Page 11

Later that night

Investigations were halted temporarily because both Caroline and Felix had no choice except to attend dinner as well as the rout that followed.

During the evening meal, she was not seated anywhere near the major, which meant there was no opportunity to discuss the case, but it was also annoying because she’d been forced to watch him talk and laugh with the women seated on either side of him.

To be fair, from his expression, he seemed far too miserable to indulge in flirtations, and that left her with a smile.

For her part, the men on either side of her pressed hard for her attention.

So much so that she suspected her mother had put the proverbial bug in many of the male guest’s ears that she was eligible for marriage and also quite desperate.

Add on to that, she wouldn’t have put it past her father to settle a large dowry on her head.

To his way of thinking, if he could marry off both his daughters in the same year, it would save him much coin.

After spending two hours avoiding their questions and deflecting their overt hints or attempts at having her agree to various activities that might see them alone together—with convenient witnesses coming upon them, no doubt—Caroline fled to her room to change her gown, for she’d accidentally spilled soup on the one she’d worn to dinner.

Her maid, Beth, was surprised she’d been rung for. Clearly, her own dinner had been interrupted, for there were a few crumbs clinging to her pinafore apron before she swept them upon entry into Caroline’s room.

“Oh, my lady, that is quite a stain,” she said immediately upon seeing the circle of cream of chicken soup on the yellow satin. “I am not certain it will come out.”

Caroline shrugged. “I never cared for yellow, but for the rout, I want the gown of peacock green and blue.” That garment featured an off the shoulder neckline and a full skirt which she thought suited her frame better than the high waisted varieties.

“Of course, my lady.” Beth hurried to the wardrobe.

While Caroline struggled out of the soiled gown, she decided to do a bit of investigating of her own. “What do you know of Major Kourier? ”

As the maid brought out the new gown, she shrugged.

“Much of the talk in the servants’ hall is about the dead man.

But a couple of the footmen seem to have much respect for him.

They say he might portray himself as a taciturn ogre, but deep down, he’s as good a man as they’ve known.

Treats everyone with respect, regardless of their position in society. ”

“How interesting, for my experience with him is that he’s rude, brash, and abrupt.”

Beth helped her on with the gown. “I met him in the corridor, when he was coming down to dinner. He nodded at me in passing, and if you want my opinion, he is easy on the eyes.” She smiled as Caroline’s head came out of the gown.

While she put her arms through the capped sleeves, the maid continued.

“I would overlook the limp and the attitude for a chance to lead him into scandal. His form is mouthwatering, don’t you think, my lady? ”

“How would I know?” If the inquiry was harsher than needed, she couldn’t help it. Where the major was concerned, things were… confusing.

“Well, I only said that because the butler told all of us that you were assisting Major Kourier in trying to solve the murder.” The maid’s glance held both speculation and jealousy. “Is that true?”

Heat went through Caroline’s cheeks. “Yes. He asked me to act as his partner while he investigates. It’s not scandalous.

Papa already agreed to it.” A trace of embarrassment moved through her belly.

“And since the major doesn’t have skills fit for polite society, I didn’t see the harm.

” Of course, she would never admit to the kiss she’d shared with him earlier in the day.

Amusement danced in Beth’s brown eyes. “Be careful. Men like the major might hide behind such an act, when they are really rogues.”

“I doubt that. In fact, I’m willing to wager that the major wants nothing to do with women in any capacity, let alone fall into romance with one.”

The maid snorted. “Or a forced marriage should scandal befall the both of you?”

“Especially that, and if things turn that way, I’ll offer my own protests.

” Surely, her father wouldn’t force an issue if something…

untoward were to occur between her and the major.

Of course, that largely depended on how badly he wanted her off his hands.

“Perhaps I should ask a few questions of the major.” It wasn’t a bad idea to find out more about him.

Starting with why was a man of his years still unmatched?

“It couldn’t hurt.” Beth shrugged. “If he won’t answer your questions, you could ask them of his sister or niece. They are also here as guests. According to the gossip, his sister is an acquaintance of your mother’s.”

“That explains why he’s on the guest list.”

