The Faerie Ring (24 page)

“Yes,” Tiki agreed, trying to still her breathing. “It is quite beautiful.”

“She’s a faerie, you know,” Leo said in a bemused voice.

“Yes,” Tiki murmured.

“Some people think she’s an angel,” Leo explained. He looked over at Tiki. “Tell me, Elizabeth, do you believe in faeries?”

“It’s a charming thought to consider.” Tiki smiled at him, but her mind raced. What did he want from her? Would he have her arrested? How she could escape?

“I’m not so sure.” Leo turned back to the painting, and his eyes lingered on the figure of the winged woman. “I’ve heard stories that the fey like to steal things.” He looked over at her with a forced smile. “I’ve also heard that some are marked.”

“Marked?” Tiki repeated. She gave a questioning look to the young prince. “You’ll have to forgive my ignorance on this topic. Have you studied the world of Faerie? What do you mean?”

“An fáinne sí.”
Leo’s tone was as bland as though he were discussing the weather and found it quite boring. “Like this here.” He pointed to a decorative circle on the woman’s wrist in the painting.

Tiki had to bite her lip not to gasp out loud. Those were the words that Rieker had muttered when he’d seen her mark the first time, she was sure of it. She looked closely at the painting. During the ball, the lighting had been dim and she’d paid little attention to the details. At first glance she’d thought the mark he indicated was a bracelet. But now, she could see the same swirls and turns as adorned her own wrist. Was it possible? What did it mean? How long had these connections between faerie and man existed?

Leo turned from the canvas and faced her. “I’ve been told
an fáinne sí
means ‘the faerie ring.’ The mark is the same as the one on your wrist, I believe.” His eyes dared her to deny it. “May I see it?”

Chapter Twenty-five

“T
HERE
you two are.”

Tiki turned with relief at the sound of Rieker’s voice and took a step toward him. She widened her eyes, hoping she could subtly convey her panic. Her ears rang with the words Leo had just uttered: An fáinne sí
means “the faerie ring.”
A terrible fear spread through her limbs, making her feel weak.

“I hate to interrupt your enjoyment of the arts, but we need to carry on,” Rieker said. “I’ve got an appointment later this afternoon and I promised Miss Dunbar that we would return before three.” He extended his arm.

Tiki could sense Leo’s frustration. His eyes lingered on her with a disturbing intensity as she moved to take Rieker’s arm.

“I’m sorry to see you go,” Leo responded politely. “We need to spend some time catching up, Wills. There are matters we need to discuss. I feel like I don’t even know you anymore.”

“It’s difficult with our busy schedules, isn’t it?” Wills agreed in an easy tone. “Will you be heading back up to Balmoral or are you home through the holidays now?”

“Mother is quite ill and not showing improvement. Much as she’d like, I don’t think she can even travel to Windsor, so we’ll be here at Buckingham for now.” His face was unsmiling as he stared at Rieker. “When are you available to meet?”

“Soon. Soon. I hope Her Majesty takes a turn for the better. Winter in England is never pleasant.”

They stepped out into the gray light of the December afternoon and descended the steps toward the carriage that waited for them. Tiki had no idea where Rieker had come up with a carriage and a driver. He had just mumbled something about “connections” when she had asked earlier.

“Miss Dunbar…” Leo took her hand and bowed over her fingers. “I look forward to seeing you again soon and continuing our conversation.” His gaze shifted to Rieker. “Wills, I’ll be calling on you. We need to talk.”

Leo suspected something, Tiki was sure of it. At the ball he had clearly recognized the mark on her wrist as being similar to the urchin’s mark. Had he found reason to connect the ring’s disappearance to her? Tiki’s stomach roiled uncomfortably at the thought. Blast it, why had she brought up the ring to him at the ball? And then gone on and asked how stolen property could be returned. What in bloody hell had she been thinking?

Tiki fought the urge to run down the steps and get as far away from Leo as possible. She was treading on treacherous ground and needed to be very careful or it would only be a matter of time before she made a mistake and got caught. She would be no good to Clara locked away in Newgate Prison.

After what felt like an eternity, Rieker climbed in the carriage and finally shut the door. As the driver pulled away, Tiki glanced back. Leo stood on the steps, watching their departure with a frown on his face.

