Eliza watched as the carriage drove away, feeling her heart overflow with pride. Felix Gordon had been captured, and would no longer bother anyone again. She glanced at the necklace, smiling at the thought of getting to see Margaret's face when the dowager Duchess had the beautiful piece of jewelry back in her possession.
Ruby. "My word, you were very brave to do that."
Eliza smiled, sliding her pistol back into her pocket. "I had to make sure he knew exactly who he was dealing with. Now Scotland Yard can deal with him."
Ruby chuckled. "They certainly can. When are you going to return the necklace?"
Eliza closed the lid of the box that the necklace was contained in. "Probably in the morning. It's a bit late to go to Devonshire Park now."
Ruby nodded. "I think that's a smart idea."
Eliza. "Thank you for your help Ruby."
Ruby smiled. "You are very welcome Miss Watson. Have a good night."
Returning her smile, Eliza turned, jewelry box in hand, and walked out of the shop. Climbing into the carriage that was waiting for her, she settled back against the tufted seat and closed her eyes with relief. She had successfully solved her first case, all on her own.
***
The next morning, after enjoying a delicious breakfast of eggs sausage and scones with a cup of tea, Eliza dressed in a matching dark green blazer and skirt suit, pulled on her boots, fixed her hair into a bun, and stepped out of her cottage. Climbing into her carriage, she told the driver, Samuelson, to take her to Devonshire Park. She cradled the necklace box on her lap, her smile never leaving her face.
Eliza couldn't wait to give the necklace back to Margaret, knowing how special it was to her. She instinctively ran her thumb along the diamond and sapphire brooch pinned against her left breast pocket. That had belonged to her mother, and was now hers.
Coming to a stop in front of the majestic estate five minutes later, Samuelson stepped out and walked around to the passenger side of the carriage. Opening the door, he held out his hand for Eliza. "Here we are Miss Watson."
Eliza smiled as she excepted his assistance. "Thank you Samuelson."
Samuelson nodded before climbing into the carriage and taking it around to the back.
Taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders, Eliza walked up the three stone steps of Devonshire Park and knocked on the door. She only waited a few minutes before the door opened and Carlton was standing before her. She smiled at him. "Good morning Carlton."
Carlton. "Good morning to you Miss Watson. Oh, I see that you have a jewelry box with you. I do hope that is the necklace."
Eliza smiled softly. "You will be pleasantly surprised to know that it is. Our the Duke and dowager Duchess home?"
Carlton. "The Duke has gone into London for a meeting, but the dowager Duchess is in the parlor."
Eliza nodded as she stepped into the house. "Thank you."
Carlton smiled before escorting her to the parlor. "Miss Watson your grace."
Margaret looked up from a book she was reading, her eyes widening and then sparkling. "Miss Watson, you found it."
Smiling proudly, Eliza walked over to her and took a seat next to her. "I did indeed your grace."
Margaret put down her book, reaching for the box. Carefully removing the lid, she picked up her necklace, turning it over and looking at the gold butterfly inscription. Tears fell from her eyes, a smile spreading across her face. "Oh Miss Watson, thank you."
Eliza smiled, reaching out and squeezing her hand. "You are very welcome your grace. I am glad I was able to help."
Setting the necklace back down into the box, Margaret brought Eliza against her for a tight hug. "You are brilliant."
Eliza blushed. "Thank you your grace."
Margaret nodded, her eyes flickering to Eliza's brooch. "That is very lovely."
Eliza smiled softly. "Thank you, it was my mother's."
Margaret. "Well, it suits you perfectly."
Eliza. "Thank you."
Carlton poked his head back into the room. "The Duke of Devonshire has arrived your grace."
Margaret smiled. "Wonderful Carlton, please tell him that Miss Watson is here. I would like to repay her for her kindness, and I believe my son can help with that."
Eliza blushed. "Please your grace, I don't need any repayment."
Margaret shook her head. "You do my dear. You went out of your way to retrieve my necklace and return it safely. I never thought I would see it again, but because of you I do."
Eliza. "I appreciate the gesture your grace, truly I do. But it's my duty to find lost jewelry and return it to the rightful owner."
James poked his head into the room, smiling softly. "It seems the private detective has found your necklace mother."
Margaret smiled brightly. "She certainly has my dear. I would like to repay her for her kindness. I was thinking a private dinner for the two of you."
James and Eliza exchanged a glance of surprise, both of them blushing. The dowager Duchess of Devonshire was playing matchmaker. They smiled, realizing that they couldn't say no to her.
Margaret. "I do hope that's all right."
James. "That's perfectly fine mother. I think that would be a wonderful idea to treat Miss Watson to a private dinner."
Eliza smiled softly. "Yes, that sounds lovely."
Margaret. "Wonderful. Why don't we do it next week?"
James. "Perfect. Don't you agree Miss Watson?"
Eliza nodded, smiling. "Yes, it sounds absolutely perfect."