“Actually,” Morgan said, “I believe it was a long-dead woman writer named Aphra Behn who first wrote what I quoted, and I do believe it to be true.” Morgan chuckled. “But I think I prefer what Blake quoted.”
Blake smiled at Morgan. “I do too, and I’ll tell Lord Byron you said so the next time I see him. I think he is given credit for the quote about hatred and love, not that I know whether he was actually the first one to say it.”
“Who was it who said ‘There are two things a man will wait forever for: love and revenge’?” Morgan asked.
“That’s enough,” Race growled. By the stunned looks on their faces, he’d spoken roughly, but he was ready to put an end to their madness. “I need help from you two ninnies, not mindless quotes that mean nothing and that I care nothing about.”
“Well, why didn’t you just say you wanted help?” Blake argued. “In that case, I will talk to Susannah. Since I’m a duke and she a duchess, we should be able to have a respectful conversation. I’ll let her know in no uncertain terms that the pearls will be returned immediately or she will face dire consequences.”
The last thing Race wanted was either of his cousins talking to Susannah. No one could ever be as hard on her as he had been.
“That’s not necessary, Blake.”
“I think it’s a good idea,” Morgan argued.
“If you must know, I’ve already talked to her.”
“What did she say?”
“What do you expect she said, Morgan? She denies having any knowledge of the theft, and I believe her. For now, I know it is best for me to leave it to Bickerman’s man to look for the pearls, as much as I wanted to ransack their houses myself.”
Blake drummed his fingers on the table once again. “Why are you so certain that Susannah is not an accomplice?”
Morgan’s eyebrows lifted. “He’s protecting her.”
“Call it what you like,” Race said in a warning voice.
As if sensing the conversation between Morgan and Race was heating, Blake changed the subject by saying, “What else was stolen?”
“Oddly, nothing of great importance: a small amount of money, some legal documents, but nothing I can’t live without.”
“All right, so what’s next?”
“Bickerman will watch Spyglass, Winston, and Smith like a hawk with his eye on his prey, until we find out which one is the thief,” Race said.
Both his cousins nodded.
“There’s one other thing. Keep this to yourselves. I don’t want anyone else to know, except of course Gibby, who I see is making his way toward us.”
“You do plan to bring charges once the thief is caught, don’t you?” Morgan asked.
“Of course,” Race said without hesitation.
“What are you three guardian fools doing huddled together here in the corner, looking as if you are plotting to kidnap Prinny?”
While Blake rose and pulled over a chair for Gibby, Race motioned for the server to bring over another glass.
Gibby made fists and threw two or three light punches on Morgan’s upper arm. “Did that hurt? Did you see how fast I boxed?”
Morgan grinned at him. “Yes. You’re fast and strong for an old man.”
“Good.” Gibby smiled, and all four of them laughed.
“What are you doing here?” Blake asked.
“I came to find Race,” Gibby said, sitting in the chair Blake handed him. “I’ve looked everywhere for him today, and some places, like this one, twice.”
“What do you have going on, Gib?”
