Julian glanced at her. “You always say that.”
Evelyn allowed herself a small, fleeting smile before the weight of the moment returned.
“The final piece,” she said, “was understanding why Norwood risked so much to retrieve the Paragon personally. Why did he not simply flee?”
She met Asher’s gaze then, finally. “Because he couldn’t be sure why someone else stole the diamond. If it were someone who just might know the truth — such as the current Duke of Ravnescar — blame could be placed on him again.”
Asher’s expression did not change, but something in his eyes softened, sharpened all at once.
“Thalia, you gave me the diamond back,” he realized suddenly.
She nodded. “When I realized Norwood was holding Evelyn until you gave him the diamond, I knew that I had to return it, so I slipped it in your pocket before you left the house.”
“Thank you,” he said in a low voice.
“Thalia saved you, Asher, by stealing the diamond,” Evelyn said. “I asked everyone here because you all need to know the truth, but also to understand the full reason why Thalia did what she did.”
Silence stretched. The fire crackled softly in the hearth.
At last, the dowager duchess rose. She crossed the room with measured steps and stopped before Evelyn.
“You have done what my husband could not finish,” she said quietly. “You have seen the shape of the truth.”
Evelyn inclined her head. “Only because others were brave enough to act before me.”
Asher turned to Thalia and drew her into a brief, fierce embrace. “You are forgiven,” he murmured. “But never do anything like that again alone.”
Eastclere cleared his throat. “The Crown will need to be informed of the truth.”
“As it must,” Asher said at last, his voice low and steady. “But not before we ensure the evidence is secured—and Norwood prevented from doing further harm. Constable, I am sure you have enough to close your case now? I believe that this must go to much higher authorities, of which I can oversee.”
“Very well,” the constable said, slowly rising to his feet. “As long as the diamond returns to where it belongs.”
“Of course,” Asher said. “Pine, will you help with the details?”
“I will,” Mr. Pine said, rising from his place and tucking his notebook back into his pocket. “This has been… enlightening.”
“Where is Lord Norwood now?” the constable asked.
“With a friend,” Asher said. “I will inform the Crown of him, his traitorous ways, and the murders of my father and LordEastclere. This will be… well, it will be explosive, to put it mildly. There are the murders, yes, but the treason… he and his family could lose everything. Titles, estates… possibly his life.”
They were all silent as they considered the truth of his words. But Lord Norwood had put himself in this position and now he must deal with the consequences.
Asher’s heart slowed from the rapid beat it had found. He should have trusted that Evelyn would see that this was all told correctly, that there was a reason for everything that she did.
“You did well, daughter,” Lord Stratford said, taking Evelyn’s hand before returning to Asher’s mother, whispering in her ear.
Asher used the brief moment alone to reach for Evelyn’s hand, his grip warm and certain. “You were right,” he said quietly, for her alone. “From the beginning.”
Evelyn laced her fingers with his, the room still heavy with consequence, but no longer with doubt.
The truth, at last, had found its voice.
EPILOGUE
“Well, then,” Eastclere said, “Let’s go find the diamond and see what other secrets it is still holding.”
“I’ll retrieve it,” Asher said, pushing off the mantel. Evelyn watched him, still concerned that he wasn’t happy with her, but he winked at her as he left, Julian and Eastclere at his heels.
