Chapter Forty

"My assistant, Mr. Tombley, is already in the jewel room," Swifte said as he led them along a gloomy stone hallway. "Visitors are locked in during their visit, and they're usually only permitted to see the jewels from a distance."

He opened a second heavy oak door and swung it wide, and they finally stepped into the room where the crown jewels were kept.

Ellie looked around in wonder. The room had a high, vaulted ceiling, like a church, but there were no windows at all. A series of lamps had been lit all around the perimeter, and in the center of the room the jewels sat on a large stepped display stand surrounded by high iron railings.

Jewels and gold glittered in the flickering light, and she stared at the numerous crowns, scepters, and other shining regalia laid out on the purple velvet cloth.

Swifte stepped to her side. "Impressive, is it not?"

"Indeed. What a sight!"

Ellie managed not to look at Harry, even though she was sure he was relishing the sight of such splendor and fighting the temptation to steal something.

"Legend has it that King James the First's wife, Anne of Denmark, enjoyed performing Shakespeare's plays at court. She and her ladies would borrow the jewels to use as props, and several were returned with damage."

Swifte's tone was disapproving, but Ellie stifled a giggle. She could imagine herself, Tess, and Daisy doing exactly the same, given the chance.

Tombley stepped forward. "Since then, we've added this rail to keep people at a greater distance from the regalia, and there, you see, the repaired state crown and the Exeter Salt have been put inside glass cases on revolving tables."

"Excellent improvements," Harry murmured.

Swifte turned. "Mr. Fox, let's get you started on replacing that aquamarine."

He unlocked the glazed case in which the state crown lay and placed it reverently on a baize-topped table that had been positioned beneath one of the lamps.

The lower edge of the crown was trimmed in white ermine fur, and the central cap was a deep purple velvet. The part that circled the king's head was gold, as were the four curved arches that came up and over the top and joined together in the center below an orb and a cross.

A huge, irregular bloodred stone glittered on the front band, above a large blue sapphire, and the whole piece was encrusted with a profusion of diamonds and emeralds. It reminded Ellie of the tiny Book of Hours they'd returned to Mr. Bullock.

Swifte turned to her with a smile. "Before we leave Mr. Fox to his work, would you and Mr. Bonheur like to hold the crown in your own hands?"

"Absolutely!" Ellie breathed immediately, and Harry laughed at her childlike enthusiasm.

Swifte picked up the crown and handed it to her, and she held her breath at the incredible sensation of holding something so precious. It was heavier than she'd expected, and she felt a pang of sympathy for poor mad King George, who'd had to wear the uncomfortable thing for so many hours on the day of his coronation.

"What an incredible piece of history. Thank you for letting me hold it."

She handed the crown to Harry, and watched him with an eagle eye. She couldn't see how on earth he might manage to steal any part of it with so many of them in attendance, but she wouldn't put it past his abilities. She'd witnessed his incredible sleight of hand before.

His dimples flashed as he caught her eye, and she was sure he knew precisely what she was thinking.

Her heart clenched with a strange, almost painful happiness. He was a perfect rogue. Even if there was no future for the two of them after tonight, she was glad they were sharing such an unforgettable experience. How many people could say they'd touched the crown of England?

"Has anyone ever tried to steal the jewels from inside the Tower?" Harry asked, his tone one of perfect innocence.

Swifte placed the crown safely back on the table. "A man named Captain Thomas Blood almost succeeded, back in the late 1600s. He and a group of accomplices tied up my predecessor, the Jewel House Keeper named Talbot Edwards, and stole St. Edward's crown, that golden orb, and the Sovereign's Sceptre." He pointed to the pieces on display. "They almost escaped, but Edward's son returned home unexpectedly and foiled the plot. They were captured just outside the walls."

"Were they executed?" Ellie asked.

"Incredibly, no. Blood was granted an audience with King Charles, and managed to convince him he deserved a second chance. He was not only pardoned, but granted lands in Ireland worth five hundred pounds!"

Harry shook his head with a wry chuckle. "The fellow must have been the most persuasive rogue."

Ellie almost rolled her eyes. The parallels between Harry and this Captain Blood were striking. Being pardoned and then rewarded for a theft was something that Harry would undoubtedly manage too.

She took one last look around the treasure chamber, trying to fix the sight onto her memory so she'd be able to tell Daisy and Tess as many details about it as possible. She wanted to remember this night forever.

Swifte jangled his keys. "Mr. Fox, we'll leave you to your work. Mr. Tombley will see you out when you're done."

Harry took one last, wistful glance at the jewels, and sent Ellie a wry smile. "Let's be off, then."