The Blue Diamond by Joan Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

time, and without hurting her feelings. I have done her a few favors since her coming, and she wished to repay me. I put the brooch in my reticule, not taking any great care as she had assured me it was paste. That was her opinion, that it was no more than a good imitation. I’m sure she did not think the fabulously wealthy English lord would be interested in a paste stone for his wife. It was all coincidence, you see. As the stone is genuine, and the price paid for it not excessive, where is the problem?”
    “The problem is that the stone is quite likely from a collection of stolen jewelry.”
    “If that proves to be the case, I’m sure Mademoiselle will return your cousin the money, and take back the ruby. I understand a certain Russian nobleman is already regretting that he was not aware of the transaction sooner, as he feels the gem was worth considerably more than five thousand pounds. Its history does not concern him, you see."
    “Could you tell me whether Mademoiselle has other such items in her possession?” he asked, ignoring her ill humor.
    “I could not. As you will be calling on her, why do you not ask her that question?”
    “I shall. Thank you very much for your time, Miss Kruger. Sorry if I came at an awkward moment,” he added, with an unintentional glance at her eyes that still betrayed her bout of tears.
    He arose to make his bows. She sat regarding him angrily. “If you think I am involved in this transaction in any but an accidental fashion, you are quite mistaken. Whatever you may have heard, milord, the Krugers are not quite sunk to dealing in stolen goods.” With a frosty " Guten tag ” she stalked from the room, leaving him to find his own way into the hall, and to discover from the butler how to reach Feydeau’s apartment.
    Access was from the street behind, which suited him well, as it gave him a few moments to collect his thoughts. There was, he supposed, another access from within the Kruger’s house, but this was perhaps through some private family room. He ruminated over the girl’s last speech. “Whatever you may have heard . . .” What was there to hear about the Krugers? There seemed some implication they were short of money, but the house, while small, was elaborate, wearing many earmarks of wealth. The girl was outfitted in style and was often seen riding in the park mounted on excellent horseflesh. Her low-slung green carriage was known to him, one of the fancier equipages in the city.
    Yet that house—it was decidedly small, and the apartment they had rented for money rather than give it to a friend. Kruger must have many visiting friends too, after his stint in London at the Austrian embassy. It was unusual. Then there was the matter of the girl’s bad temper, and tears. Why had she been crying? She was quite clearly worried about something, involved in some muddle. His curiosity was high as he lifted the brass knocker at the door of Mademoiselle Feydeau’s apartment.
     

Chapter Six
     
    There was no butler to admit Mademoiselle’s caller, and no elegance to greet him. This small wing at the back of Kruger’s house had been allowed to run to seed. He was met at the door by a large woman of middle years who wore a plain, dark gown, and might have been a housekeeper, a dresser, or a companion. He suspected she filled all these functions—maybe a few other besides. Moncrief was shown into a rather small parlor while the servant went to see if Mademoiselle was home.
    He wondered, as he sat waiting, precisely how to manage Mademoiselle. A warning for her not to sell her wares to Palgrave was unlikely to be effective. Why should she listen to him? The thing to discover was whether she had any more of the French crown jewels, or had only accidentally come across the one ruby. The truth in this regard would more readily be disclosed to a potential buyer than to a mere guardian. He would hint at an interest in procuring the Blue Tavernier himself. It was unlikely the