On a Wicked Dawn

'In the circumstances, I can appear to feel moved to speak, even surrounded by a crowd.' He glanced at Helena. 'If I understand this correctly, the necklace in question is of that ilk?'

Lucifer snorted. 'Believe it. Three long strands of priceless matched pearls broken by three rectangular emeralds.

Plus matching bracelets and earrings.' He glowered at Helena, then grimaced. 'Much as it pains me to admit, it's the perfect bait for this thief. Whoever they are, they've a nice eye for valuables, and that set can be broken up and restrung so easily, it would be child's play to do so and sell what would then be unidentifiable new necklaces. The emeralds, too, although distinctive, could easily be reset.'

Luc's expression turned grim. 'Definitely the sort of thing I would insist on having in safekeeping.'

Helena waved aside the caveat. 'Do not fear. By the time I am finished dismissing your so-kind insistence, everyone will know that the necklace will remain for that night in my room.'

'I still don't like that.' The objection came from Simon, standing, one broad shoulder propped against the end of the mantelpiece. He frowned at Helena. 'It's so risky. What if they harm you?'

Helena's smile turned gentle but did not disguise her steel. 'There will be no risk to me. The necklace will be strewn on the table in the middle of the room — just where a lady such as myself, careless with her wealth, might leave it. No thief is going to spare a moment to harm a small and frail old woman such as I. I will pose no threat to him.'

'Just to be clear on that issue' — Arthur had been following her dissertation closely—'will you promise — in order to ease our no doubt irrational male fears — that you will not yourself in any way try to apprehend this thief?'

Helena met his gaze, then laughed. 'Very well, mon ami—I will promise you that. I will do nothing but watch — it will be up to you all' — she waved at the men—'to catch this thief before he absconds with my treasure.'

'And if we don't,' Lucifer grumbled, 'we'll never hear the end of it.'

The clocks struck midnight. Helena rose; the other ladies followed, deeming their planning done. As she swept past Lucifer's chair, Helena patted his dark head. 'I have every confidence in you all, mes enfants'

Lucifer, who when standing towered over Helena, as did every man in the room, looked thoroughly disgruntled.

By noon the next day, all the married men had accepted that shifting their ladies from Helena's plan was beyond their capabilities.

'We're going to have to cover every possible approach to the house.' Luc looked down at the plan of the house he'd unrolled on his desk. Lucifer and Martin flanked him, likewise poring over the diagram.

Simon stood opposite, his gaze flicking from the plan to their faces, then back again. 'There's really no other choice?'

'None.' Lucifer replied without even looking up. 'Take it from us — further argument is wasted effort.'

Arthur strolled up. He glanced at the plan, then sighed. 'I really hate to leave at such a moment, but those negotiations will not wait.'

Lucifer, Luc, and Martin all looked at him.

'Don't worry,' Luc said.

'We'll manage,' came from Lucifer.

'Especially given you got her promise not to tackle the thief herself.' Martin grinned. 'You've done your bit — you can leave the rest to us.'

Arthur looked at them, then nodded. 'Very well — but send word to Devil if you do need help.'

They nodded.

Arthur pulled out his watch, checked the time. 'Well, I'd best go and see if Louise is ready to depart. We were supposed to leave fifteen minutes ago.'

He left them studying the house plan.

In the front hall, he came upon a scene of frenetic energy with maids and footmen dashing this way and that, streaming about the ladies gathered in the hall's center.

Louise saw him. 'There you are. We've been waiting for you.'

Arthur simply smiled.

Minerva, Emily, and Anne farewelled him with wishes for a speedy and safe journey.

A step beyond, the twins had their heads together. Arthur paused to take in the sight, one he'd seen so many times, then he slid one arm around Amanda's waist, the other around Amelia, hugged them both, and planted a kiss first on one forehead, then the other. 'Take care, both of you.'

They laughed, beamed, and kissed him back.

'Take care, Papa.'

'Come and visit again.'

Stifling a sigh, he released them, trying hard not to think that he had, indeed, truly let them go. He took Phyllida's hand and kissed it. 'You, too, my dear.'

Phyllida smiled serenely and kissed his cheek. 'Have a good trip.'

Arthur turned to Helena. 'As for you…'

Helena raised her brows haughtily, but her eyes danced. 'Me, I will do very well, I thank you. But you had best be away, or you will not reach London tonight.' Her smile softened; she gave him her hands and lifted her cheek for him to kiss. 'Take care.'

'That's my line,' Arthur growled, obliging with the kiss, then squeezing her hands before releasing them.

A renewed tide of 'good-byes' and waves carried them through the front door. Arthur led Louise down the steps to where their coach stood, heavily burdened.

He handed Louise in, then, with a last wave at the assembled ladies, who, he now noted, had been joined by their husbands and his only surviving son, he followed his wife into the carriage. The door was shut, the footman stood back. A whip cracked; the coach lurched, then rumbled forward.

They waved, then Louise sighed and sat back. Arthur did the same. Louise glanced at him. 'So, are you happy with your sons-in-law?'

Arthur raised his brows. 'They're both good men, and they're clearly… devoted.'

'Devoted?' Louise's smile grew; she glanced away. 'Yes, I daresay you might call it that.'

Arthur shot her a glance. 'And you? Are you happy with them?'

'With Dexter, yes. With Luc… I have absolutely no qualms — I never did. They seem to be settling together nicely, quite as well as I expected, but there's something not quite straight yet. However, I'm sure it, whatever it is, will sort itself out.' Louise faced forward. 'I asked Helena to keep an eye on them — I'm sure she will.'

Arthur studied her profile, then, as the coach turned up the long incline crossing the opposite face of the valley, he looked out at the Chase, basking in the sunshine. Wondered if he should write and warn Luc. Wondered where his own true loyalties now lay.

Louise glanced at him, then made a dismissive sound and patted his hand. 'Stop worrying — they'll do.'

Arthur humphed, settled back, closed his eyes. And decided they probably would — either fate or Helena would make sure of it.

They'd decided on the following Saturday evening for their Summer Ball. That gave them five days in which to prepare — possible, but only just. The first item that needed to be dealt with was the invitations; immediately after lunch, the ladies knuckled down and wrote them out, then co-opted every stableboy and groom to deliver them.

That done, they spent the next three hours disposed about the drawing room discussing and deciding and making lists. Portia and Penelope convinced Miss Pink that their education in ladylike endeavors could best be served by their attendance; their novel suggestions often induced much hilarity, but occasionally were incorporated into the various lists.

A list for entertainment, one for food, another for furniture, yet another for implements — crockery, cutlery, and glassware.

'We should have an Order of Ceremony,' Penelope stated.

When Minerva smiled, Portia weighed in, 'No — Pen's right. We need to make sure certain things get done by certain times, don't we?'