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Barnaby had frowned. “Who is likely to know that?”
“Well, nobody other than me. It is a private matter between my husband and me. My husband was always very careful about that particular set of jewels because they are so expensive.”
“Can you think of how someone from outside of the house would know where to find them?” Jeb’s mind raced but he couldn’t find any answers.
“Well, I am not sure.”
“Is he likely to have mentioned it to anyone at the local social occasions?”
The Squire’s wife suddenly shuddered quite theatrically.
“Those,” she spat disparagingly. “I don’t go to them because I can’t stand the people so I have no idea what was discussed.”
Jeb shared a look with Barnaby. “Tell me something. Did Tabitha ever work here?”
It was a random guess. To his surprise, the Squire’s wife nodded.
“Yes, but only when we entertained. She helped serve, but I cannot see what that has to do with anything.”
Jeb did. He rather suspected that Tabitha was rather nosy, and had provided Bamber with the information.
Barnaby stepped forward. “When was the last time you wore them to one of the ton’s occasions?”
“Well, we wore them to the Aldridge’s ball about four months ago. I haven’t worn them since.”
With that, she had turned the house over to the Star Elite, and left.
Jeb was going to remain in Framley Meadow to interrogate Myers and Delilah, and hopefully Bamber if they caught him. He intended to stay in the village for as long as it took. Hopefully, before he was needed in London again, he could make Sophia his wife. His father certainly hoped so in any case. Algernon had nearly fallen to his knees when Jeb had declared that he wished to not only make Briggleberry his home but Sophia, his wife. Even though theirs had been a very short courtship, he fully intended to make use of Hooky being in the area to help arrange the nuptials.
He was quickly snapped out of his musings by the dull sound of something being dragged. It was quiet but noticeable in the silence. Jeb tensed, and had to force all thoughts of Sophia out of his mind so he could focus on his job. Still, his attitude toward what he now faced was entirely different to what it had been before the attempt on Sophia’s life. Jeb now had a reason to fight, and a home to go back to, and that made him stronger and more determined than ever.
He watched one leg appear through the now open window, followed by a dark silhouette of a man Jeb immediately recognised as Bamber. Once in the room, the man crept stealthily toward the dresser by the door. It was imperative they catch Bamber with the box in his hand to have a theft charge that would hold up in front of a magistrate. At the moment, he could only be arrested for breaking into a house and trespassing, which wouldn’t be enough to keep him behind bars.
All Jeb could do was hope he didn’t take the time to look at the contents of the box before he left.
It quickly became apparent that Bamber was confident he wouldn’t get caught because he collected and pocketed the jewellery box without even bothering to look at it. Rather than leave the room immediately, he took a moment or two to steal a couple of smaller expensive items.
Jeb took advantage of the man’s distraction to launch his attack, and took Bamber down with a tackle.
The man went down with an ‘oomph’ of surprise. The dull thud of their bodies hitting the floor was followed by a flurry of motion as Bamber scrambled to his feet. Rather than run, he landed several hefty punches on Jeb. Barnaby raced across the room and launched himself at the thief, but Bamber was ahead of him and threw himself headfirst out of the window.
Jeb chased after him, across the vast expanse of lawns at the side of the house.
“Get him!” Jeb shouted to Joe, who had barrelled out of the trees and was racing toward them.
When he saw him, Bamber changed direction but ran straight toward Marcus, who was waiting, still hidden, in the bushes.
Suddenly, everything changed. To Jeb’s shock, a second man appeared not far away from Marcus, and waved at Bamber who then raced toward him. Still chasing, they all watched Bamber throw the jewellery box at his accomplice. It flew through the air and landed in the second man’s hands and immediately vanished into his pocket. The man then quickly spun around and disappeared into the trees, followed by Joe and Marcus.
“Get Bamber,” Barnaby shouted as he raced past Jeb and headed after Joe.
There was an advantage to being over six feet tall, and Jeb used his additional height to lengthen his stride. He quickly caught up with Bamber and took him down with a tackle that temporarily winded the thief. Bamber lay gasping on the floor while he battled the stars behind his eyes. When he did get his wind back, the resultant fight was swift and brutal.
Jeb still had lingering memories of what had happened to Sophia, and took his ferocious anger out on the man beneath him. It was only the arrival of a winded Barnaby, who hauled him off his target that stopped the rather unfair fight.
“Well, well, well, Bamber, it looks like you have failed – again,” Barnaby drawled once Jeb had backed off.
Together with Barnaby, Jeb yanked Bamber to his feet and held him steady. At first, the man tried to get away. Until he saw the jailer’s cart waiting for him just outside the stable block. He then turned defiant.
