“Please don’t place the blame for this unfortunate incident on yourself.” Miss Webb reached out a comforting hand but paused when Miss Rowe pulled away, and, without bringing any attention to Miss Rowe’s strange reaction, she dropped her arm, murmuring, “I’ll see to Winifred.”
Miss Fernsby-Webb, though not missing any personal items, demanded they summon the parish constable immediately. Her sister, pointing out his first question would be if they’d thoroughly searched the house, convinced Miss Fernsby-Webb to assist in the room investigation before they contacted Mr. Hughes to investigate.
They split into two groups, with both sisters, Roxburghe, and Beaufort descending the staircase.
An argument arose from the first floor regarding whether they should search for Warwick or explore the parlor. The group split again, with Miss Webb and Roxburghe choosing the parlor and Miss Fernsby-Webb and Beaufort heading toward the library.
Levi exited Mansfield’s room, offering a tight smile to Miss Rowe. “Shall we begin with Miss Webb’s chamber?”
Silently, Miss Rowe inclined her head and then led them down the hallway.
Catching up to Levi, Mansfield grabbed hold of Levi’s shoulder. “You don’t think we’ll find anything in there, do you?”
“Certainly not.” The corner of Levi’s mouth pulled. “Roxburghe’s fiancée doesn’t need to steal. However, we must be thorough, and that means we look through every chamber on this floor.”
He didn’t want to think any of the ladies were capable of theft. Though Miss Fernsby-Webb had been in prison for that very reason several weeks prior, Roxburghe had proved the accusation false, earning both sisters’ unending and slightly annoying gratitude.
They consistently favored Roxburghe’s argument, no matter how illogical.
“What are we searching for?” Miss Rowe asked, returning to the doorway.
The intoxicating scent of lily of the valley floated toward him.
Levi shrugged off Mansfield’s hand and strode forward. “Three gold fobs and one ruby ring.”
“That’s not very descriptive,” she replied, then shrugged. “Although, I suppose those items would look conspicuous in a house with no male residents. Therefore, if the pieces are here, we shall surely discover them.”
“Thank you for your assistance, Miss Rowe,” Levi said, moving as close to her as respectably possible. “I’m most concerned about the ring. It belonged to my father. It’s the last remaining possession of his that my brother and I?—”
He turned away and stared at the wall, the word catching in his throat.
Miss Rowe’s soft hand touched the crook of his elbow. “I swear, we will find your father’s ring.”
“I didn’t know you were given to swearing,” he said, forcing a watery smile. “I may have to reconsider our friendship, Miss Rowe.”
She grinned. “For the better, I hope.”
“That depends entirely upon the extent of your vocabulary.” He arched his eyebrows.
“I’m always working to improve myself, Your Grace.”
Impertinent.
This time, she didn’t flinch when he leaned closer. Instead, she jutted out her chin, challenging him.
Lord help him, the action only served to increase the fire burning inside him. If he didn’t counteract this obsession soon, it would cost him ten thousand pounds. Only now, that amount didn’t seem to be such a sacrifice—the loss of Miss Rowe did.
“I commend your dedication, Miss Rowe,” he replied, rolling her name across his tongue.
A low rumble emanated from Mansfield as he stomped around them, heading for the armoire. However, when he reached the far wall, he hesitated, then twisted around, his dark eyes finding Miss Rowe.
“Perhaps you should inspect her clothing,” he said, a faint tinge of red crawling into his face.
“A fine idea, Your Grace,” she replied, curtseying to Levi, then floated across the floor, taking the delightful scent of lily of the valley with her.
As he expected, the inspection of Miss Webb’s chamber and her sister’s did not yield results. The only remaining room on the second floor was Miss Rowe’s, and though reluctant to make the demand, Levi requested to search her chamber as well.
“Of course,” she said, clasping her hands in front of her waist and leading them toward her room. “It wouldn’t be fair otherwise, would it?”
