The Cavendon Women Read Online Free PDF Page A

earrings in this. From Cartier, and as you can see, it’s empty. This other one held a single strand of diamonds, also from Cartier.”
    Daphne nodded, and reached into the safe herself. Her fingers curled around a blue leather box, stamped with gold edging, and as she took it out she said, “This is the brooch I wore at my wedding, Papa.”
    â€œI’m afraid not, darling; that one is empty too.”
    â€œI can’t believe it!” she cried, and lifted the lid. “It is empty, and it was one of my favorite pieces. I wore it on my wedding dress, and then later Mama wore it at the dinner we had in January of 1914, after Alicia was born—” Daphne cut herself off, swung to face her father, and cried, “I know who took the jewels.”
    Charles stared at her, frowning. “Are you about to point a finger at your mother?”
    â€œI most certainly am, Papa! She was the last person seen wearing the diamond bow brooch.” Placing the empty jewel case on the table standing in the middle of the room, Daphne looked in the safe again, and pulled out two more cases. “In here should be a small diamond-and-ruby tiara, and in this one a matching diamond-and-ruby bracelet.”
    When she opened them, she nodded. “Papa, she took these pieces, I know she did. They were her favorites, and so were the Marmaduke pearls. They’re in the other safe, aren’t they?”
    â€œYes, they are. We’d best investigate, ascertain what’s missing from there.”
    The pearls, dating back to the eighteenth century, were highly valuable, and had been treasured by the Inghams over the centuries. They were large, and had been carefully matched in a strand of opera length, long and elegant. The single string was so precious it was hard to appraise. Daphne had come to believe the pearls were priceless, and if auctioned they would go for a lot of money.
    The box was heavy, and she knew at once the pearls were safe, that they were inside. When she lifted the lid, she nodded, smiled in relief. “At least she didn’t grab these, Papa.”
    â€œI knew they were here. Pearls have to be taken out from time to time, sort of … well, allowed to breathe. And I’ve taken the box upstairs quite frequently, for that reason,” Charles explained.
    â€œI just know Mama took the other jewels. She knew where the key was; nobody else did, except for me, and Miles. And we didn’t steal them. She did it. Your former wife and my mother, and I am going to get every single piece back from her. She’s met her match in me. I won’t rest until the Ingham jewels are back in their rightful place.”
    â€œHow are you going to do that, Daphne? And how are you going to prove she has the jewels? Your mother will never admit she took something she shouldn’t have from Cavendon.”
    Daphne was silent for a moment or two, and then she confided, “I have an ally. Someone who will help me. I know that for an absolute certainty, Papa.”
    He frowned, and there was a sudden look of concern settling in his blue eyes. “And who is that? Who is going to help you?”
    â€œI’m afraid I can’t tell you, Papa. It’s not that I don’t trust you, because obviously I do. You are my father, and very moral, my moral compass, and I am acting on your behalf. Nonetheless, I simply can’t tell you. At least not now. When I’ve done it, and given the jewels back to you, I will explain everything.”
    Charles let out a deep sigh. “When are you planning to confront Felicity?”
    â€œIn the next few weeks, when you are away. And I shall force her to hand them over. Obviously we cannot take any steps right now. Nevertheless, I have no worries. She can’t possibly sell them, not ever.”
    â€œThat is correct. We would know immediately if they went on the market.”
    â€œSo, let’s lock these safes, and the vaults, and