Chapter 28

Every head in the room swiveled toward Vivian. The first to reach her side was, of course, the party’s host and her father, Count Melvitch. “What is it, Vivian?” “My necklace! I took it off for a moment in the powder room, and in that short time, it vanished,” Vivian cried, her voice trembling. A shadow fell over Count Melvitch’s face. He knew the necklace—a gift for her coming-of-age, and a precious heirloom she wore to every important occasion. He didn’t want a scene to disrupt his party, but he couldn’t ignore his daughter’s distress. Nor could he contain his fury at the thought of a thief brazenly operating within his own home.