On a Wicked Dawn

Chapter 20

By general consensus, they waited until Emily, Anne, Portia, Penelope, and Miss Pink retired at the end of the evening before broaching the topic uppermost in all their minds.

Helena held up a hand the instant the door closed behind Miss Pink. "You must start at the beginning, if you please. There is no point rambling about any bushes with such a matter, not when we are all family."

Luc, Amelia, Lucifer, and Phyllida exchanged glances, then Luc complied. He sketched the known actions of the thief within the ton, then Lucifer and Amelia described the pieces of the puzzle they'd stumbled across.

Standing before the hearth, Luc concluded, "We do not at present have any idea who the thief is. However, whether by design or sheer coincidence, his activities are making it appear that the culprit is…" He paused, then, face hardening, went on, "One of us. One of the Ashfords."

Helena, more serious, more disapproving than Amelia had ever seen her, nodded decisively. "Yes. It will be said it is one of your sisters. But as we have seen today, that is quite impossible."

Luc studied her, then asked, "Why do you say it's impossible?"

Helena stared at him, then blinked. "Ah, I see — you wish me to state it. Very well. It is impossible that Emily or Anne could be the one who has taken the General's thimble because both are jeunes filles ingenues—they are not capable of dissembling to hide such a thing, not before me, and Louise and all here. This is not credible. Also, Amelia has said they did not know anything about the quizzing glass. It must be, I think, Lord Witherley's — I will look at it later. But again, neither their actions nor Amelia's reading of them supports the idea of either being involved. So they are not."

Helena's expression grew somber. "But that means we must find who is, and soon, for both Emily and Anne are… susceptible. Their lives can be ruined by suspicion and rumor, if those are allowed to run amok."

Luc inclined his head. "Thank you. I agree. That is the situation in a nutshell."

Martin, seated in an armchair, Amanda perched on its arm, looked at Luc. "Do we know of anyone who would wish to harm the Ashfords?"

Luc met his gaze; Amelia watched the cousins' silent exchange, but it was Minerva who sighed, and said, "There's Edward, of course."

Everyone looked at her, but it was Luc whose gaze she met. "Neither you nor I ever managed to understand him. Given what he's done in the past, how can we say he wouldn't do this — even this — too?"

Luc grimaced and looked at Martin. "It won't, however, be Edward himself."

Martin nodded. "An agent, or agents. We all know it could be done."

"Except," Amelia put in, "Edward doesn't have much money — not enough to pay agents." She looked at Luc. "Does he?"

"He has his allowance, but I doubt it'd stretch that far."

"Actually, that would fit nicely." Lucifer stretched out his long legs, crossing his ankles. "Edward could simply suggest where these friends of his could pick up little items, and in doing so make him happy, too. Of course, that does presuppose Edward has those sorts of friends, and moreover, that they would be willing to consider his wishes."

Luc shook his head. "We were never close — indeed, we'd been deliberately distant for more than a decade. I've no idea of Edward's associates."

Lucifer grimaced. "If he is behind this, he'll be counting on that."

Amelia didn't care who was behind the plot as long as it was ended. "Regardless, we have to expose the thief who's here, on the ground, soon. We can't let things go until the rumors build and people start pointing fingers. The one most likely to be suspected is Anne, and" — her gaze sweeping the circle of faces, she saw comprehension and agreement—"we can't let that happen."

Arthur, sitting back, calmly watching, stated, "We need a plan — one to flush the thief out."

Martin leaned forward. "We need to strike now, before he gets any inkling we might be after him."

Luc met his gaze, nodded. "So — how do we catch a thief?"

"That," Helena declared, "is simple." When they all turned her way, she raised her brows. "We dangle before his covetous eyes something he will not be able to resist stealing."

"A trap?" Luc considered, then asked, "Baited with what?"

Helena calmly answered, "With my pearls and emeralds, of course."

The suggestion caused an uproar. Lucifer and Arthur forcefully declared using the Cynster necklace was out of the question.

Helena silenced them with a long, steady look from her pale green eyes. When all was again quiet, she evenly stated, "The necklace is mine to do with as I please — Sebastian gave it to me all those years ago, and there never were any strings attached to it. There is nothing you can possibly suggest that would be more appealing to a thief. I agree that the necklace is now also a family piece, but as such, it is there, to my thinking, not just as a form of wealth, but to be used as need be for the family. This is one such occasion, when such a thing needs to be used." Her gaze swept the company, then returned to rest on Lucifer and Arthur. "It is my decision that it should be."

