“Damnation,” Morgan said and then looked at Race. “It’s not the prince, but who the hell is she?”
Morgan pointed to the entrance to the ballroom where on the landing stood a regal older lady dressed completely in black except for five strands of pearls that circled her neck and fell to her waist.
Race’s chest tightened as he stared at the pale woman surveying the faces in the ballroom.
“Who is she?” Blake whispered.
“I have no idea,” Race murmured. “I’ve never seen her before, but I have seen those pearls around our grandmother’s neck many times.”
Susannah swallowed a lump of fear that lodged in her throat and took her breath. Slowly she stepped forward. “I know her. She is my mother, Mrs. Madeline Parker.”
Race whipped his head around to Susannah and she groaned. She saw doubt and distrust in his eyes once again. What was her mother doing walking into the ballroom wearing the pearls?
“Race, let me explain,” she whispered.
His eyes were wide with disbelief. “You took the pearls and gave them to your mother?”
His accusation stung. “Race, no.”
“You told me you didn’t steal the pearls and I believed you.”
“I didn’t,” Susannah insisted.
His gaze held fast to hers, as if he searched for answers. She couldn’t believe this was happening after their relationship had just begun to heal.
“Are you telling me your mother stole them?”
Susannah gasped in shock. “Of course not. I asked her to send them, not bring them and wear them. Let me explain.”
“There’s no time for that, Duchess,” Morgan said. “Spyglass and Winston are descending on your mother right now, and she looks like she’s about to faint.”
“With those pearls around her neck, she could be in danger,” Blake added. “I don’t trust either one of them. They might try to grab the pearls and run. We’ve got to get her out of here.”
“Morgan is right. You can explain at your house, Susannah,” Race said. “Right now, we have to get your mother home. I’ll go with you and ride up front in the carriage with your driver.”
“You are not leaving without us,” Blake said to Race. “Morgan and I will be right behind you in my carriage, just in case Spyglass or Winston decides to follow and cause trouble. Henrietta, you ride with Gibby, and I’ll see you at Susannah’s house.”
“Let’s go,” Race said. “They’ve reached her.”
Like horses heading for the barn at feeding time, Race, Susannah, Morgan, Blake, Henrietta, and Gibby all waded through the crowd toward the entrance of the ballroom.
By the time they arrived, Spyglass and Winston were standing in front of Susannah’s mother, admiring her and the pearls. She was backing away from them, her eyes sweeping from one to the other in fear.
Susannah rushed up to her and the words started tumbling past her lips. “Mother, how did you get here? What are you doing here? You don’t look well.”
“I don’t feel well either, Susannah. Thank God you are here.” Her voice trembled and her eyes darted fitfully from side to side. She grabbed hold of Susannah’s arm and held tightly.
“How did you find me here?”
“Your maid told me where you were, but I was beginning to doubt her information.”
“This lovely lady is your mother?” Spyglass asked Susannah.
“Yes, I can see the resemblance now,” Winston added. “We were just welcoming her to the ball.”
Captain Spyglass stepped in closer. “And, Madame, may I be so bold as to ask about the exquisite pearls you are wearing?”
Susannah’s mother lifted her chin disdainfully and turned her pale face away from Spyglass in contempt. “No, sir, you may not.”
