Their story gained credibility with help from an unlikely source. After fleeing Rellik, Katherine had gone straight to her father and confessed the entire sordid affair. Wanting to preserve his daughter’s reputation and prevent the newspaper from running an atrocious story about her involvement with a criminal, her father informed the authorities that Rellik was a dangerous man who had commenced a savage hunt for the Courtland treasure. There were plenty of clues that indicated Rellik’s involvement, especially once the authorities found the fake necklace on his body.
The real necklace was missing again, though most people were unaware it had ever existed in the first place. How Bryant had managed to make the switch, and where the real necklace was now, were only two of many things Min was desperate to discuss with him.
And her mother… Min couldn’t even think of her. A panic so intense she thought she’d die erupted every time she tried. Her aunt continued to do what she could to help, which consisted mostly of attempting to keep Min calm and optimistic. Communication with the authorities in Nevis took such a dreadfully long time, they never knew if the information they were receiving was current or even accurate.
Min shifted against her pillows, restless and anxious. The door to her room opened and she turned her head cautiously, trying to avoid stretching the newly healed wound at her throat. When Bryant poked his head inside, she sat up with a glad cry. He smiled and sat beside her on the bed, gathering her in his arms.
“Hello.” He stroked her hair from her face.
“Hello.” She snuggled into him for a moment, for the first time allowing herself to feel nothing but happiness in his arms. And then she began to cry.
Bryant held her, let her sob her heart out like a baby. Min was embarrassed by her weeping but just couldn’t gather enough strength to stop.
“I’m sorry,” she finally choked out. “Oh, of all the bloody times to turn into a total ninny…”
Bryant turned her face to his, wiped her tears from her cheeks. “You are the bravest, strongest, most beautiful, and most stubborn thing I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
Min laughed, hiccupping as she sucked back another sob. “I think I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should.” He kissed her forehead, then let his finger trail gently over the bandage at her throat. “You’ve been through so much. I don’t think there is anyone in the world who would begrudge you a few tears.”
“But that’s just it. We’ve been through all this, and Arthur…” Her voice cracked and she shook her head, determined not to break down again. “Arthur is gone. My mother is still in danger. It was all for nothing.”
“Shh, Min. Your mother is going to be fine. In fact, she should be on her way home as we speak.”
“What? What do you mean?”
Bryant had the grace to look sheepish. “I should have told you before. But I… Well, I should have told you.”
“Told me what, Bryant?” Min had never been one for surprises, and Bryant was wearing her patience thin. If he didn’t talk soon…
“Well, it’s lucky for the both of us that I’ve made a few friends over the years.”
“Friends?”
“Yes, both of the high and low variety.” He smiled at her. “You can’t survive in my business for very long without having a good lawyer or two in your back pocket. It’s equally handy to know a few people well versed in bribery. In short, love, I sent my lawyer on a little trip with a good-sized payoff in his luggage. Your mother should be at your door in a few weeks.”
“Bryant!” She threw herself at him and he laughed at her assault.
“I’m only sorry he didn’t arrive in time to save your father.”
“Oh, Bryant,” she said, burrowing into him. “You’ve saved my mother. I’ll never be able to repay you for that. Ever.”
“You already have, love, a million times over.”
He spent the next several minutes showing Min just how happy he was to be with her, his lips tenderly caressing every inch of her face, her neck, her lips. Finally Min pushed him away, a question burning in her mind.
“So are you going to tell me how you did it? You couldn’t have switched the necklaces in front of Rellik. Which means you must have done it beforehand.”
“Are you trying to imply something?”
“No. I’m outright accusing you. You followed us that night. And I have the feeling you didn’t have as much trouble getting into Anne’s coffin as we did. You did have help that night, didn’t you?”
“I did?”
“Yes, you did.”
“Hmm. Perhaps I did.”
“The charming Mr. Durant?”
Bryant smiled and kissed her nose. “He does come in handy every now and then.”
“So you switched the necklaces that night.”
“Yes.”
“But where did you get the counterfeit version? It was very good.”
“I told you, I have friends of all varieties. I never really believed in the necklace, but if it did exist, I’d have been a fool to give it up. And I’m no fool. But I wanted out from under Rellik’s thumb and he wasn’t going to rest until he had his treasure. So I was going to give him what he wanted. There is a portrait of Tabitha Courtland wearing the necklace hanging in the London Library, in their patrons’ gallery. I had the false necklace commissioned before I ever set foot on the Thornmont estate.”
“Then why were you searching for it so hard?”
“It’s worth a fortune,” he said, sounding surprised that she’d have to ask. “A man could do a lot with that kind of money. Retire and live like a king with a beautiful queen by his side.” He paused to give Min a long, lingering kiss.
When he let her up for air, Min did her best to glare at him. “Stop distracting me. Keep talking.”
Bryant laughed. “I couldn’t give Rellik the counterfeit necklace until I’d found the real one. I’d have had no reason to stay at Thornmont once I’d turned it over to him. So I needed to find the real necklace as quickly as possible. Once I did, I switched them, contacted Rellik, and was about to lead him to the false jewels when you showed up.”