Her tone reminded everyone that despite the fact Sebastian, her husband, Devil's father, was long gone, a great deal of power still remained at Helena's back. She was the Cynster matriarch; ultimately, none had the power to gainsay her.

Amelia noted that her mother, Phyllida — all the women — were, at least figuratively, squarely ranged behind Helena. She had taken a stand — declared what should be done; it was now up to the men to handle the rest.

Luc broke the ensuing silence. "Assuming we decide to bait a trap, how, exactly, are we to construct it?"

Lucifer reluctantly growled, "We need some event — some occasion — that will appear to the thief to leave the door open."

"If we're going to use that necklace, or something of the sort," Martin smoothly said, "we need to alert the thief to the possibilities, then lure him into a situation where we can catch him."

"You need the bait and the trap," Arthur said. "You need to prime the trap, and then spring it."

Luc looked at them all. "So what's our trap?"

The discussions, suggestions, and arguments lasted for more than an hour. Amelia ordered the tea trolley replenished; Luc had the decanters brought in. They sat and argued, tossed ideas in, tossed them out. It was Minerva who finally suggested, "We could have an open house of some sort."

Amelia blinked. "I've only recently joined the family — all the rest of you are here visiting…" She glanced at Luc. "We could host a celebration of some sort, one for all the surrounding families."

"And your tenants and the villagers," Phyllida put in. "That way, anyone could attend."

"If you're determined to use the necklace," Lucifer said, his tone underscoring his disapproval and his resignation, "then it'll have to be an evening event — you couldn't wear that necklace during the day without being too obvious." Helena inclined her head. "That is true."

"A Summer Ball and Gala," Amelia said. "There's no reason we can't organize something like that quickly — an impulsive decision, an impromptu event. Nothing suspicious about that. The weather's been glorious, you're all here visiting, so we decide to take advantage and host a ball for the neighborhood. To include everyone, we'll make it a whole evening, with the gardens open for dancing and fireworks, so there'll be plenty of opportunity for the thief to see the necklace."

Everyone thought; everyone nodded. "All right," Luc said. "Now for the details." He fixed Helena with an even glance. "How do you imagine it will be?" She smiled, and told him. Despite Lucifer's growls, and Simon's, Luc's and Martin's frowns, everyone eventually agreed. Throughout the early evening, before the ball, Helena, flaunting the necklace, would move among the assembled tenants, villagers, and neighbors. At all times, she would be flanked by two of the other ladies, a normal enough situation; from a distance, at least two of the men would be watching her constantly.

Then, just before the ball was due to commence, Luc and Helena would meet on the terrace. Luc would comment on the necklace, suggesting the Dowager hand it to him after the ball for safekeeping — a suggestion Helena would openly dismiss, declaring it would be safe in her room.

"We can organize the fireworks to be lit then, so everyone will gather on the terrace and steps. That way, many people will be near enough to hear." Amelia looked at Luc, who nodded.

"In the circumstances, I can appear to feel moved to speak, even surrounded by a crowd." He glanced at Helena. "If I understand this correctly, the necklace in question is of that ilk?"

Lucifer snorted. "Believe it. Three long strands of priceless matched pearls broken by three rectangular emeralds.

Plus matching bracelets and earrings." He glowered at Helena, then grimaced. "Much as it pains me to admit, it's the perfect bait for this thief. Whoever they are, they've a nice eye for valuables, and that set can be broken up and restrung so easily, it would be child's play to do so and sell what would then be unidentifiable new necklaces. The emeralds, too, although distinctive, could easily be reset."

Luc's expression turned grim. "Definitely the sort of thing I would insist on having in safekeeping."

Helena waved aside the caveat. "Do not fear. By the time I am finished dismissing your so-kind insistence, everyone will know that the necklace will remain for that night in my room."

"I still don't like that." The objection came from Simon, standing, one broad shoulder propped against the end of the mantelpiece. He frowned at Helena. "It's so risky. What if they harm you?"

