Closing the door to the safe, Alfie replaced the books and then reached into his pocket again and pulled out the pretty little snuff box. Looking around for the perfect spot, he noticed a comfortable chair, the closest piece of furniture to the safe.
“God bless you, Lill,” he whispered, and set it on the carpet, just peeking out from behind the leg of the chair, where it might have fallen unnoticed in Silas’s haste to get the diamonds and get out. Not so unnoticed that anyone surveying the scene of the crime would miss it, mind.
Satisfied, Alfie extinguished the lamp and hurried to the door, listening carefully. The fireworks were still in full swing, making it hard to detect any sound, but he turned the handle, daring to peer out and relieved to discover the corridor quiet. Slipping out, he knelt and relocked the door, then crept back towards the servants' stairs.
“Bleedin’ paste. What a swindle!”
Alfie froze as he caught the indignant whisper.Bloody hell. Silas’s men were coming this way.
“Never mind, Tommy. We’ll try his lordship’s bedroom next. ‘Ere, can you imagine Sally putting up with you having abedroom at the other end of the house,” said the voice with a smothered laugh.
“Nah, but I wouldn’t mind. Stupid bitch snores like a pig,” groused Tommy, as Alfie stared around for a place to hide.
There was nothing for it but the curtains. Darting behind them, Alfie flattened himself against the window and held his breath, grateful for the darkness of the corridor as the footsteps got closer.
“Ere, Tom, you got those lockpicks? For Christ’s sake, don’t forget to leave them where they can be found, them mother-of-pearl decorations on the handles are unmistakable. Everyone will know it was Marwick what did the job. Silas has got his heart set on seeing the lad swing for this.”
“No more than me. I’ll celebrate by dancing on his poxy grave, for he’s a bleedin’ pain in the arse. I’m sick of hearing how bloody clever he is.”
Alfie’s heart thudded hard.Bloody hell.That’s how they were going to do it. Well, that served him right for being so damned cocky in getting them made in the first place.
The moment they were gone, Alfie slid out from behind the curtain and ran to the door that concealed the servants’ staircase. Moving so fast he slipped and nearly broke his neck on the stairs, Alfie reminded himself to keep calm. Yet knowing the two louts were in the house with an identical set of his tools was not a very calming thing to consider. Somehow, he had to alert the household to the intruders and get out himself before they could set him up for a crime he had actually committed.
Pausing to pick up his abandoned tray of glasses, he slipped out of the door that led into the entrance hall. He’d get rid of his glasses first, and mention to Keith that he’d seen two footmen slipping the main staircase. That ought to do it.
“Alfie!”
The sound of his name ringing out in a harsh whisper so startled Alfie that he nearly dropped the tray. Spinning around, he gawked in amazement as Aubrey came rushing towards him.
“Thank God,” he said fervently, as Alfie noted how pale and drawn he was. “I’ve been going out of my mind, and I wish you to know, I amnot pleasedwith you. Not one little bit, but… you’re all right?”
Alfie, suddenly overwhelmed with the desire to throw himself into Aubrey’s arms, forced himself not to react. “Fine,” he said, glancing around, frustrated not to be able to say more, but if anyone noticed their conversation it might look suspicious later. He looked into Aubrey’s anxious green eyes with too many feelings knocking about in his chest. Aubrey was here. Aubrey had figured it out and come after him. Not that he needed rescuing,obviously, but still. As annoyed as he was at the high-handed devil’s interference, he could not deny he was touched by Aubrey’s desire to help.
“Do you have them?”
“I do,” he replied calmly. “But Silas’ men are upstairs. I’m about to sound the alarm. Hopefully, all hell will break loose. I’ll need to get out quick.”
“I have a plan to get you out,” Aubrey said, looking remarkably pleased with himself. “That room there is a small parlour. Meet me inside the moment you can.”
Alfie blinked, torn between amusement and irritation. “Very well.”
Chapter 12
Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend.
Lady Jefferson’s Ball, Mayfair, London, 19th ofJanuary 1816
Aubrey strode up and down the darkened parlour, reminding himself that Alfie had successfully gained entry into the house and stolen the diamonds. Alerting the staff to intruders and making it to the parlour were child’s play in comparison. Yet still he fretted, his heart pounding double time as a hideous marble and ormolu clock on the mantelpiece ticked incessantly.
When the door finally opened, he jumped, swinging around and giving a sigh of relief as Alfie slipped in.
“Keith, the butler, and some of the men are heading upstairs. We need to leave.”
“Wait,” Aubrey said, tugging his shirt from his waistband.
Alfie stared at him askance. “What on earth do you think you’re doing?”
“This is my plan, well, Lill’s plan if I’m honest,” he said ruefully, tugging on a swathe of material wrapped about his middle. “We figured it was best if Alfie wasn’t seen leaving. So, Alice is going to be my guest tonight.”
