Page 21 of Murder in Disguise (Mary and Bright #5)

Heat went up the back of Gabriel’s neck. “It’s beside the point, but I did not. In fact, I was in the military then came home and immediately signed with Bow Street while marrying one of the first women I courted.”

“Then that was your poor decision. You should have chased skirts a bit more.”

“The girls, my lord,” Gabriel said from around clenched teeth.

The viscount’s gaze narrowed. “From what I can remember, those girls were all lookers, except this for mousy girl, a Miss Madison I think. She wasn’t best pleased when I talked or danced with her friends while she looked on from the wallflower chairs.”

“Oh? How so? Did she say something to you?”

“No, but she was quite snippy to me and any of the fellows who came close. Which she shouldn’t have been if she wished for a dance.” The younger man shrugged. “Then she herded some of her friends away so we couldn’t get at them.”

Gabriel frowned. “Meaning what?”

“Miss Madison literally led her friends out of the room. Next thing we knew, they were asking their parents to leave the event.”

How odd. “Why?”

“Who can say why women do what they do? My friends and I simply moved on to others.”

The man reminded him of his brother when he first took the title. “Do you believe Miss Madison told lies against you to those girls?”

“Or the truth?” Mary added into the conversation. As both he and the viscount glanced at her, she shrugged. “When women are overlooked, they tend to observe more. Perhaps she saw your true self and wished to warn her friends.”

“What the devil for?” the younger man asked in a snotty sort of voice.

“Perhaps she knew you’d bed them with promises, ruin them, and then leave them,” Mary said with definite frost in her voice. “Or can you think of another reason?”

Lord Tottersham shoved a hand through his hair. “Again, I don’t know! But I do know that she’s quite the scare and she’ll never catch a man if she continues to be a moping sourpuss in gowns that are out of date by at least three years.”

Interesting the young man had noticed that. Most gentlemen wouldn’t be able to tell. “Was there any other man in attendance at those events who didn’t take rejection well? Or were you on your own in that regard?” He couldn’t help but get in a verbal jab.

Off to the side, Mary softly snickered.

The viscount huffed and turned his back on her. “I couldn’t say I wasn’t looking at men any of those nights.”

“Fair enough.” Gabriel nodded. “What of Miss Madison? Was she angry that she was passed over by you and your friends?”

“Hard to tell. She’s not exactly bubbly or happy to begin with.” He pulled an expression of disgust. “Imagine being leg-shackled to someone like her.”

There was that. “Was she interested in any of the men?”

“Perhaps Mr. Corbett. But then, he’s an odd duck too. Always has his nose in books of all sorts. Hopes to be a physician someday. They’d be a perfect match.”

“Right.” And a man training to be a physician would have medical knowledge, and at the very least access to instruments of the trade, such as needles. Then, with a look of apology at Mary, he asked, “What of Miss Swanson? How did she react to you and your flirting?”

Mary’s nearly inaudible gasp was the only clue she’d been surprised by the line of questioning. “Bright…”

He held up a hand. “Let the man answer the question.”

Tottersham grinned. “Ah, Miss Swanson. If she’s not a Diamond by Christmastide, then I’ll be a baboon.

But as for how she acted?” He shook his head.

“She took it in stride. Too smart to let any of us lead her to a shadowy corner for a kiss or anything else, but that only makes her more of a challenge to pursue.”

“Was she ever jealous of the other girls around her?”

The viscount snorted. “Hell no. She’s easily prettier than most. In fact, they’re the ones who flock to her. She’s never without a circle of admirers of both sexes.”

“I see.” At least Adelaide was well received in societal circles. “Did you, perhaps, admire one of the three dead girls a bit too much that you followed one of them? When you made an advance, did they fight back, and things went too far?”

Anger flashed in the other man’s eyes. Red mottled his neck and face. “That is beyond the pale, Inspector. I did not, would not, kill a woman or anyone for that matter.” Fury rasped in his voice. “This interview is over.”

“Very well.” The shock and outrage seemed genuine. “Come, Mrs. Bright. We are finished here in any event.” Then he locked gazes with the viscount. “Don’t leave London, my lord, in the event I have more questions.”

“Get out!”

With a tiny smirk, Gabriel escorted Mary from the room. Once they were safely in the carriage and he’d told the driver to take them home, he said, “He was a rather unpleasant man.” When he attempted to slip an arm about her waist, she moved to the opposite bench. “What?”

“Why did you introduce the line of questioning about Adelaide?” A trace of annoyance reflected in her blue eyes.

Well, damn.

“I think we need to expand our thinking on this case. Perhaps it wasn’t an outside force at all that was terrorizing the young women. It could have come from within their own acquaintances.”

She frowned. “You expect me to believe that my niece was jealous of the four women and somehow made a plan to make them go missing?” Incredulity rang in her voice.

“And then somehow managed to kill them while she’s been popping about Town for tea and shopping and spending time with me or the children?

” With each question, her voice rose. “I thought better of you than that, Bright.”

“Don’t come the crab with me, Mary. You and I both know that during an investigation, every possibility must be considered.”

“You could have given me warning.” She narrowed her gaze on him. “That wasn’t well done of you.”

“Perhaps, and I apologize. Perhaps we should interview Adelaide and her friends. The girls who knew the ones who have been killed.” When his wife didn’t say anything, he heaved out a sigh.

“I must poke and prod at every stick to see if something might collapse. This has never been a secret in my approach.”

“But she is my niece!” Mary crossed her arms at her chest. “That you would suspect her of doing anything untoward…” She shook her head. “I don’t know what to think about that.”

They’d gotten far off course, and he particularly detested when he and Mary were at odds with each other. And it smarted. “How would you feel if I didn’t interview those girls because you didn’t think they were capable of murder, and it turned out that one of them did?”

“I’m not saying they aren’t capable! Anyone is capable of killing someone.

But I am quite perturbed that you singled out Adelaide during the viscount’s interview.

” She tossed her head. “If he tells his friends, rumors will start about Adelaide’s character.

Her chances of making a good match or any sort of connection will be destroyed. ”

“I’ll admit, I didn’t think of that.” Then he frowned. “And I didn’t single her out. I also mentioned Miss Madison.”

“Enough, Bright. You claim all the time that we’re partners during an investigation. If that’s true, then you need to warn me if something unsavory comes up.”

He nodded. “You’re right, and next time I’ll know.” Women were mysterious and even in this, his second marriage, it felt as if he had no idea what he was doing.”

“I need to think about this; I’m still furious with you.” She turned her head and glanced out of the window at the passing Mayfair streets.

“Will you spend luncheon with me and the children as usual?”

“No.” She shook her head. “Not because I’m out of sorts with you, but because I have a meeting with the housekeeper regarding last minute details for the ball.” When she finally looked at him, a trace of tears made her blue eyes luminous. “You’ll need to be with them yourself.”

It nearly killed him to see her so upset, and he knew it was his fault even if it had been part of his job. “Fine.” Perhaps she’d prove in a more receptive mood later. Otherwise, it would be deuced awkward in the house when it was time to retire for the night.