In her hands, she carried a small leather-bound book.
Behind her stood Thomas, one of the younger footmen.
His face was pale.
Bess curtsied.
“Your Grace.”
Julian stepped toward her.
“Bess, before you say anything, I owe you an apology.”
The maid stared.
He continued.
“I allowed you to be accused without properly examining the evidence. I listened to Mr. Vane before I listened to you. That was unjust.”
Bess's eyes widened.
Julian looked directly at her.
“I am sorry.”
For several seconds, the girl appeared unable to speak.
Then she curtsied again.
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Julian glanced at the book.
“What have you brought?”
Bess stepped forward.
“This was in the old copying room.”
Mr. Whitford took the volume.
He opened it.
Then stopped.
His eyes sharpened.
“Where did you find this?”
“Behind the lower drawer of the copying desk, sir. My brother helped move the desk while the room was being cleaned after the rain came through the roof.”
The solicitor turned a page.
Then another.
Julian approached.
“What is it?”
Mr. Whitford looked up.
“A copybook.”
Clara rose.
“Of what?”
“Letters, authorizations, and financial instructions.”
He turned several more pages.
Then placed the book upon the desk.
“Your Grace, I believe we have found our missing evidence.”
Julian looked down.
There, in faded ink, was a copy of a letter supposedly written by Clara.
The very letter in which she had described unnecessary footmen as an encouragement to vanity.
Beneath it appeared a notation in Vane's hand.
Approved wording. To be forwarded through Sir E. Cross.
Clara stared.
Mr. Whitford turned another page.
A letter supposedly written by Julian.
Then another.
Then several financial authorizations.
The copybook contained the correspondence that had been used to poison their acquaintance.
It also contained instructions relating to the school funds.
Julian's expression became dangerously still.
“Where is Vane?”
Bess swallowed.
“I don't know, Your Grace.”
Thomas stepped forward.
“Sir.”
Julian turned.
The footman looked miserable.
“I have something to confess.”
The room fell silent.
Thomas lowered his eyes.
“Mr. Vane paid me to place Lady Honoria's jewel pouch beneath Bess's bed.”
Bess drew a sharp breath.
Julian's face hardened.
“And the necklace?”
Thomas swallowed.
“I took it from her ladyship's dressing room.”
“Where is it now?”
“In Mr. Vane's strongbox, sir.”
Julian stared at him.
Thomas began trembling.
“He said Bess had been disobedient, and that it would teach her a lesson. He promised me twenty pounds. I didn't know he'd accuse her of stealing until afterward.”
Bess looked at him with undisguised hurt.
“You knew my father could lose his home.”
Thomas lowered his head.
“I know.”