Marianne had felt some qualms about entering the world of thieves, but she had suppressed them. She would do anything Della and Harrison asked of her, and, besides, she had a mothers fierce instinct to take care of her child. She was determined to make enough money to give her daughter an easier and better life than she had had. So she had entered into lessons with Della, and they had discovered, somewhat to their surprise, that she picked up the correct speech and manners of the upper class with ease. She was, Harrison declared, a natural, and by the time Rosalind was a year old, Marianne had adopted the name Marianne Cotterwood, making herself a respectable widow, and was making calls with Della.
It was an easy enough job, as long as one had a quick wit and good nerves, both of which Marianne possessed. In order to pass among the wealthy, one had to dress well, so she had a supply of beautiful clothes. She ate well. She had a great deal of time to spend with her daughter, and when she was not there, Della or Betsy was happy to take care of the little girl. Marianne was also good at what she did. She had a quick eye and a good memory, and without appearing to study a house, she could quickly spot the best entrances and exits, as well as the most expensive and most portable valuables, and carry all the information in her head to give to Harrison. Della readily admitted that Marianne was better than she at what she did, and Della soon slipped into a happy semiretirement, going along with Marianne only when they thought a chaperone was a social imperative.
Marianne had been scouting for Harrison for eight years now, and their fortunes had been steadily increasing all that time. They were able now to rent a fair-size home in a good neighborhood, as well as hire Winny as housekeeper and cook, and two maids to help her. Their family had also grown. First, Da and Betsy, growing too old for the Game, had moved in with them. Then Harrison and Della had taken in a stray adolescent who had been scratching out a living as a pickpocket, working for a hard fellow who ran a ring of youthful pickpockets, giving them a place to sleep and some food to eat and taking most of their profits in return. Piers was twenty-two years old now, and Harrison had turned him into a skilled upper-story man.
Now Della hugged Marianne and pulled her toward a chair. Sit and tell us all about it. Was it terribly grand?
The grandest party Ive ever seen, Marianne replied honestly. She looked around at the eager faces watching her, from Betsys wrinkled, powdered visage to Piers freckled, snub-nosed one.
I knew it! Betsy let out a hoot of laughter. His father used to come to my gaming house, and he was always flush in the pocketsat least when he came in the door. Drunk as a wheelbarrow, of course, but, still, a real blue blood.
Well, I dont know the color of his blood, but Id say the son is flush in the pockets, as well. The problem is She hesitated, glancing around at them, then sighed. Oh, the devil! The truth is, I made a dreadful mull of it.
Dont be daft, Piers said, dismissing her words with a wave of his hand. You always think you did something wrong.
Hes right. I am sure you did wonderfully, Della agreed.
No. Marianne shook her head, and tears sprang unexpectedly to her eyes. She blinked them away and went on. It wasnt just something I did wrong. It was everything. I was discovered.
The room fell silent. Marianne dropped her eyes, unable to look at the others.
Finally Harrison started to speak, then had to stop and clear his throat. Wh-what? How could you have been discovered? Youre sitting right here. They couldnt have
He did not turn me in. But he saw what I did. He accused me. Oh, how could I have been so careless? I didnt see him at all!
But whoI dont understand. Harrison came forward. Who saw you?
Lord Lambeth. He had been looking at me earlier. But I didnt see him as I left the ballroom. I went up and down the corridor looking for the study because I presumed the safe would be therealthough I did see some excellent silver pieces in one of the drawing rooms. Anyway, I found a smoking room finally, and I began to hunt around the walls, looking for a safe. Then he appeared.
Della drew a sharp breath. Oh, no. What did he say?
He thought I was about to try to open the safe. Of course I told him that he had misinterpreted the scene, that I was simply straightening the picture, but he didnt believe it. He was sure I was a thief. He had followed me out of the ballroom, you see, and had seen me looking into all the rooms up and down the hallway, and searching behind the pictures for a safe. He knew I was lying.
But he didnt say anything to anyone? He didnt betray you to Lord Batterslee?
Marianne shook her head. No. It was very odd. He waswell, he seemed rather amused by the thought that I was a thief. A most peculiar man. When Lord Batterslee came into the study and found us, Lord Lambeth did not say a word about what I had been doing.
Thank heavens! Della replied heartfeltly.
Yes, Harrison agreed. But why?
Come now, lad. Da spoke up for the first time. Dont tell me me daughter married a nodcock. Just look at the girl. He winked at Marianne. Why, any man worth his salt would let such a beauty get away with a little thievery. Thats why Dellas mother was so successful. He reached over and patted Betsys hand, his eyes twinkling. She was so pleasing to the eye, they scarcely noticed the blunt leaving their pockets.
Betsy dimpled girlishly. Go on, you old charmer.
Harrison ignored his in-laws byplay and looked at Marianne. Is that it, do you think?
Marianne could feel her cheeks coloring. WellI think he was hoping that I would agree toahsome sort of arrangement in return for his silence.
The blackguard! Piers growled, jumping to his feet, his boyish face dark with anger. In the excitement of the moment, he forgot his careful work on his accent and plunged back into the cockney of his roots. I ought to draw is cork. You mean e offered you a carte blanche?
Heavens, no. Oh, Piers, do sit down. Dont get in such a taking. He never really said anything. It was just, well She hesitated, not wanting to tell them about that kiss. Just the thought of it made her go all strange and melting inside. It was just a feeling I had. Perhaps I was wrong. Because I told him I would not, yet he still did not tell Lord Batterslee.
Piers snorted. I know is type. EI mean, hejust didnt want to give up his power over you. Hes hoping to wangle his way into your bed, thats what.
That thought occurred to me. But he is bound to see that that is an empty threat. I am afraid that then he will tell Lord Batterslee. Harrison, Im so worried. I fear I have ruined everything for us. What if he tells Lord Batterslee, and he sets a Bow Street Runner on us? Perhaps we ought to try our luck on the Continent for a few months, as you were talking about last year.
But what can they prove? Harrison pointed out reasonably. You didnt steal anything. He didnt even see you trying to steal something. All he saw was you wandering around, looking at things. Thats not proof.
They dont always need proof, Da put in, his voice tinged with bitterness. One word from a lord and He drew his forefinger across his throat in an ominous gesture.