Page 38 of Papa's Desires
The four of them stood in the wide hallway outside the drawing room. “Liza,” Papa said and Cynny recognized his stern, no-nonsense voice, “what have you to say foryourself?”
The maid stood firm and looked Papa in the eye. Cynny felt horrible for her. Although Papa had told her it was not proper for her to be friends with the help—that was when he had arranged for Lady Tiffin and Lady Harding to call upon her to welcome her to the neighborhood— Cynny had still taken a liking to the young maid. And well she knew the indignation of a false accusation. Despite her brave front, Cynny could see Liza’s hands tremble. If Papa believed the butler, Liza could be arrested. Fired, at the veryleast.
Liza had once confided that she sent her wages home as support for her widowed mother and younger sister. Whenever she got an afternoon off, Cook gave her extra food to take to her family. What would happen to them without Liza’shelp?
“I ain’t no thief, my lord.” Liza shot a scowl at Reynolds and jutted her chin up. “I found the watch this morning when I was cleaning beneath the couch in the drawing room. I went looking for you to return it, but you wereout.”
“You could have left it with me,” the butler chimedin.
“Pfft.” Liza rolled her eyes. “Everyone knows there is a reward for this watch. I meant to turn it in myself to make sure all the money came tome.”
Reynolds looked askance at the implication of her words, but saidnothing.
Papa was thoughtful for a moment, then glanced down at Cynny before returning his attention to Liza. “Beneath the couch in the drawing room, yousay?”
“Yes, my lord. I saw the sun glint off of it. It was far back, but I was able to crawl underneath the couch and getit.”
“That seems to be a popular past time here at Grayson House.” Papa gave Cynny another pointedlook.
“When I found it, I knew it was your missing watch and I went looking for you, my lord, as I knew you would be happy for itsreturn.”
“A likely story, my lord. She has this afternoon off. No doubt she had the watch with her so she could sell it. With all due respect to your generous reward, my lord, but the watch is worth more than that to a jeweler or moneylender.” Reynolds had assumed the role of prosecutor, judge and jury. “Besides,” the butler added, “you almost never use the drawing room, so if she claims to have found it there, how did it get into the room in the first place? It is not as though someone would be foolish enough to steal it and then hide itthere.”
Cynny cringed. She had been that foolish. It was not until after she had stashed the watch in the drawing room that she realized it was seldom used. No wonder no one had found thewatch.
“You make a good point, Reynolds. Until my marriage, I rarely entered the drawing room and the watch was missing before Lady Grayson and I wed.” Papa looked at Lizaexpectantly.
“No,” Liza stomped her foot in frustration. “I found it this morning, just as I said. I would never steal from you, Lord Grayson. Everyone knows you are the finest employer in the neighborhood. And the mostjust.”
“That is all well and good to say.” Papa tucked the watch into the pocket of his coat designated for a timepiece. A pocket meant to keep it safe from thieves. “But I am having a bit of trouble believing your story. The coincidence of you having the watch when you are about to have time off is certainlysuspicious.”
Liza’s face fell and panic rose in Cynny. She had kept silent, hoping that Papa would believe Liza’s story, especially since it was the truth, and all would be well—except for the punishment awaiting her. Maybe the return of the watch would soften Papa’s determination, she thoughthopefully.
“Sir, I beg of you. You must believe me. Please. I cannot lose this job. My family depends upon it. And without a reference, I will never find another.” There was panic in Liza’s eyes and Cynny felt the pain of it in herheart.
“Another job?” Reynolds said. “You will be at hard labor, not dusting the drawingroom.”
Cynny gasped and the color drained from Liza’s face. “No,” the maid said indisbelief.
“Reynolds has been in my employ for many years,” Papa said. “I have no reason to doubt hiswords.”
Liza turned her gaze to Cynny. “Lady Grayson, surely you believeme.”
Cynny opened her mouth to reply but her mind wentblank.
“Please do not play upon my wife’s sympathies, Liza,” Papa said in a firm tone. “That is the sort of thing a guilty person would do. I have decided. I believe you did steal the watch. Reynolds, please send for the constable and take Liza downstairs to await his arrival. I have urgent business to resolve with my wife and cannot be disturbed. Please inform the constable that I will make a written statement and have it delivered tomorrow for use in Liza’sprosecution.”
With a satisfied smile, Reynolds took Liza’s arm and dragged her down the hall, the maid’s pleas of innocence echoing off thewalls.
Cynny watched the two servants, her mouth hanging open and pure dread spinning through her. What had she done? She could not allow an innocent person to take the blame for her horrible deed. It would likely lead to the end of her marriage and the thought crushed her, but how could she live with herself knowing she had ruined an innocent life? And not just Liza, but herfamily.
Any argument in support of the pocket watch randomly going missing in the drawing room would be pointless since Papa said he rarely went in there. How was Cynny to know that before she hid the watch? Based on that, Papa had reached the only logical, though incorrect, conclusion. It was all toohorrible.
But, if she said nothing, Papa would never know. She could take her punishment for the letter and for leaving the naughty chair, all would be forgiven and she and Papa would live happily everafter.
She knew Papa’s limits. He could tolerate her naughty behavior, but he hated thieves. He would hateher.
Resolved to keep quiet, she lifted her foot to go with Papa, but her body would not move. She shook allover.
“Cynny,” Papa said, “whatever is the matter withyou?”
“Papa,” she said, her voice cracking, “it was me. I-I stole your watch, not Liza. It was supposed to be a wedding present for Lord Kensington, but then I did not marry him and…” her voice trailed off, misery overwhelmedher.
