Beth's Story, 1914 by Adele Whitby

Author:Adele Whitby
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon Spotlight

Though the scandal of the Gabrielle’s locket hung over us like a heavy cloud, Shannon took extra pains with my toilette for my birthday dinner. After she helped me select a gown of midnight-blue silk adorned with tiny silver beads, she spent close to an hour brushing my hair. Then she pushed it back from my face with a blue velvet headband, and as a special finishing touch, she tucked an iridescent peacock feather behind my ear.

In the dining room, Cousin Gabrielle sat across from me. I noticed that she did not seem very pleased to be reunited with the Trufant locket, which gleamed around her neck. I was more suspicious than ever that she had been involved in its mysterious disappearance—but how could I find out for sure?

“You must be so relieved to have your locket back,” I said pointedly. “I know that it’s very dear to you.”

“Yes,” Gabrielle said. “I am sure that you are also relieved to know that your lady’s maid is a thief and to have her out of your service before she stole from you as well.”

Anger surged through me, but I remembered to keep my temper. If Gabrielle was indeed involved, I’d have to tread carefully to catch my cousin in a trap of her own making. I turned my attention to the other end of the table, where Uncle Claude was prattling on about his favorite subject.

“The signs are clear,” Uncle Claude said. “Answer me this: Why would the Germans spend so much on their military if they weren’t preparing for aggression? If Kaiser Wilhelm isn’t a warmonger, he has a strange way of showing it.”

“I will grant you that,” Father conceded. “Perhaps he wants to be prepared for any future conflicts, now that France and Russia have formed an alliance.”

Uncle Claude seemed offended. “We have no choice but to become allies!” he exclaimed. “It would be a scandal to sit by, unprepared, while our neighbors assemble an army on our doorstep.”

“You know, there are scandals closer to home that are just as captivating,” I spoke up.

All eyes turned to me. My mouth was suddenly so dry that I could barely speak, but I forced myself to go on.

“For example, this scandal involving my lady’s maid, Shannon. A kinder, more loyal soul you’ll never meet. And yet someone saw fit to frame her for a crime she didn’t commit.”

Across from me, Gabrielle dropped her fork. It clattered on her plate.

“Beth,” Mother said in her warning voice.

But I pressed on. “Who would do such a thing?” I continued. “Another staff member? Or perhaps one of our many visitors?”

A rapid stream of French spewed from Uncle Claude; Father spoke at the same time.

“Young lady, your mother and I specifically told you that this matter is not your concern,” he said sternly.

“On the contrary, Father, it concerns us all,” I said as politely as I could. “If Shannon didn’t take the locket, as she claims, then someone else must have. And if that someone—a thief,

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