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Taking temporary refuge in coffee, he then heaved a sigh.

“I once courted a woman while I was in the military, made her a promise for after my commission expired.” A muscle in his cheek twitched, and once more he relaxed his jaw.

“However, that was only good enough until she met someone better, someone with a title.” Viciously stabbing the last bit of hamsteak with his fork, he glanced at Caroline.

“Suffice it to say, when we next met at a society function—me with the intent to ask for her hand—I found her doing intimate things with that other man. Immediately, I broke our relationship and never looked back.”

“I’m so sorry. What she did was terrible. ”

“It was, and I’m not certain I’ve gotten past the rage of it.

” Instead of eating the ham, he laid his fork onto his plate then dabbed at the corners of his mouth with the linen napkin.

“I vowed to never give away my heart, but the years stretched on. I stupidly contracted feelings for a different woman, briefly, while working for Bow Street. Unfortunately, once she realized I wasn’t a whole man, she sent her regrets, and that was that. ”

Summing up his failed romances so succinctly left him feeling cold and a bit bitter, but there was nothing for it.

“That woman is just as horrid as the last.” A frown tugged down the corners of Caroline’s lips, and all he wanted to do was kiss her, to soothe away the gesture… and perhaps help to heal himself. “Women are sometimes fickle. There’s no excuse to treat someone like that.”

He nodded. “Have you had failed relationships?”

“One, that even my family doesn’t know about, but that is a story for a different time.”

“Why? Is it scandalous?”

She flicked her gaze away from his. “That depends on one’s perspective, and it perhaps makes me look foolish. I don’t wish to start the day off in that mood.”

“Fair enough.” While disappointment circled through his insides, he finished his coffee. “We need to continue our investigation anyway.”

“We do. However, I will say, just like your sister is pushing you toward a relationship, my mother is doing the same to me.” With a nod, she shoved her plate of half-eaten food away.

“As a note to this discussion, I am not certain love is something I believe in anymore. With the state of the world and how disparate everything in England is, perhaps that sort of magic has gone away.”

That resonated with him far too well. “Not that there was ever magic regarding romance. These days, matches are merely transactional. Frankly, it’s a wonder the murder rate isn’t higher.” Was it a dim way of looking at it? Perhaps, but there was far too much risk in letting his heart be vulnerable.

“As I’ve told my parents time out of hand, I refuse to wed without love.” She cast him a rueful glance. “I’m not like my sister, who only wishes for a union for bragging rights and perhaps position.”

“Stay the course, Caro. You’ll be better for it, and so will any relationship you might have in the future. I, for one, will remain a bachelor for as long as I can. Shall we seek out another potential suspect?”

“Yes.” Nodding, she stood, which meant Felix scrambled to his feet. “There is a particular maid I wish to interview who was apparently quite upset to learn of Mr. Blythe’s death. According to my maid, there’s something going on there.”

“It’s as good a lead as any.” Felix retrieved his cane.

Together, they left the dining room, and yet his mind was still conflicted, drawn away in far too many directions.

After inquiring after the whereabouts of a maid upset with the recent death from the housekeeper, Mrs. Flinders told them the young woman was currently performing duties in the orangery since that large space would be the location for afternoon tea today.

Entering the warm room, Felix inhaled a lungful of the floral and greenery-scented air. “This will prove a lovely backdrop for tea, I’ll wager. Will you attend?”

“That largely depends on how the investigation goes.” It was a noncommittal answer, but it spoke volumes, for he suspected she would rather hunt a murderer than flirt.

His respect for her rose yet again. “Frankly, I feel there are far too many potential suspects, and we are no closer to narrowing down the killer than we were yesterday.”

“At times, detective work is frustrating.” Putting his free hand to the small of her back, Felix ushered her farther into the room until they came upon the maid, who currently cleaned one of the small round tabletops with a rag.

Clearing his throat so he wouldn’t startle her, he asked, “Miss Nickles?”

The petite woman slowly turned about. Her mousy brown hair beneath the mobcap was limp due to the humidity in the air, but it was her large doe eyes that had the power to haunt a man for weeks after meeting her. “Yes. May I help you?”

