Page 13 of Murder in Disguise (Mary and Bright #5)

That evening

While dressing for dinner, Mary frowned as her maid assisted in her toilette even though Bright was in their shared dressing room.

Most nights, he sent the young woman away so that he could have the honor—because he usually plied Mary with kisses and stolen caress in the process—but this evening, he was quite distracted and a tad moody.

After Maggie had finished manipulating her hair into a simple chignon at the back of her neck and securing it with pins, Mary quietly dismissed her. Then she turned to her husband while on the stool at her vanity.

“Out with it, Bright. Why are you woolgathering and alternately looking as if you wish to murder someone?” She arranged her rust-colored taffeta skirting about her legs. Of all the seasons, the hues of autumn were her favorite.

“I apologize, sweeting. Still thinking about the discovery of the second body earlier this afternoon.” He frowned into the full-length cheval glass as he fussed with the knot of his cravat.

After standing, she drifted over to his location. “Why? Was it gruesome?”

“Not at all. The corpse was much like the first one, artistically draped and on the outside looking as if nothing had happened to her.”

“Excepting the small puncture wound at the base of her skull?” She’d known, of course, that he’d gone off today with Major Kourier to assess the second body, but he’d been strangely closed-mouthed about it when he’d returned home.

“Yes, exactly.” He nodded and continued to work on the cravat.

“Was there a note found on her person as well?”

“Yes.”

Silence followed the admission. She lifted an eyebrow. “And? What did it say?”

After a heavy sigh, he told her. “’You aren’t as clever as I am, because now there are two, stabbed through and through in a manner of speaking.

Can you guess who I am, or am I still in disguise?

When every woman is a darling of society, then no one can be, don’t you think?

Until the next time… Inspector.’” He met her gaze.

“What the devil do you think that means? And why is this person taunting me? Do I know them?”

“That is impossible to say at this point.” Though knots in her stomach pulled with worry. “Also, you’re a bit of a well-known personage within London, so just because the killer assumes they know you, they probably don’t at all.”

“Mmm, I wonder.” His frown deepened as he regarded her. “These sorts of cases bother me because they feel as if the killer wishes to make it personal, but why?”

“Only they can say for now, but when you puzzle it out, you’ll know why, and it will be even more satisfying once the killer reaps their just deserts.” She laid a hand on his arm. The muscles beneath her fingertips tightened. “This is like every other case, and you will solve it.”

He cupped her cheek. “ We will solve it.”

“You’re adorable, Bright.” Lifting on her toes, she brushed her lips over his. “I’m going downstairs to check the progress of the decorations in the drawing room. Don’t linger. You know how the cook doesn’t like her food to get cold at the table.”

Then she left their shared suite but worry clawed at her chest. Her husband oftentimes took his cases to heart and fretted over them until he could find a way through.

But when she arrived in the drawing room, those concerns faded into the background as soon as she saw how that space was being transformed, thanks in part to the efforts of the housekeeper and the butler with the help of the other staff.

It was lovely how everyone came together to make the ball happen.

The room had been cleared of all furniture, for with the lack of a dedicated ballroom in their townhouse, they needed to use a different space.

The wooden floor gleamed from being polished.

Orange velvet ribbon had been woven through branches from various trees whose leaves had turned into the glorious colors of autumn.

They’d been affixed over the windows as well as the double doors to the room.

Other arrangements rested on the windowsills with candles nestled within.

Various pedestals that resembled Roman columns were scattered about the room.

Closer to the date, hothouse flowers would come in for arrangements as well as potted ferns and other plants.

Chairs would also be provided to put against one of the walls for those who didn’t wish to dance.

It was going to look splendid once finished.

“Oh, Aunt Mary, there you are.” Adelaide came into the room with Miss Madison trailing behind. “I’d hoped to catch you before dinner, and you don’t mind if Theresa eats with us, do you?” So much excitement and high energy echoed in the girl’s voice that Mary smiled.

