Page 84 of Fairest of Heart

“You made quite an impression on him,” Victor continued, his face a mask of polite indulgence. “He was quite . . . how did he phrase it . . . incapacitated by your beauty. In fact, you rattled him so completely he misplaced the ruby stickpin I gave him for his fiftieth birthday.”

Narcissa tried to pull away from his hold, but his grip tightened. “Release your hold on me, sir,” she demanded in a quiet voice that wouldn’t carry past his ears. As much as she adored being in the limelight, this was one scene in which she didn’t wish to play the leading lady. Not if he decided to make his accusations more vocal.

Victor leaned closer, his lips near her ear like a lover whispering sweet nothings. Only there was nothing sweet in the words dripping from his lips.

“Hubert is like an older brother to me, my dear. When we were boys, he was the one who shielded me from harm. It seems he’s still playing the role of protector. He knows of my affinity for beautiful women, you see, and when he heard your theatrical company planned to perform in Denver, he thought it wise to warn me of your felonious tendencies. Didn’t want me to fall into the same trap he had.”

Heart pounding, Narcissa skewered him with her best withering glare. “Are you accusing me of something, sir?” She raised her voice just enough to draw attention from those seated at the tables closest to them. A calculated risk, but one she had to take. Surely, he didn’t want to dirty his own reputation by being caught mistreating a lady.

“He might not be, but I am.”

Something heavy dropped onto the table beside her plate, rattling the silver against the china.

Narcissa startled, barely registering that Victor had released his hold on her leg. Her attention jerked to the pocket watch that had just crashed against the edge of her plate. A watch that looked quite familiar. One that had a twin. Slowly her gaze crawled upward to find the scowling face of her least favorite Ranger.

“Mr. Kingsley! What is the meaning of this?”

“I mean to see you arrested.”

“For what?” She tossed her head defiantly. “I’ve committed no crime. Besides, you have no jurisdiction in Colorado.”

The man she’d seen in the lobby earlier moved into view, stepping out from behind Kingsley. “I do.” He tipped his hat. “US Marshal John McHenry, ma’am. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

This could not be happening.

Don’t panic, Narcissa. They have no proof of anything. Any evidence they have is circumstantial. You can brazen this out.

“This is ridiculous.” She turned her attention back to Kingsley. “Didn’t you get my note? Cecil Hunt is the likely culprit. As soon as I discovered those suspicious gold pieces in his belongings, I immediately turned them over to you. I’ve cooperated fully with your investigation. You have no right to chase me down and treat me in such a disrespectful manner.” Gripping her purse, she scooted her chair back. “Really, accosting patrons in the dining room is deplorable. I’m going to give the manager a piece of my mind.”

“You just gonna pretend you don’t see that watch?” Kingsley veered off script, completely ignoring her conversation as if she’d never spoken.

“There’s no pretense about it,” she said with a sniff of disdain. “I have no interest in a watch I’ve never seen before.”

Kingsley folded his arms across his chest. “Strange, since we retrieved it from your room.”

Narcissa reared back. “You entered my room? How dare you. It seems you’re the true criminal here.”

Kingsley tipped back his head, his eyes annoyingly cool. As if her offensive thrust hadn’t so much as pricked his skin. “I assure you everything was on the up-and-up, ma’am. The manager let us into your room once we showed him the warrant we held for your arrest.”

“Outrageous! I’m leaving this hotel at once,” she sputtered as she lurched to her feet. “This treatment is unacceptable.”

Dear heaven. They had a warrant for her arrest? How had they convinced a judge of her guilt when they had no concrete evidence against her? She had to get out of here. Abandon the troupe. Hide herself away somewhere. Reinvent her identity. Perhaps San Francisco. There were plenty of wealthy men there. Nob Hill overflowed with them. England might be beyond her grasp now, but she could still snare a wealthy husband. Give herself the life of ease she deserved.

“Get out of my way,” she demanded as she tried to push through the wall of men blocking her path. They didn’t budge.

She needed ammunition. Something she could use to turn the tables. She grabbed the watch thinking to throw it at Kingsley’s head, but the flash of an inscription caught her eye.

“Why, this is your watch! That’s your name—Titus—isn’t it?” She turned to the marshal. “This man’s trying to frame me. He must have planted this watch in my room. It’s because of that girl. Penelope Snow. He wants retribution.” She stopped herself just before admitting she knew of the girl’s death. “I . . . kicked her out of my troupe, and now that he’s gone soft for her, he’s trying to get payback on her behalf.”

“I’m the one who found the watch, ma’am,” the marshal drawled. “Along with a duplicate time piece wrapped in a distinctive yellow handkerchief. Found some other goodies, too, all matching the descriptions of items taken from the Diamond D Ranch last week. All in the bottom of your trunk. Found a ruby, too.” He glanced past her and twitched his chin toward Victor. “One that likely resided in a stickpin not too long ago.”

McHenry turned his attention back to Narcissa. “I had me a nice chat with Mr. Hunt, too. He admits to assisting you in your thievery. Painted quite the vivid picture of your aftershow performances.”

“Lies!” Narcissa screeched, Hunt’s betrayal flaring her rage. She slammed the pocket watch onto the table with a loud bang. “I’m going to sue you for defamation of character. I’ve never stolen a thing in my life.” She’d only taken what was owed her. Nothing more. “Hunt is your thief. I told you that. I had no part in any of it. He and that little tramp Penelope are the ones responsible.”

A thundercloud instantly darkened Kingsley’s face. He stepped forward, and Narcissa instinctively took a step back. “Watch what you say about my future wife.”

Future wife? Penelope was alive? How? She’d barely been breathing when Narcissa had left. If the girl had survived, that meant she could testify. She had to be silenced.