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Felix dressed with care that morning. He tried to tell himself it was because he had more interviews this morning, but he rather suspected it was because he would work again with Miss Ives and wished to make a good impression.

Not that he hadn’t already.

Perhaps.

But after their candid talk last night during the stroll before the rout where he’d told her about his injury and the fact that he was missing part of his left leg, he wanted to make certain that she didn’t think less of him…

and that was due to the rejection in his past. The last woman he’d grown close to had thrown him over.

Yes, it was for a man with a title, but because it had come hard on the heels of him being released from hospital shortly after receiving his prosthetic, it couldn’t have been a coincidence.

Not that he believed in such.

And not especially because he wasn’t looking for romance from said partner. Perhaps a bit of scandal if the stars aligned, but his first priority was solving the case.

With optimism brewing in his chest, he went down to the dining room, hoping he would share breakfast with Caroline, but instead of finding her at the table, his sister and niece were already there, finishing their meal.

Well, damn.

Pasting a faint grin onto his face, Felix sat with them at the end of one of the long rectangular tables. “Good morning. Such lovely ladies to see first thing in the morning.”

Helena was the first to greet him. In fact, she jumped up from her chair to embrace him and then bussed his cheek. “Good morning, Uncle Felix.”

When he gave his sister a surprised quirk of an eyebrow, she shrugged. “What prompted such a display?” he asked as he ordered a cup of coffee from the footman who approached the table.

His niece giggled. “I had such a fun time at the rout last night that nothing can make me grouchy this morning.” Then she resumed her chair. “Everyone was so pretty and handsome!”

“It’s fair to say that Helena is quite excited to mingle within a bit of society,” Felicity said with an indulgent smile.

She drained her teacup and then set it into the saucer.

“However, you have been a bit scarce, brother dear,” she said as she transferred her gaze to him.

“I heard a rumor you are investigating the death of one of the guests.”

Both of them stared at him with expectation.

So much for keeping this diversion from his sister. As the footman returned with Felix’s cup of coffee as well as a plate loaded with a variety of common breakfast foods, he sighed. “It’s true that I’m looking into what we think is a murder.”

“We?” One of Felicity’s blonde eyebrows rose in inquiry. “Who are you working with?”

Bloody hell.

He took refuge in sipping the robust brew in his cup.

“Miss Ives, or rather, the elder Miss Ives.” With a shrug, he ignored his family members as he took up his fork.

“Her father was not inclined to act as magistrate, so instead, I offered my expertise, and since Miss Ives has an eye for detail, I welcomed her assistance with the case.”

“Miss Ives.” Felicity narrowed her eyes. “Oh, she is the oldest daughter of Mama’s friend, correct?”

“Yes.” Then he shoveled a forkful of golden scrambled eggs into his mouth, which delayed an immediate response.

“I think I remember who she is. Didn’t she wear a green gown last night at the rout?”

When he swallowed his mouthful, he was obliged to cough a few times, for it went down wrong. “Actually, it was more of a peacock green-blue, I think.” He followed the statement with a gulp of coffee.

Helena smiled. “Will you introduce me to Miss Ives? Preferably before I go out with one of the walking parties later this morning.” Her brown eyes danced with amusement.

“Why the devil do you want an introduction?” When his sister huffed, he cleared his throat. “I apologize for the language,” he said as he glanced at his niece. “Why do you want me to perform introductions?”

“Investigating a murder sounds like great fun. Also, I want to know if you are as grumpy to her as you are to me.” When he glowered, she giggled. “You are such fun to tease, Uncle!”

“I quite agree with Helena,” his sister added with a wink at her daughter.

“Why?” He quickly cut a piece from his hamsteak and shoved it into his mouth.

“I have known you all my life, and for most of your adult life, you have been surly, grouchy, and very growly. But when I saw you last night at the rout, you seemed to have a new life about you. And that makes me curious.”

