Her tone reminded everyone that despite the fact Sebastian, her husband, Devil's father, was long gone, a great deal of power still remained at Helena's back. She was the Cynster matriarch; ultimately, none had the power to gainsay her.

Amelia noted that her mother, Phyllida — all the women — were, at least figuratively, squarely ranged behind Helena. She had taken a stand — declared what should be done; it was now up to the men to handle the rest.

Luc broke the ensuing silence. "Assuming we decide to bait a trap, how, exactly, are we to construct it?"

Lucifer reluctantly growled, "We need some event — some occasion — that will appear to the thief to leave the door open."

"If we're going to use that necklace, or something of the sort," Martin smoothly said, "we need to alert the thief to the possibilities, then lure him into a situation where we can catch him."

"You need the bait and the trap," Arthur said. "You need to prime the trap, and then spring it."

Luc looked at them all. "So what's our trap?"

The discussions, suggestions, and arguments lasted for more than an hour. Amelia ordered the tea trolley replenished; Luc had the decanters brought in. They sat and argued, tossed ideas in, tossed them out. It was Minerva who finally suggested, "We could have an open house of some sort."

Amelia blinked. "I've only recently joined the family — all the rest of you are here visiting…" She glanced at Luc. "We could host a celebration of some sort, one for all the surrounding families."

"And your tenants and the villagers," Phyllida put in. "That way, anyone could attend."

"If you're determined to use the necklace," Lucifer said, his tone underscoring his disapproval and his resignation, "then it'll have to be an evening event — you couldn't wear that necklace during the day without being too obvious." Helena inclined her head. "That is true."

"A Summer Ball and Gala," Amelia said. "There's no reason we can't organize something like that quickly — an impulsive decision, an impromptu event. Nothing suspicious about that. The weather's been glorious, you're all here visiting, so we decide to take advantage and host a ball for the neighborhood. To include everyone, we'll make it a whole evening, with the gardens open for dancing and fireworks, so there'll be plenty of opportunity for the thief to see the necklace."

Everyone thought; everyone nodded. "All right," Luc said. "Now for the details." He fixed Helena with an even glance. "How do you imagine it will be?" She smiled, and told him. Despite Lucifer's growls, and Simon's, Luc's and Martin's frowns, everyone eventually agreed. Throughout the early evening, before the ball, Helena, flaunting the necklace, would move among the assembled tenants, villagers, and neighbors. At all times, she would be flanked by two of the other ladies, a normal enough situation; from a distance, at least two of the men would be watching her constantly.

Then, just before the ball was due to commence, Luc and Helena would meet on the terrace. Luc would comment on the necklace, suggesting the Dowager hand it to him after the ball for safekeeping — a suggestion Helena would openly dismiss, declaring it would be safe in her room.

"We can organize the fireworks to be lit then, so everyone will gather on the terrace and steps. That way, many people will be near enough to hear." Amelia looked at Luc, who nodded.

"In the circumstances, I can appear to feel moved to speak, even surrounded by a crowd." He glanced at Helena. "If I understand this correctly, the necklace in question is of that ilk?"

Lucifer snorted. "Believe it. Three long strands of priceless matched pearls broken by three rectangular emeralds.

Plus matching bracelets and earrings." He glowered at Helena, then grimaced. "Much as it pains me to admit, it's the perfect bait for this thief. Whoever they are, they've a nice eye for valuables, and that set can be broken up and restrung so easily, it would be child's play to do so and sell what would then be unidentifiable new necklaces. The emeralds, too, although distinctive, could easily be reset."

Luc's expression turned grim. "Definitely the sort of thing I would insist on having in safekeeping."

Helena waved aside the caveat. "Do not fear. By the time I am finished dismissing your so-kind insistence, everyone will know that the necklace will remain for that night in my room."

"I still don't like that." The objection came from Simon, standing, one broad shoulder propped against the end of the mantelpiece. He frowned at Helena. "It's so risky. What if they harm you?"

Helena's smile turned gentle but did not disguise her steel. "There will be no risk to me. The necklace will be strewn on the table in the middle of the room — just where a lady such as myself, careless with her wealth, might leave it. No thief is going to spare a moment to harm a small and frail old woman such as I. I will pose no threat to him."