“You didn’t get it, did you,” Rieker said in a low voice.

“No,” Tiki replied. Her worried eyes flicked to his. “Leo surprised me in the hallway before I could get to the spot where I’d hidden it,” she said. “He practically dragged me into that alcove to admire the painting.” She didn’t want to give Rieker too many clues to where the ring might be hidden. “He suspects us, could you tell?”

Rieker released a long sigh. “He did seem a bit out of sorts.”

Tiki glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. There were so many things she wanted to ask him, but it was like sitting next to a stranger. He was so handsome, so self-assured. Damn Rieker anyway. He pretended to be her friend, but in the end he was nothing more than a thief in search of the biggest treasure either of them had ever seen.

Rieker leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling of the coach. “Now we have a problem. I don’t know how we’re going to get back in there.” He drummed his fingers on the arm of the seat as he thought. “I was afraid something was off. He left so abruptly after you went down the hall that I was sure he intended to intercept you.” He gave Tiki a half-smile. “Luckily the prince is besotted with your beauty and charm. He didn’t outright accuse you of anything.”

“Beauty and charm.” Tiki gave a half-laugh, remembering her distorted image in the mirror at Buckingham. “You don’t make a good liar, Rieker.”

“Actually, I’m quite accomplished in that area,” Rieker replied lightly. “But I’m not lying. You’re like a different person when you’re dressed in decent clothes and actually clean.” He raised an eyebrow as he smiled, somehow looking charming and rakish at the same time. “There were moments when I stood there today and wondered who the beautiful creature was flirting with Prince Leopold.”

“Flirting!” Tiki exclaimed. “I did not flirt with him.”

Rieker threw his head back and laughed. “‘I would be honored to ride with you,
Leo,
’” he mimicked in a falsetto.

Tiki blushed. “Pardon my lack of proper etiquette. I’m not used to socializing with royalty like some people.” Her temper flared as she thought of Rieker’s deception. “Exactly how rich are you,
Wills
? Why do you hide among orphans and steal from rich people? Why do you need the ring if
you
’
re
rich?” Her emotions confused her and sharpened her tongue. “If you’ve overspent your allowance, I’m sure your dear father will just give you more.”

“I don’t have an allowance.” Rieker’s voice was low, but his tone held a warning.

“Well, maybe you should ask for one. Don’t all young men of your position have stacks of money available for their every whim?” Tiki sneered at him. “No doubt you’ve got lands of your own, too. Maybe you should sell some so you don’t have to steal.” Tiki didn’t even know why she was so angry. One comment had led to another, and now she was saying things she didn’t even mean. “Or maybe your mum has some jewelry you can pawn so you can keep up with the royals.”

A multitude of emotions flashed across Rieker’s face before a darkness settled in his eyes and his mouth thinned to an angry line. “I don’t have to explain myself to you or anyone. What I choose to do with my life is my business.” His words came out in a growl. He leaned forward and slid open a small window to the driver with a bang.

“Geoffrey, stop. I’m going to walk. Please deliver Miss Dunbar to Charing Cross.” Without another word, he yanked the door open.

“Rieker, wait.” Tiki reached for his arm. Regret filled her. She had gone too far. “I didn’t mean it like it sounded, it’s just—” But Rieker yanked his arm free, slid out the door, and slammed it closed. Tiki felt the carriage jerk as the horses started moving forward again, the jingle of their reins mingling with the staccato rhythm of their hooves on the cobblestones. She pressed her face to the small rear window and could see his dark head above the others in the street. But he never glanced back toward the carriage before he disappeared into the crowd. She slumped back into her seat. Now what was she going to do?

*   *   *

“H
OW
did it go?” Toots asked as soon as Tiki came through the back door. Shamus was whittling a swan from a piece of wood where he sat close to the stove, and Fiona sat nearby, stitching the sleeve of Rieker’s jacket. They both watched her in anticipation.

Tiki shrugged, still angry and upset at her fight with Rieker. She was bothered not only by what she had said, but also by the fact that his actions mattered to her.

