Queen of Diamonds by Bárbara Metzger

girl asked in indignation, after exclaiming at the changes in her friend as they took seats on a secluded bench.
    Queenie had brought sticky buns to share, knowing Hellen’s appetite and tastes. She held one out, and simply said, “The reward was high.”
    Through a mouthful of crumbs, Hellen sputtered, “I would never turn you in for the money! And Mama is in funds. The baron sent her a ruby pendant for Christmas, and a gold necklace for me. The money from their sale will hold us a good while.” She fed a corner of her bun to the dog. “Besides, we never did know the connection between you and the reward notices for the Carde heiress. And even if we did, we had no idea where you had gone. You would not tell us, remember?”
    Queenie ignored the unspoken resentment. She had fled to protect herself and her friends. “I will tell you, if you swear not to repeat a word to anyone. Truly, my life might depend on your silence.”
    Hellen leaned forward, ignoring the dog who was sniffing at her gloves. “I’ll swear on my hopes of heaven”—which were growing dimmer by the day—“not to utter your name, but only if you tell me the truth.”
    So Queenie did, to her relief at explaining herself to someone, and to Hellen’s amazement.
    â€œYou mean you were always meant to be Lady Charlotte, but now you do not intend to be?”
    â€œOf course not.”
    Hellen shook her head and sighed. “I suppose not, with your hair dyed black. But you could do it, play the lady, live in a grand house with servants, never have to work a day in your life.”
    â€œI like my work. Besides, I am
not
Lady Charlotte Endicott. I am an orphan.”
    â€œBut they do not have to know that, only that you came to Molly at the right time, from the wrong hands. They could not prove otherwise.”
    â€œAnd I could not prove the reverse. But I know. I will not torture that poor family with another false hope or another pretender.”
    â€œWell, I do not hear that they are suffering. It is not as if they are pining away for grief over a child they have not seen in over a decade and have little enough reason to believe is alive. Both brothers are doing well for themselves, according to the gossip columns. Captain Jack has a new wife and a ward, they say, and the earl is filling his nursery.”
    â€œI am glad for them both.” And Queenie was, feeling an odd sense of kinship to the gentlemen. Besides, if they were content with their lots, perhaps they would view her confession more complacently. “What about Ize?” she asked now. “Has he been causing you trouble?”
    Hellen took another bun from the sack. “He comes around every once in a while. Mama does not like him calling at our rooms, for the neighbors’ sake. She merely says we have not heard from you and sends him on his way.”
    â€œGood. He is evil.”
    â€œHe seems to give Mama fair value for her jewels, although he no longer has a shop.”
    â€œPerhaps so, but he is a dangerous man.” Queenie had not fully mentioned Ize’s part in the crimes, only that he was implicated and angry. “That is why I could not give you my address, so you cannot tell him.”
    Hellen was confused, a not unusual circumstance. “But if you are setting up shop as Madame Denise, you will have to give out your business cards.”
    â€œBut Ize does not know that Madame Denise Lescartes and Queenie Dennis are one and the same. He must not know.”
    â€œI know that.”
    â€œWhich is why we must not meet again.”
    â€œPooh, he would not know you from the Prince’s latest mistress. I swear I barely did, you are so changed. Of course once you talked and I saw your eyes, I knew who you were, but I was looking to meet you anyway, wasn’t I? If you speak French and keep your eyes half closed in that sultry manner, Ize will never recognize you for shy little