“I’m Major Kourier and this is Miss Ives. We are investigating the death of Mr. Blythe, and have been pointed in your direction, for you were apparently upset with the news.”

With a look of annoyance at him, Caroline shook her head. “What the major means is might we ask you a few questions?”

“Oh… I…” The maid’s glance went to the open door. “I have my duties.”

Caroline nodded. “The housekeeper told us it would be all right.”

Miss Nickles bounced her gaze between them before nodding. “Be quick. I’m only halfway done cleaning.”

Felix then asked the obvious, regardless of it being blunt. “Why were you so upset when the news of Mr. Blythe’s death became known?”

“It’s, um… complicated.” She returned to cleaning the tabletop .

“No doubt it is, especially if you killed him,” Felix pressed with narrowed eyes.

“Enough, Major,” Caroline hissed as all color drained from the maid’s face. She gently encouraged the younger woman into one of the wrought iron chairs. “I don’t think you killed him, did you?” she asked in a much softer voice than his.

“No, of course not, even if I was angry with him… still am.” The maid clasped her hands in her lap and stared at them.

Caroline nodded. “Why don’t you tell me about it while the major takes notes.”

With a growl, Felix removed the notebook and pencil nub from the interior pocket of his jacket. “Proceed.”

Miss Nickles took in a shuddering breath and then let it ease out. “I met Mr. Blythe five months ago, the last time Lord and Lady Beckham hosted a society party.”

“Right, that was for the Christmastide season. Mama always likes to be the center of attention during those holidays, and Debra convinced her to throw the dinner party for some of her friends and Andrew’s.”

“Yes.” The maid nodded. “I met Mr. Blythe then, or rather it wasn’t him at that time.”

Felix frowned. “I’m afraid I don’ t understand.”

She huffed. “He and Mr. Lockhart had apparently switched places, so the man I thought was Mr. Lockhart was really Mr. Blythe. At the time, no one knew that he was the heir to a dukedom; everyone always assumed he chased skirts.” She kept her gaze on her lap.

“Things happened, and Christmastide is a lonely time when one is away from home.” Her swallow was audible.

“I was weak when he came ‘round with his charm and insistence.”

Well, damn.

Biting back the urge to snort with derision, Felix nodded. “You trysted with him.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes.” Somehow, she made the one-word answer sound miserable.

“Oh, dear,” Caroline whispered as she put a hand on the maid’s shoulder. “And now you’re increasing, aren’t you?”

“Yes!” This time, tears filled Miss Nickles’ eyes.

“Nearly five months and I’m just beginning to show, which is why I’ve had to borrow a dress two sizes too big, to hide my belly.

” A few tears slipped to her cheeks. “When I saw Mr. Lockhart again during this house party, I pulled him aside and told him of my predicament. Now that he was a duke’s heir, I didn’t think he would offer for me, but I did assume he would pay some sort of compensation since the child is his. ”

“But it wasn’t his.” Felix pinched the bridge of his nose. “He denied the claim. ”

The maid nodded. “He did and called me a gold digger. Ordered me away from him, but then I explained what had happened and when. That’s when his expression sort of crumpled and he grew embarrassed.

” She pressed her lips together. “Mr. Lockhart told me that he and Mr. Blythe had exchanged places during that time because he had another assignation to meet; the babe was in reality Mr. Blythe’s. ”

Caroline glanced at him with shock in her expression. He made a gesture for her to continue her line of questioning. “I’m sorry to hear that, Miss Nickles. Society is quite harsh to women in every class.”

“It is, and once Mrs. Flinders finds out the truth, she’ll turn me out without references.

I’ll be disgraced and with a child. No one will hire me out.

” A note of hysteria rose in her voice. “Without a position, how can I take care of a baby? I don’t want to make a living on my back. What life is that for any of us?”

Heat rose up the back of Felix’s neck, for this was an uncomfortable subject, especially since it reminded him that the world was indeed an awful place, especially for women.

And it also put a damper on the naughty thoughts he continually had about Caroline, for if they indulged in the proverbial roll in the hay, the same consequences could befall her, and he was absolutely not going to offer marriage, regardless of how captivating said woman was.

