“Is that so?” Ruarke exchanged a look with Heather. He could not believe what the woman had just said. Did Heather understand the significance?
Now he glanced heavenward, for miracles did happen.
These Barclays were about to prove Millicent guilty of killing her own sister. The locket was identical to Heather’s. Was it possible Millicent had kept it with her all these years? Just the sort of wickedness a mad sister might dream up. Not only to hold on to the necklace, but pass it to her heirs. How better to laugh at everyone, knowing she got away with murder?
But the locket would prove Millicent was at the caves with Bella that day and stole it off her neck after knocking the poor girl unconscious.
“Open it,” he commanded Miss Pool, who still had it in her hand.
Miss Barclay glanced at it uncertainly. “There is nothing inside.”
Ruarke frowned. “Are you certain?”
“Quite. It contains nothing inside.” Her gaze was now brazen and combative as she tried to grab it away.
Ruarke took it instead and held it out of her reach. “Not a portrait of the Duke of Arran’s son? The boy who loved Bella. He gave her a necklace identical to yours, which contained his portrait inside. If yours is empty, as you claim, then you will not mind if I open it and see what is inside.”
“But I do mind.” She tried to snatch it out of his hand again.
He easily held it out of her reach and now tried to open it, but his hands were big and awkward as he fumbled with the delicate clasp.
“Here, let me show you.” Heather took it from him and easily opened it. “Dear heaven,” she said in a breathless whisper, starting at the portrait it revealed.
He turned the full force of his fury on the Barclays. “Nothing inside? Then this one cannot possibly be yours, for it clearly has the portrait of a young man. My own granduncle, James. You dare to bring this locket into my home? This keepsake given to Millicent’s sister by her true love. Bella always wore it. She was wearing it the day she died. That her sister had it and passed it on through your Barclay line only proves she was there with Bella that day at the caves.”
“Your Grace, what are you suggesting?” Miss Barclay’s outrage was now turning to fear as his words began to sink in.
“Was Millicent’s secret carried down through the generations as well? Did you know she was a murderess? That she wore this locket after Bella’s death for her own sick amusement because she hated her sister and had killed her? Get out of my house. Get out and never set foot in here again.”
His words had shocked not only the Barclays, but all of his guests, who had ignored his earlier request to leave them to their private discussion. Apparently, a lavish meal set out for them in the dining room was no temptation when there was a scandal about to erupt. Miss Barclay had foolishly insisted they remain, thinking she was about to humiliate Heather. Instead, she had done herself in. The onlookers were now whispering excitedly among themselves.
“Bella got what she deserved,” Miss Barclay said with a sneer, too full of venom to keep quiet and silently slip away. “She’ll never be free of those caves.”
With that, she and her aunt stormed off to pack their belongings.
“Good riddance,” Ruarke muttered.
Heather’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “They are wrong about Bella being trapped. This locket was never Millicent’s to give away. I shall return it to its rightful owner.” She withdrew her own locket, a perfect twin to the one in Ruarke’s hand, and showed the others who were with them in the room. “This one belonged to my mother. I always thought it was a portrait of her, but it is Bella.”
“Merciful heaven,” Mrs. Pool muttered.
Heather nodded. “This is what Bella has been waiting for, the return of her locket. But I think I must give her mine as well. Two hearts reunited in love.”
“I’ll place them in the Singing Caves,” Ruarke said. “But Heather, you must stay here. It is too dangerous for you to come with me.”
Heather would not hear of it. “Bella won’t hurt me now. I know she won’t. You have to let me go to her. I must be there. Truly, how else is she to understand what we are doing?”
“No, Heather—”
“Who else can see her or speak to her? You cannot do this properly without me. Besides, I know I cannot come to harm when I have you to protect me.”
Ruarke groaned. “You place too much faith in me.”
She placed a hand lightly on his arm. “I know I shall always be safe with you.”
“Low tide happens this evening, just before suppertime,” Ruarke’s cousin said.
Ruarke sighed. “Hereford, you always were a font of trivial information, but this time you’ve proved yourself quite useful.”
