Outlaw's Angel by Colleen Quinn

door was visible in the brickwork. The old Earl of Sutcliffe had been a noted connoisseur; it was probably himself that had placed the tiny alcove in such a spot. Whoever, Devon didn’t care. He only cared that the box still remained….
    The door squeaked open as Devon pulled mercilessly on the iron rung. Gradually, the flickering candle revealed a small brass box. With a grin, the young lord snatched up the container and quickly pried open the lid.
    It was empty. Devon’s face was a mask of astonishment, shock, and regret as he examined the interior, first with his eyes, then with his fingers. He turned it upside down, unable to believe what he was seeing. Gone. All of it gone. The emeralds. The necklace, with its thirteen lights twinkling brilliantly. He could see them as they were just a few short weeks ago, winking at him, teasing him with a seductive promise of wealth….
    “There’s nothing in the box.”
    A voice came from behind him. The box clattered to the floor as Devon turned abruptly. An audible sigh of relief came from him as he saw Saunders standing on the stairs, his expression that of bland insouciance.
    “Saunders, you scared the life from me,” Devon said. “What are you doing down here?”
    “I could ask you the same question,” the butler replied. “I thought I heard rats in the basement, so I came to investigate. It appears I was right.”
    “That’s nice.” Devon shoved the empty box back into its hiding place and slammed the door. He stood up, facing Saunders, his face a mask of chagrin. “Well, since you seem to know so much about it, what happened to it?”
    “What happened to what?”
    “Dammit, you know. The necklace!” The young lord lost all pretense of patience. “Don’t look at me like you don’t know what I’m talking about. You know everything that goes on in this house.”
    “If you seem to have misplaced something, I am very sorry,” Saunders said, obviously enjoying himself. “A necklace, did you say?”
    “Saunders.” Devon took a deep breath, forcing down his anger. “It’s important. I need to get that necklace. Now where is it?”
    “How important?” the butler asked coldly. “Another gaming expense? Young fool! Do you plan to squander your entire inheritance…what’s left of it? If you think I will help you in any abortive attempts to pay your debts, you are very much mistaken. Get yourself out of trouble. That’s what your father should have done years ago.”
    “No, not for gambling!” Devon snapped. “Christ, are you joking? It would take
me
even more than one night to lose the worth of that necklace. No, Saunders, it’s much worse than that.” Gloomily, Devon sank down to sit on the steps, his face buried in his hands.
    The butler’s attitude changed instantly. Resting a hand uncomfortably on Devon’s shoulder, he spoke quietly. “Some other trouble? Tell me, then. As long as it is not of your own making, I will do what I can.”
    The young lord’s face lifted in gratitude. “Saunders, it’s Marisa. That damned highwayman’s got her, all right. The Angel. I met with an emissary of his tonight. They will release Marisa for ransom of that necklace. The emerald choker that was in this box.”
    Saunders said nothing for a moment, his wizened face surprised at this intelligence. “The necklace! How very odd. How did this Angel even know of its existence?”
    “How the hell do I know?” Devon said. “It seems like everyone knows more than me about it. I only found that damned box a few months ago, when I was looking for a good bottle of port.”
    “I know,” Saunders said thoughtfully. “Then you lost one of the jewels to Lord Woodruff.”
    “How?…”
    The butler waved his hand dismissingly. “As a servant, I am privy to certain conversations. Often, men of more noble birth speak around me as if I were a table or chair. It is most enlightening.”
    “Well then, dammit, where’s the necklace?” Devon snapped, recalling a few