Helena's smile turned gentle but did not disguise her steel. "There will be no risk to me. The necklace will be strewn on the table in the middle of the room — just where a lady such as myself, careless with her wealth, might leave it. No thief is going to spare a moment to harm a small and frail old woman such as I. I will pose no threat to him."

"Just to be clear on that issue" — Arthur had been following her dissertation closely—"will you promise — in order to ease our no doubt irrational male fears — that you will not yourself in any way try to apprehend this thief?"

Helena met his gaze, then laughed. "Very well, mon ami—I will promise you that. I will do nothing but watch — it will be up to you all" — she waved at the men—"to catch this thief before he absconds with my treasure."

"And if we don't," Lucifer grumbled, "we'll never hear the end of it."

The clocks struck midnight. Helena rose; the other ladies followed, deeming their planning done. As she swept past Lucifer's chair, Helena patted his dark head. "I have every confidence in you all, mes enfants"

Lucifer, who when standing towered over Helena, as did every man in the room, looked thoroughly disgruntled.

By noon the next day, all the married men had accepted that shifting their ladies from Helena's plan was beyond their capabilities.

"We're going to have to cover every possible approach to the house." Luc looked down at the plan of the house he'd unrolled on his desk. Lucifer and Martin flanked him, likewise poring over the diagram.

Simon stood opposite, his gaze flicking from the plan to their faces, then back again. "There's really no other choice?"

"None." Lucifer replied without even looking up. "Take it from us — further argument is wasted effort."

Arthur strolled up. He glanced at the plan, then sighed. "I really hate to leave at such a moment, but those negotiations will not wait."

Lucifer, Luc, and Martin all looked at him.

"Don't worry," Luc said.

"We'll manage," came from Lucifer.

"Especially given you got her promise not to tackle the thief herself." Martin grinned. "You've done your bit — you can leave the rest to us."

Arthur looked at them, then nodded. "Very well — but send word to Devil if you do need help."

They nodded.

Arthur pulled out his watch, checked the time. "Well, I'd best go and see if Louise is ready to depart. We were supposed to leave fifteen minutes ago."

He left them studying the house plan.

In the front hall, he came upon a scene of frenetic energy with maids and footmen dashing this way and that, streaming about the ladies gathered in the hall's center.

Louise saw him. "There you are. We've been waiting for you."

Arthur simply smiled.

Minerva, Emily, and Anne farewelled him with wishes for a speedy and safe journey.

A step beyond, the twins had their heads together. Arthur paused to take in the sight, one he'd seen so many times, then he slid one arm around Amanda's waist, the other around Amelia, hugged them both, and planted a kiss first on one forehead, then the other. "Take care, both of you."

They laughed, beamed, and kissed him back.

"Take care, Papa."

"Come and visit again."

Stifling a sigh, he released them, trying hard not to think that he had, indeed, truly let them go. He took Phyllida's hand and kissed it. "You, too, my dear."

Phyllida smiled serenely and kissed his cheek. "Have a good trip."

Arthur turned to Helena. "As for you…"

Helena raised her brows haughtily, but her eyes danced. "Me, I will do very well, I thank you. But you had best be away, or you will not reach London tonight." Her smile softened; she gave him her hands and lifted her cheek for him to kiss. "Take care."

"That's my line," Arthur growled, obliging with the kiss, then squeezing her hands before releasing them.

A renewed tide of "good-byes" and waves carried them through the front door. Arthur led Louise down the steps to where their coach stood, heavily burdened.

He handed Louise in, then, with a last wave at the assembled ladies, who, he now noted, had been joined by their husbands and his only surviving son, he followed his wife into the carriage. The door was shut, the footman stood back. A whip cracked; the coach lurched, then rumbled forward.

They waved, then Louise sighed and sat back. Arthur did the same. Louise glanced at him. "So, are you happy with your sons-in-law?"

Arthur raised his brows. "They're both good men, and they're clearly… devoted."

"Devoted?" Louise's smile grew; she glanced away. "Yes, I daresay you might call it that."

Arthur shot her a glance. "And you? Are you happy with them?"

"With Dexter, yes. With Luc… I have absolutely no qualms — I never did. They seem to be settling together nicely, quite as well as I expected, but there's something not quite straight yet. However, I'm sure it, whatever it is, will sort itself out." Louise faced forward. "I asked Helena to keep an eye on them — I'm sure she will."