“And ruined everything.”
“Precisely.”
Min scowled at him but couldn’t hold on to her irritation for long. She was too happy it was over and he was there in her arms.
“Well. Now that Rellik is dead and we are on the same side, supposedly,” she said with a pointed look, “are you going to tell me where the real necklace is?”
“Perhaps. In good time,” he said, smiling from ear to ear.
“Bryant! I know you have the necklace. What will you do with it?”
He hesitated. “To be honest, I’m not sure.”
“What do you mean?”
He raked his hand through his hair with a sheepish grin. “Under normal circumstances, I’d already be on my way to sell it off, bit by bit. But…”
“But…”
“Well, as the last living Courtland, the necklace technically belongs to your aunt.”
“Oh, Bryant,” Min said, throwing her arms around his neck. “You’ve gone all noble on me.”
He buried his face in her neck and chuckled. “Not too noble, no fear.” He kissed his way up her neck, across her jawline, to the corners of her mouth.
“So what will you do?” Min asked, her breathing growing more erratic with every brush of his lips.
“Shh,” he whispered, leaning down for a kiss. “We can decide that later.”
Chapter Thirty-nine
Min and Bryant sat across from Aunt Laura in her office. They recounted as much of the story as they safely could. Min explained that Bryant, upon discovering Min during her search, had decided to help her. They continued to look for the necklace together, drawing closer in the process. The end culminated in the story that everyone knew: a fake necklace was found and a mortal fight ensued when opposing treasure hunters met in the search.
Aunt Laura listened to the tale, her expression becomi
ng increasingly confused. “I appreciate you telling me all this, my dear, but I am afraid I don’t understand why you find it necessary.”
“We are telling you, Lady Courtland, because we know where the real necklace is located,” Bryant said.
“The real necklace? But you said you searched where it should have been and found only the counterfeit.”
“That is the official version of the story, yes. We would rather not go into too many details.” Min flicked her eyes to Bryant. “However, over the course of several strange events, we ended up in possession of something we believe belongs to you.”
“Hold out your hands, my lady,” Bryant said with a smile.
Aunt Laura obeyed, her hands trembling as she cupped them beneath Bryant’s. He opened the bag, pouring the glittering stones into her waiting hands. Min laughed at the expression on her aunt’s face. The older woman lifted the necklace toward the sun streaming in through the windows, a rainbow of colors bathing her delighted face.
“Well,” she said. “This is a strange turn of events, I must say.”
“That it is,” Min agreed.
Aunt Laura looked thoughtful for a moment and then turned to Bryant. “Am I right in assuming that coming forward with the real necklace now would raise questions we might not want to answer?”
“You are correct.”
Aunt Laura leaned forward, her shrewd eyes staring into Bryant’s. “Would I also be right in assuming that an independently wealthy dance instructor such as you might have the knowledge and means to dispose of an asset such as this?”
Min’s jaw dropped.
“Oh come, my dear,” her aunt said. “I’m not senile yet. Lord Rellik recommended Mr. Westley for the instructor’s position, after all. I can put two and two together.”
Bryant just laughed. “Yes, my lady, I can help you if you wish.”
Aunt Laura nodded and put the necklace back in its bag. “Good.”
She hesitated before sliding the necklace to him. “While coming forward with the necklace was an admirable thing to do, I hope you won’t be too offended by what I’m about to ask.”
“You’d like to know if you can trust me to return.”
“Precisely.”
Min bit back a laugh. She might trust Bryant now, but she’d be lying if she said the thought hadn’t momentarily crossed her mind as well. Bryant looked at her, a fleeting smile crossing his lips. Min had no doubt he knew exactly what she was thinking.
“May I?” Bryant asked, picking up writing materials from Aunt Laura’s desk. At her nod, Bryant spent a few moments scratching down a list of information, and then handed everything back to her aunt.
“These are the names and addresses of my mother and Mr. Barrett, my legal representative. If I fail to reappear, you may contact either one of them. If anything happens to me, they will know of it. Also, as an added precaution, my close friend and associate, Mr. Julian Durant, will be staying in town until I return.”
Min frowned, not fooled for a moment as to why Mr. Durant was staying. Even with Rellik gone, Bryant apparently wanted to take no chances where she was concerned. Bryant smiled down at her.
“Very good,” Aunt Laura said, pushing the bag across to Bryant. “Now, my dear boy, if you’d be so kind as to give me a moment alone with my niece?”
“Of course,” he said, putting the bag back into his vest. “I’ll wait for you in the library,” he said to Min. He bowed politely to Aunt Laura and left them alone.
Once he was gone, Min’s aunt sat back in her chair, a bemused smile playing at her lips. “Well that was certainly unexpected.”
“What will you do now?”
“I’m not sure. I suppose I’ll no longer need to keep the school open. Yet…”
Min raised an eyebrow. “Yet?”
