"Well, I hope the others take the news as well as you do," Percy said. "I fear Mama will be ever so disappointed." Her gaze went to the family portrait on the wall, and a lump formed in her throat. "And Papa... oh, Lisbett, do you think I have let him down?"
"Let Mr. Fines down?" Lisbett said, frowning. "What do you mean?"
"You know how he went on about me marrying a title."
"I knew your father longer than you did, and what he wanted was for his children to be happy," the other said firmly. "And if you ask me, there's more to happiness than a fancy title and a house in Mayfair."
Percy agreed wholeheartedly. With a thrum of hope, she wondered if Lisbett could be convinced of the merits of her plan to live life on her own terms.
"As for your mama, she wants your happiness as well." Lisbett wagged a finger at her. "You've had your share of predicaments, missy, and there's to be no more of that, viscount or no viscount. When Mrs. Fines comes home, you best show her what a proper good girl you can be."
Percy wrinkled her nose at the admonishing tone. No doubt her relationship with Gavin Hunt qualified as a predicament... if not a full-blown disaster. What was she thinking? The housekeeper would never understand her desire to be with Gavin. In fact, Lisbett would probably box her ears. Soundly.
"I'll do my best—" Percy began when a loud thud cut her off. "What on earth was that?"
"It came from down the hall. Mrs. Fines' bedchamber, I reckon." The other rose, the wrinkles on her brow deepening. "None of the servants would be there this time of night. I best go have a look."
"Why don't I go instead," Percy said.
Lisbett harrumphed. "I'm not so old that I can't make a trip down the hall, missy."
In the end, they both went. Percy took the lead, her lamp flickering in the dim corridor. As they headed toward Mama's suites, the muffled sounds grew louder. Through the closed door of the chamber came the soft whir of drawers opening and closing. Sounds of a furtive search.
The hairs on Percy's nape prickled. "Should we go and alert Jim?" she whispered, referring to the Fines' groom.
"Jim? By the time the old codger takes his creaky bones up the stairs, the thief will have made off with the whole house," Lisbett grumbled. "No, wait here a minute. I know what to do."
A few minutes later, Lisbett returned carrying something in her hands. Percy put down the lamp to take what the housekeeper thrust at her. "Um, a cricket bat?"
"Nicked it from Master Paul's old room," the other replied matter-of-factly. "One for each of us. We can't go in there unarmed, can we?"
Percy straightened her shoulders. "Right. So what is the plan?"
Lisbett's gaze had a maniacal gleam. "We surprise the ruffian and wallop him into submission. Then we tie him up,"—she held up the coil of rope in her other hand—"and send for the constables. No two-bit Billy is going to waltz into our house and get away with it."
"Brilliant idea," Percy said. "I'll go in first."
"Mind you take a swing right away, my girl," the housekeeper said sternly. "Make it a good, solid hit. No hesitation, do you hear me?"
Percy's grip tightened on the wooden bat as she nodded. Leaving the lamp behind, she opened the door and entered stealthily. Mama's sitting room lay in perfect stillness. A faint light came from the connecting bedchamber. Percy navigated her way around the furniture with the ease of a girl who'd spent countless hours playing in the room.
With Lisbett close behind her, she peered around the corner into the other room. Her heart thumped in her ears.Oh, bloody hell—the blasted burglar.Moonlight from the parted curtains outlined the dark shape of the villain looming over her mother's dresser. His back was turned to her as he rummaged through her parent's belongings. He held up a brooch, turning it this way and that; Percy recognized the cameo Papa had given Mama for her birthday years ago.
Anger surged through Percy's veins.
Not in my house, you blighter.
She dashed forward. Before the thief could turn around, she swung the bat. It connected with a satisfying whack against his shoulders, knocking him face-first into the mirror above the dresser. Over the roar of blood in her ears, Percy heard the offender curse.
"What the devil—"
Before he could utter another word, Percy hit him again.
"That's the way," Lisbett shouted. The housekeeper delivered a good solid blow of her own. "That'll teach you to trespass upon a decent home."
The thief spun around, arms raised to protect his face, and gasped, "Ouch.Devil take it, stop! 'Tis me, Paul!"
Percy halted, the bat raised mid-swing. "Paul?"
