Page 91 of When the Rogue Returns
They’d had to involve the young woman since they needed one reliable “witness” to the “theft” who could raise the alarm.
“Yes, but she’s related to my partner,” Isa said. “Don’t you think the authorities will find her testimony suspicious?”
“Not when she’s also a close friend to the baron whose diamonds are being stolen.” He smiled faintly at her. “And I daresay by the time any trial comes about, she will be an even closer friend to the baron, which will make it even more convincing.”
Her hand tightened on his arm. “I’m worried about Rupert, too. He’s not used to lying; he doesn’t do it well. This will be hard for him.”
“That’s why his involvement is limited to getting his guests and servants where we need them.” And so far Lochlaw had done his part rather well. He’d already gathered the guests for an afternoon tea by the river, and he’d made such a fuss over the preparations that all the house servants were out here attending to everyone.
“And you’re assuming that Gerhart won’t see any of this—”
“The part of the river we’re going to is on the opposite side of the estate from Strathridge Road; that’s why we chose it. Gerhart can’t be in two places at once. It’s also why the timing is so crucial. We want him to be already waiting for you near the road when our ‘theft’ takes place.”
“Oh, Victor, this could go wrong in so many ways.”
He halted to gaze solemnly at her. “Yes, it could. But it won’t.” He covered her hand and squeezed. “Have faith, my love. Your friends and mine won’t fail us. That’s something else Gerhart isn’t considering: He can’t conceive of people who care so much for each other that money doesn’t matter. He’ll never expect us to have so many friends on our side.”
That must have settled her nerves some, for she gazed up at him, her heart in her eyes. “I love you, Victor.”
“I love you, too. And we’re going to get our daughter back, I swear.” He cast her a hard glance. “Just remember,don’tgive the diamonds to Gerhart until you have her in your hands. I don’t trust him.”
“Don’t worry. That’s one rule I can easily follow.”
“I assume that Lochlaw has already given the necklace to you,” he said.
“It’s in my... er... corset cups. I figured I couldn’t lose it there.” She slanted a self-deprecating look at him. “I have plenty of room, after all.”
“Not that much room.” Then something dawned on him. “Your breasts—they’re bigger because of Amalie. God, I’m such a dolt. That should have occurred to me.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “Men don’t usually question the reasons for such enhancements. You’re no different from any other man in that respect.”
They fell silent as they neared the crowd by the river, where the baron was already introducing Dom as the owner of Manton’s Investigations and Dr. Worth as a friend of his. Dom took over from there, explaining that his partner, Mr. Bonnaud, had been forced to return to Edinburgh to deal with some business. Since Lochlaw wasn’t a good liar, they’d figured it was best to give him very few lies to tell.
So Dom chatted amiably about their reason for coming to Scotland—a new case Victor had found them. Tristan had already made sure to be seen riding toward Edinburgh, before he’d circled back to the remote hunting cottage on the estate. He should be there now, donning an oversize coat, which Lochlaw had unearthed from old clothes in the manor attic, and padding it out with extra shirts. He was also using greasepaint to draw on a false beard and tucking his hair up under a wide-brimmed beaver hat to complete his Gerhart disguise.
Miss Gordon glanced at Isa. “I do wish I’d had the forethought to wear a scarf out here, like you. I find it rather chilly.”
“Shall I have a servant fetch your shawl?” Lochlaw asked, forgetting his role.
Fortunately, Miss Gordon was more adept at deception. “Oh no, my lord, I think a brisk walk back to the house will warm me. Besides, I don’t know which one I wish to wear.”
When she smiled shyly at him, Lochlaw looked momentarily dazzled. Then he seemed to remember his part, for he straightened and said, “Oh, right. You ladies do like to... look your best.”
“As long as you’re heading back, Mary Grace,” Isa said to smooth over the moment, “would you mind fetching my shawl as well? I believe I left it in her ladyship’s sitting room.”
“I don’t mind a bit,” Miss Gordon said and, with a last veiled glance at Victor, hurried off toward the house.
Victor pulled out his pocket watch and glanced at it. Damnation. How was he to make polite conversation for another fifteen minutes with his blood pumping and his hands itching to throttle Gerhart?
Lady Zoe walked up to Dom. “You’re one of the Duke’s Men, aren’t you?”
When Dom grimaced, Victor had to choke back a laugh.
“Some call us that, yes,” Dom said tightly. “But we don’t work for the Duke of Lyons all the time, you know. That was just some silly nickname the press gave us after one case.”
“Yes, but it was a rather spectacular case,” she said. “You were the talk of my town for weeks, especially since you and Mr. Bonnaud are Yorkshire-born, and your father’s estate is only a few hours distant from Highthorpe. We were all terribly impressed by how you found Mr. Cale and saved the dukedom.”
“Yes, it was very clever of them, wasn’t it?” Victor put in before Dom could say anything to ruin the young lady’s enthusiasm. It was actually a good thing she knew of Manton’s Investigations. It would make everything easier when the trouble started. “Dom, why don’t you tell Lady Zoe about that case you took in Lancashire, the one with the innkeeper who’d disappeared?”