“It’s been rather nice having these dusty old halls filled with people again. I enjoy having my girls here.”
“You could always use the money to expand the school, hire more teachers, take on more students.”
“Yes, I suppose I could. Definitely something I must consider, to be sure. And what about you, my dear?”
“Me?”
“I wouldn’t be in this position without you and that young man out there. He deserves some sort of finder’s fee at the very least.”
“I think he’d like that,” Min said, happy for Bryant and relieved that her aunt had offered before Bryant’s newfound good behavior was tested by the temptation to skim a bit of the profits.
“And what would you like?”
Min looked down at her clasped hands. “To be honest, I’m not sure. My mother is on her way home. Linnet is taken care of. For me…I just want…”
“Freedom?”
Min laughed. “I know it sounds a bit melodramatic, but yes. I would like to be able to choose my own path.”
Aunt Laura nodded. “This new development affects you as well.”
“How so?”
“Several months ago, I had my will drawn up. Making you my heir.”
“What?” Min asked, too stunned to say anything else.
Aunt Laura smiled. “The title, of course, will go to Edward’s distant cousin. However, the estate is not entailed, which means I can dispose of it as I’d like. And I’d like to give it to you.”
“Aunt Laura, are you sure? I mean, why…”
Her aunt reached over and cupped her face. “My dear girl, you put the smile back on my face when I had thought it was gone forever. You encouraged me to start this school, to make a life for myself. Despite my best efforts, I fear you’ll never be the proper young lady your sister managed to become. But I admire your spirit and envy your strength. I am glad that I can ensure you have the freedom to put those traits to whatever use you see fit. Since I apparently have the means, I’ll leave a little something to your sister, of course. But as she is securely married, the bulk of what I have will go to you. And you deserve it now more than ever.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Just say thank you and leave it at that.”
Min laughed. “Thank you.”
“You can do anything now, my dear. You can do anything you want.”
Min gave her aunt a wry smile. “So can you, Aunt Laura.”
“That may be true,” she said with a grin, “but then, I might want to enjoy my freedom as well. Now, go say good-bye to that young man of yours so he can be about his business.”
Min jumped up and came around the desk, wrapping her arms around her aunt in a bone-crushing hug. “Thank you, Aunt Laura.”
“Oh my dear. It is I who owe you my thanks.” She gave Min a swift kiss on the cheek and shooed her out the door.
Into Bryant’s waiting arms.
Chapter Forty
Min turned her face to the breeze, willing it to clear her mind. She knew it wasn’t safe on the ancient balcony, but it was away from the concerned gazes of her family and Charlotte. She could think in peace up here. And she could watch. Wait.
She paced the length of the walkway, careful to stay away from the crumbling wall of the balustrade. Bryant wasn’t there to save her should she fall again. In fact, six weeks had passed since she had last seen Bryant, and she was beginning to doubt whether she would ever see him again. How long did it take to sell a blasted necklace? Surely if he was able, he would have come to her by now. Unless he couldn’t. Or didn’t want to. Unless he’d taken the money and disappeared.
Min spun away from the wall and continued her pacing, trying to put the thought from her mind. He loved her. He would return for her. After all they’d been through she was ashamed at the thought creeping into her consciousness. Yet once there, she couldn’t dislodge it.
Mr. Durant had finally grown concerned when Bryant had failed to check in at a designated meeting place and had gone to find him… If he still lived…and wanted to return.
The wind calmed for several seconds and in the silence, Min thought she heard the sound of horses approaching through the
dell. She peered at the road below and spotted two riders moving toward the manor. Min’s heart raced.
Her agitation grew as the riders drew nearer. She leaned over the walkway and strained to see them clearly. For an instant, she saw a shock of black hair peeking from beneath one of the rider’s hats and her heart leapt. They cantered into the courtyard and the rider lifted his head and caught sight of her. He waved and jumped from his horse. Min cried aloud and ran for the stairs. She flew through the attic and down the staircase, for once in her life not pausing to grip the handrails. Bryant thundered up the stairs just as Min reached the last few steps leading into the picture gallery.
Her foot caught in one of her petticoats and instead of elegantly slipping into his embrace, as she had intended, she tripped down the remaining steps to land in a heap at his feet.
“Blast,” she mumbled, swatting away Bryant’s hands as she hauled herself to her feet.
Bryant chuckled. “Come here, Madam Grace.”
He opened his arms and Min threw herself at him with such force he staggered back a step. She wrapped herself around him, determined to never let him leave her side again.
Bryant tightened his grip around Min’s waist while he stroked her hair with his free hand. He whispered, “Shh, love, it’s all right. I’m here now.”
Min released her hold on him only after he had repeated himself several times. She stepped far enough away to be able to place her hands on his cheeks. She gazed at him for a moment and then buried her head into his chest.
Bryant kissed her gently. “I’m all right, Min.” He kissed her again, his lips caressing hers as he murmured assurances to her. “I told you I would come for you, my love. Did you doubt me?”
To Trust a Thief Page 21