Decked With Folly

get you in trouble.”

“Right.” She slid his jacket from her shoulders and handed it to him. “Here, I won’t need this now. I’ll run back.”

He nodded, still without looking at her, and took the coat.

She started back the way they’d come, but after a few steps, she paused and looked back. “Happy Christmas, Clive.”

His smile lit up his face. “Happy Christmas, Gertie.”

Flashing him a grin, she turned and ran down the trail. What a bloody fool she’d been to suspect him of killing Ian. She should have known he wouldn’t hurt a fly. Just wait until the twins saw that tree house. They were going to go crazy, that’s what. Grinning, she broke into a fast trot and headed for the club.

Seated in her office, Cecily tried to make sense of what she had learned that morning. She wasn’t really surprised to learn that Sidney Barrett was behind the theft from Lady Roslyn’s room. What she didn’t know was if that was simply a coincidence, or if he was also the man sent to find the jewels that Ian had taken from the gang in London. If so, then he was quite possibly Ian’s killer. In which case, what was Gloria doing with him and where were they going?

Cecily leaned her chin in her hands. Something kept niggling at her brain, insistent and urgent. Something she knew, yet did not recognize. It had happened to her before, more than once and always just before she had solved whatever was puzzling her.

Think. Carefully she went over everything she knew, or didn’t know. There were so many questions unanswered. So many possibilities, and yet… something told her she already knew the answer.

Resting her chin in her hands, she tried to listen to what her subconscious mind was trying to tell her. For some reason, her thoughts kept going back to the twins. Something Lillian had said. Cecily shook her head. All she could remember was something about an elf. With a sigh of exasperation she got up from her chair and wandered over to the window.

From there she could see the yard below, leading out to the back gate. The weather, capricious as ever, had changed again. A gray sea now threw angry waves at the shore. It looked as if a storm might be brewing.

What was Gloria doing with Sidney Barrett? Somehow it just didn’t make sense. Cecily thought hard.

What was it that kept tugging at her mind? Something important. Something the twins had told her. What had they talked about? Father Christmas and elves.

Suddenly, it all fell into place. Of course. She needed to talk to the twins. Right away.

CHAPTER 22

Cecily reached the kitchen just as Gertie burst through the back door. The housemaid started to say something, but Mrs. Chubb, having just pulled a tray of coconut tarts from the oven, jumped in first.

“Gertie McBride! Is that any way to behave? Look at your cap. It’s hanging on by one pin. It’s a wonder you didn’t lose it.”

From across the room, Gertie glanced at Cecily. “Sorry, m’m.” Hastily she tugged her cap straight and tucked the stray hair back underneath it.

Mrs. Chubb swung around, her face creased in dismay. “Oh, I didn’t see you there, m’m. What can we do for you?”

“I need to speak to Gertie right away.” Cecily checked herself. “At least, I need to talk to the twins and I’d like Gertie to be there.”

Gertie looked surprised, as did the housekeeper. “Well, get along, Gertie. Take madam to see the twins.”

Rubbing her arms, Gertie walked cautiously toward her.

Unable to contain herself, Mrs. Chubb demanded, “Where have you been, out in the cold without your coat?”

“In the woods.”

“What the blazes were you doing in the woods?”

Gertie smiled. “Looking at a tree house.”

The housekeeper clicked her tongue in annoyance. “You’re not making any sense.”

“Clive built it.” Gertie turned to Cecily. “You should see it, m’m. It’s beautiful. Clive was out there every night in the snow and rain building it. The twins are going to love it. He did it for a Christmas present for them.”

Mrs. Chubb gasped. “Fancy that! That was really good of him.”

So that was what Clive didn’t want to tell her, Cecily thought. He wanted to keep it a secret until he’d shown Gertie what he’d done.

“It was a lovely surprise.” Gertie rubbed her arms again. “And to think I thought he might have been the one that killed Ian.”

Cecily started. “Gertie… I need to talk to the twins. Now.”

“Yes, m’m.” Looking worried, Gertie barged through the door.

Cecily followed her, hurrying to catch up as she rushed down the hallway.

They reached the door together, and Gertie gave her an anxious look. “I hope they didn’t do nothing to get into trouble, m’m. I know they’re a bit overexcited and all, but Daisy’s been keeping an eye on them-”

Cecily held up her hand to halt the gush of words. “It’s all right, Gertie. They haven’t done anything. I just need to talk to them, that’s all.”

Gertie still looked apprehensive as she opened the door.

Daisy looked up from her perch on the bed, then jumped to her feet when she saw Cecily. “Good morning, m’m.”

“Hello, Daisy.” Cecily smiled at Lillian and James, who sat on the floor playing with building blocks. At least, James was playing, while Lillian watched. “I just want a word with the twins.”

Lillian scrambled to her feet, obviously delighted at the interruption. “Are we going for another walk?”

“Not now, precious.” Cecily bent down until her face was level with the little girl’s. “I want you to tell me about your elf.”

James’s chin shot up and he looked sternly at his sister. “She made him up,” he said, sounding cross.

“Did not.” Lillian pouted. “You saw him, too.”

James’s face turned red. “He said not to tell.”

Cecily turned to the little boy. “Who told you not to tell?”

James looked down at the carefully built blocks and then, with a swoop of his hand, knocked them all flying. “He said if we tell, Father Christmas won’t come.” He glared at his sister. “Now look what you’ve done! Now we won’t get any toys.”

Lillian started to whimper, and Cecily put an arm around her. “It’s all right, little one. I promise you, Father Christmas is coming tonight.”

Lillian sniffled. “How do you know?”

“Because he told me.” Cecily crossed her fingers briefly, hoping she’d be forgiven the white lie.

Gertie, looking worried, bent over her son. “James, you tell me the truth right now. What did you really see?”

James jutted out his lip. “He was a big elf.”

“Where did you see him?”

“He came in here.”

Gertie gasped in horror, her hand over her mouth.

Daisy uttered a shocked cry. “James! He couldn’t have done. I haven’t seen anyone in here and I’m in here all the time.”

“The other night,” Gertie said, her voice hoarse with fear. “I went to the kitchen to get some milk and something to eat. I was only gone about five minutes, but…” She swallowed. “I thought Lillian had been playing with my things. That’s when he must have come in and left the candlestick.”