The Case Of The Missing Cross by Felicia Rogers

Author:Felicia Rogers [Rogers, Felicia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Maraya21, Historical, Romance
Publisher: Unknown
Published: 2015-10-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven: The Plan

While Justin spoke soothingly with Lady Sybil, Magnolia followed Virgil to the private sitting room that housed the golden cross. Rather than being shut away in the safe, the artifact had been secured in a locked glass case, which stood on a plinth behind a drape along the far wall. With the drape pulled aside and the candlelight falling across it, the cross gleamed with a rich glow.

It was taller than she’d expected, about two feet tall and one wide. The lower arm widened into a round housing, as if designed to fit atop a staff, but if it had ever been knocked around during its time afield in the Crusades, she could see no sign of it.

Virgil unlocked the case with Lady Sybil’s keys and handed Magnolia a pair of white gloves. She looked at her already-gloved hands.

“I’m sorry, miss, but my lady insists anyone handling the cross wear these gloves.”

She sighed, yanked off her own, and drew on the new gloves. With the cross in hand — it didn’t seem as heavy as she’d expected; perhaps it was hollow inside? — she tilted it back and forth, watching the gleam chase its shadow across the golden surface. Not being well versed in art, she wasn’t sure what she was looking for. She held the object up to the candlelight.

“Open the curtain, please.”

Virgil obeyed, and she carried the cross to the window. The golden color shimmered in the afternoon sunlight, but with a hard edge to its shine instead of the gentle glow of fine gold. Perhaps they’d refined metals differently during the medieval era.

Magnolia narrowed her eyes and stared at the tip of the right-hand arm. A gash seemed to be cut into the underside, where it couldn’t be seen when the cross stayed in its case. As she held the end closer to her eyes, she rubbed her fingers across the gash.

Her heart hammered. She quickly replaced the cross and raced back to the library, still wearing the white handling gloves.

****

“I don’t understand.” And he didn’t. If the cross had been returned, then all his and Magnolia’s theories came to naught.

Lady Sybil sniffed delicately. “Mr. Blakemoor, it seems quite simple to me. The thief had a change of heart and returned the cross. The case is over. I see no reason to pursue a thief for something that was never taken.”

“But it was taken!” His voice rose and Lady Sybil pressed her lips into a thin line. “A thousand pardons, my lady. Perhaps I am more passionate about this issue than I should be, seeing that the cross has been returned to you, but you are not the only offended party.”

“I’m not?” She blinked rapidly.

“No. Several other families in the area have reported thefts from their homes, also on nights they attended balls. It’s just that your cross would have been the easiest stolen item to track.” He ran his hand through his hair. How had his case unraveled so quickly? Neither he nor Magnolia had shared the fact that they were searching for the cross.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.