“You must have been livid with Lockhart.”

The maid shrugged. “Not any more than with Mr. Blythe. He was the one who tupped me.” With a sigh, she twisted the rag in her hands.

“I spoke with Mr. Blythe, accused him of being the father, but he denied it. Said it was Mr. Lockhart all along, that Mr. Lockhart was always trying to blame him for all his indiscretions.” A huff escaped her even as a blush stained her cheeks.

“But then I remembered that Mr. Lockhart has that crescent-shaped scar; Mr. Blythe did not, and he was the man I let violate me.”

How interesting. Now they were coming to the crux of the matter.

Felix scribbled a note in his book. “Knowing you were used so callously must have made you incredibly angry.” When she didn’t answer, he tried again.

“Perhaps you sneaked out of the manor during luncheon two days ago, somehow borrowed or stole a pistol, and then shot the deceitful Mr. Blythe out of rage and revenge.”

Both the maid and Caroline stared at him.

“I highly doubt that,” Caroline said with a frown. “Where would she have gotten a pistol?”

The maid blew out a breath. “The butler keeps one in his office. That box is seldom locked because he lost the key months ago. Only a few of us know about the pistol.” Then she gasped and her eyes widened. “But that doesn’t mean I took it; I would have no idea how to load or even fire it.”

Unfortunately, that was probably true. Miss Nickles was slight and petite.

The kickback on an untried weapon in an inexperienced hand would have at least produced sore muscles or even a burn mark on her hand.

Neither of which she exhibited. After jotting down another few notes, he tucked his book and pencil back into his pocket. “That will be all, Miss Nickles.”

She scrambled to her feet. “You believe I’m innocent?”

“Of the murder? Yes. Of making critical decisions regarding your future? That remains to be seen.”

Caroline gasped. “For shame, Felix.”

He narrowed his gaze. “One last question. Did you ever see or hear Mr. Blythe arguing with anyone else from the house party?”

“Not really, but I did hear gossip from one of the other maids. She said that on the way over here, Mr. Lockhart’s sister argued with him about his lifestyle and that he should settle down, perhaps court Miss Ives.”

“What?” He glanced at Caroline.

“No,” the maid shook her head, “The younger Miss Ives. Her best friend.”

“Ah, I see.” He nodded. “For the time being, Miss Nickles, don’t admit to anything, don’t announce anything, and don’t leave the manor until the case is solved.” When she agreed, he gave a curt nod. “You may resume your duties.”

“I wish you well, Miss Nickles,” Caroline murmured.

Seconds later, she followed him to the door, put a staying hand on his arm, and then yanked him to a halt.

“Could you please show some compassion when you do your next interview?” she asked in a fierce whisper as he turned to face her.

“You know as well as I do the maid didn’t initiate that coupling. ”

“Of course I know that,” he responded in a whisper. “Why the hell are you so frustrating and yet so damned kissable at the same time?” Bloody hell, he hadn’t meant to say that, but having her with him had the power to distract him, and he didn’t like it.

Amusement danced in her blue eyes. “Thank you for that compliment.”

He shook his head as he briefly brought his gaze to the ceiling then back to her face. “I’m not as uncaring as you assume.”

“How so?” She crossed her arms beneath her breasts, which only served to call his attention to those modest charms.

“I haven’t yet finished my letter to Mr. Blythe’s parents.

It is my intention not to send it for another two days to give me time to solve the case.

” When she only raised an eyebrow, he sighed.

“Perhaps it’s interference on my part, but I’m going to include the information that they have a grandchild on the way with Miss Nickles.

Perhaps play on their compassion, and if he was a beloved son, they might be interested enough to help the maid out of her plight, and even go so far as to take care of the babe as well. ”

“Oh.” A blush went through her cheeks. “I’m sorry I judged you so quickly. That is a decent thing to do.”

He nodded, and told himself not to grin at the small victory.

“I’m not the prick you apparently think I am.

” But he grinned as he moved into the corridor.

Let her stew over that for a bit. “We should continue the investigation by tracking down Miss Lockhart. I didn’t know he had a sister or had come here with her, but here we are. ”

One thing was certain, this case was growing more steadily complicated by the moment.