“Ah. Thisnecklace businessis indeed a problem. I thought to let it ride, but—I really think it must be dealt with.”
Sophia stared at him. “You thought tolet it ride—do you mean that you know what happened?”
“Yes, I think I do know what happened, and—although you did not ask—no, I did not take it.”
Her brow furrowed. “I don’t understand.”
Warmth came over her cold hand, and she looked down to see that he had covered her bare hand with his. The wind swallowed her gasp. She glanced at him in shock. “Mr. Belvedere?”
“Shaking your hand wasn’t enough.” His thumb glided over hers. It was a shock and an enticement. His hand was so much bigger than hers, as she’d noticed yesterday. She hadn’t thought of him this way, or she had tried not to, since he was rather younger than her…
But now his whole face had a different cast. His eyes were serious; his expression more mature, more thoughtful.
Even hisvoicewas different. Was she going mad? Was this the same baby-faced youth they’d had in their midst?
“I have a question for you,” he said. “How much do you dislike Lady Marston?”
“What?” She tried to marshal her thoughts and guess his purpose. “I don’t dislike her.”
“Oh, let’s not keep lying if we don’t need to. I thought we might make a good team.”
“Is this—about cards?”
“Cards? Why would it be about cards?”
“Our wager?
“Oh, ha—no. Although we are anamazingpair at cards. This is about another sort of partnership.”
Sophia finally drew her hand away. “Thatis beyond the line, sir. You are insulting.”
“I’m not offering you aslip on the shoulder. I may be a bounder, but I’m not a cad.”
“Then—I’m confused. And I am on the brink of returning below, so you had best get to the point if there is one.”
“Here it is, Mrs. Scott. Sophy—may I call you Sophy?”
“No.”
“Ah, pity. Well, here it is.Iam the only one who knows for certain that I did not disturb the mailortake the blasted amethysts. Which means the only other likely culprit—based on the captain’s deductions and my own—is you.”
“That is absurd. What would I want in the mail or with the necklace? I am not a fool or a—a thief.”
“Not a fool, certainly, but if it is notme,and the captain is convinced it’s not his men, logic would dictate?—”
She scoffed. “As if you have more than a passing acquaintance with logic.”
“Touché. But I assure you, I have a little more brains than I care to take credit for. Which is why I ask—how much do you dislike Lady Marston? She certainly dislikesyou, so I can only imagine it is mutual. Is this your way of punishing her?I’veno objection—or I wouldn’t, if I wasn’t being eyed for it. And the bird. Was that really necessary? Pretty harsh on that poor boy. Heard him crying.”
“I didn’t! I wouldn’t.”
“I hope not. It is all too shady by half, but I wouldn’t pursue it if I wasn’t being made the scapegoat of all.”
“I am not punishing Lady Marston; I did not hurt that parrot; I did not take the necklace.”
“Oh?” He gave her a smile that was a far cry from his usual. “I am offering you a deal. If you have a plan, cut me into it, and I will help you. I am already condemned, so I may as well be in the payoff.” He moved his hand to rest next to hers again, their pinkies touching.
She moved her hand away at once. “Thereisno plot, sir, no deal to be made. I may’ve encouraged you—that was my mistake—but I won’t be your flirt. When I have time to reflect, I suspect I shall feel greatly insulted.”
