Page 22 of Murder in Disguise (Mary and Bright #5)

An hour later saw Mary ensconced in Bright’s study with the housekeeper, Mrs. Adrian. Because she was still irritated with her husband, she was glad he was busy abovestairs in the schoolroom with the children, for she didn’t know what to say to him just now.

“Two days until the ball, Mrs. Bright,” the housekeeper said as she sat on one of the chairs that faced the desk. “As far as I know, everything is moving along at a good pace, and the decorations are lovely.”

Mary nodded. “Has everything been delivered?”

“For the most part, yes. Hothouse flowers will arrive tomorrow for the arrangements both the drawing room as well as the entry hall and the upstairs parlor which we’ll use as the ladies retiring room.

” As she spoke, the housekeeper made a tick mark at the edge of her notebook where the articles were written.

“Thank you for reminding me of the ladies retiring room. I’d forgotten in the overwhelming number of plans we’ve made.” She wrote a few notes in her own book. “And what of the menu? We’ve decided against a sit-down meal, correct?”

“Yes.” Mrs. Adrian nodded. Her graying brown curls bobbed beneath the mobcap she wore, but her eyes sparkled behind the lenses of her reading spectacles. “It would cause a crowd with the dining room directly across from the drawing room.”

“I remember.”

“Instead, we will have four footmen circulating through the drawing room as well as everywhere else our guests will congregate. We will need to engage a couple of footmen either from a hiring service or from one of your friends.”

“Right. I’ll ask around then let you or Mr. Collins know.”

“Good.” The housekeeper crossed out something on that page. “There is every chance it will rain on the night of the ball. Do we need yet another footman for taking and storing wraps and outerwear? Collins will already be running around here like a headless chicken.”

“True.” That suggestion brought out a grin, for the butler did tend to find himself addlepated whenever they hosted a large event. “Then let’s plan on adding another footman.” She jotted down a note. “In fact, just pop by the staffing service and tell them what we’ll need and for how long.”

“Of course, Mrs. Bright.” Mrs. Adrian wrote out a few things on her paper. “I’ll do so as soon as we’re finished here.”

A series of giggles and laughter drifted to her ears from the corridor beyond the half-opened door.

No doubt Adelaide and her friends stood outside the library, probably either on their way to or from the back parlor.

They practically had free rein of the townhouse, for Bright was out on an errand for something he needed before the ball.

He wouldn’t say what it was, and quite frankly, Mary was glad he’d left the house for a bit.

I love him but sometimes I feel he’ll drive me to Bedlam.

She shook her head and tried to ignore the sound of the young ladies nearby. “What of the linens? Have we ordered enough?”

“Yes, of course. The napkins and tablecloths were delivered this morning, along with the trestle table that will be positioned beneath the window at the end of the corridor near the drawing room.” The housekeeper nodded. “Small cakes and drinks will be served from there.”

“And the crystal and china?”

“Should arrive this afternoon.”

Mary made a small notation on her page, but then another swell of laughter drifted into the room. Before she could speak with the housekeeper again, the girls began to chat, quite near to the study door.

“Why are there no decent men our age in society this Season?” one of the girls asked with a bit of a whine in her voice. Mary recognized her as a young lady called Lady Beatrice.

Adelaide snorted. “That all depends on what you consider decent. If you are only basing that on what your parents want, you’ll forever be disappointed.”

The girl had a point. Mary grinned at the housekeeper, who shrugged.

“Has the chandelier been cleaned and polished?” she asked in an effort to stay on track.

“Not yet, but the men are coming later this afternoon to do that,” Mrs. Adrian responded. “And the floor will also be waxed and polished first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Good.” Mary nodded and made another notation.

Then one of the girls barked out a laugh, and Mary realized that Miss Madison was with the other girls.

“Perhaps you should try to attract an indecent man instead.”

Mary shook her head. “Only a couple more things remain. Has the modiste delivered my gown and Adelaide’s?”

“Not that I know of, but I’m hoping they will come today. If they don’t, I’ll send a maid to the shop tomorrow and check.”

“Thank you.”

The sound of the girls’ voices grew louder.

Adelaide told them a couple of men they should try to avoid due to them being known rakes. “Mr. Dempsey in particular has a very bad reputation. He made eyes at that Clarissa girl.”

Lady Beatrice gasped. “The first girl who was found dead?”

“Yes, exactly,” her niece agreed.

“Do stop,” Miss Madison said with a long-suffering tone. “Mr. Dempsey isn’t all that bad. He’s easy on the eyes, but Miss Sheridan didn’t deserve him.”

