The milling crowd seemed mesmerized by Roseford’s declaration, but Derrick waited for the pushback. Surely none of these Society mavens and straight-laced lords would be willing to turn out their pockets, not even for the duke. But to his utter surprise, they did.
It started with Roseford’s friends. The Dukes of Sheffield and Crestwood both turned their pockets out, showing they were empty, and that set off the floodgates. As the two dukes shifted silently through the crowd, people couldn’t seem to move fast enough to be the next to prove they weren’t the Faceless Fox and then leer at the next partygoer to see if they were the one.
“This is ridiculous,” Barber whispered. “Whoever did this might not have put the bracelet in a pocket at all.”
“I agree,” Derrick said. “But it’s still an interesting exercise. Watch the faces. Watch the reactions before they make their move. It’s telling.”
He said it, but his gaze kept flitting to Selina. She was standing beside her brother and had not yet emptied her own pockets. Of course, her beautiful gown probably didn’t have them. If she had taken the bracelet, it could be in her cleavage or passed to someone else. Who knew what she might have done?
At any rate, her expression was impassive, free of guilt. She seemed to have no fear about this intense search of the partygoers. And as the number of guests who had revealed themselves dwindled, she stepped forward.
“I have nothing to hide,” she said softly, and reached into the unexpected pockets that were hidden within the beautiful golden skirts of her gown. One was empty, but as she overturned the other, a glittering line of red clattered to the floor.
The room as a whole froze, staring at once at the ruby-and-diamond bracelet that now lay on the floor. Katherine’s bracelet.
And then all hell broke loose.
Robert’s fingers dug into Selina’s arm as he all but dragged her into the closest parlor. She staggered away from him, checking the room for exits as it filled with staring, judging faces. Katherine’s face, streaked with tears and betrayal. She was followed into the room by Mr. Barber and last was Derrick. He shut the door and stared at her, pain lining every part of his expression.
But not surprise.
“How could you?” Robert gasped out, his breath shot as he paced in circles around the room. “Howcouldyou, Selina?”
She opened her mouth to speak, but Katherine moved toward Robert, catching his arm and stilling him. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, my love. But please, let us consider there may be an alternate answer than that your sister did this.” She turned toward Barber and Derrick. “Gentlemen, you have been investigating this Faceless Fox thief for months. Would he try to divert attention in this way?”
Barber straightened and cast a quick look toward Selina. She could have withered beneath his judgment. She knew he wouldn’t protect her.
“I am sorry, Your Graces. Deeply sorry. But I have come to suspect that the Faceless Fox is, indeed, Miss Oliver,” he said softly. “There is a great deal of evidence supporting that fact, not the least of which is your stolen bracelet tonight.”
Katherine wobbled in her place and Robert’s hand shot out to steady her. Or perhaps to be steadied. The way they clung to each other, it was clear they both sought comfort in the eyes of this betrayal. Selina bent her head. At least they would have each other.
Even though she would lose them.
She felt Derrick’s stare on her. Even and steady from the door. Everyone else was talking at once, their upset and hurt and confusion crackling through the room like lashes across her skin. But Derrick only watched her.
Until he stepped forward and said, “Selina.”
That one word silenced the room. Or perhaps it was that commanding tone of his voice that had always dragged her to him like a puppet on his string. Even now she leaned toward it and toward him, seeking comfort he could no longer give.
She cleared her throat. “I didnottake Katherine’s bracelet.”
It was true, of course. Just as she hadn’t left her glove behind in Lady Winford’s chamber, she hadn’t done this thing. She wouldneverbetray Katherine that way. Not just because she was family, but because it would violate her code of ethics as a thief. Katherine had never harmed another creature. She helped those around her regularly. She didn’tdeservepunishment.
“You had it on your person,” Barber said. “It is hard not to think you are lying when every other fact matches.”
She shut her eyes. She had lied so many times, of course she couldn’t be believed. And that washerpunishment, doled out at last by some faceless person who had discovered her secret. Doled out by a cruel universe that would offer her a family and a love and then snatch both away at the last moment.
Robert released Katherine and crossed the room toward her. His dark gaze held hers—and stung her. Gone was the man who had declared himself proud of her just a few hours before. The man who had said he loved her like the sister she’d never been allowed to be until now. The man who joked with her and welcomed her into his life. Now he was a stern duke, judging her for what she’d done to the love of his life.
She was nothing else.
“Selina,” he said sharply.
“Please,” she whispered. “Please, believe me. I’ve done many things, but I would never do this.”
His nostrils flared as he stared at her. “You’ve done many things. What does that mean?”
Her lips parted and she struggled with what to say. She’d meant to make this confession, first to Derrick and then to her family. But not like this. Not when it felt like an excuse, not an olive branch. Not when it was too late.
