Joshua didn’t respond, but the look of disappointment on his face hurt more than any words.
“My mum told me this morning that Polly’s stopped eating. I don’t want to lose her like I lost my father.” She choked back tears; this was not a time for histrionics. “But it was a terrible lapse of judgment, to do what I did. I planned to tell you a number of times when we were locked inside. I thought maybe we could split the proceeds so that you could get your degree at Columbia and I could bring Polly home.”
“That doesn’t help. I would never have accepted it.”
Of course he wouldn’t have. Fatigue mixed with self-loathing, and all she wanted to do was curl up in a ball and disappear into sleep. To drift off, drift away from it all.
But instead of wallowing in her own misfortune, she straightened up. “I’m sorry, and I’ll do what I can to make it right. If you want me to tell Miss Helen what I did, I will. I accept full responsibility.”
Her heart caught in her throat as she waited for his reply. “I won’t ask you to do that,” he finally said.
Joshua had been a true friend the past couple of days, had taken care of her and protected her, guided her through the scavenger hunt to its surprising end. And in return, she’d tried to steal the Magnolia diamond, a vital part of the house and its history. Joshua respected and loved the Collection for its breadth and historical significance, and by taking the diamond she’d betrayed that love.
Her heart broke for having shattered the fragile trust they’d forged over the past two days.
There was nothing more to be said, but as she reached for the doorknob to go back inside, he placed his hand over hers.
“Hold on a moment. I’m sorry about Polly, V. Even if I don’t have a sister, I understand what drove you to consider taking the diamond. And you made things right, in the end. I appreciate that.”
They stood facing each other again. “You do?”
“I do. And you know, there’s another way for you to make a ton of money.”
“What’s that?”
She knew he was pulling her leg before he even spoke, by the way one side of his mouth lifted.
“Professional bowler.”
She swatted him with her hand, as relief flooded through her.
When they reentered the kitchen, Miss Helen nodded in their direction. “We’ve been discussing the idea of a scholarship,” she said. “Not a bad one.” She addressed Joshua. “From what I’ve observed, after a rather rocky introduction, it appears that you are an asset to the Frick Collection, Mr. Lawrence. And is it true you want attend graduate school?”
“That’s my plan.”
“I imagine it’s not easy for you. Perhaps I can make it just a slight bit easier.”
He stammered a thank-you and Veronica couldn’t help but smile.
“And as for you”—Miss Helen’s voice dropped an octave as she turned her icy-blue eyes on Veronica—“I like the way you think. You’re a smart lady. You helped solve a mystery that had long stymied my family.”
Lillian spoke up. “That was brilliant, at the nursing home, how you made Miss Winnie admit to her lack of lack of hearing.” Her husband chuckled at the wordplay, and Lillian threw him a silly grin in response. They were obviously fond of each other, still in love after all these years.
All of this praise weighed heavily on Veronica, knowing that Joshua was listening and judging every word. “I took the cue from what you’d told us about your own experiment.”
“What is it you do again, my girl?” asked Miss Helen.
Veronica cast about, unsure of how to answer. “At the moment, I’m unemployed. I worked in a pawnshop, and then was a model, for a time.”
“A model. I’ve had experiences with your sort.” Miss Helen looked over at Lillian and smiled. “In fact, I’m in the market for a private secretary. I know that’s not the proper term these days, one should say ‘assistant,’ but I don’t care to update my vocabulary.”
“Your private secretary?” Veronica repeated, dumbly. “You want me to be your private secretary?”
Miss Helen waved her hands dramatically in the air. “They never last long under my employ, God knows why.”
Everyone laughed, including Miss Helen.
Joshua cleared his throat to speak, and Veronica held her breath at what was coming next. “Veronica made a number of connections that helped solve the puzzle, after only barely scanning through the archives. Her memory and observational skills are quite exceptional.”