Page 15 of Murder in Disguise (Mary and Bright #5)

“Ah.” Oftentimes the shock of that did take a few days. “I’m sorry for your losses, but surely you can’t hold those murders against me or your aunt. We are doing our best regarding the investigation.”

“Oh, I know you are, and of course I don’t blame you!” Adelaide clutched at his arm as they strolled the streets around the square. “It’s just…”

“Hmm?” One of his eyebrows rose in question.

A blush colored her cheeks. “There is a certain gentleman I’ve been looking forward to seeing, and I heard a rumor he’d been confirmed as a guest at the ball. If it doesn’t happen, I don’t know what I’ll do!”

Did all young women talk with exclamation points? Damn, damn, damn. Why had it been him to find her and not Mary? But then his protective instincts kicked in. Was this person someone decent and kind? Or was he a bounder that Gabriel didn’t want around Mary’s niece?

“What’s this young man’s name?”

“Oh.” She frowned. “Mr. Hollis. He’s a third son of a viscount. I met him through Miss Sheridan.” Then the tears came again. “Poor Clarissa. I hope she didn’t suffer.”

The one comfort was the journalist didn’t disclose how the girls had died, which meant Adelaide had been spared that nightmare. “We can only hope,” he murmured while patting her hand that rested on his arm. “Is this third son someone you want to pay his addresses?”

The blush in her cheeks intensified. “I’m not certain.

Though I’d told Aunt Mary that I wanted to wait a few years before considering marriage…

” She shrugged. “Mr. Hollis is a lovely man and handsome in an understated way. However, I’m intelligent enough to understand that I need much more information about him before I agree to anything.

The last thing I want is to wed then realize everything I liked about the man was a facade. Marriage is forever.”

For most people, but half the crime in London was of the domestic sort.

But Gabriel nodded. “Good girl. You take after your aunt with that reticence.”

“Aunt Mary was uncertain about you when you asked for her hand, wasn’t she?”

He blew out a breath. “A bit, but then, she had her reasons.”

“To tell you the truth, Inspector, I’m hoping I can find a man like you,” she admitted in a low voice brimming with excitement. “With all the lovely qualities you have shown since meeting my aunt.”

That praise warmed his chest. “Well, I—”

The moment they passed a short alley between two freestanding townhouses, a man lunged out of the shadows at them.

Adelaide screamed. “Inspector!”

Damn it.

Gabriel put his body between Adelaide and the attacker. “Run home, Adelaide!” He kept his gaze focused on the man with raised fists, circling them. “Send a footman for assistance.”

“But…”

“Now!” He was on edge with a tight chest and taut muscles. Was this the killer he has been hunting? To the assailant, he asked, “What the devil do you want?”

“Answers,” the man growled out, seconds before he sprang at him and swung out with a fist. It connected with his left cheek.

Pain exploded through Gabriel’s face. He countered the attack with a punch of his own, drilling a fist into the other man’s belly. When his attacker doubled over, Gabriel rammed a knee into his face. The satisfying crunch of cartilage met his ears.

The man wasn’t much deterred. As he straightened, he took another swing at Gabriel, but missed.

“It’s ridiculous this case hasn’t been solved, Inspector.

Where are the other two girls? When will you find them?

” This time, he landed a punch to Gabriel’s right shoulder that sent him staggering backward a couple of steps.

“What are you doing to accomplish that?”

Noting the concern and faint fright in the other man’s expression, he wondered if this was a father. “I am trying my best.” With a growl, Gabriel rushed the man, tackled him to the ground where the attacker landed on his back. “These things take time.”

“Then find more help,” the other man grunted.

“You’d be surprised how little anyone cares about the fate of a few girls.” He hadn’t meant to say that aloud, but there was nothing for it. With a grunt, Gabriel rolled the other man onto his stomach and then secured his opponent’s wrists with his cravat. “Who the devil are you?”

“Let me up and I’ll tell you.”

“Fine.” After hauling the man upright, Gabriel guided him over to the nearest pavement and then shoved him down into a sitting position while keeping vigil in front of him. “Now talk.”

“I’m Viscount Farmington. My daughter is one of the girls who is missing.” Though he had bruising on his face and his nose was broken and streaming blood, there was no ignoring the genuine anxiety in his eyes. “As you can imagine, I’m blooming worried, and frankly, I want action and results.”

“I can understand that, my lord, but you can’t go around attacking the one man who gives two shits about this case.

Bow Street has pretty much given up, which is why they passed the case to me.

” Then he softened his tone. “Yes, you are concerned and yes, you are probably scared, I know, but the lack of clues or suspects is quite vexing. It’s a slow process that includes interviewing many people until we can see through lies or narrow down potential suspects. ”

“Yet two girls are dead!” He squirmed against his bonds, but Gabriel refused to release him just yet.

“I am aware, my lord. And I also promise that I will bring the killer to justice. You need to be patient and let me do my job.”

The viscount spat blood from his mouth. Truly, he looked a fright. “What if it was your daughter who was missing, Inspector? Would you be patient? Would you accept someone’s patronizing response like you’re forcing me to do?”

Shock slammed through Gabriel’s chest. Had he lost his compassion all due to this puzzling case?

“You’re right. I wouldn’t on both counts.

” Hanging his head, he ignored the pain in his face and body while trying to compose himself.

Finally, he looked again at the viscount.

“I apologize, but I am doing all I can. If you know me, you know my record at solving cases. There have only been less than a handful I haven’t been able to bring to fruition.

You have my word that I will find the killer. ”

“And my daughter? Will you find her before she is dropped off as a corpse?”

