Page 24

Despite herself, as both women seated themselves on the floor beside her, Marcia found herself suddenly intrigued. “What—?”

“Shh,” Faith ordered, compelling Marcia to silence.

“Show her,” Anwen urged excitedly.

“Show me what?” Marcia asked, exasperated.

Faith reached inside the clever pocket found along the front of her gown, and drawing something out, she stretched her hand slowly out to Marcia.

Marcia leaned over the other woman’s palm as Faith unfurled her fingers and revealed…

She puzzled her brow. “It is a necklace.”

“Oh, this is no ordinary necklace,” Anwen murmured excitedly.

“No?” Marcia studied the gold piece, adorned with rubies, more closely. It was pretty but not remarkable, at least not in the way of the diamonds and baubles that adorned the necks of powerful ladies.

“Tell her,” Anwen urged.

“It is…” Faith began, pausing for dramatic effect, “the Heart of a Duke.”

Marcia scrunched her brow even more, assessing it more closely. “A… duke’s heart?”

“Not arealduke’s heart,” Faith exclaimed, her voice rich with exasperation. “It is said that the wearer of it will win the heart of her one true love.”

She couldn’t help the snort that escaped. What a load of rubbish.

“Hey now,” Anwen chided.

“Forgive me.” Marcia bowed her head. But her friends hadn’t had their hearts broken. Their lives weren’t steeped in sin and ugliness. They still believed in things like happily ever afters and in finding one’s true love.

“Anwen,” Faith said in a warning way to their friend.

Suddenly, even her best friends’ company was too much. “I cannot thank you enough for the gift,” she said softly. “My parents have fireworks planned for this evening. They are not to be missed.”

Anwen’s eyes lit up. “Splendid!”

Both women stood and went to the door.

Faith paused, looking back at Marcia. “Aren’t you coming?” Concern filled the other woman’s eyes.

“I will,” she promised. “Shortly. Go along without me.”

Her friends hesitated, but then, with a nod, they rushed from the room.

The moment the door had closed, Marcia’s shoulders sagged as she welcomed the hum of silence.

That moment, however, also proved fleeting.

Another set of footfalls sounded outside the room. This time, the tread was slightly heavier, more determined, and not the hesitant, delicate ones of her friends.

Oh, blast.

Her father.

Would her parents not just leave her alone?

Marcia hurriedly lowered herself to the floor, and with the fire in the hearth crackling behind her, she looked towards the entrance of the room. Positioned as she was, with the sofa shielding her from view, she squinted to get a glimpse of this latest interloper.