Page 22

She snorted. “Then propose a partnership with your friend. Open your own agency. Lord knows there is no shortage of crime in London.”

Well, damn. That was a very juicy idea. “I promise to think about it.”

There was no more time for talk. They’d reached the icehouse, and though the same footman stood guard, someone came out of the building at the same time they drew abreast of the footman.

“What the devil is going on here?”

The footman startled. “I’m sorry, Major. I tried to stop him, but he claimed he was family.”

Felix’s gaze slid to the average-sized man who closed the door to the icehouse behind him. “Not quite.” He frowned. “I assume you are Lockhart’s cousin?” The man’s name had been among those on the guest list the housekeeper had given him.

The man held Felix’s gaze. “I am. Edward Goodard.”

“Ah.” He nodded. “And the man cut out of a duke’s title.” This one, perhaps, had more motive than anyone to kill Lockhart, but had he known that Blythe had been pretending to be his cousin while walking the roofs?

“Yes, well, life is oftentimes complicated.”

“What are you doing here, Mr. Goodard?” Caroline asked as she crossed her arms at her chest. “No one was supposed to be let in. ”

The other man shrugged. “I wished to say my goodbyes to the body. Despite my being related to Lockhart, I had cause to meet Mr. Blythe many times since they were friends.”

“And I’ll wager you had mixed feelings regarding Blythe.”

Goodard frowned. “How so?”

“Well, first off, you didn’t like it that his pretending to be your cousin was dragging the family through the muck. And secondly, it must stick in your craw that if Blythe was killed in lieu of someone thinking he was Lockhart, you won’t come into that title now.”

For a few seconds, they stared each other down as tension crackled between them.

Finally, Goodard nodded. “True on both counts. Am I happy Kingston named Lockhart his heir on his death bed? Hell, no, but there is nothing I can legally do about it. He was a progressive in the Lords, and damn if Lockhart will follow in those footsteps.” His eyes narrowed as he shook his head.

“I’m a traditionalist and would vote to keep England as it is.

Change will only weaken our might around the world. ”

“I’d rather like to think that embracing those who are different and listening to other opinions can only make this country stronger, but then, I am not involved in politics for a reason.” If his voice was cool, he couldn’t help it. Old ways of doing things were not always the best ways.

The lesson wasn’t lost on him after the recent conversation he’d had with Caroline.

“What are you trying to insinuate, Major?”

“Just this.” He had other things to do than tarry with this would-be nob. “Did you shoot Mr. Blythe in the back of the head while he was walking the roof, thinking he was your cousin so that you could be the duke?”

“Quite blunt,” Caroline whispered to him. “A lovely choice.”

Both men ignored her.

“Why the hell would I do that? I’d go to Newgate and hang. No one would get the title at that point.” He narrowed his eyes on Felix. “Be very careful, Major Kourier, lest you slander the wrong person.”

“You can threaten me all you want, Goodard, but I still have a job to do. Who do you know that hated Blythe so much he wanted him dead?”

“Ask one of the bloody grooms. He kept hanging about Lockhart even though I told him at length he wasn’t Mr. Blythe. I also told him if he continued to bother my cousin, there would be hell to pay. We don’t need that sort of gossip to sully the title.”

From beside him, Caroline frowned. “Why would a groom wish to speak to either one of them? Was there something wrong with the horses?”

Goodard stared at her as if she were the village idiot. “Are you that daft, woman? ”

Before Felix could intervene, she gasped. “Oh! One of the grooms was involved with Blythe.”

“Or at least he wanted to be,” Felix added.

The cousin nodded. “Stay away from Lockhart, Major. He has too much resting on his shoulders, already. And for God’s sake, let Blythe’s family come and claim the body so they can start grieving.”

“I already have informed them, but I appreciate your concern.” He frowned as the other man strode away. “Most unpleasant fellow.”

“Do you believe his story?”

“I’m not sure. We’ll talk it over later.

“Are we going to the stables now?” She laid a hand on his arm, and he enjoyed that brief connection more than he should.

“Not yet. I want to spend some time mingling with a few of the male guests to see what comes up in conversation. Perhaps I’ll play some billiards or hang about the drawing room with a brandy.”

