“It was her mother’s necklace!” Miss Webb glanced back at her sister.
Miss Braddock rose, turned around, and clasped her hands in front of her waist. “Miss Drummond also took possession of the watch fobs I won from the Duke of Grisham and the Duke of Roxburghe, as well as…”
Levi moved beside her and took her hand, entwining his fingers with hers.
“Go ahead,” he encouraged. “Warwick already knows.”
She nodded and raised her chin. “As well as the gold watch fobs that disappeared the night you and your friends stayed at my home. There was no thief.”
Leaning around her sister, Miss Fernsby-Webb’s eyes rounded. “Why did you climb through the library window?”
“I wondered that myself.” Levi turned toward Miss Braddock. “Surely, the door would have been much easier.”
A tiny grimace appeared on Miss Braddock’s face. “After I departed the house to meet Miss Drummond, Mrs. Hawkins locked the front door and retired. I couldn’t get back inside, and I feared I would freeze to death.”
He squeezed her hand. “And you tried every window until you managed to open the library pane?”
She nodded and leaned against his arm.
“This evening,” Miss Webb said, striding forward, “what did you give Miss Drummond?”
“My refusal.” A shudder rippled down Miss Braddock’s spine. “And Miss Drummond threatened not only to inform Humphrey of my location but to have him harm anyone who tried to protect me.”
“Therefore, she decided to abandon Wiltshire and packed a trunk.” Levi raised Miss Braddock’s hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “However, I was able to sway her mind.”
“Were you?” Roxburghe grinned, sidling forward until he was even with Miss Webb. “I’d like to hear that argument.”
“Merritt!” she hissed, glancing at him. “Clearly, he’s referring to their obvious amorous connection.”
“I know,” Roxburghe replied, his grin widening. “I want to hear him admit he’s a fool.”
Levi rolled his eyes. “I’ve asked Miss Braddock for her hand.”
“And…”
“And I’m in love with her,” Levi snapped. “Are you satisfied?”
“Extremely.” Roxburghe drew Miss Webb into his embrace and stared at Levi over her head. “I expect you’ve formulated a plan to deal with Mr. Drummond and his sister.”
“Warwick and Mr. Braddock left for the printer to request a special article appear in the morning’s newspaper.” His gaze dropped to Miss Braddock. “We’re going to reveal Eveline’s true name along with the suffering she endured at the hands of a visitor to Wiltshire.”
“Then you expect Mr. Drummond to descend upon our town.” Darkness passed over Roxburghe’s face, and he drew Miss Webb closer to his body.
“I want him to,” Levi growled, scarlet coloring his vision. “And until he understands there is nothing in Wiltshire that he desires, Miss Braddock will be accompanied by two men at all times.”
“Two men, meaning yourself and someone else?” Issuing a dramatic sigh, Roxburghe flung his hand across his forehead and said, “I suppose, since you desperately need my assistance, I’ll volunteer my time.”
Levi snorted. “Aside from the lure of your delightful fiancée, could your quick decision to accept my request be due to your new house guests?”
Eyes narrowing, Roxburghe leaned over. “The only way to expel them from my house before the season’s end will be to find them companions as well.”
“Perhaps,” Miss Webb said, tilting her head back and staring at Roxburghe, “Winifred could assist with that issue.”
“Since,” Miss Fernsby-Webb said, giving them a wide berth and taking up a position in front of the crackling fireplace, “I’ve recently earned my freedom from prison, I have no desire to give it up for the demands of any man.”
“You swore,” Miss Webb said, glaring at her.
Miss Fernsby-Webb held up her finger. “I promised to assist you with matching the Duke of Roxburghe’s friends. I didn’t agree to marry one.”
