At least the sapphires weren’t stolen, although Caroline dared not breathe a sigh of relief simply because of that. Prinny could still agree to a hanging simply because he was vexed. And George, as she knew, could be extremely persistent. He would consider the whole thing a personal insult to him and to his blasted title.
She found the breakfast room still quite packed when she descended the stairs a half hour later. There was no sign of either George or Amelia, and most of the men had left for more sea trials, but nearly half a score of women remained. From the continuous buzz of conversations, word of the find must have passed quickly among the servants to their mistresses.
Melanie and Jeannette waved her over to their table. Caroline put a smile on her face as she joined them. If anyone had an update on events, it would be these two. They barely gave her time to sit down before they started talking.
“You have heard that Amelia’s sapphires were not stolen after all?” Melanie asked.
Caroline nodded but before she could reply, Jeannette spoke.
“I wonder if it was all a ruse on her part.”
“A ruse?”
“Well, we all know that Amelia likes to make an entrance,” Jeannette answered.
Caroline found herself in the odd position of defending Amelia. “Appearances are important to her, too. I do not think she would tear her dress deliberately and let part of her hair down.”
“That is true,” Melanie said.
Jeannette waved a hand. “I did not say she was not accosted. I am suggesting that perhaps this…Midnight Marauder…became a bit too amorous and the necklace broke while they were, er…engagedin physical exchange.”
Caroline stared at her, a small chill slipping down her spine. She remembered all too well the marauder’s strong hands roving over her body, his skillful fingers caressing vulnerable spots while his tongue had done utterly delicious things to her mouth. Drat it. “But she said he did not kiss her.”
Melanie gave her a sly smile. “Perhaps Amelia was being coy.”
“Of course she was.” Jeannette waved her hand again. “Remember she tried to avoid the question of whether the man had kissed her at all.”
Caroline shook her head. “Amelia said she fought him off.”
Jeannette gave her a look as though she was both daft and dim-witted. “She would say that. What else would you say if your husband was standing mere yards away while you were involved in impassioned lovemaking?”
“I…would not call it that.” Even to Caroline’s own ears, her voice sounded pathetic.
Jeannette snorted. “Call it by a raunchier term, then. From what I have heard, this Frenchman can be very thorough and very, well,French.”
“I heard that, too.” Melanie giggled. “I would not mind finding out for myself.”
Caroline felt her cheeks warm at remembering howthoroughthe marauder had been. Was that what the marauder had done? Pleasured Amelia instead of robbing her? Caroline couldn’t recall any other incident among the debutantes when jewelry had actually been taken. Of course, Amelia would deny it. She would not risk losing her revered title of duchess. George was extremely possessive of things that belonged to him. Her classic beauty in itself was a prize, but having won—or stolen—her from his brother Alex made her a competitive prize as well. One that he would jealously guard, which, in turn, meant the Midnight Marauder’s life was still in peril even if he hadn’t stolen the sapphires. In George’s mind, he’d stolen much more.
He’d stolen George’s pride.
…
“Dare I suggest we make an escape while we can?” Stephan asked Caroline that evening after dinner. “I think your other suitor feels obligated to join the Duke in the saloon and listen to more of his indignant ducal ranting.”
“And you do not?” Caroline gave Stephan an amused look.
“Not particularly. I think I have heard Danworth’s version at least three times today.” Stephan extended his arm. “Unless, of course, you would rather join the ladies in a game of whist?” Caroline took his arm so quickly that he quirked a brow. “I take it that is a ‘yes’ then?”
“Yes!I swear, if I have to spend one more evening playing cards I will succumb to the vapors myself.”
Stephan laughed. “Somehow, I doubt you have ever succumbed to the vapors.”
“Well, there is a first time for everything.”
Yes, there was. There was a first time for kissing, which hopefully this stroll through the gardens would provide an opportunity for. Not that it would be theirfirstkiss since he’d stolen that as the marauder, but that would be his secret. He could hardly wait to taste her delicious mouth again.
They managed their escape, partially by Caroline pretending to follow the other women to the drawing room and partially because Brice engaged both Caroline’s father and Tisdale in conversation as he steered them toward the saloon.