I crossed my arms and thought hard. I really wanted to solve this mystery.
“You were trying to pin it on Mr. Radcliffe or Sir Francis,” I said suddenly. “But why?”
“That’s ridiculous,” she said, but I knew it was true, and suddenly I knew the reason for it.
“You didn’t want either of them to marry Anne. You want to keep Anne withyou.”
Lady Catherine shifted uncomfortably in her chair and bit out, “Fine, all right. She is my only child. I don’t want her moving far away, even if it is a brilliant match.”
“Mr. Radcliffe is a rake and Sir Francis is a nincompoop,” I said. “They would never make her happy.” I paused for a moment, then decided to press my advantage. “Why not someone like Mr. Crawford? He lives nearby and you would be able to see Anne frequently.”
Lady Catherine looked horrified. “A meresolicitor? The great family of the de Bourghs could never stoop so low.”
“I wonder,” I said ruthlessly. “If anyone would find it interesting that you were roaming around Rosings in the mud, letting your own pigs out their pens.”
“No one would believe that,” she said.
“I have a very reputable witness,” I said, hoping she didn’t call my bluff.
“The shame of it,” she tried, but I shook my head sternly. “Mr. Crawford comes from a very good family and I think he’ll be kind to your daughter.”
“All right,” she huffed, looking displeased. “Whatever Anne wants, I suppose.”
I smiled. I knew very well what Anne would want.
Her eyes showed it every time she saw Mr. Crawford.
Back in the dining room,just as the men were about to break away for a glass of port, my husband’s patroness decided to make an announcement.
“There is a jewel thief in the neighborhood,” Lady Catherine said dramatically, causing gasps around the table, except in my husband, whose poker face was not his strongest suit. “My acrostic necklace has been stolen. But luckily, the necklace has been recovered.”
She cleared her throat and added ungraciously, “with the help of Mrs. Collins.”
The cries of astonishment and requests for more information were immediate.
“Remarkable news!” my husband thundered, trying his best to pretend like this was the first he was hearing about it.
I had to make up a story quickly about finding the necklace outside on a walk. I wasn’t sure if this story was convincing, but it was all I could come up with on the spur of the moment.
Lizzy pounced on me as soon as the men left for their port, excitedly drawing me outside.
“It’s so cold out here, Lizzy,” I laughed.
But she turned to me, her eyes sparkling.
“Charlotte, you sly devil!” she said. “There’s more to you than meets the eye. More to you than even I know. Whatreallyhappened with the necklace?”
“I’ll tell you later,” I promised. “Let’s go inside by the fire now. It’s too cold out here!”
I turned with her to go her inside, but, to my surprise, I looked across the yard and saw Mr. Radcliffe sneaking into the stables.
We looked at each other and followed him cautiously in, hurrying across the frozen yard and creeping carefully after him.
I was shocked to see him preparing to mount Sir Francis’ fine horse and I couldn’t stay silent any longer.
“What are you doing?” I burst out, and Mr. Radcliffe jerked around, an angry look on his handsome rakish face.
He was carrying a thick leather bag.
