t need to know him well to sense that, but he was also making some sort of progress with Mrs. Roberts. To imperil that budding romance with nasty rumors and insults… not done.
Not at my house party. Hecate fell asleep after making a slight correction to her silent vow. Not at our house party.
ChapterNine
“Whacking balls about on the grass,” Timmens said, giving Rose’s pillow a thump. “The very sort of nonsense to while away a summer morning, though some prefer to play pall-mall in the evening.”
