Theodosia advanced on Gilles. “What did you do to her?”
Gilles looked panic-stricken. “Nothing. She just suddenly broke into hysterics.”
“I can see she’s upset. The question is why?”
Gilles spread his arms apart in the manner of a European shrug. “I told her I couldn’t remain here indefinitely. I made it perfectly clear that I had to return to France, that my company would fire me if I didn’t come back.”
Delaine fanned herself madly as she quavered, “You told me you were going to stay longer.”
“I did stay longer,” Gilles said. “Almost an extra two weeks. But . . . ah, what’s the use.” He waved his arms. “Mon Dieu.”
Drayton glanced at Theodosia and said, in a low voice, “Lovers’ quarrel.”
Theodosia nodded. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen Delaine fall apart over a man. She was clearly in pain now, but she’d get over it. She always did.
But for now, Delaine was quite content to wallow in the throes of her self-induced pity party. “What am I going to do?” she asked, throwing herself into Theodosia’s arms.
Theodosia hugged her gently for a few moments, then pried Delaine’s fingernails off her shoulders, where she was sure they’d left some serious indentations. “You’re going to wipe away those tears and go join the party,” she told her. “Take Gilles with you, don’t take Gilles, whatever. Go talk to your friends or even another man if you feel like it. But don’t let this silly little flirtation define you. You’re better than this.”
Delaine blinked at Theodosia and sniffled. “I am, aren’t I?” Her eyes regained some of their fierce glitter. “I’m a good-looking woman. I’m still in my prime.”
“You’re a knockout.”
“Well, I . . . do you . . . do you have a Kleenex?” Delaine sniffled again. “Goodness, I must look a fright.”
Theodosia dug in her beaded clutch and handed Delaine a tissue. Delaine wiped at her eyes and managed an uneven smile. “Is my mascara all smeary?”
“Not too bad.” She wasn’t about to tell Delaine that she had a serious case of raccoon eyes.
“Help me?” Delaine asked, helplessly.
Theodosia wiped away the smudges from beneath Delaine’s eyes as best she could. “There. All fixed. Feel better now?”
“Not really,” Delaine said. “But at least I feel a tiny bit more presentable.”
“There you go,” Drayton said in a false hearty tone. “That’s ninety percent of it right there.”
Gilles was tapping his foot now. “Well, have you decided? Are we going in or not?”
Delaine lifted her chin. “You may escort me, yes. But only for the time being.”
? ? ?
Theodosia let out a sigh of relief as Delaine preceded Gilles into the party.
Drayton watched them go. “That poor Frenchman is like a lamb to the slaughter,” he said. “No man has a fighting chance against Delaine.”
“She’s one of a kind, that’s for sure.” Theodosia mustered a quick smile as they strolled back into the Great Hall to rejoin the party. “Oh good. Here comes Haley.”
Haley came running up and immediately dangled a little brass key in front of Drayton’s nose. “I got the key. But Timothy made me promise to bring it back to him immediately. Once you lock up whatever little treasure it is you’re locking up.”
“Not a problem,” Drayton said, reaching for the key.
Haley snatched it back out of his research. “What’s so important, anyway?” She gave an impish grin and her eyes danced with curiosity.
Theodosia handed the ruby-and-diamond brooch to Haley. “We’re trying to keep this safe.”
Haley gazed at it. “This sure is some fancy hunk of jewelry.” Now there was reverence in her voice. “Where’d you get it, anyway?” She cradled the pin in the palm of her hand.
“Brooke loaned it to me,” Theodosia said. “It was one of the few pieces that wasn’t stolen during the robbery.”
“Our dear Theodosia had a crazy notion that wearing that fancy pin might lure the jewel thieves out of hiding,” Drayton explained.
“And did it?” Haley asked.
“Not as far as we know,” Theodosia said.
“So you want me to . . . what? Take this pin and lock it up?” Haley asked.
“That would be great,” Theodosia said.
“Just put it in Timothy’s desk,” Drayton said.
Haley held the pin up to her dress. “It’s so gorgeous, maybe I should wear it.”
“We’d rather you didn’t,” Drayton said.
“It’s probably more prudent if you just kept it out of sight,” Theodosia said, glancing around. Nobody was watching, but she still felt jittery. “Maybe hide it in your pocket or something.” She knew the dress Haley was wearing had two deep pockets hidden in the folds of the voluminous skirt.
But Haley was still entranced. She held the bauble up to the light, studying it. “Holy guacamole, this thing looks expensive.” She grinned as it twinkled and shimmered, catching the overhead lights.