Ten Ways to Ruin

“There you are,” Susan said, adjusting her hair. “I have been trying to talk to you all night.”

“Harry’s generosity has made my evening miserable. Every poor sap has been trying to dance with me. I finally came in here to get away from them all.”

Susan laughed. “It can’t be as bad as that. Lord Ainsley danced with you. Some gossips are already saying he will make an offer due to his friendship with the duke.”

“Yes, and while I am sure Mamma would approve of the match, I am not quite certain I approve of it.”

Ainsley was a good man, but she didn’t want a husband. There had been rumors of him and Clarissa Carter before she married Baron Hollington. Maybe Emma had read too many of Mrs. Lewis’ novels, but Emma believed they had loved each other. Years ago, Clarissa had been forced to marry the baron. With Clarissa now a widow, Emma wondered why Ainsley wasn’t courting her.

Leaning closer, Susan whispered, “You are not still using that list we created, are you? Because no man will have you, even for ten thousand, if you take a lover.”

She hadn’t the time to even think about her list since the duke’s dowry announcement. Her mother had kept her busy with trips to the modiste for new dresses that would entice the right man. And while Emma used to adore shopping and fittings, she now detested them, feeling demeaned by the idea that she would be nothing but a pretty object on some man’s arm.

“Yes, I am continuing. Since there are no plans for Monday night, we are going to Hell.”

“We?” Susan squeaked.

“Yes, you promised to attend with me. Tomorrow afternoon pay a call on me and bring some trousers for me to try on, so I have time to alter them if needed.”

Susan’s shoulder’s sagged. “Very well.”

“I’m off to pilfer some silver from Lady Huntley’s collection.”

“What?” Susan exclaimed in such a loud voice that the other ladies glanced over at them with questioning looks.

“Shh, what better place? Lady Huntley is my mother’s dearest friend. I can easily return whatever I take,” Emma whispered.

“I won’t come to visit you at Newgate, Emma.”

“As you wish.” Emma left the room and tiptoed down the hall toward the butler’s pantry. Her heart pounded with the excitement of what she was about to do.

Glancing to the left and then right, she slipped inside the dimly lit room. A single candle in a sconce lit the small area. The room contained floor to ceiling cabinets and drawers. She opened a drawer and found a few pieces of silver. After picking up two forks, she looked at them, unable to determine where to put them. Her gown had no pockets, and she hadn’t brought a reticule to the ball.

With a shrug, she slipped them behind her busk and shivered as the chilly tines scraped her delicate skin. They rested snuggly, albeit painfully against her chest. After removing one, the pain diminished.

Should she take the second one? A real thief would take as much as he could. She might manage to carry one or two under each garter. After placing two forks under each strap, she walked across the small room. They seemed to stay in place. Now all she had to do was tell her mother she wanted to leave and then make it out of the house.

Tomorrow, they would pay a call on Lady Huntley, and Emma would return the pilfered silver. Her plan was perfect!

Apprehension snaked down her back as she peered out the door. Seeing no one, she stepped out of the butler’s pantry.

She took one step only to hear a deep voice call from behind her, “Miss Drake, whatever is wrong? Did your lover forget you were waiting for him?”

She spun around to face Mr. Kingsley. “I beg your pardon?”

He smiled slowly. “I asked if your lover abandoned you. It would be a shame if that happened but—”

“How dare you! Have you been spying on me?” In her anger, she stomped her foot against the marble tile floor.

The tinkle of a fork falling from her garter to the marble floor broke the silence of the corridor.

Mortification scorched her cheeks. Perhaps he hadn’t heard the sound.

“I believe you dropped something.”

Drat! What could she say? The uncooperative fork had not only fallen to the floor but slid just enough that it lay on the floor between them. She could not bend over and pick it up, or the others might fall.

“Yes, you gave me such a fright I dropped it. “Be a dear and retrieve it for me, Mr. Kingsley.”