Page 38 of How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days

‘Then all we have to do is find the clues,’ Pip said. ‘Stands to reason we can solve it in time.’

Lydia grasped Pip’s arm and drew him around to face her. ‘We ought not to promise anything we cannot fulfil.’

‘We have to try, Lydia,’ Pip said, voice suddenly serious. ‘Surely you can see that?’

Still, Lydia hesitated. ‘I do not know …’

There was a headache beginning to throb between her eyebrows, and she pressed her thumb there, trying to think. There was an awful part of her that wished Jane had never brought this to their door, for Lydia did not think she could cope with more complications. And yet how could they say no? Pip would certainly not be able to let it alone and she would not be able to let him do it alone – but it was not as if she had nothing to do, herself! With the trap of her engagement tightening around her with every moment that passed, to be distracted at such a juncture could be fatal.

‘It is too much,’ she muttered, more to herself than the others.

‘Miss Hanworth,’ Jane said. The formality of her address had Lydia blinking in surprise. Jane usually only referred to her as such in front of Aunt Agatha. ‘There is no one else who can help. Please.’

Her voice was entreating, almost pleading. Lydia had never heard Jane speak so and it broke her thoughts away from their selfish bent.

We are just the same as they, her grandmother used to tell Lydia at every opportunity, reminding her that, but for a few changes in circumstances, Lydia too would have grown up in domestic service. Such a thing as this could easily have happened to her, or Jane – an injustice, committed by another leaving one left to bear the consequences, alone and powerless.

‘You need not be involved,’ Pip said, ‘if you do not wish to be.’

‘If you’re in it, I am too,’ she assured all three of them. Pip beamed at her. ‘Where should we begin? There are hundreds of people it might have been.’

Pip drew himself up to his fullest height. ‘I believe no servant would be foolish enough to steal such a thing, and that leaves only our fellow guests.’

Guests who had been informed of the necklace’s preciousness and value at great length.

‘If Lady Phoebe is to wear the diamonds on our last night,’ Pip said, ‘we have eight days to find the thief and bring them to justice.’

‘Truly?’ Elspeth was looking at him as if he had hung the moon. ‘You believe we can?’

‘Fact is, I know it,’ Pip said. ‘I have already begun by questioning the suspects – Simmons says that is the very first thing one should do, you see. Then, we must search the rest of the house – every room, every bedchamber – for evidence.’

‘What sort of things should I look for?’ Elspeth asked breathlessly.

‘We shall know them when we see them,’ Pip said, with a dismissive wave of his hand.

‘The house is crawling with staff,’ Jane warned.

Lydia’s brow wrinkled, feeling that this might be more difficult than Pip imagined. ‘What if any of you are apprehended?’

A dozen disquieting scenarios sprang easily to her mind, but Pip only gave a dismissive wave. ‘We’ll think of an excuse.’

‘What if you are apprehended by the thief?’ Lydia demanded. ‘They could be a dangerous person – do you have your pin, Jane?’

‘Of course.’ Jane withdrew from her lapel a pin the twin of Lydia’s own. Grandmother had supplied all her maids with these weapons, knowing as she did how some gentlemen felt they might take liberties with the household staff.

‘If we time the thing well enough,’ Pip said, ‘and use each other as lookouts, we will not be discovered.’ Warming to his inspirational role, he added: ‘We shall prevail! On this, and on—’

Lydia cut her eyes meaningfully to Elspeth. Just because they were united in this venture, did not mean they ought to reveal all their confidences, surely?

‘The other matter,’ Pip finished, with such significance that Elspeth looked between them, curiosity obviously piqued.

‘You are making good progress,’ Jane encouraged, with equal indiscretion. Lydia frowned at her. ‘His valet reports he is going through snuff by the pound.’

However uneasy Lydia might feel about their loose lips, this was the piece of reassurance she needed. Lydia felt the hard knot in her stomach ease, a little.

‘Good,’ she said. ‘That’s good.’

Pip gave her an encouraging smile. ‘We can do both, Lydia, I promise. There is time.’