The Duke’s Guests Laughed as the Maid Fell Into the Lake — She Said, “I’ll Remember Every Face”
Chapter 12
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"Nobody looks in a horse's stall for treasure," she whispered, and kissed Bramble's soft nose. She was back in her bed before the bell rang at 6:00.That decision saved her life, although by noon she would not think so.The scream came at 11:00 in the morning. It came from the Dowager Duchess's bedroom, and it was so loud that every servant in the house stopped what they were doing and looked up at the ceiling. Within minutes, the whole household had been gathered in the great hall: every maid, every footman, every cook and gardener and stable boy, standing in long rows on the stone floor that Clara had scrubbed with her own bleeding knees.At the top of the staircase stood the Dowager Duchess, white with fury, leaning on her silver walking stick. Beside her stood Lady Cordelia, looking pale and upset, holding a lace handkerchief to her eyes. Lord Vane stood behind his daughter with his hand on her shoulder. And at the bottom of the stairs, frowning, stood the Duke."The Ravensworth diamond brooch," the Dowager said in a voice like breaking ice, "has been stolen."A gasp ran through the rows of servants."It was in my jewel case yesterday afternoon," the old woman went on. "This morning, it is gone. Nobody leaves this hall until it is found.""Mother," the Duke said, "perhaps it has simply been misplaced.""I have never misplaced anything in my life, Thomas."Lady Cordelia lowered her handkerchief. Her eyes were wet, and her voice trembled beautifully. "I feel so terrible," she said. "It was my fault. I asked to try it on yesterday to see it with my wedding gown. I gave it back to you, Your Grace, I'm sure of it. But I suppose I should have watched more carefully where it went. There are so many new servants in this house. People we know nothing about."She did not look at Clara. She did not need to. Half the servants in the hall turned their heads.Clara stood very still. She felt a cold wave rise slowly from her stomach to her throat. She understood what was happening before anyone said another word."Mrs. Pratt," the Dowager said, "search the servants' rooms. All of them.""Yes, Your Grace."It took less than ten minutes. Mrs. Pratt came down the stairs with a face full of terrible joy. In her hand, glittering in the light from the high windows, was the brooch."Under the pillow, Your Grace," she announced. "In the bed of Clara Hollis."The hall exploded with noise. Maids gasped. Footmen muttered. Someone near the back said, "I knew it. I knew there was something wrong with that one."Clara did not move. She could not. Every eye in the room was on her."I didn't take it," she said. Her voice came out smaller than she wanted. She lifted her chin and said it again, louder: "I did not take it! I have never been in Her Grace's bedroom in my life!"