“Of course she can have dinner with us.” While Adelaide’s gown was a lovely color of sky-blue satin, Miss Madison’s was of brown crepe. It was clear which one of the girls had an eye for fashion and the latest styles. “What did you need, Adelaide? I’d come in here to check the decorating progress.”

“Oh!” The younger lady smiled. Her eyes sparkled as only a youth’s could.

“Do you think that the inspector will lead me out for a waltz at the ball? I would truly enjoy that, for he is quite handsome, especially in evening dress, and there are so many people in society who respect him, I think it would make quite the statement.”

“Of course he will, dear.” Mary’s smile widened. It was lovely how much her niece had taken to Bright. “In fact, we have already discussed just that.”

“I’m so pleased!” Adelaide gave a little hop while Miss Madison regarded her with a faint frown. “Theresa, have you met my uncle yet?”

“Briefly in passing.” The other girl roved her gaze about the room. “It seems as if your aunt and uncle are going all out for this ball.”

“They are!” Adelaide vigorously nodded. “I feel so special.” Then her expression fell. “I wish my father were here to dance with me as well.”

Mary touched her niece’s arm. “I know, but he should be in Town by the Christmastide holidays.”

“I don’t know why it matters to you, Addie,” Miss Madison said as she focused once more on Adelaide.

“You will be beautiful and the focal point of the ball. You’ll not lack for partners, and unless I miss my guess, you’ll have potential suitors asking for audiences with the inspector in lieu of your father. ”

“Oh, perhaps, but a man would need to prove singularly impressive, for I’m not hoping to marry just yet.” She winked at her friend. “I’ll do my best to send eligible men your way, though, as well as my other friends.”

“Because I’m more of a charity than anything else?”

“Don’t be like that, Theresa.” Adelaide huffed. “It will be a magical night, and I’m very excited about it.” She looked at Mary. “My gown was delivered a couple of hours ago. I’ve asked my maid to press out any wrinkles, but it’s so gorgeous. Thank you for your generosity.”

“Of course we’re happy to do this for you. I’ll make certain to write to your father in detail about the evening and how successful you’ll be.”

Adelaide waved away the comment. “I merely wish to celebrate this year with my friends, because as the inspector always says, we never know what the future holds, and we should enjoy every day while we can.”

“Well, in his position, he sees the other side of life—the ending part—and thus it’s affected his perspective.

” Mary sobered, but at least her niece was self-aware enough to know that her existence was always full of rainbows and diamonds.

“I’m of the opinion that you’ll find the path you were meant to tread when you’re least expecting it. ”

“I so appreciate you, Aunt Mary.” Since the girl was quite impulsive at times, Adelaide hugged her, then she clasped Theresa’s hand. “Come to my room so we can freshen up for dinner. I want to show you my new fan.”

Miss Madison nodded, but her expression didn’t indicate she was thrilled about it. “You have such lovely things and expensive fripperies, as well as being naturally beautiful. How can women like me compete with that?”

“Don’t be silly, Theresa. You are quite lovely. Perhaps we’ll experiment with setting your hair in a different style that will compliment your face.” Then they both left the room.

After they were gone, Mary shook her head. There was no amount of money that could be offered to make her relive that time in her life. Being here, with Bright as her husband and having her family around her, was easily her favorite part of her own path.

Later that night

The longcase clock on the floor below struck the hour of two in the morning when Mary came awake from a horrid dream. Her heart raced and fear played icy fingers down her spine. She must have cried out, for Gabriel awoke as well and turned toward her in their bed.

“Mary?” Concern enveloped that one word, overly loud in the silence. “Is all well?”

“I don’t know.” She pressed a hand to her chest as she tried to regulate her breathing. “I had a nightmare.”

“Does it happen often?”

“Not often. Perhaps a couple times a month.” Perspiration formed along her upper lip and her forehead, so she flung off the bedclothes. “It was so real, and I was so frightened.”

“What did you dream about? I’ll try to set your mind at ease.”

Slowly, she nodded. “I dreamed that I was trapped in the Pritchart’s butcher shop.