“Didn’t work. I think Prince Leo suspects I’m connected with the disappearance of the ring. He seems especially curious about my mark.”

“Connected?” Fiona said. “He can’t arrest you, can he?”

“Where’s Rieker?” Shamus asked.

Tiki tried not to snap her answer. “I don’t know. He got out of the hansom cab and walked.” She turned her back to Fiona. “Fi, can you unhook some of these buttons?”

“Walked?” Shamus repeated. He carved off several strips of wood. “Walked where? It was his carriage, wasn’t it?”

“We had a fight,” Tiki admitted.

Fiona’s fingers froze against her back. Shamus paused in his whittling and waited.

“Well, Leo obviously suspected us,” Tiki said defensively, “and I couldn’t get the ring, and then Rieker was all chummy with both princes because he grew up with them and I didn’t really belong there at all.” She took a breath. “And then, on the way home, he was insulting me about—”

“He insulted you?” Toots interrupted.

“Yes. Well…” Tiki cleared her throat. “Sort of. He was teasing me in an insulting way and then I said something and he said something”—she waved her hands—“and then it was just a big fight and he got out and walked.” Tiki ducked her head. “It just goes to show you that we can’t rely on Rieker anyway. We’ve got to depend on each other, like we always do, to figure out a way to save Clara. It’s the only way.” Tiki held her dress in place as she jerked around to face Shamus. “We don’t need Rieker. I’m going to go on my own and find Larkin.”

“Slow down, Tiki,” Shamus said. He spoke with his usual measured pace, but his face was creased with concern. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. Rieker seems to understand these things better than we do.”

“He understands how to get what he wants. I’m going to do what’s best for us.” Tiki stomped behind the privacy blanket and yanked the dress down over her hips. She hadn’t needed Rieker’s help to survive this long. She didn’t need his help to save Clara, either.

Chapter Twenty-six

L
EO
tightened the cinch on Diablo, ignoring the snort of protest from the big horse. “You’re not the only one who doesn’t want to go riding at this hour,” he muttered. He patted his coat pocket again, reassuring himself that the bag containing fifty £10 notes was safely stored.

“I’ve just asked a few men to hide around the tree in St. James’ Park.” Arthur’s face was drawn in a worried frown. “Are you sure I shouldn’t come along?” he asked again.

“No, Arthur,” Leo responded with a sigh. “And I asked you not to have any men out there. The note said ‘alone.’ If they had wanted to do us harm, they would have gone about it in a different way, not by stealing a ring. All they want is the money.” He grabbed Diablo’s reins and led him from the stable. “I say let’s give them what they want and be done with this mess.”

“Well, I don’t have anyone following you. They’re just positioned to keep an eye and to see if they can catch sight of the thieves.”

Leo gave him a sharp glance. “Make sure they
don’t
follow me. There is no way they could remain unseen at midnight. There’s bloody few people out at this hour to hide behind.”

Arthur didn’t reply as he walked along beside his brother.

Leo pulled Diablo to a stop and stepped into the stirrup, pulling himself effortlessly into the saddle, the leather creaking with his added weight. He looked down at Arthur. “Go have a drink, Arthur. I’ll be home before you can figure out your next move on the chessboard.” He threaded the leather reins through his fingers. “With the ring.”

“Be careful.”

The prince squeezed Diablo’s sides and headed into the dark night, the horse’s hoofbeats echoing across the quiet grounds. He hoped that what he’d said to Arthur was true. He wasn’t at all sure what sort of wild chase he was headed for tonight. If there was any way he thought the guards could follow him without being seen, he would have been all for it. But it wasn’t possible. There was, however, another way they might catch the thief.

After reading the ransom note, Arthur had predicted that the message had already been planted in the tree. A guard had checked during the dead of night and sure enough—there had been a note tucked into a rotted-out hole where a branch had once been. The instructions had said to go to the obelisk in St. George’s Circus.

Now Arthur had guards at the obelisk as well as hidden around the perimeter of the elm, though they had been unable to locate a second note at the obelisk. Perhaps the thief planned to meet him there and would ultimately be caught. Leo allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction. That would teach people not to try to steal from the monarchy.

He was just leaving the palace grounds when he was intercepted by a guard.