A Dash of Scandal by Amelia Grey Page B

the loose among the ton. The strange thing is that he hasn’t been caught and neither you nor the authorities have a suspect yet.”
    Doulton sniffed uncomfortably and moved in his chair again. “I only meant that no one has seen anyone who looks like a thief.”
    â€œRight, because a beggar would be easy to spot at a dinner party. It means they are damn good at what they do, so you have to be better.”
    â€œYes, quite right, and so we are.” Doulton rose from his chair. “The only problem is that we haven’t had enough time. You must give us more time. We have to interview everyone. Even the smallest clue might help us identify the thief.”
    â€œThere are other things that need to be done. I suggest you station a couple of Runners at each party to watch for suspicious-looking characters.”
    â€œBut that would cost a lot of money, sir. I’m not sure we have the authorization to do that.”
    â€œI’m quite friendly with the lord mayor. If you need more money or men to help you accomplish this, tell me now, and I will speak to him. He will know how to go about seeing to it that you have more men on this case. And you need to have someone checking with all the known traders to see if anyone has shown the missing items.”
    â€œThat’s a very good suggestion. No reason for you to bother the lord mayor or anyone else. I’ll speak to him and see what can be done. And give me a few more days to look over all the information that my men have obtained so far. I’m sure we’ll come up with a suspect.”
    Chandler didn’t know how many days he had. Even now someone could be melting the raven into a lump of gold. The only thing he knew for sure was that it wasn’t a ghost who had stolen the raven.

Seven
    â€œThings without all remedy should be without regard, what’s done is done”—just ask Miss Donaldson. It’s reported that her father will soon make an announcement about her upcoming engagement. Miss Pennington danced with Lord Dugdale twice last night. Hmm. Are there bets the earl will be the fourth gentleman to offer for her hand this Season? And what is being done to find the Mad Ton Thief, or should he now be called the Mad Ghost Thief?
    â€”Lord Truefitt, Society’s Daily Column
    She was easy to identify in the flowing white gown and crown of small white flowers in her hair. The modest, round neckline of her evening dress was held on the shoulders by small capped sleeves and gold satin bands. Gold-colored bullion fell from the shoulders down her back like a shawl. A small band of gold satin fit snugly underneath her breasts. Chandler watched as she calmly made her way through the crowded room before being stopped by two older ladies of the ton.
    He wanted to get closer to Millicent Blair, talk to her again, ask her to dance. But that wasn’t all he desired. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her tempting lips as he had this afternoon in Lady Beatrice’s garden.
    He was quite proud of himself for not getting caught by that meddlesome dog. It was close, but thankfully he made it through the hedge, but not without wounds on his hands and a scratch on the side of his neck that he was able to hide with his neckcloth. Though, he admitted to himself with a smile, all the wounds were worth the kiss.
    But, he must remain at a distance tonight. He had overplayed his hand last night in telling her he planned to discover the way to her heart. And perhaps he should have waited a few more days before trying to see her, but he hadn’t been able to stay away. He had needed to see her.
    What had happened to the man who used to be so aloof?
    What a sentimentalist he must have sounded like last night. He might as well be wearing his heart on his sleeve, but she intrigued him. That was all. She had been deliberately evasive to his questions just so he would want to seek her out again and again to know more about