” Even her whispered words sounded out of place in the hush of the room.

“I was tied at the wrists and ankles, but they’d hung me on one of those large metal hooks used to hang hunks of meat.

” As she spoke, her hands trembled, and she sought out his gaze in the darkness.

“Then they came into the room with saws and cleavers, intending to chop me up into pieces for poking around in their business.”

It was a jumbled dream of reality and nightmare, for the Pritchart’s shop had been the scene of the last confrontation of their son, who’d murdered his mother.

There had been jealousy and rage involved, along with roses and watching the butcher do his work.

At the end of that case, both she and Bright had been in danger, but they’d somehow managed to escape and solve the homicide.

“Some murderers stick with us longer than others.” The deep rumble of his voice brought her a modicum of comfort in the darkness. “Yet you must know that those people can no longer trouble you.”

“I do know that in my head. Of course I do, but that doesn’t stop the nightmares.

” She couldn’t help that there was a snap in her voice.

At times, she didn’t want logical from him.

Why couldn’t he understand that sometimes, a woman’s thoughts had no root in the explainable?

“For whatever reason, that particular case made more of an impression on me than any of the others, and I don’t understand why. ”

“Perhaps it was because we were introduced to Cassandra during that case, and adopting her is what made you a mother. It was also during the time that you and I were engaged.” As he spoke, Bright tugged her into his arms and held her safe in his embrace.

“We are now the ones who you care about the most. It could be that you’re afraid for us. ”

That made sense, for there were nights when she was terrified that something horrible would befall her little family. “I don’t know, but I have been constantly haunted by those memories since last April.”

“Sweeting, we are safe; you are safe.” The warmth of his breath flitted across her cheek as one of his hands drifted down her back. “If you’ve been plagued with nightmares for so long, why haven’t you told me?”

“I didn’t wish to bother or burden you with this.” An involuntary sigh escaped, for the feeling of safety and security she had from him was everything. “It is something I need to battle with until I can determine why I keep having those dreams.”

“You needn’t struggle alone, love. Remember, we are not just partners when it comes to solving cases or raising a family.”

Tears welled in her eyes, and the more she tried to blink them away, the more they insisted on coming and leaking onto her cheeks. “I know, but you are once more embroiled in a puzzling case. I don’t wish to add to that anxiety.”

“Do you believe this case is triggering your fear and concern from other cases?”

“It’s a possibility.” Brushing her lips to the crook of his shoulder, she didn’t want to talk about this any longer.

Though her pulse had ceased to pound, vestiges of the fear lingered in her blood and mind.

“While I want to be strong for you, there are times when I just don’t think I can summon that any longer.

Everything that has happened in my life in the nearly two years since meeting you has made me softer, perhaps weaker. ”

“Hardly.” His chuckle tickled through her chest. “You are the strongest person I know, but I also believe you’ve finally given yourself permission to relax and enjoy your life instead of constantly being ready for flight or waiting for a second shoe to drop so to speak.”

“That sounds lovely, and I hope you are right.”

He brought his hands up to gently frame her face, peered into her eyes through the darkness. “Again, you are safe, Mary. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

A soft snort escaped her. “You can’t guarantee that. Murderers don’t care what you’ve vowed to do.”

“Let fate come then. I stand firm in my promises.” Then he claimed her lips with his.

For the next several moments, she gave herself over to his overture, for those tender kisses were everything she’d ever wanted from him when she was fraught with emotions.

Then the cadence of the embrace changed as heated need and desire wound its way through her body.

With a tiny moan, Mary looped her arms about his shoulders.

She giggled softly when he urged her onto her back to deepen the kisses and settle his body between her legs.

If there was anything constant in her life, it was the fact that her husband held no secrets, and she always knew what he wanted.

And tonight, she was of the same mind. When his hands went beneath her night dress, she surrendered the rest of the way to his ministrations.

At the very least, a quick coupling would encourage her mind to think about something else for a while, and she would sleep well afterward.

Thank goodness for that.