36
Pixley cleared his throat. “It’s better that you explain yourself, Lady Chiverton. You don’t want to be tangled in this web of deceit and murder.”
Felicity coughed. And then coughed again, uncontrollably.
Basil leapt up. “She’s having an attack. Snave. We can carry her upstairs.” He glared at Ruby. “Look at what you’ve done.”
In a calm voice, Ruby replied, “Lady Chiverton. If you do not stop this charade now, you will regret it. We know all about how you sold your real pearls.”
The coughing stopped. Felicity fell back into the cushions. She sighed and gazed at her husband. Then she pointed a finger at Alice. “It was she. She stole my pearls. I’m sure she’s a member of the Forty Elephants Gang. They pose as maids, don’t they?”
Penelope held up a finger. “And she wore that splendid
