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that you might not realise that it is not the thing to wear
diamonds in the country, I know better.
I had my reasons, dear, Emily responded with a rueful
half-smile, but for the present I should prefer to keep them
to myself. Not granting the opportunity for further questions,
Emily slipped her arm through Sarah s and guided her back
into the salon. I must not keep you from your other guests,
but before you disappear perhaps you could tell me where our
esteemed Justice of the Peace is skulking? I ve seen neither
hide nor hair of him since I arrived.
And you won t. He sent a note this morning with his
apologies. Apparently he s taken to his bed, suffering from
an annoying summer chill.
Oh, confound it!
Needless to say, the startling reaction to Sir George
Maynard s absence did little to lessen Sarah s suspicion that
something was wrong. However, before she could enquire
why his presence in particular was so important, Emily sur-
prised her again by uttering a tiny sound somewhere between
a squeal and a gasp as she stared across the room at the group
of young gentlemen paying court to Drusilla Deverel.
I d forgotten Charles had mentioned that Michael might
be here. You must excuse me, dear. I must speak with him.
No doubt we ll talk later.
Not granting Sarah the opportunity to detain her further,
Emily withdrew her arm. She had little difficulty in detach-
ing Lord Sutherland from the group of admirers, for he was
as delighted by her presence as she had been by his.
You re a sight for sore eyes, m dear! Only arrived today,
and hardly know a soul here.
She raised a mocking brow, as she cast a glance over her
shoulder at Sarah s future sister-in-law. That, if I may say so,
Anne Ashley 241
doesn t appear to have placed a damper on your enjoyment
of the evening.
Michael didn t pretend to misunderstand. Devilish pretty
girl, wouldn t you say?
Yes, very. But if you could manage to prise your thoughts
away from the divine Drusilla for a few minutes, I should be
very grateful.
Obligingly he allowed her to lead him to two vacant chairs
tucked away in one corner of the large salon, which had
become increasingly crowded during the past hour. The
trouble was, though, now she had managed to get him alone,
Emily had no very clear idea of what to say or, more impor-
tantly, how much to reveal. Sir George Maynard s absence
had come as a crushing blow and was something that she
could not have foreseen. She had been relying on the local
Justice of the Peace to aid her, if the need arose. That was out
of the question now. One thing was certain, though, she must
secure help of some sort.
Are you, by any chance, staying here in the house,
Michael? she asked, after succeeding up to a point in mar-
shalling her disordered thoughts. Then Charles must have
told you that Hawk isn t to be here tonight, she added, when
she received a nod in response. He s at this moment trying
to uncover the identity of the person who murdered your
sister-in-law.
She couldn t prevent a smile at the stunned expression.
Yes, he has been endeavouring to do so since your brother s
death, she assured him.
And Hawk might now know who s responsible?
He might, yes, she answered taking a moment to study
the pretty painted figures on her fan, before divulging, I, on
the other hand, am almost certain that I do know. And it is
my intention to trap him tonight.
Lord Sutherland, if possible, looked more stunned than
before. Do-do you mean that he s here?
242 Lord Hawkridge s Secret
Emily drew her eyes away from the tall, elegantly attired
gentleman who had just entered the room, and was being
greeted by their hostess, and gazed into the startled young face
of the man seated beside her.
Yes, Michael. He s here.
But surely& ? His expression changed to one of puzzle-
ment. Then why isn t Hawk here?
Because for reasons which I shall not go into I chose in
the end to keep my suspicions to myself. But that isn t im-
portant now. We need proof, Michael. We must induce him
to reveal himself.
He glanced fleetingly at the necklace before raising
troubled eyes to hers. emily, you don t mean you re going
to let him steal the diamonds?
He ll not get his hands on the necklace, I promise you.
He couldn t fail to hear the determination in her voice. I sin-
cerely hope that he ll make the attempt, though. And that is
when I m going to need your help.
Lord! Michael clapped a hand over his eyes. Hawk will
murder me for this!
Oh, no he won t, Emily assured him, smiling ruefully.
He ll be too busy murdering me to trouble himself about you.
But I shall worry about that when the time comes.
What is it you want me to do? he asked, smiling in spite
of the fact that he was deeply concerned for her safety.
That, I don t know yet, she frankly admitted. A great deal
will depend on the actions of our intended victim. For the first
time she betrayed her troubled state of mind by a deep frown.
I want to avoid a scene here if I can. If by some miracle I do
succeed in tricking him, and lure him away from the party,
then be assured I ll get word to you.
She rose to her feet. I assume you can rely on your groom
to assist you?
Michael nodded, as he rose too. Yes, he s a reliable fellow.
He was my brother s servant before mine.
Anne Ashley 243
In that case I expect he ll wish to avenge his late master s
death and be doubly willing to aid you. You can also enlist
the help of Charles s groom. He s a reliable fellow too. But
under no circumstances confide in Deverel himself. The fewer
people involved in this the more chance there is of a success-
ful outcome.
She chose not to add that she feared that Charles, acting
on Sebastian s behalf, would do everything within his power
to prevent her from placing herself in danger. Michael, on the
other hand, had been an inspired choice. He had his own axe
to grind, and she strongly suspected that a desire to avenge
his brother s death, not to mention the murder of his sister-
in-law, was foremost in his mind at the moment.
Come, she said, placing the tips of her fingers on the
sleeve of his beautifully tailored evening coat, let us dance.
Then, afterwards, we must avoid each other as much as
possible. I do not underestimate the villain we re after,
Michael. If he suspects that we re plotting something, he ll
not take the bait.
Once again his young face betrayed clear evidence of
unease. But surely if Hawk is on the trail of one of this
blackguard s associates then there s no need for you
There s no guarantee that he has been or will be success-
ful in his endeavours, Michael, she interrupted, determined
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