"Just to be clear on that issue" — Arthur had been following her dissertation closely—"will you promise — in order to ease our no doubt irrational male fears — that you will not yourself in any way try to apprehend this thief?"

Helena met his gaze, then laughed. "Very well, mon ami—I will promise you that. I will do nothing but watch — it will be up to you all" — she waved at the men—"to catch this thief before he absconds with my treasure."

"And if we don't," Lucifer grumbled, "we'll never hear the end of it."

The clocks struck midnight. Helena rose; the other ladies followed, deeming their planning done. As she swept past Lucifer's chair, Helena patted his dark head. "I have every confidence in you all, mes enfants"

Lucifer, who when standing towered over Helena, as did every man in the room, looked thoroughly disgruntled.

By noon the next day, all the married men had accepted that shifting their ladies from Helena's plan was beyond their capabilities.

"We're going to have to cover every possible approach to the house." Luc looked down at the plan of the house he'd unrolled on his desk. Lucifer and Martin flanked him, likewise poring over the diagram.

Simon stood opposite, his gaze flicking from the plan to their faces, then back again. "There's really no other choice?"

"None." Lucifer replied without even looking up. "Take it from us — further argument is wasted effort."

Arthur strolled up. He glanced at the plan, then sighed. "I really hate to leave at such a moment, but those negotiations will not wait."

Lucifer, Luc, and Martin all looked at him.

"Don't worry," Luc said.

"We'll manage," came from Lucifer.

"Especially given you got her promise not to tackle the thief herself." Martin grinned. "You've done your bit — you can leave the rest to us."

Arthur looked at them, then nodded. "Very well — but send word to Devil if you do need help."

They nodded.

Arthur pulled out his watch, checked the time. "Well, I'd best go and see if Louise is ready to depart. We were supposed to leave fifteen minutes ago."

He left them studying the house plan.

In the front hall, he came upon a scene of frenetic energy with maids and footmen dashing this way and that, streaming about the ladies gathered in the hall's center.

Louise saw him. "There you are. We've been waiting for you."

Arthur simply smiled.

Minerva, Emily, and Anne farewelled him with wishes for a speedy and safe journey.

A step beyond, the twins had their heads together. Arthur paused to take in the sight, one he'd seen so many times, then he slid one arm around Amanda's waist, the other around Amelia, hugged them both, and planted a kiss first on one forehead, then the other. "Take care, both of you."

They laughed, beamed, and kissed him back.

"Take care, Papa."

"Come and visit again."

Stifling a sigh, he released them, trying hard not to think that he had, indeed, truly let them go. He took Phyllida's hand and kissed it. "You, too, my dear."

Phyllida smiled serenely and kissed his cheek. "Have a good trip."

Arthur turned to Helena. "As for you…"

Helena raised her brows haughtily, but her eyes danced. "Me, I will do very well, I thank you. But you had best be away, or you will not reach London tonight." Her smile softened; she gave him her hands and lifted her cheek for him to kiss. "Take care."

"That's my line," Arthur growled, obliging with the kiss, then squeezing her hands before releasing them.

A renewed tide of "good-byes" and waves carried them through the front door. Arthur led Louise down the steps to where their coach stood, heavily burdened.

He handed Louise in, then, with a last wave at the assembled ladies, who, he now noted, had been joined by their husbands and his only surviving son, he followed his wife into the carriage. The door was shut, the footman stood back. A whip cracked; the coach lurched, then rumbled forward.

They waved, then Louise sighed and sat back. Arthur did the same. Louise glanced at him. "So, are you happy with your sons-in-law?"

Arthur raised his brows. "They're both good men, and they're clearly… devoted."

"Devoted?" Louise's smile grew; she glanced away. "Yes, I daresay you might call it that."

Arthur shot her a glance. "And you? Are you happy with them?"

"With Dexter, yes. With Luc… I have absolutely no qualms — I never did. They seem to be settling together nicely, quite as well as I expected, but there's something not quite straight yet. However, I'm sure it, whatever it is, will sort itself out." Louise faced forward. "I asked Helena to keep an eye on them — I'm sure she will."