Rutland Place Read Online Free PDF

explanation. He was perfectly familiar with Society’s feelings about having police in the house, with the attendant vulgarity. One reported a break-in, of course, and that was regrettable enough, but at least a break-in was an outside affair, a misfortune that could happen to anyone with goods worth the taking. Domestic crime was different; it was something that might involve the questioning, and resultant embarrassment, of one’s friends, and therefore resorting to the police was unthinkable.
    “Does she expect you to play discreet detective?” he asked with a broad smile.
    “I’m not a bad detective,” she said defensively. “In Paragon Walk I knew the truth before you did!” As soon as she had spoken, memory came back and brought with it ugliness and pain, and self-congratulation became ridiculous, almost indecent.
    “That was murder,” he pointed out soberly. “And you nearly got yourself killed for your cleverness. You can hardly go around asking your mother’s friends, ‘Do you happen to have stolen Mama’s locket, and if so, would you please give it back unopened, because it contains some indiscretion, or a picture that might be interpreted as such.’ ”
    “You’re not being very helpful!” Charlotte said crossly. “If I could have done it as easily as that, I wouldn’t have needed to ask you about it!”
    He sat up straight and leaned forward to take her hand. “My darling, if it really does contain something private, then the less said about it the better. Leave it alone!”
    She frowned. “It’s more than that, Thomas. She feels someone is watching her, and waiting!”
    He screwed up his face. “You mean someone has already opened it and is waiting for an opportunity to apply a little blackmail?”
    “Yes, I suppose I do.” Her fingers grasped around his. “It’s horrid, and I think she’s really quite frightened.”
    “If I come in, it will only make it worse,” he said softly. “And I can’t officially anyway, unless she calls me.”
    “I know.” Her fingers tightened.
    “Charlotte, be careful. I know you mean well, but, my dear, you have a transparent face and a tongue about as subtle as an avalanche.”
    “Oh, that’s unfair!” she protested, although at least half of her knew it was not. “I shall be very careful!”
    “I still think it would be better if you left it alone—unless someone actually does try blackmail. There may be nothing to it—no more than your mother’s own fears painting shadows on the wall. Perhaps a little conscience?”
    “I can’t do nothing,” she said unhappily. “She has asked me to come see her, and I can’t leave her so distressed without doing all I am able to.”
    “I suppose not,” he conceded. “But for goodness’ sake, do as little as you can. Questions will only arouse curiosity and are more likely than anything else to bring about the very speculations she is afraid of!”
    Charlotte knew he was right and she nodded, but at the same time she was already making plans to call at Rutland Place the following day.
    She found Caroline in and awaiting her anxiously.
    “My dear, I’m so glad you were able to come,” she said, kissing Charlotte on the cheek. “I have planned for us to make a few calls this afternoon, so you can meet some of the other people in the Place—particularly those I am best acquainted with myself, and to whose houses I have been, or who have come here.”
    Charlotte’s heart sank. Obviously, Caroline intended to pursue the pendant.
    “Do you not think it would be better to be quite casual about it, Mama?” she asked as lightly as she could. “You do not wish anyone to realize how important it is to you, or their curiosity will be aroused. Whereas if you say nothing, it may pass almost without remark.”
    Caroline’s lips tightened. “I wish I could believe that, but I feel terribly sure that whoever it is already knows—” She stopped.
    “Knows what?” Charlotte asked.
    “Knows that it is