Klara Devine & Georgina Gee ~repack~ -

For a long moment, Georgina studied her. The garden party hummed around them—the clink of glasses, the distant thwack of croquet mallets. Then Georgina leaned in. “I have a counter-offer, Miss Devine.”

Georgina’s composure cracked, just for a second. Her lower lip trembled, then stilled. “A coincidence, I’m sure. Now get off my lawn, Miss Devine. And next time, use the front door.”

Klara laughed—a real, startled laugh. She tucked the pouch into her own pocket, gave a small bow of her head, and turned to walk away. After three steps, she paused. “Mrs. Gee?” klara devine & georgina gee

“Magnificent kaftan,” Klara said, stopping a respectful two feet from Georgina. “Is it Pucci? Early seventies?”

“I’m listening.”

Descending the attic stairs, Klara melted into the party. She accepted a flute of bubbles, laughed at a boring baron’s joke, and let the summer breeze guide her toward the weeping beech.

No point in lying. “It belongs to my family’s trust. The earl was a guest. He abused that trust. The ruby should never have left the vault.” For a long moment, Georgina studied her

Georgina’s gaze drifted to the attic window. “Because that diary is the only heirloom I care about. And you, Klara Devine, are the only person in fifty years who has touched it with reverence instead of greed. You didn’t take it. You just… read it. And then you put it back exactly as you found it.”