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Norah shifted her attention to their grandfather. She’d reluctantly shared the news with him the previous day, half-expecting he would blame her. That one of them would, no matter if her worry was illogical. How could they not when she blamed herself?
“What do you think, Grandfather?” Ella asked, much to Norah’s relief as it saved her from asking.
“The situation is indeed unfortunate.” He tapped a finger on his lip, a gesture he and Ella shared. “I see no purpose in closing the exhibit. As you said, apparently the only item the thief wanted, he took.” He looked at Norah. “No further word from Vanbridge?”
“Nothing as of yet.” Norah understood even better why Ella had felt compelled to take action when their father’s journal had been taken. It was impossible to think of anything else. Not when she felt so guilty. “What can we do to help find it?”
Ella’s smile of understanding eased the tightness in Norah’s chest. “Would it help if we once again spread word of the theft?” Ella asked.
Lena frowned. “That depends. Would it involve visiting more antique shops again? I confess doing so lost its appeal soon after we walked through the second one.” She glanced at Norah with a worried expression. “Not that I don’t want to help. You know I’ll do anything necessary.”
The three sisters had walked through far too many antiquity shops after the loss of the journal to see if any had been approached to buy it.
“Perhaps we should first share the news with those who attended the unveiling,” Norah suggested.
Their grandfather stood. “Excellent idea. Someone might have seen something the night of the unveiling. Meanwhile, I will have a word with Vanbridge to see what he’s doing and how we can aid him.”
Though Norah knew the two men were acquainted and were both members of the Royal Geological Society, her stomach tightened at the thought of them speaking. It wasn’t as if Simon would tell her grandfather about their kiss. Far from it.
Yet as the duke promised to advise them of anything he learned and took his leave, she couldn’t set aside her nervousness.
Determined to push it from her mind, she considered what more she could do. There had to be something else. Action felt better than worrying. “Why don’t we review the evening of the unveiling? Did you notice anyone taking particular interest in the coin or the exhibit?”
As she and her sisters shared their impressions of the evening, the matter felt even more hopeless. Norah could hardly stand to think she had once again failed so miserably.
Chapter Seven
Simon reluctantly enteredthe Royal Geological Society offices on Saville Row later that morning, at the behest of the Duke of Rothwood. While he’d expected the duke to request a meeting, Simon was still apprehensive. The fact that Rothwood’s granddaughters’ coin had been stolen surely didn’t sit well with His Grace. Angering a powerful lord, let alone Norah’s grandfather, was nothing Simon welcomed.
The duke was already seated in the small room where they’d arranged to meet. “Good morning, Your Grace,” Simon said with a stiff bow. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”
“Not at all.” He gestured toward a chair at the table, his expression unreadable. “Marbury will be joining us as well.”
“I’m pleased to hear that,” Simon said as he took a seat, a tight band around his chest keeping him from drawing a true breath. Yet he was determined to take responsibility as well as any action he could think of to repair the loss. That meant starting with an apology. “Allow me to offer my apologies for the theft of the coin. Please know I don’t take the matter lightly.”
“I would hope not.” The duke’s bushy grey brows lowered over his eyes, lending him a fierce appearance. “In addition to upsetting my granddaughters, this could damage your museum’s reputation.”
“I realize that.” Simon shifted in his chair, uncertain if the duke pointed that out in order to prod Simon into doing more or if it was a threat. “Marbury suggested the reason for the theft could be to force me to close the museum.” Simon had pondered the possibility at length without a result.
Before he could say anything more, Marbury entered the room and bowed. “Good morning.”
“Vanbridge was just telling me of your idea that the theft could be part of a plan to put an end to the museum.” Rothwood glanced between the two men, clearly expecting answers.
Simon wished he had one to offer.
“Yes,” Marbury said as he took a seat. “It seems that if whoever took the coin hoped for money, they would’ve taken additional artifacts. That means there must be another reason.” His gaze settled on Simon. “Have you given the matter further thought?”
“I have, though there’s no one I’d seriously consider.”
“Do I hear hesitation in your tone?” Rothwood asked.
“The possibility of this person being involved seems highly unlikely.” Simon would be appalled if word of his suspicion spread. He didn’t want Anna to have a reason to detest him more than she already did.
“Let us all agree to keep everything in confidence that is said,” Rothwood advised. “We should speak freely to share any and all ideas.”
“My cousin, the Countess of Medenhall, was unhappy with my plan to use her family home for a museum. However, I can’t believe she could be behind the theft. Why would she have waited this long to cause problems when the museum opened five years ago?”
“That does seem unlikely,” Rothwood agreed. “Is there anyone else you can think of?”
