“I did,” said the Earl.
“I am very glad to hear it,” said Horatia warmly. “And if it was he who t-told you, you c-can’t possibly know the t-truth, because for one th-thing he wasn’t there and d-doesn’t know anything about it, and for another I am perfectly certain he made up some horrid t-tale just to put you against me!”
“That would be a task quite beyond Crosby’s power,” said the Earl, pinning the brooch into her lace. “I learned the true story from Lethbridge. But it did not need his or any man’s word, Horry, to convince me that only force could have induced you to enter Lethbridge’s house that night.”
“Oh, R-Rule!” Horatia quavered, two large tears rolling down her cheeks.
The Earl’s hands went out to her, but a footstep outside made him turn. The Viscount came in, fluent words on his lips. “Beg pardon to have kept you waiting, Horry, but Lady Louisa—Well, by all that’s fortunate!” He executed a well-feigned start. “Rule! Never thought to see you here tonight! What a lucky chance!”
The Earl sighed. “Go on, Pelham. I feel sure you have some urgent message for me which will take me to the other end of the gardens.”
“Oh, no, not as far as that!” the Viscount assured him. “Only to the boxes. Met Lady Louisa—looking for you all over, Marcus. She wants to see you very particularly.”
“What I chiefly admire in you, Pelham, is your resourcefulness,” said his lordship.
“Pel, it doesn’t m-matter any longer!” said Horatia, drying her eyes. “M-Marcus knew the whole time, and it was he who had the b-brooch, and wrote me that letter, and there’s nothing to worry about any m-more!”
The Viscount stared at the brooch, then at Rule, opened his mouth, shut it again and swallowed violently. “Do you mean to tell me,” he demanded, “that Pom and I have been moving heaven and earth to get that damned brooch back when all the time you had it in your pocket? No, damme that’s too much!”