Susannah’s mother reached up and touched her arm affectionately. “Though Susannah worded her letters carefully, I sensed she needed my help. I decided to come to London without her knowledge. I had to stop often to rest, so it took me longer to get here than I had hoped. When I arrived tonight, she had already left for the evening. I asked her maid where she had gone and then dressed and followed her.”
Morgan threw up his hands. “All of this is well and good, but we still don’t know where the real pearls are.”
“No, but this was a clever idea,” Race said. “Mrs. Parker told Spyglass they were not Bess’s pearls. So perhaps whichever man has the real pearls will be looking for an expert to examine them first thing tomorrow morning to make sure they have the Talbot pearls, and Bickerman’s runners will be there to capture them.”
“Your Grace?”
Susannah turned to her companion. “Yes, Mrs. Princeton?”
“Sir Randolph and the Duchess of Blakewell are here to see you.”
“Show them in.”
Sir Randolph and Henrietta walked in, and Susannah noticed at once that Sir Randolph was carrying a small satchel.
Introductions were made, and Race took time to briefly tell them about the fake pearls.
“I knew that,” Sir Randolph said.
He reached into the satchel he carried and pulled out a black velvet drawstring bag. Susannah’s mother and Race gasped as they recognized the black bag. From inside, Sir Randolph drew out five long strands of pearls.
“Those are the real pearls,” her mother said, reaching for them. “I would know them anywhere.”
“Gibby?” Race questioned with denial etched in his face. “How did you get those?”
“I stole them from you. I am the thief,” he answered.
“Why? How? How did you get into my safe?”
“As to how, I might be old but I still have a few tricks up my sleeve. I was in the King’s army for several years. I learned a few things during that time.”
Sir Randolph walked over to Race. “I meant only to take the pearls, but figured if I did that, you might know it was me, so I took everything else that was in your safe. It’s all in there,” he said placing the satchel on a chair. “As to why I had to take the pearls, they belonged to your grandmother. I had to protect them for her. When the fourth person came knocking on your door wanting them, I knew it was only a matter of time before someone tried to steal them from you so I decided to do it before anyone else had the chance.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Race asked.
Sir Randolph’s smile was misshapen from swelling. “Now why would I have done something like that? You would have made me give them back to you.”
“Gibby, do you know what I have been through trying to find out who took those pearls?”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?” Race said angrily as he advanced on the battered man. “You know that I accused Susannah of taking them.”
Gibby looked at Susannah. “I’m sorry about that, but there was nothing I could do.”
“I should wring your neck and finish what Prattle—”
“Race,” Blake said and stepped in front of him.
“It doesn’t matter now,” Morgan added. “The pearls are back in your possession. That’s all that matters.”
“I’m afraid not,” Susannah’s mother said in a quiet voice from the settee. “There’s the matter that they rightfully belong to me. Susannah has documents proving my grandfather bought the Talbot pearls and where they were reported stolen. The pearls belong to me.”
“I’m keeping the pearls, Mrs. Parker,” Race said without hesitating.
Susannah’s mother’s eyes widened and she looked to Susannah for help.
It had always been Susannah’s fear that if Race found the necklace he would keep it. “Mother, the marquis has promised me that he will look at our evidence, and I’m sure that once he does he will have a change of heart as to who they belong to.”
