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single bangle, have been returned?” I asked. “I am confident that there is something more to it. Papa, what time did Mr. Benton call this morning?”
    “Quite early, but that is not unusual,” my father said. “We often breakfast together.”
    “It snowed so much last night I am surprised he made the trip,” I said.
    “His house is not more than six miles away, Emily,” he said. “It is a pleasant enough ride, even in the snow.”
    “Did he mention the tika ?” I asked.
    “As a matter of fact, he did,” my father said, “but only to comment on its striking beauty—he did make a point of saying that it was nothing compared to its wearer—he was not aware that it had been stolen. Nor was I at the time, you may recall.”
    A funny noise escaped from my mother’s throat. “Mr. Benton has never married,” she said. “Perhaps he is hoping that you might consider an English husband for Sunita.”
    Ranjit sounded as if he was choking, and the maharaja laughed. “When the time comes, we will consider all reasonable offers. But we are years away from that.”
    Sunita stood up and stamped her foot. “I have friends younger than I who already have children.” Her parents ignored her. “But if anyone cares, I would not consider Mr. Benton’s proposal, should he ever offer one. I want to live in India.”
    “Fine, fine,” her father said. “Do sit down.”
    “Mr. Drayton, you are the only one here unaffected by the theft,” my mother said. “What do you have to say to that?”
    “I am afraid I do not quite understand, Lady Bromley.” Ned looked as if his collar had suddenly become too tight.
    “Sunita cannot wear the diamond without the bangle. Her parents have, as a result, all but lost one of their most valuable assets. Ranjit, should he want to marry, would not be able to deck his bride out in the family’s finest—”
    “She would not be allowed to wear it regardless,” Sunita said. “The diamond is to be mine.”
    “If Father says—” Ranjit began, but his sister interrupted at once.
    “He won’t. You know he won’t.”
    “I do not think that is relevant in the present circumstances,” Colin said. “If I may, Lord Bromley, I should like to ring Mr. Benton and speak to him.”
    “Of course, my dear chap, whatever you need.”
    “I would also like each of you to meet with me privately. The earl has been kind enough to offer the use of his study. Perhaps we could start with the maharini?”
    “Have you questioned all of the servants?” my mother asked. “Is it not obvious to everyone that one of them is our culprit?”
    “It is not obvious at all, Lady Bromley,” Colin said. “Your Highness, may I escort you to the study?” He gave his arm to the maharini. Knowing that he would not object, I followed. My mother called out to me as I left the room, but I chose to pretend not to hear. It took little more than an hour to question the members of our party, and once the last—Ranjit—had left us, I dropped my head into my hands and sighed.
    “Does anyone have a motive?” I asked. “No one seems to benefit from this theft, particularly now that the diamond has been returned.”
    “That may have occurred because the guilty party was afraid of being caught,” Colin said.
    “Surely you agree the fact that we do not have the bangle is significant?”
    “I do. Both pieces were stolen. It would make much more sense if Sunita were trying to avoid being married rather than the contrary,” he said.
    “Agreed, but that is not the case,” I said. “I do not suspect the servants. They are all too terrified of my mother to do such a thing.”
    “And they know they would be the first to be suspected. We must consider them, however. A gold bangle is easier to sell than an enormous diamond, and it would be worth a considerable sum. What do you know about Sally?”
    “Not much. Her family lives not far away, and she has been in service here since I was approximately eighteen years old.