tells me these thieves have a good knowledge of Lord Walkerâs routine as well as the layout of the house.â I set down my teacup. âWhat did they take?â
âThey were seen carrying two Queen Anne chairs and two silver lanterns. Lord Walker discovered that all the cash and jewels in his safe had vanished as well.â
âSeen carrying chairs?â I burst out laughing at their audacity. âThey just walked down the street with the furniture?â
âNo. The two maids watched from an upstairs window and saw the cart they left in. They were able to give a vague description of their confederates. It appears there were five burglars in all, including the driver of the cart.â
âThis is wonderful news, Your Grace. Does Sir Broderick know of this latest burglary?â Emma leaned forward, her eyes shiny with excitement.
âYes. Heâs having the Archivist Society investigate this as well as the Shepherdston robbery in the hopes that something will lead them to the burglars.â
Blast.
Theyâd be doing something useful while I would be teaching English to a pampered princess who I suspected of using me. Why couldnât I be helpful?
â¢Â   â¢Â   â¢
WHEN I ARRIVED the next morning, I discovered Lady Daisyâs governess, Amelia Whitten, hadnât left her hat and gloves on the table. Until now she had always arrived before me. Had there been an upset in the household?
I had no more than entered the morning room and removed the cover from the typewriter when the duchess entered. I gave her a low curtsy. âYour Grace.â
âMiss Whitten, Lady Daisyâs tutor, wonât be in today. Illness. Iâll have to see to more of Daisyâs care, so youâll be on your own with Princess Kira and Lady Raminoff in the park today.â She seemed distracted, pacing the little room and rearranging small objects on tables and the mantel.
I didnât know what Princess Kira had in mind, but I decided to try to upset her plans. âWhy donât you and Lady Daisy come with us? Iâm sure your daughter could liven up our English lessons.â
âI know sheâd like that. Sheâs fascinated with the princess, from her title to her frocks. And I think Iâm due a little diversion, after trying to keep the household on an even keel. A princess and her staff as houseguests, plus luncheon guests and afternoonvisitors for the princess, plus the worry about her safety.â The duchess gave me a small smile.
I smiled back. âGood. Itâll take two carriages, but it will be great fun. And Lady Raminoff wonât have anything to complain about.â
âThank goodness.â She shook her head without wiggling the stylish curls carefully framing her face. âShe nearly screamed the house down when she realized the princess had slipped out yesterday afternoon. And when she realized you were with her, she demanded I fire you.â
âIâm sorry. If Iâd known what she planned, I would have warned you somehow.â The duchess was being a good sport about the disruptions to her home. I wouldnât like to put my house at the mercy of Whitehallâs paranoia or the whims of anarchists. I didnât want to make things more difficult for her.
âWell, today weâll make sure things go better.â The duchess managed a weary smile and left the room.
After I had my solitary luncheon, I waited nearly an hour before a maid entered and told me I was expected immediately in the front hall.
I hurried to put on my hat and gloves and nearly ran until I would be in sight of anyone in the entrance foyer. Then I slowed to a respectable gait and stepped into the front hall.
The duchess was there with a nursery maid keeping close guard on Lady Daisy, Lady Raminoff watching Princess Kira with distrust on her face, and the two dukes, Sussex and Blackford, eyeing the whole party uneasily.
I gave
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