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Richard smiled. “I always have been, just as you have always been on mine.” They shook hands and moved towards the French doors, intending to rejoin the party. “Come, let us face the enemy as a united front!”

Both chuckled softly as they entered the room, catching the attention of Lord and Lady Matlock.

“Is there something I should know about our son or our nephew, dear heart?” the earl whispered to his wife.

“Not that I know of, Husband.” Not wishing to have him upset with William once again, she decided not to tell him what Richard had divulged earlier. Reaching for his hand, she said sweetly, “But one never knows about these young people. Why do we not dance and forget all about them for the evening? I am sure tomorrow will bring enough troubles of its own.”

And she was correct.

Preston House

The next day

“But I do not have your money, Mr. Wickham!” Cecile wrung her hands in desperation. “Surely you can understand that I am trying to acquire it, but all I have at present is the necklace you now demand. If I do not have this piece, I will have to borrow jewels so that I can attend the best soirées. If I am not seen on the town, then my chances of remarrying, as well my ability to repay my debt to you, will be diminished.”

Wickham smirked. Who would want you, especially now that you are penniless?

“My associates do not take excuses, madam. Give me the piece.” Wickham held out his hand, and she reluctantly placed the diamond necklace in his palm. He began inspecting it, holding it to the light. “You do know that this will not cancel all your debt?”

“Surely there is some other way.” She touched his hand, and his eyes met hers. “I would do anything! Can you not see the advantage of working with me?”

Wickham rubbed his chin as Mrs. Preston’s words played over in his head. “Perhaps there is a way.”

“Marvellous!” Cecile batted her rather sparse eyelashes. “At one time, you were fond of me.”

“Yes, but that was when you had money,” Wickham sneered, causing her to frown. “Oh, come now. You surely did not think I was enamoured of your beauty.”

“No. Of course not,” she replied testily.

“So, now that we are being honest with one another, I think I could use someone with your—shall we say—connections, to help me in my other line of work.”

Her brows rose in unison. “And what work would that be, sir?”

“I procure valuables.”

“What do you mean ‘procure’?”

“Burglary, madam.”

“Oh!” Cecile dropped down in the nearest chair, shocked into silence for a moment.

“I have several people who aid me in procuring valuables. When I have accumulated enough, I have a buyer who spirits them overseas and resells them to the rich in his country. I make a fair profit, and he makes an even bigger one.” Wickham shrugged. “And we are both happy.”

“But I cannot. It would be illegal and…” Cecile sputtered.

“Madam! Do you or do you not wish to get out of debt? Besides, you could probably fully settle your debts and have some leftover for yourself, depending on your willingness to work hard.” Wickham saw her mind begin to turn. The idea of acquiring money beyond paying her debts was evidently appealing.

“I would be paid?”

“Yes, you would be paid a commission—let us say ten percent of what I get for the merchandise. For instance, one necklace I procured was worth ten thousand pounds. I sold it for approximately one-half, or five thousand pounds. Your commission would have been five hundred pounds.” Her eyes became large and round, so he continued. “And they always have more than one necklace, my dear. I also take anything else of value—silver and gold pieces—such as candelabrum, cigar boxes, jewellery cases, brushes, and combs.”

“What would be required of me?”

“Certainly nothing dangerous. You would do just what you mentioned earlier. You would borrow pieces of jewellery from your friends and relations. While you were doing so, you would take note of the layout of the house, the rooms where their valuables are located and, if possible, what they had to offer. I would rather try for very valuable jewels and not waste my time on cheap imitations!”

“I certainly could not steal the items loaned to me. It would be too obvious.”

“No, you would borrow some of the lesser jewels, perhaps under the pretence of modesty, as we would not want them to suspect your interest in the more expensive items. As soon as I know which house to target and where the safe is located within the house, I can make my plans—our plans.” He looked as though he was getting another idea. “And you may be valuable in keeping me informed as to the time they will be out of the house or even out of town, as you ladies do so love to gossip.”