“And Caroline did just as he bid her, by telling the lies to Helena, who then told them to me, but neither he nor Caroline knew about Lord Lovell’s duel. You must have returned to England very soon after your cousin was shot, Lord Lymington, in order to keep the gossips from discovering it.”
“Less than a day afterward, yes.”
“You all remained in London for weeks while Lord Lovell recovered, and then decided to stay for the season, so Lord Lovell might woo Lady Flora while Lord Lymington questioned Caroline Francis.”
“Yes, but no one would have anticipated we’d come to London for the season at all, given the proper mourning period for Lovell’s father. Our presence must have taken the culprit by surprise.”
Emma nodded. “I imagine he panicked when you appeared at the Pink Pearl asking for Caroline. So he made certain to keep her away from you by engaging her for privateappointments.”
Samuel shook his head, stunned. “Dear God, a man such as that, a man of such cold, deliberate calculation must be anutter monster.”
Lady Lymington was wringing her hands. “Samuel?”
In all the excitement, Samuel had nearly forgotten his mother. He jerked his attention back to her, shame sweeping over him at the sight of her distress. He shot to his feet, holding his hand out to her. “You’re unwell, my lady. I’ll take you to yourrooms at once.”
“Wait, my lord. I beg your pardon, Lady Lymington, but there is one more thing.” Emma reached into the pocket of her skirts and withdrew something. “Do either of you recognize this pendant, or the young boy inthe portrait?”
She gave it to Lady Lymington, who studied it for a moment, then returned it to Emma, shaking her head. “No. I’ve never seen it before, and I don’t recognize the boy.”
“Lord Lymington?” Emma asked, holding the pendant out to him.
The portrait of the dark-haired boy was tiny but exquisite, and the diamonds studding the oval of good quality. “It’s very fine.” Samuel rubbed the pad of his thumb over the gems, studying the young face. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know the piece. Where did you get it?”
Emma took it from him and slipped it back into her pocket. “It’s his.”
Samuel frowned. “His? What, you mean it belongs to the culprit?”
“Yes. Caroline took it from him, the night before she disappeared. She gave it to Helena, and Helena gave it to me.” Emma thought for a moment, then turned to Lady Lymington. “I wonder, my lady, if you’d mind doing something for me?”
“Not at all, Miss Downing. What do you need?”
“Would you be so good as to invite your neighbors and friends to Lymington House for a supper, or perhaps a ball? I beg your pardon for putting you to such trouble, but I have good reason to think the culprit wants this pendant back. If he has the chance to turn up at Lymington House without attracting suspicion, I think he’llcome after it.”
Samuel went still.
Surely, Emma wasn’t suggesting she’d use herself to lure the scoundrel into the open? That she’d sacrifice her own safety—even herlife—to bring the villain to justice? No, she couldn’t possibly be so reckless, so foolish.
Except…it had sounded like that was precisely what she meant to do.
“For God’s sakes, Emma, have you gone mad?” Samuel rounded on her, grasping her shoulders, fear making his hands shake.
Lady Lymington looked between them with wide eyes. “Er, perhaps I’ll just retire to my rooms, then.”
“It’s a waste of time and effort, Emma! What makes you think he’ll risk coming to Lymington House to get that pendant?” In truth, Samuel was terrified the scoundrelwouldcome to Lymington House, and he’d find the pendant hanging around Emma’s neck.
The very thought made hisblood run cold.
“He attacked Helena Reeves in Bennets Court to get the pendant back, Lord Lymington. I hardly think he’ll draw the line at coming to Lymington House.”
“I’ll see you both at tea, then,” Lady Lymington said, trying again.
Neither Samuel nor Emma heard her, and neither noticed it when sheleft the study.
“So you intend to put yourself in his way, so he can attackyou? No, Emma. I forbid it.”
He knew he’d said the wrong thing when her chin shot up. “Youforbidit? Forgive me, my lord, but it’s not your place to forbid me anything.”
Dear God, the woman was driving him mad. “The devil it isn’t! In case you’ve forgotten, you’re inmyhouse, Emma.”
