“A problem, my lord?” Dear God, what had Cerise done now?
“Yes,” a sad, but satisfied, smile twisted his lips. “I have been informed there has been a theft under my roof. The emerald and diamond pendant that belongs to my daughter has gone missing.” His eyes narrowed on her. “As I believe you are aware.”
Helen exhaled softly, trying to still the sudden tripping of her heart. How to explain the situation without betraying both Fletcher and Roxboro with the truth? But she couldn’t allow Kate to be dismissed for something she hadn’t done. “My lord, allow me to explain—”
“I already know, Miss Cosgrove.” Galway held up a hand. “I confess, I am deeply disappointed. My dear cousin, Enid, would never have thought you capable of something so…vulgar.”
Helen blinked.Wait. What?
“I trusted you with my daughter and my home. Promised you a large sum against my better judgement once Cerise was wed. But I suppose you became greedy. You have played me for a fool.” His fist pounded on the desk. “And I will not be made a fool byyou, Miss Cosgrove.”
The floor seemed to drop away from Helen’s feet. “What are you accusing me of, my lord.”
“I think we both know, Miss Cosgrove. The audacity to steal from me. Cerise is devastated, of course. I, however, always assumed you’d show your true nature eventually.”
“I did no such thing, my lord,” Helen protested. “I would never steal from you.”
“Your continued attempts at asking Parker to look for the pendant gave you away, Miss Cosgrove. You were attempting to delay matters so you would have sufficient time to plot your escape. I expect had I not confronted you today, you might even now be halfway to the Continent.”
God, I detest Parker.
“You were willing to allow Kate to take the blame, I suspect.” Galway made a tsking sound. “Which speaks volumes about your character. Shameful, Miss Cosgrove. Just shameful.” His lip curled but his eyes were full of satisfaction. Because he’d finally found something to hold over Helen’s head, whether it was true or not didn’t matter.
“I did not steal the pendant,” Helen said calmly. “Nor did Kate. Lady Cerise has a habit of…carelessness with her things, of which you are well aware, my lord. When Tam was unjustly accused of stealing a ruby ring, it was found in—”
“Silence, Miss Cosgrove,” Galway roared, nostrils flaring. “I’m having Parker search your room as we speak. Admit to your crime now and I will be lenient. Matters can stay beneath this roof and save us both further embarrassment. You have been good to Cerise until now. I can be charitable.”
“But I didn’t steal anything,” she insisted once more, though Galway certainly didn’t care. If she told him the tale of the two Roxboros, not only would she be breaking her word to a duke, but Galway also wouldn’t believe her.
“Sit, Miss Cosgrove, while we await Parker’s return.”
Helen sat and steeled her spine. Lifted her chin. Remained composed. She would not allow Galway to browbeat her into a confession for a crime she did not commit. Fleetingly, she thought of sending word to the duchess. Better, Helen would leave once Galway was done with her and hail a hack to the duke’s home. Surely, she would not be turned away. If nothingelse, the duchess would offer aid because Helen was the only way to find Fletcher.
Parker arrived an hour or so later. Stiff as a bloody pike, eyeing Helen with disdain.
Whatever have I done to Parker to incur his dislike?
Galway leaned forward, a thin sneer on his lips. “Parker. Tell me what you found.”
He wants me to be guilty.Helen could see it in every line of Galway’s body.
“I apologize, my lord. But we found nothing except Miss Cosgrove’s wages.” He held up a small purse.
Galway motioned him forward and took the coins. “Hmm. Your wages.” He looked inside the small purse. “There’s far more here than I would have paid you, though admittedly, not what I would have expected if you’d sold the pendant.”
“I live frugally, my lord. And I did not steal the pendant.”
Galway ignored protest. “Until the situation is resolved to my satisfaction, however, I will hold on to this.” He tossed the small purse up in the air and caught it. “At the very least, you’ll have to work towards paying me back for the pendant.”
“Which I did not steal.”
“Could take years,” he said in a silky tone. “Parker, leave us for a moment, if you will.” Once the butler exited and shut the door, Galway came to his feet. “Allow me to explain matters to you, Miss Cosgrove, because you seem oblivious to your situation. A valuable emerald pendant is gone. You’ve behaved suspiciously ever since.”
“I didn’t take it.” Helen threw up her hands. “Why would I? Cerise is betrothed. I was to be paid my bonus for a job well done.”
“I’ve no idea, Miss Cosgrove. Frankly, with your questionable background, which my cousin ignored, there isn’t any telling.Nor is there a judge alive who will believe lady’s companion and chaperone over a marquess. Not one.”
Helen gripped the arms of the chair. “You know I didn’t take it.”