“Do you want your hair redressed? ”

Caroline patted the upswept style with her hands. “No, it should be all right.” Then she frowned. “Beth, did you know the dead man? That Mr. Blythe?”

“I did not, but I think one of the maids did. Or rather she knew Mr. Lockhart? It’s confusing since the men switched places?” She shook her head. “But the maid was inconsolable when news of the death circulated.”

“I’ll be sure to talk with her.”

Beth nodded. “Is it true that Mr. Lockhart is a duke’s heir?”

“I know as much as you do, and much of it is through gossip, though the major and I spoke to him earlier and he did confirm it. However, I wouldn’t take anything as fact until there is an official notice.

” It wouldn’t do to cause a commotion throughout the house party.

So much attention might send Lockhart fleeing to God knew where, and might hamper the investigation, especially since they didn’t know if Blythe was killed for himself or because he was mistaken for Lockhart.

“Where are you going? The rout doesn’t begin for an hour.”

An hour’s peace. “I would like to take in some fresh air. Perhaps I’ll do a bit of my own investigation.

” Anything to delay when she had to mingle with the house party guests.

The drawing room and billiards room next door would house the event, since the ballroom was currently being cleaned and decorated for the ball that would close the party.

“Go back downstairs and finish your dinner.”

Beth nodded. “Will you tell me the on-dits from tonight?” The maid loved nothing more than gossip.

“If I happen to hear or see any, I will.” Then, with a wave, Caroline left her bedchamber.

Fifteen minutes later, she was strolling through the rear gardens, avoiding a few couples who apparently had the same mindset to circumvent the rout, or at least the start of it.

As she contemplated the brick wall that surrounded the back of the gardens while the colors of twilight began to paint the sky, she closed her eyes and listened to the sound of the birds as they urgently tried to gather one last mouthful of food before settling into sleep for the night.

The buzz of insects joined the chirping, and that coupled with the low conversation from people a bit away from her on the paths lulled her into a sense of calm.

“Am I intruding, or would you like some company?”

The sound of his voice in such a setting sent prickles of something down her spine. When she turned to face him, surprise smacked into her, for he was far too handsome in his evening suit. “Uh, Major Kourier, what are you doing out here?” Yet she couldn’t help but rake her gaze over his form.

The black tailcoat that stretched flawlessly over his shoulders only drew her attention to them, but it was the light blue silk waistcoat that sent her imagination soaring, for it set off his flat abdomen nicely, and how well she remembered what that part of him looked like sans clothing.

Too bad there was a rout this evening instead of the freedom to go swimming…

Not that she would be able to do such a thing in mixed company.

“Probably the same thing that you are—trying to avoid the time I need to report to the drawing room for mingling and small talk.” The expression on his face spoke to a very definite disgust.

“Well, I hate to tell you, but my mother has every day planned to the letter, so if you didn’t have your fill of socializing tonight, there are a few other opportunities for that tomorrow.”

When he groaned, she grinned. “Thank you for the warning. Also, I’m staying well out of my sister’s grasp. She has a penchant for dragging eligible women over and leaving them in my vicinity while she somehow vanishes.”

Sadly, she could relate to that. Already today, she’d avoided three men her mother had tried to introduce her to. “I take it that isn’t something you enjoy?”

“What, painful small talk about the weather, who is marrying whom, or all the social events reported to happen during the upcoming Season? No thank you.”

“It truly is dreadful, isn’t it, when the people around us assume that because we are unmatched, we surely must be miserable.

” She shrugged. “It’s just not true. For me, I would rather be alone for the rest of my life than bound to a horrible or dull man who would make my life a chore for whatever reason. ”

“Indeed.” With lazy ease, the major swept his gaze down her body and then back up again with such skill that she swore she felt it as if he’d caressed her. “That gown is lovely. No doubt you were forced to switch it for the yellow one you wore at dinner?”

The fact he’d noticed what she’d worn awakened a couple of butterflies in her lower belly. “I’m afraid I spilled soup on my skirts in the hopes I’d have an escape.”

“Yet you remained for the full meal.”

Another round of heat filled her cheeks. “I couldn’t leave.”

“Were you ensconced in scintillating conversations from your dining companions?”