“How so?” Lady Beatrice wanted to know.

At that point, Mary gave up trying to talk with Mrs. Adrian, and they both unashamedly listened to the conversation.

“Well, Miss Sheridan only wanted to flirt. She wasn’t serious about going into a relationship, from what I’d observed,” Miss Madison retorted, and Mary could almost imagine her tossing her head.

Adelaide huffed. “And you think Mr. Dempsey wanted to court her?”

“Or someone,” Miss Madison said in agreement. “I happened to overhear him talking to one of his friends. Said he needed to marry an heiress or a girl with a large dowry because he had debts, and his parents would cut him off soon if he didn’t settle them and start his nursery.”

“Did Miss Sheridan have a huge dowry on her head?”

“Who knows,” Miss Madison responded.

Mary’s eyebrows went up as she peered at the housekeeper.

Could that be the motive they’d been searching for?

The one that would help guide the investigation?

Was Mr. Dempsey angry that he’d been forced to hunt for an heiress?

Had he been annoyed that Miss Sheridan didn’t want him because she wasn’t ready for marriage? Perhaps they’d argued before she died.

In a whisper, she said to Mrs. Adrian, “I’ll need to tell the inspector about this straightaway.”

“Absolutely.” The housekeeper nodded.

“Well, it doesn’t matter,” Lady Beatrice said, and tension sounded in her tone. “I’m frightened. Who knows how many other girls will go missing or be found dead before this is all over.”

“I agree,” Miss Madison said. “Perhaps Mrs. Bright should cancel the All Hallow’s Eve ball. It’s the considerate thing to do.”

“No!” Clearly, Adelaide was upset with that outburst. “My uncle will protect us. No one would dare try to kidnap any of us while beneath this roof. He won’t allow it, and he’s the bravest man I know.”

“True but surely he can’t be everywhere to keep us all safe,” Miss Madison countered. “Even the best of men have their flaws.”

“You don’t know the inspector.” Adelaide’s defense of Bright made Mary’s heart squeeze.

“I trust him with my life. And he’s said he’ll dance a waltz with me to help my entry into society.

” She paused, and no doubt she stared down the other two women.

“The inspector knows many people. Why, one of his friends is quite dreamy. He’s a major and much older, and he’s a tortured, grumpy soul, and that makes him fascinating. I wonder if he’s attached.”

Miss Madison groaned. “It’s so easy for you girls with looks to gain notice, but for me, I’d favor the inspector. He is quite handsome, and I’ll wager looks don’t matter to him.” She blew out a breath. “I’m sorry, Adelaide but your aunt isn’t that beautiful. It’s too bad he’s taken with his wife.”

While the girls laughed, Mary brimmed with outrage. Mrs. Adrian put a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing but her eyes behind the spectacle lenses twinkled.

Lady Beatrice’s tinkling laughter echoed in the corridor. “I wouldn’t mind being ruined by the inspector. I wonder if he’s a passionate kisser…”

More laughter followed the statement.

“Oh, dear,” Mary whispered as heat blazed in her cheeks. “This is hardly conversation for young ladies to have on a Sunday afternoon.”

A blush stained the housekeeper’s face. “They are quite cheeky,” she whispered.

Dear Adelaide wasn’t having any of it. “Don’t be silly, Theresa.

The inspector is well and truly taken with my aunt, as he should be, and she is a lovely person inside and out.

” A nearly inaudible sigh escaped her. “You should see them. They’re so cute together, and honestly, that is the sort of relationship I’d like to have someday. ”

Miss Madison grunted as if she were unconvinced. “Men like that are only found in fairy stories and plays. I doubt they truly exist.”

“The inspector is proof, though,” Adelaide insisted.

“Those types never look at me as if I mean anything,” Miss Madison continued with a laugh that had far too much emotion embedded in it.

“I’m stuck with third sons with no ambition, men who don’t have professions to be proud of, or sons of my father’s friends, and frankly, I don’t wish to marry anyone who has anything to do with watches or time pieces. ”

“These days, a girl can’t afford to be picky.” Lady Beatrice huffed. “However, if you want men to notice you, you have to put in a bit of effort to make yourself noticeable.”

“But I shouldn’t have to. Men shouldn’t only look at the surface.”

Adelaide blew out a breath. “They don’t. They also look at status and how deep the family pockets run.”

That apparently further annoyed Miss Madison, for she uttered a short bark of bitter laughter. “That’s not fair to those of us who haven’t been blessed with either looks or money.”