“Oh.” Disappointment filled her expression. “After that, it will be time for dinner. I rather doubt we’ll investigate after dark.”

“Indeed, we won’t.” Then, he winked. “Don’t worry, though.

I’m sure there will be some sort of excitement on your card tonight.

” He just couldn’t say what, but he was feeling quite an affinity for scandal.

Half his thoughts centered around her, and they were beginning to overshadow his investigation.

What he needed was to evict her from his system once and for all.

You are going to hell, Felix.

Somehow, the voice in his head that admonished him sounded like his sister, but he quickly banished it as he slipped into the rear gardens, keeping to the shadows.

A half-moon provided a bit of illumination, which silvered the trees and blooms in the gardens, but that sort of beauty was not uppermost in his mind.

Because he’d felt far too daring after watching Caroline interact with her dining companions at the evening meal, he’d quickly scribbled off a note and sealed it in an envelope, asking a maid to deliver it to her room and leave it on her bed. It had been short and to the point.

Meet me at the pond from the first night. Bring your courage. We’re going swimming.

There was no harm in swimming. Though it was late April, the day’s warmth didn’t linger in the air; it might be chilly but the exercise was welcome, and one never knew when it would rain again.

Having a companion join him wasn’t a crime either, but even his conscience couldn’t agree, for they would both risk scandal; he already knew he wanted the night to end with a bit of wickedness.

In fact, he was counting on it. He needed her out of his blood.

The pond was reached in short order, and it took him less than no time to strip nude.

He even removed his false leg. No sense in it getting wet again like it had two nights ago.

Too much carelessness would see it warped, and he didn’t want that.

A few seconds after he’d eased his body into the cool water, Caroline arrived at the edge of the pond.

“I didn’t think you had it in you to cause a scandal a second time, Major. ”

He couldn’t help but chuckle. “The first time wasn’t a scandal since we weren’t caught. Not that we will be this time either, but it will have the potential to be wicked.”

“How intriguing.” She came closer to the water’s edge. “Shall I join you?”

“I’d like it if you did, since that was the reason for the invitation.” To entice her, he went backward into the water until it lapped at his upper chest. “I thought you could meet a goal tonight.”

“Oh?” Already, her fingers were at the ribbons beneath her chin as she freed her bonnet.

“You could swim naked.”

“You remembered?”

He nodded. “I remember details that matter.”

For the space of more than a few heartbeats, she stood on the edge, peering at him through the gloom and shadows.

Then she shocked the hell out of him as she slowly removed each piece of her clothing until she stood completely nude in the moonlight, her curves graced with silver, and he was so damned proud of her.

That body will drive me mad, I swear it.

As soon as she put a foot into the water, she uttered a half-stifled squeal. “It’s so cold!”

Interest shivered through his shaft though it would prove quite difficult to encourage an erection in the chilly water.

“The exercise of swimming will keep you warm.” As would he in a bit, if she was willing.

He lifted an arm that dripped water. “Come, Miss Ives. Join me. It’s been a difficult day. ”

“It truly has, except for one point I will never forget.” With a shiver that allowed him a glimpse of her hardened, rosy pink nipples, she came into the pond and soon swam out to join him.

Since she was several inches shorter than he, she was obliged to tread water while he could still stand on the bottom and keep his head above the surface.

The soft calls of insects and night birds added to the background of the night.

“I’m flattered.”

She snorted. “Why do you assume it has anything to do with you?”

As the warmth of embarrassment moved through his chest, she giggled and smacked a hand against his shoulder, then gasped when he hissed in pain. “I, uh…”

“Of course it does, Major Grouchy. It was lovely.” She raised her gaze to his. “I’m sorry. I’d forgotten about your gunshot wound. Does it still hurt?”

“It does, but I’ve suffered worse.” Not knowing what else to say, he tweaked one of her nipples. “Race you to the other side, but have pity on an old man with one leg.”

“Why do I have the feeling you’d beat me even if you had two gimpy limbs?” Splashing interrupted her words. “You are the type of man who doesn’t let anything prevent you from achieving whatever you want.”

“You’re not far off the mark.” The trouble was, he wanted her. Not for anything gentlemanly or proper, but he couldn’t help that at the moment, and he couldn’t quite separate her as his partner as well as his lover.

Is that what we are now?