Page 99 of When the Rogue Returns
Turning to watch as Victor found the diamonds and removed them from Gerhart’s pocket, Amalie cocked her head to one side. “What’s my papa’s name?”
“Victor Cale.”
A troubled expression crossed her face. “Does that mean that I have to change my name, too?”
“I honestly don’t know,” Isa said. It was the first time she’d thought of it. “I believe we christened you Amalie Franke, so I don’t know how that works. I’ll have to find out.”
“I don’t want to change my name!”
“Well, then. We’ll see.”
Amalie looked unsure of how she felt about that answer. “Will he be coming to live with us?”
“Either that, or we’ll be going to live with him.”
“So... I’ll have a papa like other girls?”
“Yes.”
Amalie digested that in silence, obviously still unsettled by all of the information being thrown at her. But before she could ask any more questions, Isa heard Victor say, “This is for my wife.”
Isa looked over in time to see him land his fist on Gerhart’s jaw.
“Andthisis for my daughter, damn you!” Victor said as he punched Gerhart in the stomach until Gerhart doubled over.
Gerhart started cursing, then straightened carefully. “You think you’ve won,” he choked out, “but if you accuse me of kidnapping, I’ll deny it. She’s my niece, and the school has a letter from your wife saying that we were to fetch her.” He wiped away the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. “I’ll say that you and your friends are just trying to separate your wife from her family.”
“I know what you’ll say,” Victor growled. “And that’s why we’re not apprehending you for kidnapping, much as I want to. We’re apprehending you for theft.”
“Ah, but Isa was the one to steal that necklace.” Gerhart smiled smugly. “Knowing her, she left a fake in its place, so the authorities will see that I speak the truth. And when I tell them that she helped you steal the royal diamonds in Amsterdam, you’ll both land in prison.”
Rupert walked over to Gerhart. “Whatever are you talking about, sir? Mrs. Cale had nothing to do with any theft. You were seen stealing my diamonds just this afternoon. I have a whole raft of houseguests who witnessed your desperate act.”
“What the hell? I didn’t steal a damned thing,” Gerhart spat. “And if you’re thinking of paying them all off to lie—”
“No need to pay anyone off,” Victor said with a cold smile. “A burly man with dark hair and a beard was seen by several people—servantsandguests—running from the manor house after the jewel case was broken into.” He glanced at Mr. Bonnaud. “That reminds me; I need your coat. Though I think your trousers look close enough to Gerhart’s to pass.”
“Excellent,” Mr. Bonnaud said as he slipped off his overly large coat. “The trousers are mine. It’s only the coat that doesn’t fit me.”
Victor flashed Gerhart a triumphant look. “But I daresay it fits my brother-in-law well enough.”
It took a minute for Gerhart to realize that they were setting him up as the thief, but when he did, he began fighting them, to no avail. He could hardly withstand three men bent on forcibly removing his coat and replacing it with Mr. Bonnaud’s.
And once they had the coat on, they tied him up so that no matter how much he struggled, he was well and truly caught. Then Mr. Bonnaud’s wide-brimmed beaver hat was clamped atop his head, and they were done.
Amalie grabbed Isa’s hand. “What are they doing,Mama?”
“Making sure that your Uncle Gerhart can never hurt you—or any of the rest of us—ever again, dearest.”
Victor stepped back to view their handiwork. “He’ll do, don’t you think, Dom?”
“Oh, excellent.” Mr. Manton cast Mr. Bonnaud a mocking glance. “You two could be twins.”
“Don’t say that,” his brother grumbled. “I had a devil of a time getting that black junk off my face before we headed here.”
Rupert cast Gerhart a hard look. “I’m absolutely certain that’s the man I saw riding away. And I’m sure Miss Gordon will confirm it. Besides, we found the stolen necklace on him, so there you are. All the proof we need.”
“You won’t get away with this!” Gerhart cried as Mr. Bonnaud and Mr. Manton dragged him over to Mr. Manton’s horse. “I’ll tell everyone what I’ve seen and what you’re trying to do. And so will my wife, damn you all!”
