Deliciously Wicked by Robyn DeHart Page B

would Meg react? Would his kisses thrill her even more if she knew he was a viscount? It mattered not. She would never know. No one would.
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    Meg was quite relieved that, as circumstances would have it, today was the weekly meeting of the Ladies’ Amateur Sleuth Society. She had no doubt at all that they would be able to help her discover the identity of the true thief.
    Given Gareth’s reaction to her plan for him to make the replacement boxes, she’d been reluctant to tell him the rest of her scheme. That she herself would uncover the identity of the true thief.
    Though, of course, like any good sleuth, she would use all the resources at her disposal. In this case, the Ladies’ Amateur Sleuth Society.
    So she had considerable eagerness as she entered the parlor.
    â€œGood morning, my dear friends,” she said joyfully.
    Charlotte narrowed her gaze but smiled knowingly.
    â€œGood morning yourself,” Amelia said.
    â€œTechnically it is not morning,” Willow added. “It is nearly midafternoon.”
    â€œVery well,” Meg said. “Good afternoon.”
    â€œYou seem quite pleased to see us,” Charlotte said.
    â€œIndeed I am. I have a task for us. A task for the Ladies’ Amateur Sleuth Society.”
    Amelia raised her eyebrows. “Do you indeed?”
    Meg nodded. “But we can certainly go along with business as usual and then proceed to my business when it is more appropriate.”
    â€œOh no, I think now is most appropriate. Do you not agree, Amelia?” Charlotte asked.
    â€œI suppose we can break from standard protocol for an immediate case in need. What say you, Willow?”
    Willow nodded. “I must admit, I’m rather intrigued at the possibility.”
    â€œVery well,” Meg said. “Let us get seated and I shall fill you in on all the details.”
    It took less than five minutes for them to take their seats and help themselves to the tea and cakes offered on the occasional table.
    â€œNow then,” Amelia said. “Do tell us this official task you have for us. I’m most eager.”
    Meg took a quick sip of her tea and allowed the warm liquid to soothe her throat before she began. “Apparently the evening Mr. Mandeville and I were locked into that storeroom, some special-ordered chocolate boxes were stolen from the factory, and now he has been falsely accused of the crime.”
    â€œSomehow I knew this would involve the handsome Mr. Mandeville,” Charlotte said.
    â€œLet her finish,” Willow said.
    â€œIt appears that Mr. Munden, the foreman in charge of Mr. Mandeville’s block, is quite convinced of Mr. Mandeville’s guilt. For obvious reasons, I cannot offer him an alibi without severely damaging my reputation.” She gave a courtesy nod to Willow. There was no reason to tell them she’d come very close to compromising them without a single thought of her reputation. “So I feel it is only right that I offer my skills, our skills ifyou’re willing, to help clear his name. I’ve done what I can to secure his position at the factory, but I feel as if I must do more. Not only Mr. Mandeville’s innocence is in question, though. More importantly, there is a thief working at my father’s factory. He must be brought to justice. Will you help me?”
    â€œOf course we will,” Amelia said.
    â€œWhat does your father have to say about this situation?” Willow asked.
    â€œI haven’t told him. He does not need to worry about this. I want his recuperation to go as smoothly and quickly as possible.” Meg popped a bite of cake into her mouth.
    â€œWhat is it that you would have us do, Meg, to help with Mr. Mandeville’s situation?” Amelia asked.
    â€œI suppose we can start with determining whether whoever did steal those boxes sold them anywhere,” Meg said.
    â€œHow will we do that?” Charlotte said.
    â€œWe should start with