Free Thick As Thieves by Joan Smith Page B

was quite safe alone with Mr. Dalton. I feared I was, but a little maidenly reluctance seemed called for. His eyes opened wide in amusement. "Surely you are not afraid of me!" he exclaimed. "I would never take advantage of a lady."
    "That has not been my experience, sir! You bullocked me into this scheme in the first place," I replied playfully. Then I slipped the key into the lock and opened the door, before he could remind me how that had come about.
    I lit a few lamps, as the dark-paneled room looked like a grotto, with only one feeble light burning. "Help yourself to a glass of wine, while I go and root the jewels out from under the mattress."
    I nipped smartly upstairs, got out the jewel box, and returned to the saloon. Mr. Dalton had poured two glasses of wine. He began to rise from the sofa when I entered, but I motioned him to remain seated, and joined him.
    I opened the large, varnished box that held Lorene's jewelry. It was lined in blue satin, with little pockets to hold her treasures. I never really gave much thought to the collection. A deal of it was made up of her "collaterals," old-fashioned diamond rings, two diamond bracelets, and a clutter of jeweled brooches. Her own jewelry was more valuable. Besides the diamonds I was wearing, there was a long rope of good pearls and an intricate jeweled necklace of rubies, sapphires, and diamonds, which always reminded me of our flag. It was not very pretty, but some of the gemstones were large and no doubt valuable. There was another diamond and emerald necklace with matching bracelet, and several rings of various precious stones.
    "Good Lord!" Dalton exclaimed, when he looked at it. "You have a king's ransom here! It is well you laid low, Miss Denver. If Tom had learned of this . . ." He lifted out the pearls. They swung from his fingers, glowing in the lamplight.
    "These would goad him into action, if he knew of them."
    "He soon will. Tomorrow evening I want you to wear these," he said, holding the pearls against my gown. "Marvelous. Where did Lorene find such a treasure?" It sounded strange, to hear the name "Lorene" drop so familiarly from his lips.
    "Her papa was a nabob. I believe these went to India via the Gulf of Persia."
    "There is a tint almost of pink to them. If you ever want to sell this, I would be interested in purchasing it."
    "I do not plan to frequent the gaming hells, so it should not be necessary for me to sell it."
    "May I ask you a personal question?" I nodded and he said, "How did you come to hawk your chipped diamond ring?"
    "It was Lord Hutching's satinwood commode that caused it. I paid cash, forgetting that my bank account was low. It was only for a few days, till some bonds came due."
    He shook his head at such an unbusinesslike way of carrying on. We examined some of the other pieces. Our hands brushed from time to time, but true to his word, Dalton did not take advantage of the intimacy to misbehave. He suggested that we make an inventory of the merchandise.
    "I trust you, Mr. Dalton," I said. I did not add that I had a good memory for what was in the box.
    "Perhaps you are too trusting, Miss Denver," he murmured, gazing at me bemusedly. The air began to crackle.
    Before more could be said, the door opened and Hennie came barging in, alone. Lord Brockley had left her at the door.
    "Eve, what are you doing alone with a man at this hour of the night!" was her greeting. Then her beady little eyes spotted the jewel box. "What is that doing down here?" she inquired, in a tone of lively suspicion.
    "Mr. Dalton is going to take it for safekeeping. He has a safe in his house."
    Next she spotted the wineglasses, and her breathing became noticeably labored. "I would like to have a word with you when Mr. Dalton leaves," she said. Her tone suggested that he would be wise not to linger.
    I noticed him chewing back a smile, and was relieved he had not taken offense. He rose at once to take his leave. "We shall be in touch tomorrow, Miss Denver. Good