Arthur studied her profile, then, as the coach turned up the long incline crossing the opposite face of the valley, he looked out at the Chase, basking in the sunshine. Wondered if he should write and warn Luc. Wondered where his own true loyalties now lay.

Louise glanced at him, then made a dismissive sound and patted his hand. "Stop worrying — they'll do."

Arthur humphed, settled back, closed his eyes. And decided they probably would — either fate or Helena would make sure of it.

They'd decided on the following Saturday evening for their Summer Ball. That gave them five days in which to prepare — possible, but only just. The first item that needed to be dealt with was the invitations; immediately after lunch, the ladies knuckled down and wrote them out, then co-opted every stableboy and groom to deliver them.

That done, they spent the next three hours disposed about the drawing room discussing and deciding and making lists. Portia and Penelope convinced Miss Pink that their education in ladylike endeavors could best be served by their attendance; their novel suggestions often induced much hilarity, but occasionally were incorporated into the various lists.

A list for entertainment, one for food, another for furniture, yet another for implements — crockery, cutlery, and glassware.

"We should have an Order of Ceremony," Penelope stated.

When Minerva smiled, Portia weighed in, "No — Pen's right. We need to make sure certain things get done by certain times, don't we?"

She looked about innocently. The assembled ladies exchanged glances. Neither Portia nor Penelope, Emily nor Anne was supposed to know…

Amelia asked, "You mean for when the fireworks will be let off, and when the dancing will begin?"

"And when the food will be served and so on." Portia frowned. "I would think a list like that would be indispensable."

Relief washed through the room; Portia and Penelope noticed, but when Phyllida and Amanda leapt in to agree with their suggestion, the moment slid away, along with their unvoiced questions.

When they were satisfied they'd identified all that needed to be done, and the four girls had gone out to stroll the lawns, Amelia relaxed in her chair, her gaze on Phyllida, on the chaise beside Amanda. "I know you're eager to get back to Colyton. We can't ask you to delay—

Phyllida cut her off with a wave. "Alasdair and I discussed it last night. I do want to get back, but…" She smiled wryly. "I'd never forgive myself — and he certainly wouldn't — if we left and things went wrong for want of a few extra hands."

"Still, it's an imposition. You've already done so much—

"Nonsense. You know we enjoy it. Besides, we've already sent messages. Alasdair sent his groom with dispatches to Devil in London, and Devil will send our news on to Papa and Jonas in Devon, so all's settled." Phyllida leaned forward and squeezed Amelia's hand. "Indeed, we feel so… incensed by this thief, so determined to have him caught, I doubt we'd leave even if you truly didn't need our aid."

Helena nodded sagely. "This thief, whoever he is, is beneath contempt. I do not believe he does not know that his actions will harm the innocent. I consider it an honor to have a part in arranging his downfall."

Amanda murmured, "Hear, hear."

A moment later, they all smiled — at each other, at themselves — then they rose; skirts swishing, they headed upstairs to change.

Amelia took her lists to bed with her that night. Their bedroom was the only place she could be sure of meeting Luc alone, in absolute privacy.

The subject she had to broach demanded nothing less.

She waited until he stretched out beside her, large, lean and naked — she'd considered inquiring about nightshirts, but there was that old saying about one's nose and one's face, and the sight of Luc naked — lolling on the bed beside her naked — was not something she felt it incumbent on her to forgo — however, when he reached for the lists and filched them from her suddenly nerveless grasp, she discovered her mouth had dried, and her wits had wandered.

Clearing her throat, she focused on the lists — in his hands — and determinedly hauled her wits back to where they belonged. "I tried to cut them down as much as I could, but that really is the least I think we need do."

He glanced at her, then laid the lists on the covers over her stomach. "Arrange for whatever you like. Whatever takes your fancy."

He reached for her, drew her to him, found her lips with his. Kissed her longingly, lingeringly, until there was no doubt in her mind what his fancy was.

When he released her lips to tug the covers from between them, she clutched the lists, dragged in a breath. "Yes, but—"

He kissed her again.

