He quickly told Fiona what he had seen.
Rob expected her to refuse him, but she nodded. “Fine, I’ll speak to her.”
Rob took her hand. “No. What if she is dangerous?”
She rolled her eyes. “Florence? Seriously? Both of you wait here. I’ll bring her into the garden and then we shall all ask her what is going on. She is not a thief, for pity’s sake.”
She marched off and returned within a few minutes with Florence in tow.
Florence adjusted the spectacles on the bridge of her nose and stared back at them. “Fiona, why have you brought me out here? I hope you are not thinking to match me with Lord Aubrey, because I—”
“Match you with me?” Aubrey retorted with a snorting huff. “If I wanted you, then you would know it. If I kissed you,rest assured you would be melting in my arms and begging for more.”
It was her turn to reply with a snort.
Aubrey frowned. “I don’t need others to woo a woman on my behalf.”
“Then why are we here?” Florence asked.
“I saw you take something from Lord Milbury’s home,” Aubrey shot back.
Florence blushed. “That’s it? And now you believe I am a common criminal? Utterly lacking in moral rectitude?”
“You said it, not I,” Aubrey replied with a soft growl.
Fiona stepped between them. “Florence, I know you are not a thief. Please tell us what is going on. Is Lord Milbury into shading dealings? This is something I need to know, since he is a neighbor of mine and I must protect my staff.”
“No, Lord Milbury is a gentleman.” Florence let out a breath and her shoulders slumped. “It is his sister who is a little magpie and likes to collect shiny objects.”
“Like gems?” Rob asked.
She nodded. “She noticed Fiona’s lapis lazuli ring and necklace, but she couldn’t get her sticky hands on them, since Fiona always wears them. They are lovely, by the way.”
Fiona smiled at her. “Thank you.”
Aubrey frowned. “Whose jewelry did she steal?”
“A friend of mine’s. I have been investigating the theft that occurred at my friend’s house party last month and narrowed the suspects down to one, namely Lady Cordelia. I knew she had done it, but I could never find the gems. So when Jocelyn and Camborne asked me to join them here, I was happy to accept. I knew Lady Cordelia intended to move in with her brother for the long term and would have to take her belongings with her.”
“You took advantage of the opportunity and searched her room?” Fiona asked.
“Yes, knowing I had to do it before she settled in and squirreled away her loot where I might never find it. As it was, she had merely tucked the pouch in one of her drawers, so I quickly found it. I assure you, Lord and Lady Wilmot will confirm everything I have said.”
Rob smiled. “Well, glad that’s settled.”
Aubrey remained frowning. “You might have been hurt. What if she had walked in and caught you?”
She looked up at him, obviously surprised. “First of all, Milbury had taken her away that morning to settle her in a sanitarium. Even if he hadn’t, do you think she could have chased after me with a broken ankle? Are you worried about me, Lord Aubrey? That is wonderfully protective of you. But rest assured, I am careful in the investigations I take on.”
His jaw dropped. “You mean you’ve done this more than once?”
She nodded. “Yes. Oh, do not give me that apish look and start lecturing me. I am more than capable of taking care of myself.”
She bade them a good day and walked off.
“Unbelievable,” Aubrey muttered, and went off after her.
This left Rob alone with Fiona. “Do you still believe there could be something between them?” he asked.
