Free To Catch A Thief (Saved By Desire 2) by Rebecca King Page A

and will, take them back to where they belong.” She held her hand up when her aunt took a breath. Sophia knew from the look in her eye that she was going to argue, but wasn’t prepared to listen. “Then you are going to return all of the other stolen items that are left in the house, and then you will stop stealing. Take two or three at a time when you go to these social functions, and leave them somewhere they can be found.”
    “I can’t,” Delilah protested. She looked horrified at the prospect.
    “Yes. You can. You took them quickly enough so you can replace them. If you don’t, I shall take the items straight to the magistrate along with a list of all of the people who have had items stolen. Your arrest shall see to it that you are scorned by everyone in this village. Even if you get a lenient sentence, when you are released you will soon learn that nobody wants a thief in their midst, Delilah. You will find it next to impossible to live somewhere like here then.”
    Sophia watched colour flood her aunt’s face, and knew Delilah was furious. Before she could threaten to throw her out again Sophia stood. The look she levelled on her aunt was far older than her years but stern enough to make Delilah look at her worriedly.
    “Until the items are all returned to their rightful owners -” Sophia declared coldly “- I am going nowhere. Just to make sure you don’t steal anything else, I shall accompany you everywhere you go. From this moment forth, you shall not take any bags, cloaks, or reticules with you whenever you attend your social engagements. You shall only wear dresses, but no pockets, and if I see one item, just one, Delilah, appear in this house that isn’t yours, I am going straight to the magistrate.”
    “You don’t understand,” Delilah protested. “I don’t remember where they all came from. I cannot return anything.”
    Sophia hesitated in the doorway and shook her head because she knew her aunt was lying. She knew who the owner of the trinket boxes was because Delilah had only stolen the boxes last night. Determined that her aunt wouldn’t cower behind any excuse, Sophia scowled at her.
    “Then return them to one of the guests who have had items stolen. The fact they are in their house and they don’t own them will be enough to raise discussions amongst the group the next time they meet. The rightful owner will come forward once they recognise their belongings. Return different items to various guests and then nobody will have the unfair finger of blame pointed at them. You found it easy enough to take them. I am sure you will find it easy enough to return them.”
    “Unless the guests keep the returned items for themselves,” Delilah protested with a sneer. “The Harvells are impoverished, you know.”
    “You are the dishonest one around here, Delilah. Don’t judge everybody by your own base standards.”
    “I can’t do this by myself, Sophia. You must help me.”
    Sophia shook her head. “I didn’t take them. Besides, why should I help you?”
    “You should help me because we are family, Sophia.” Delilah slumped into a chair beside the table and stared blankly at the trinket boxes. “I don’t know where half of the things came from. I just decided to take them on a spur of the moment. You know, once saw them I studied their size, determined whether they would fit in my bag or not, then swiped them once nobody was looking. It can be done very quickly with nobody any the wiser they have gone until I am out of the house and on my way home.”
    “What if someone ever stopped you?” Sophia challenged. “Have you ever considered that? What if someone noticed and questioned you as you were leaving the house?”
    “They won’t. Leaving these places is usually chaos. I time my departure usually to coincide with the Harvells’. They are generally twittering on about stuff and nonsense and divert everybody’s attention nicely. I haven’t been caught yet. Why, the country