A minute later, she lifted the lists, reached back, blindly groping until she found the edge of the bed, then she opened her hand and let the precious lists fall to the floor. Safer there than on the bed. If they got tangled in the covers, who knew what state they'd be in come morning?

She reached for Luc's face, framed it as she kissed him back — let passion and desire flow through her to meet his.

His hands were everywhere, caressing, molding; his body flowed around and about hers. Then she was on her knees and he was behind her, his hands kneading her breasts as their loins came together and he slid deep within her.

She arched, heard her soft cry.

And they were caught in the heat, the power and the passion, their need, and the wonder that this, and the bliss it brought, was truly theirs.

Later, when they'd disengaged and were lying, slumped together beneath the covers once more, she moved her head and placed a kiss in the center of his chest. "Thank you." She smiled, realizing the ambiguity but seeing no need to be more specific. Settling deeper into his arms, reveling in the way they instinctively tightened about her, she sighed contentedly. "I will try to keep the expenses down."

Stillness swept him, like a curtain sweeping down his body. A reaction to the mention of money, an awkwardness she could understand.

"Amelia, there's—"

"No reason to stint." She touched her lips to his chest again. "I know. But there's also no reason to run the estate too close to the edge. I'll manage." Sleep was dragging at her; she patted his chest, then settled her hand where she liked to leave it, spread over his heart. "Don't worry."

Her murmur was almost inaudible; Luc inwardly cursed. He debated shaking her awake, forcing her to listen while he told her the truth…

The soft huff of her breath stirred the hairs on his chest. Her hand grew heavier where it lay over his heart.

He drew a breath, let it out, and felt the stillness leave him. Felt her warmth wrap about him, sink through him.

Relaxing into the bed, he set himself to decide exactly where, when, and in what order he'd confess… and fell asleep.

He should have told her. If not last night, then certainly this morning. If not all the truth, then at least the fact she didn't need to watch her pennies, and why.

Instead…

Luc stood at the window of his study, staring out at the lawns while in his mind he relived that morning, when he'd woken and found Amelia gone.

Sheer panic had gripped him — she was never awake before him — then he'd heard her bustling in her dressing room. An instant later, she'd swept back into the bedroom, already dressed, ready to plunge into her day. Greeting him brightly, she'd rounded the bed and retrieved her lists.

She'd chatted happily about all she had to do; there'd been not the slightest trace of worry or reticence in her face, in her blue, blue eyes. She'd been genuinely on top of the world—their world — regardless of any monetary constraints. She'd barely paused for any response from him; he simply hadn't had the heart — the intestinal fortitude, the necessary steel — to cut through her bubbling busyness and force on her a confession that, in that instant, had not seemed so terribly urgent.

"These figures."

He turned. Seated behind his desk, Martin tapped the report he was wading through. "Are they accurate?"

"As far as can be ascertained. I had them confirmed by three independent sources." Luc hesitated, then added, "I usually bank on 50 percent of what I'm told to expect."

Martin raised his brows, calculating, then gave a low whistle and returned to the report. Opposite him, seated before the desk, Lucifer was similarly engaged in plowing through the details of a number of investment opportunities Luc had assessed; absorbed, one hand sunk in his black locks, Lucifer didn't look up.

Luc returned to the vista beyond the window. And saw Penelope emerge from the direction of the kennels, a wriggling puppy — Galahad, Luc felt certain — in her arms. Stepping onto the lawn, she set Galahad down; he lived up to his name, immediately dashing around, nose to the ground, tracking something.

Penelope sank to the grass and watched him with, as in most things she did, serious and unwavering concentration. Behind her, following her onto the wide lawn, came a bevy of the younger hounds — those yet too young to run with the pack — with Portia and Simon supervising.

Portia was supervising the hounds. Simon, his hands sunk in his pockets, appeared to be supervising Penelope and Portia.

That seemed a trifle odd. Simon was nineteen, nearly twenty, and had already acquired a degree of social polish. Emily and Anne were much closer to his age, yet these days he more often than not gravitated to the environs of Portia and Penelope whenever they were out of the schoolroom… the explanation for that occurred to Luc even as the thought formed in his mind.

Given they suspected there was someone in the vicinity who was ill-disposed toward his family, his sisters in particular, and that Portia and Penelope were frequently out of doors, one step away from running wild, he could only be grateful for Simon's hovering presence.

