The Daring Miss Darcy (Lost Ladies of London 4)

um meeting a jewel thief.”

“You have the right of it, miss,” Mr Joseph said. “I know his lordship well enough to know he’s not involved. What I don’t know is why the hell he’s in there.”

“He received a letter to meet Lord Cornell,” Estelle said. “I read it myself.”

Mr Joseph rubbed his bristly chin. “You’re sure it was from Lord Cornell? I’m asking because his wife entered the building five minutes before you got here. I hear she’s been hankering after Lord Trevane for some time.”

The sense of panic grew stronger now as if every new snippet of information tore another breath from Estelle’s lungs.

“How long has Lord Cornell been at the museum?” she said though was somewhat reluctant to hear the answer.

“My man followed him here at eight o’clock and kept watch until I arrived.”

Which meant that Lord Cornell could not have sent the letter. Estelle stood for a few seconds, trying to decide what to do. Was Ross oblivious to the fact Lady Cornell was inside? Had it been the lady’s motive all along to have Ross kill her husband? They were certainly ill-matched, most definitely ill-suited.

“So the magistrate knows Cornell is the one stealing the gems?” Wickett asked.

Mr Joseph explained how he caught Morris with the real gems and forced a confession. “Morris makes the imitation paste based on Cornell’s measurements and drawings. It might take three or four attempts until it’s right. Morris sells the gems to his contact abroad and they share the funds. That’s what the magistrate seems to think.”

While Wickett went on to probe Mr Joseph about how they would get his lordship out without alerting Lord Cornell, Estelle shrank back furtively. Both men were so engrossed in plotting and planning that they failed to notice her sneak behind the carriage and race across the road.

She opened the service gate and slipped inside, stole through the garden to the door leading into the museum. The one that Cornell assured them was open. As she reached the narrow flight of stairs leading down to the basement, she heard voices.

Skilled at tiptoeing lightly on her feet, Estelle plastered her back flat against the wall and crept downstairs.

Three figures stood at the end of a room crowded with display cases, tables and broken statues. The dust in the air clawed at her throat. It took every effort not to cough and sneeze.

“So that is your plan,” Lord Cornell said shaking his head at his wife.

Lady Cornell stood with her back to Estelle. She wore a long black cloak and held something in her hand.

“Trevane comes here with a story to distract me,” Lord Cornell continued, “so you can creep up behind and commit murder.”

Lady Cornell chuckled. “Vane knew nothing about my plan and merely took the bait, as I intended.”

Estelle hated it when Lady Cornell called him that. While Vane was derived from his title, it meant disloyal, fickle, and in no way conveyed the character of the man she knew.

“Trust me,” Ross said. “I am as much in the dark as you are.”

“Then allow me to shed a little light on the situation.” Lady Cornell moved closer to her husband. “You see, I was always supposed to marry Lord Trevane. My mother dedicated ten years of her life to make sure it happened. But as you know, when she died I had no option but to marry a blubbery mammal stupid enough to put Colonel Preston’s odd creatures to shame.”

“Now listen here,” Lord Cornell protested. “I’ve given you everything. You want for nothing.”

“Other than a virile man in bed,” Lady Cornell countered. “And everyone knows Vane is the epitome of sexual prowess.”

Estelle could not argue with that.

Lord Cornell looked astounded. “Marriage is about more than a quick romp beneath the sheets.”

Ross cleared his throat. “I think you’ll find the word quick may have led to the problem.”

“Precisely,” Lady Cornell agreed. “And so, as Vane and I were meant to wed—”

“That may have been your mother’s plan,” Ross interjected, “but it was most certainly not mine. There is only one woman I hope to marry, and it is not you.” Ross snorted. “You can shoot me, and still I will not change my mind.”

Estelle slapped her hand over her mouth to stifle a gasp. Was it a pistol Lady Cornell held in her hand?

“Oh, I have no intention of shooting you, Vane. And I’m certain when you’ve heard what I have to say you will change your mind about marrying me.”