While he swallowed his food, he ignored the heat that crept up the back of his neck. “Nonsense, Felicity.” Then he took a sip of coffee. “If that’s true, it’s because I feel I have a purpose since I’m working a case again. My mind has been engaged, and I’m once more useful. ”

“Ah.” Yet his sister didn’t appear convinced. “Are you certain that is the only reason you are acting quite like a bear out of hibernation?”

He had to remind himself to unclench his jaw.

“Yes, I’m certain.” Above everything, Felix refused to discuss the intense connection between him and Caroline that he couldn’t make sense of but suspected it was merely based in the carnal, and he absolutely wouldn’t mention the kiss they’d shared that had rocked the foundations of everything he believed in.

“I have a job to do, so that is what I’m going to do while the two of you enjoy the house party. ”

Unfortunately for him, Caroline was also an early riser.

Where most of the party was still abed after the rout, she came into the dining room, looking like the personification of a summer’s day in a light blue day dress of a simple cut and style with her black hair caught in a loose chignon.

The effect was quite different than seeing her in the ballgown of last night with elaborately dressed hair.

The longer he stared, the more difficult it was to figure out which version of her he preferred.

Argh! Why am I even wasting time thinking about this?

“Oh, I apologize. Am I interrupting a family conversation?” That dulcet tone when straight to his stones, and he wouldn’t be a healthy male if he didn’t need to surreptitiously shift on his chair.

“No, of course not.” Felicity answered before he could even form coherent words. “Felix just told us that he was working on a murder investigation.”

“He is, and I am helping him.” Blithely ignorant of what had been said before her arrival, Caroline slipped into a chair beside him with a polite smile at him. “It’s already been quite interesting.”

Felicity stared. “You are Miss Ives?”

“I am.” Caroline nodded. “I’m sorry, have we met?”

“We have not.” His sister stared hard at him with such force that he choked again on a perfectly normal swallow.

After clearing his throat, he said, “Caroline, this is my sister Felicity and my niece Helena.”

“How lovely.” The smile she gave them could light the room. Why did she not ever bestow such a gesture on him? “You must be my mother’s friend. How are you enjoying the house party thus far?”

“It’s so much fun!” This from Helena, who bounced in her chair. “Is it true that someone was murdered yesterday?”

“Um…” When Caroline quickly glanced at him, Felix shrugged.

“The cat is out of the proverbial bag now. You might as well tell her all about it.”

“Right.” She nodded at the footman who brought her a cup of tea and a plate with a few items on it.

Clearly, she didn’t eat as heartily as he did.

“Yes, Helena, it’s true. Unfortunately, one of the young male guests lost his life yesterday around luncheon.

Your uncle asked me to help in the investigation, and I’m rather enjoying partnering in this.

” The smile she flashed around the table reflected in her blue eyes, and he focused on his plate lest his sister pounce on his interest. “Besides, it excuses me from many of the planned events for this house party.”

“And no one can say that it’s not a legitimate excuse,” Felix mumbled before shoving another forkful of food into his mouth.

Felicity laughed as she bounced her gaze between the two of them.

“You aren’t going to slip away from your promises so easily, brother dear.

” She shook her head. “Remember, you said that you would make appearances at a few things and would mingle with the ladies. There are plenty of eligible women here you can make connections with.”

“I am well aware of that,” he said from around clenched teeth, “because you keep reminding me, but this case comes before anything personal.”

“You don’t need to come the crab at me, Felix.” With a huff, Felicity stood. “Perhaps you will prove in a better mood by luncheon.”

“I doubt that heavily,” he managed to mutter before taking in another bite of food.

“I will see you later, Uncle Felix.” After Helena got to her feet, she came over and bussed his cheek.

“Don’t mind Mama. She is only concerned for you.

” His niece waved at Caroline with a cheeky grin.

“Lovely to meet you, Miss Ives. Perhaps we can play a game of croquet later.” Then she scampered off to join her mother.

For long moments, silence reigned between them, and he despised that odd tension. Wishing a return of the easy comradery they’d had from last night, he sighed and glanced at her. “What? I can almost hear you thinking of questions to ask me.”

“Why does it make you uncommonly angry when anyone asks you about your marital status or lack thereof?”