As he watched the trio on the lawn, it became obvious Portia did not share his view; even from the study, he could see the haughtiness with which she stuck her nose in the air and said something — something cutting enough to make Simon scowl.

Penelope ignored the pair of them. They continued to snipe at each other over her head. Making a mental note to mention to Simon that arguing with either of his younger sisters was an activity best avoided, Luc turned and strolled to an armchair and the reports he'd yet to peruse.

As one, he, Martin, and Lucifer had taken refuge in his study; beyond the doors, pandemonium — and their wives — reigned. It was, they knew without stating it, best to keep their heads down.

At Devil's suggestion, Lucifer had asked to be given a general overview of Luc's investment strategy. Martin had pricked up his ears, and asked to be included in the fun. He presently had them both working through the reports he'd used to decide on his last three investments — all speculative, all potentially high-yielding, all presently bidding fair to adding considerably to his wealth.

Glancing at Martin's and Lucifer's bowed heads, Luc smiled, settled into the armchair, and gave his attention to what might be his next venture.

Entirely unexpectedly — quite how it happened he wasn't sure — Luc found himself walking in the cool of that evening with Helena on his arm. When she directed him — imperiously as usual — to the shrubbery, his antenna rose, but he complied. With the westering sun gilding the tops of the high hedges, he escorted her into the first courtyard, then through to the next, to where the rectangular pool lay reflective and still.

Helena gestured to the wrought-iron seat set before the pool. He led her there, then waited while she sat. At her wave, he sat beside her, fixed his gaze on the pool, and waited, determinedly impassive, to hear whatever she wished to say.

To his surprise, she laughed, genuinely amused.

When he looked at her, she caught his eye. "You may lower your shield — I am not about to attack."

Her smile was infectious, yet… he knew well enough not to relax.

She sighed and shook her head at him, then looked out over the pool. "You are still in denial."

He wondered if feigning ignorance would get him anywhere; he doubted it. Sitting back, stretching out his legs, crossing his ankles, he followed her lead in watching the fish streak like quicksilver through the dark water. "I'm very happy — we both are."

"That does not require saying. Yet… you are not, to my thinking, as happy as you might be, as you would be, if the truth was faced."

He let silence stretch, acknowledging the reality in her words. "In time, I daresay we'll come to it."

Helena made a sound not generally associated with Dowager Duchesses. " 'Come to it'—what does that mean? I will tell you this, time will not help you. Time will only deny you days of happiness you might otherwise have."

He met her gaze, saw something in her pale eyes that was both humbling and compelling.

She smiled, shrugged, looked back at the pool. "It happens to us all — we each have to face it. For some, it's easier than others, but each one must at some point understand and knowingly accept. At some point, we each have to make the decision."

He hadn't thought… he started to frown.

Helena glanced at him; her smile deepened. "Ah, no — one cannot escape. That is true. One can only accept and reap the benefits, or instead, spend one's life fighting the invincible."

He laughed, albeit wryly. He understood all too well what she meant.

She said no more; neither did he. They sat as the shadows lengthened, both, he was sure, dwelling on only one thing. Eventually, she rose; he did, too. He gave her his arm, and they walked back to the house.

On Friday morning, from the window of his study, Luc watched Amelia and Amanda playing with Galahad, wondered, briefly, what confidences they were sharing. Briefly recalled his conversation with Helena, but a more immediate duty beckoned.

Carrying the paperweight he'd fetched from the windowsill back to his desk, he anchored the last corner of the plan of the house and grounds.

"They're setting up the tables here." Martin pointed with a pencil to the western edge of the lawns. "And there'll apparently be a fiddler and drummer over here — far enough from the house so their noise won't interfere with the quartet in the ballroom."

Lucifer glanced at Luc. "Are any of the people they've hired — musicians, extra hands to help in the kitchen or anywhere else — unknown to you or your staff?"

Luc shook his head. "I checked with Higgs and Cottsloe. Everyone they've brought in are locals — none has been out of the area this year."

"Good." Lucifer studied the layout of the house and the gardens surrounding the lawns. "If you were going to break in at night, from which direction would you come?"

