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"No." A
He was staring, his smile gone, as if he knew exactly what she would say.
Her pulse was deafening her. A
George turned white. Lizzie cried out. Missy gasped. Lucinda slowly crumpled to the floor. John and Adam, apparently paralyzed by A
"It's the truth," A
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She looked at her father, wishing desperately he would come to her aid, would understand-would bless them. "Papa, I have spoken the truth. Pierce was with me, he could not have stolen the ruby."
The crowd continued to whisper among themselves. A
He did not smile back. But the look in his eyes was so powerful that she felt her knees buckling all over again.
Suddenly the countess was pressing through the crowd and coming up the aisle. "Pierce Wainscot is my friend," she declared. "He would never steal from me." And she smiled at A
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The countess turned to George and the manager of the Acadia. "As far as I am concerned, the ruby is a thing of the past," she began.
"Contessa, Contessa!"
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"I found this in your chamber when I was preparing your evening clothes for supper tonight," the woman cried.
For one moment, Guilia stared, and then she took the necklace and beamed. "I think there has not been any robbery, after all." And she shrugged, in a very European, elaborate ma
George said slowly, looking now from A
"Well." Pierce now spoke up. "If you good men would release me so I might continue?"
He was released. And he now had the attention of everyone: the minister, Thomas, George, the countess, the Boothe family, the entire crowd. "I love this woman," he said. "And I believe that she loves me. Which is why she ca
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He smiled at her. "Unfortunately, yes. You see, a year ago my older and only brother was killed in a hunting accident."
He was titled. He was aristocracy. In fact, Kildare was in Ireland -he wasn't English at all. A
"Wait one moment," George was paying. "Are you by any chance related to the Marquis of Co
"Julian is my cousin," Pierce replied quite smugly. "My first cousin. I take it you are acquainted with the family of his wife, the Ralstons?"
Even A
Pierce's smile seemed to widen. "It is such a wee world," he said, lapsing into a hint of Irish brogue.
"I would like a private word with you, sir," George said stiffly.
"Actually, it is 'my lord,' " Pierce said. The two men stepped aside. A
"Why the hell are you a thief?" George demanded keeping his voice low.
"I suppose there are two explanations," Pierce said calmly. "I have a faulty character-and it has to do with my family."
"Do you care to explain yourself, sir?"
"My father was quite accomplished, actually," Pierce said with an apologetic shrug. "But in reality, I steal for more 'respectable' reasons. I've been retained by the British Museum for the past five years in order to restore the collection of jewels that once belonged to Catherine the Great's nephew. It was stolen twenty-five years ago and the museum wants it back, piece by piece, if necessary. It's been quite an exciting vocation."
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"My dear man," Pierce said. "I have finally met my match in life-your daughter. I love her and I wish to marry her. If you will allow me the honor, I will give up my career," he said flatly, "and live a more conventional life."
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She looked at her father. "Papa, please."
George hesitated, and nodded gruffly. "Given today's turn of events, I do not think I have a choice in the matter."
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"I would like to do the deed now," Pierce said. He turned. "Mr. Frank, I am so sorry for the inconvenience, but would you mind stepping aside?"
Frank looked from Pierce to A
"Thank you," Pierce said.
Impulsively, A
"You, Reverend, may marry us now," Pierce instructed.
The minister stared, wide-eyed and flushed.
"Go ahead," George said, nodding.
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"No one," he whispered low, as the minister continued to speak, "has ever made me contemplate changing my entire life, other than you."
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"What?" He was both perplexed and amused.
"I should be unhappy if you changed your ways," A
And he understood. He tipped back his head and laughed.
The minister coughed.
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"Do you, Pierce Wainscot Braxton St. Clare, take this woman," he began.
"I do," Pierce said, cutting him off. "I take her for now and forever to be my wife and my partner in all deeds, good and"-he gri
"Excuse me, my lord, we are not done," the minister cried.
But neither the bride nor the groom heard him. The kiss went on and on. And slowly, the audience began to clap, until applause filled the reception hall.
Lucinda and Lizzie were crying. Adam and John were as obviously moved. Tears even appeared in George's eyes. And Melissa was smiling, albeit reluctantly.