Page 78 of The Wise Daughter
Nora reached for breath to speak, her racing heart making it difficult. “Took care of? Then why is Aaron hurt?” She could now see swelling around Ruthers’s lips and a thin scratch on his cheek.
“He was right to bring the lot of us. Gaines had his friends with him. Can you believe it? One of them was Vander. Somehow Derricott tricked him into confessing to loosening that chandelier before sending you to the music room.”
“That was him?” Nora placed a hand on her chest. So, the chandelier crashing had not been an accident.
“They certainly put up a fight.” Ruthers chuckled. “Derricott and I each took a few hits. Oh, they’ll pay extra for hitting the duke, I promise you that, but Derricott is strong. He’ll be fine.”
“Then why the doctor? Why the opium?”
Ruthers made a face of disgust. “That was Carver’s doing. He insisted on sending for the doctor when he saw the state we were in, fussing over Derricott like a mama cat. Though, I suppose it was best in the end. The doctor had to stitch up Aaron’s arm.”
“What happened to his arm?” Nora swallowed, her voice rising too much.
“Easy, Miss Lacy. It looks worse than it is.”
She repeated herself, more emphatically. “What happened to his arm?”
Ruthers sighed. “Gaines had a knife. It probably would have found its way into my back if Derricott hadn’t stepped in the way and wrestled it free. I suppose we’re even now.”
“Even?”
“Didn’t he tell you? I saved his life once. Back in Hesse-Kassel. He was cornered by a rotten moneylender, one of the worst. I stepped in just in time. That was before Derricott swore off gambling.”
“I see.” Nora sifted through these thoughts, struggling to make sense of it all. Was that why Aaron hadn’t wanted to discuss why he trusted Ruthers so much? Because their friendship was linked to his past gambling habits? “If that’s true, then why have you been stealing from Aaron?” Nora steeled her courage. “I saw you hiding something in the stables that day. Care to tell me what it was?”
His shoulders drooped. “Why not? I already told Derricott. I think that day it was a pearl necklace. I still have that one in safe keeping, but I didn’t exactly steal it.”
“Oh really? And I suppose you didn’t steal the old duchess’s diamond necklace and ring? They’re in my safe keeping.”
“Oh, thank goodness you found them!” He looked like he was about to laugh, but he released an enormous sigh instead. “I was afraid one of the actual thieves had collected it.”
She didn’t bother clarifying that it was her maid who found it. “Why did you have it in the first place? I think it’s time that you and I and everyone else in the castle develop the habit of being forthright with each other. No more secrets. Now, tell me.”
Ruthers nodded. “I should have known you’d catch me eventually. I admit, I have been taking things, but it’s not what you think. None of it has been for my own gain. Once we all caught on to the thefts, I saw a pattern. It wasn’t the most valuable things being stolen. It was the things of personal value to Derricott, especially his mother’s things. When it was clear that catching our thieves was going to be quite a job, I couldn’t stand the thought of sitting back and letting it happen. So, I started taking things myself before the thieves could get to them.”
“Before? Does that mean you have these items hidden somewhere safe?”
“Well…” He turned around, scratching his cheek again and paced a few steps. “Some things, yes. I’ve had to sell a few others.”
Nora drew closer to the unconscious Aaron.
“Someone should have taught you, Ruthers, but that does, indeed, make you a thief.”
“I promise, my mother taught me well. I had a very good reason for selling the things I did. It had to be done.”
Nora sneered. “I imagine a great many thieves have justified their actions in similar ways. Unless you can convince me that your reasons were truly exceptional, I won’t believe you. I’ll send for the constable myself right now if I have to.”
Nora reached out and took Aaron’s hand, a small comfort while he was unconscious, but it gave her courage.
“Miss Lacy, I understand you. I really do, but I can’t say more without breaking a rather important promise.”
“I don’t care a whit for thieves’ promises.”
“I’m not a thief!” For the first time, his voice rose. Softer, he repeated, “I’m not a thief. My promise is to someone respectable and important. As I said, I’ve already talked with Derricott about this. He knows everything I just told you. I don’t blame you for being suspicious, but I’m begging you to trust me. Wait just a little longer, and you’ll know for yourself soon. I should go now. Already been here too long. Goodnight, Miss Lacy.”
Ruthers bowed and hurried out before she could inform him that she made no promises to trust him.
She was now alone with Aaron. She should have left. She nearly did. Any young lady could have told her how incredibly improper it was for her to stay, but the sight of that swelling on his head and those thick wrappings around his arm pinned her to the spot. She sat on the edge of his bed and brushed his hair off his glistening brow.