"If I knew about the hounds, from here." Luc pointed to the area to the northeast beyond the rose garden. "That's woodland, quite dense. It's a remnant of the original demesne and has never been cleared. It's readily passable, but the trees are old — even in full daylight, the paths are shadowy and dark."

Martin nodded. "True. But if you didn't know about the hounds, then this would be the better way in." He traced a path from the west boundary of the gardens, across the lane to the home farm, then along the edge of the shrubbery. "Or, alternatively, if one came down from the ridge, then late at night coming in beside the stables might seem wise."

"Good cover all the way," Luc agreed. "However, I can assure you the hounds will send up an alarm if anyone approaches along that route."

Lucifer grimaced. "We'll have to hope he's smart enough to realize about the hounds."

His hands in his pockets, Luc stared at the plan. Martin glanced at him. Luc met his gaze. "I'd better warn Sugden. If anyone does come that way, and the hounds set up a cry, Sugden can release them. They'll run any intruder to earth, and hold him until we get there."

Lucifer grinned. Evilly. "Nice idea."

"Another thought," Martin offered. "Let Patsy and Morry charm the children at the gala. They're well behaved enough. Sugden could keep them on their leashes and show them off. No one would think that odd, given they're champions. And it would serve to draw our thief's attention to the existence of the kennels."

Martin straightened, meeting both Luc's, then Lucifer's dark eyes. "While it might satisfy us to run the felon to earth, it would be better all around if we could catch him in the act first."

Luc nodded. So did Lucifer.

They all turned back to the plan.

"All right." Luc pointed to a bedchamber on the first floor.

"That's the room Helena's in. So how are we going to protect her?"

They spent most of the morning discussing the possibilities; they'd had to wait until then to learn all that their wives' had planned, and, most importantly, the when and where of each organized activity.

With all the details in place, they'd hatched their own plans. During the gala and ball, there'd be the three of them, plus Simon, Sugden, and Cottsloe, all keeping watch over Helena. Later, once the guests were gone, Amelia, Amanda, and Phyllida would watch from various places inside the house, while Martin, Sudgen, and Lucifer patrolled the grounds, leaving Luc and Simon — presently the most familiar with the house and the rooms everyone was in — to guard the long corridors.

Once they'd finalized their arrangements, they'd dispersed. Luc had gone to the kennels to speak with Sugden and run a quick eye over the pack.

Returning to the house, he hesitated, then strolled to the music room. He paused in the corridor outside the door… from the parlor beyond came Amelia's voice. And Phyllida's and Amanda's. Grimacing, he walked on.

Climbing the main stairs, he paused at the first floor, then, jaw firming, took the flight to the top floor.

Portia, Penelope, and Miss Pink were downstairs, eschewing lessons with books for more practical demonstrations; the upper central wing stood empty. Luc strolled to the nursery, opened the door, and went in.

Nothing had yet changed — he hadn't expected it would have; Amelia hadn't yet had time to put her plans into place. But she would. Soon.

Walking to the window, he looked down over the valley, and pondered that fact, what it would mean, how it made him feel.

A son — that was the least fate owed him after leaving him to manage alone with four sisters. His lips twisted; in truth, he didn't care. All he wanted was to see Amelia with his babe at her breast.

His conversation with Helena had cast a new slant — he hadn't considered that Amelia, too, would have her own decision to make.

She'd already made it — of that he felt certain. She was committed to him, had changed her allegiance and was carrying his child. She was his. At some primal level, he'd known that for some time — now he believed it.

His rational logical mind had at long last caught up with his primitive self.

Satisfaction and contentment welled, laced with escalating frustration. Now he was waiting to tell her all, fate was conspiring to delay his declaration.

She was rushed off her feet with preparations, dozy when he joined her in their bed at night, in the morning leaping out of it before he'd woken to plunge back into the whirl.

Given what she and all that lay between them now meant to him, given how important acknowledging that had become, grabbing a few rushed minutes with servants and family distractingly hovering to make such a vital declaration was, to him, unthinkable.

When he finally confessed to the ultimate surrender, he at least wanted to be sure she was paying attention — and would remember it later.

Impatience gnawed; frustration gnashed. He stared out at the valley. His jaw set.

Once the thief was caught, he would insist she refocus every last shred of her attention back on him.

And then he would tell her the simple truth.

Three little words.

/ love you.