The Duke’s Guests Laughed as the Maid Fell Into the Lake — She Said, “I’ll Remember Every Face”
Chapter 13
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"Then how did it come to be in your bed?" the Dowager demanded."Someone put it there.""Oh, how convenient," said Lady Cordelia. She came down two steps of the staircase, her blue skirts whispering on the stone. "First, she throws herself into the lake to make a scene. Then she makes eyes at the Duke in locked rooms. And now this." She turned to the Duke. "Thomas, I'm sorry, but you must see what she is. She has been playing you for a fool from the very first day."The Duke was looking at Clara. His face was unreadable. "Clara," he said quietly, "did you take it?""No, Your Grace." She held his eyes. "I swear to you, on my father's grave, I did not."For a long moment, nobody spoke."Send for the constable," Lord Vane said calmly. "This is a matter for the law now. Theft of this size means prison. Perhaps worse."Two footmen stepped toward Clara and took her by the arms. Clara did not struggle; she knew it would only make things worse. But inside, she was screaming. Prison. If they took her to prison, she would never get out. A thief with no family, no money, no friends: they would forget she existed, and her father's name would stay dirty forever."Wait!"A small voice rang out across the hall. Everyone turned. Little Toby, the scullery boy, had pushed his way out of the back row. His face was bright red and his thin legs were shaking, but he stood in the middle of the great hall and pointed up the stairs."She didn't do it!" he said. "Miss Clara was in the dining room all through dinner last night. I saw her carrying the soup! And I saw somebody else!""Hold your tongue, boy!" Mrs. Pratt snapped."Let him speak," said the Duke.Toby swallowed hard. "I went out to the yard to empty the slop bucket. When I came back through the passage, I saw Bess, Lady Cordelia's maid. She was standing at the bottom of the attic stairs like she was keeping watch. And I heard somebody walking up above where the maids sleep—light steps, like a lady's slippers."The hall went silent.Every head turned slowly toward Lady Cordelia's maid. Bess had gone the color of milk."That's a lie!" Cordelia said sharply. "The boy is a liar. He's sweet on her, anyone can see it!""Bess," the Duke said, "is it true? Were you at the attic stairs last night during dinner?"Bess opened her mouth. She looked at her mistress. She looked at the Duke. Then she burst into tears and said nothing at all.The Duke turned to the footmen holding Clara's arms. "Let her go.""Thomas!" Cordelia cried."There will be no constable," the Duke said. His voice was hard now. "Not until I know exactly what happened in this house last night. I will not send a woman to prison on the word of a housekeeper and a pillow."