Page 89 of Murder at the Debutante Ballby

“I’ll think of something.”

I was beginning to realize when Harry said he’d think of something, it meant he was planning on using his charms. I wasn’t sure it would work this time.

As it turned out, we didn’t need to make up excuses or use charm. The gallery was closed. I checked my watch. It was a little after four o’clock.

Harry stood with hands on hips, glaring at the locked door as if it were to blame for the delay. “If it was dark, I’d break in.”

“You will do no such thing. Not tonight.” I crossed my arms. “Not without me anyway.”

“You’re not invited.”

“It’s not a party, Harry. This is my investigation too, and I want to be here when you break in. But I’m busy tonight. I suppose I could leave early…”

“Where are you going?”

“To yet another ball.” I sighed. “Blasted things.”

“It is the Season.”

“Yes, but why so many? It’s getting rather tiring, not to mention it’s interfering with the investigation. Why do I even need to go?”

“Because you’re being put on display. The more balls you attend, the more admirers you gather.” He made it sound like a game where the participants collected points as they moved around the board. Only this game wasn’t a lot of fun for me.

“Don’t be absurd. Flossy is the one on display. She’s the one looking for admirers.”

He continued to glare at the door. “If you say so.”

“I do say so.” I glared at the door too. “Why does everyone continue to think I want a husband when I’ve mentioned many times that I do not?”

“I didn’t sayyouwanted a husband. But your aunt and uncle want one for you. That’s why you’re being paraded in front of the right people—your family’s idea of who is right for you, that is.”

The fact that I wanted to make my family happy only made me feel so much worse for being unable to do as they wanted. I heaved another sigh.

“Not all marriages are bad,” Harry said quietly. “My parents are happy. My aunt and uncle, too. You just need to find the right person.” His profile was rigid as he studied the doorknob, as if willing it to turn. Or perhaps he was simply avoiding looking at me. “The more balls and parties you attend, the more chance you have of finding him. It’s simple mathematics, Cleo.”

“Probability. My father taught me all about it.” I smiled wistfully at the memory of my professorial father listening in to this conversation about marriage.

Then my smile faded. My father had been the smartest person I knew, but he’d not known how to make a successful marriage. He and my mother had argued often. Indeed, their final conversation had been spoken in anger, right before their cart rolled over, killing them both and injuring me.

“Cleo?” Harry touched my elbow. “I’m sorry. I’ve upset you.”

“No. Not at all.” I tried to give him a reassuring smile, but I suspected I failed. His concerned frown remained firmly in place. I was about to say something more, but the door to the gallery suddenly opened.

“Oh!” Lady Treloar paused in the doorway. “It’s you two.”

Harry recovered from his surprise first. “We do apologize, madam. We didn’t realize you’d closed.”

“I’m closing early today. I have a ball to attend tonight, and I need to pick up my gown from the seamstress.”

Although Lady Treloar knew my name, she didn’t know my connection to the Bainbridges and hadn’t recognized me from the Bunburys’ ball. If she was attending the same event as me tonight, she would see me there. I wouldn’t be able to hide from her all evening.

I couldn’t decide whether to reveal myself or pray that she was going to a different ball.

Harry made the decision for me. “Miss Fox is also attending a ball tonight.”

“The Heathertons,” I added.

Lady Treloar blinked at me. “As am I! I didn’t realize we moved in the same circles, Miss Fox. Are you a friend of Lady Heatherton?”