“That is the hope, but you should prepare yourself all the same.”

Silence roiled between them both. Finally, Lord Farmington nodded. “Thank you. I’m sorry I gave you a bit of a beating.”

Gabriel allowed a tight grin. “Apologies for breaking your nose. You’ll cause quite the sensation in the Lords this week.”

The other man grunted. “You’re not wrong.”

At that moment, one of the footmen from home ran over to them. This was the larger of the two, and Adelaide trailed behind with her skirting hiked up as she ran.

“Inspector Bright, Miss Swanson said you required assistance in a fight.” The footman curled his hands into fists. “This the attacker?”

“It’s quite all right, Thomas. Things have been diffused, but thank you for coming so quickly.

” He gave the footman a nod. “If you please, assist Lord Farmington to his feet.” Once that occurred, Gabriel released the man’s wrists then slung the length of his cravat about his neck. “Go home, my lord. Keep busy.”

“I will.” The man dug into a pocket of his greatcoat and then handed Gabriel a calling card. “Please inform me of updates.”

“I will follow up with you tomorrow evening.” Anxiety sent pressure through his chest and tightened it. Something had to give, and soon.

When the viscount loped away—no doubt he had a carriage nearby—the footman as well as Adelaide fussed over Gabriel and his injuries.

“Enough, the both of you,” he practically growled and waved them away. “Let us go home.” Damn but he could use a good soaking bath. “I’m not as young as I used to be.” Though he meant it for a joke, neither of the others laughed.

“Oh, Inspector, I need to run,” Adelaide said, and he only just realized she’d donned a pelisse and bonnet as well as her gloves and reticule. “I promised to meet a friend at a tea house near Hyde Park.”

“Absolutely not.” Gabriel crossed his arms at his chest, despite the aches. “You need to go back to the townhouse and stay inside.”

She huffed as the little party walked along the pavement toward the house. “I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. After all, you taught me how to throw a punch last year. Remember?”

“Of course I do.” Pride swelled his chest even as the footman had to keep him upright with a guiding hand every so often. “But you must know that young women your age are being preyed upon. If something were to happen to you…” Well, he couldn’t finish that statement.

“I know, Uncle.” She put a hand on his arm and led him through the gate and up the short walkway to his own front door. “And I know you’ll worry, but all will be well.”

“Take my carriage. At least let my driver carry you to the tea house.”

“I will.” Once inside the entry hall, she rose onto her toes and bussed his cheek.

He nodded and felt all too emotional. “Well, be careful and mind your surroundings. If something doesn’t feel right—”

“I will come straight back,” she finished for him with a soft smile that vaguely reminded him of Mary. “I’ll be fine. And will come home immediately following tea.” Then, with a jaunty wave, Adelaide exited the house.

The footman melted away, presumably to return to his duties. It was then that Mary drifted down the stairs. One glance at Gabriel’s face had her gasping and rushing to his side.

“What happened?”

He was grateful for the soft touch of his wife and her support as she slipped an arm about his waist. “I was attacked while out on a walk with Adelaide.” Briefly, he told her about Adelaide’s upset as well as the man’s.

“It was Viscount Farmington who was frustrated with the slow pace of the case. He’s concerned for his daughter. ”

“And well he should be. If things continue as they have been, it’s quite grim.” Mary guided him up the stairs. “Come, Inspector, let’s get you cleaned and patched.”

“I’d rather like a bath and possibly a brandy.”

“I don’t doubt it.” Once they were in their shared suite, she closed the door behind them.

When his valet, Jameson, drifted to the doorway between the rooms, she said, “I’ll tend to the inspector’s wounds.

If you could go down and have them send up a tea tray along with a salve for sore muscles, I would appreciate it.

Deliver it into the dressing room. I’m going to insist the inspector enjoy an enforced period of relaxation. ”

“Of course, Mrs. Bright.” With an enigmatic glance at Gabriel, Jameson left the suite.

Mary maneuvered herself to stand in front of him. She assisted him out of his jacket then draped the garment over the back of a chair. “I assume you and Lord Farmington had a talk?”

“We did, although I’m afraid I broke his nose before I knew who he was.”

A bit of relief went through her expression. “Then that isn’t your blood on your clothing?”

“No.” He tossed away his blood-stained cravat.

“He’s worried and I can understand that.

What if it happened to Adelaide or even Cassandra?

” Despite wanting to keep a stiff upper lip, Gabriel’s chin quivered.

Moisture rose into his eyes, for he was that upset.

“I can’t let that happen to either of them, or to another young woman in London.

” He shoved a hand through his hair then wandered toward the wash basin in the corner of the bedroom.

“I need to catch the killer and intensify the investigation.”

“Surely it can wait at least an hour or two while you rest.”

After washing the blood off his hands as well as a smear of that as well as dirt on one cheek, Gabriel dried his hands and then returned to the bedroom. Slowly, he closed the door that led into the adjoining dressing room. “Indeed, because I’m going to insist upon it.”

She frowned. “Meaning what?”

“Just this.” Needing to return to stable footing and have his thoughts reordered, Gabriel tugged his wife into his arms. The restless energy zipping through his veins needed an outlet, and besides, being with Mary always made him feel better.

“At the moment, love, I need to prove to myself that I’m still capable of doing the things that need doing, and that I’m not an incapable old man. ”

Before she could respond, he brought his mouth crashing down on hers and kissed her, claimed her lips as if the world would soon end. Immediately, the heat that was always between them flared, and he rather hoped he’d become lost in her, and soon.