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

Portman Square

Marylebone, London

Gabriel frowned at the window in the morning room where he, Mary, and Adelaide were enjoying breakfast. Of course it was raining.

When wasn’t it raining in London? To be fair, they did have glorious sunny days, and sometimes if they were fortunate, there might be a string of them, but by and large—and especially in the autumn—there were more rainy days than not.

“At least it’s not snow,” he muttered beneath his breath as he buttered a triangle of toast.

Mary glanced at him with surprise in her expression. “I don’t mind the rain. It’s quite soothing. Frankly, London could use a good dose of calm.”

Before he could respond, Adelaide snorted. “The rain makes the streets muddy, and that ruins hems.” She shook her head. “I don’t care for it. In this, I’m quite like the inspector.”

“Thank you, Adelaide.” He couldn’t help a grin.

When he’d married Mary, they’d discussed what the young woman should call him.

Though he would have accepted Uncle Gabriel, Adelaide insisted on referring to him as inspector.

But the way she said it, with affection infused into the word, made him feel even more a part of a family. “What are your plans for the day?”

“I need to go by the modiste’s shop for a final fitting on my ballgown, and if all is well, I’ll bring it home with me. Then I’m going to stop by the jeweler’s shop nearby. The clasp on my favorite bracelet is failing, and I’d like to have it repaired before the ball.”

“Oh, no,” Mary uttered with a frown. “Is it the one your father gave you when you turned sixteen? The one with the amethysts?”

“Yes.” The young woman nodded. “I don’t want to risk losing it or having it snag on someone’s skirting.”

“Understandable.” Gabriel finished his piece of toast then reached for another one.

“Visit Bloom’s Jewelry and Antiques off Fleet Street.

It is where I procure all Mary’s jewelry, and I’m friends with the owner.

I solved a burglary for him once, so he owes me a favor.

Just mention my name. He’ll send the bill to me. ”

“Thank you.” She gave him a dazzling smile.

In a couple of years, such a gesture would probably turn some young man’s world upside down and she’d find herself engaged.

“I appreciate that. If there’s time, I might pop over to a tea house this afternoon.

Theresa mentioned something about meeting me there if she still had errands. ”

Gabriel swallowed his bite of hamsteak. “She seems like a good friend.” Of course, he didn’t know her all that well, and had only just met her yesterday, and a fleeting introduction at that. “Where did you meet her?”

“At Almacks late in the summer. We had both gone into the ladies retiring room for torn hems, and during the mending of them, we talked and found out we had much in common.”

“That’s nice.” Mary smiled at the girl. “I assume you have more friends than just her?”

“Of course.” Adelaide shrugged. “I wasn’t ever this popular in finishing school, so it’s been lovely meeting new people and having a core group I can mingle with during these society events where I’m a bit less confident in myself.”

“I’m sure some of those young ladies will be forever friends if you’re fortunate.” Mary patted her hand. “You’ve made the inspector and I proud these past several months.”

A blush went through the younger woman’s cheeks. “Thank you. Without Papa being here, I rather think doing the Season with you is more fun anyway.”

That made Gabriel laugh. “I’m sure the ambassador would have tried his best, and Lord knows he could have introduced you to people higher up in society than I can.”

“Such gammon, Inspector.” A trilling laugh escaped the girl. “You know many people within all levels of society. Just because a person holds a higher rank doesn’t necessarily make them a decent person.”

He nodded. “You certainly have the right of it.” If she continued to keep that healthy attitude, she would do well for herself.

Mary nodded. “I agree. Tell me more about Miss Madison. Who are her people?”

“Well, she’s a year older than me, and other than the fact she has no fashion sense, and her maid doesn’t know how to set her hair, I’m finding she’s a lovely girl.

” Adelaide shrugged then pushed the food around her plate with her fork.

“I don’t believe she’s part of the ton , and certainly not the beau monde .

I think she said her father was a clock maker, but I’m not sure I’m remembering that correctly. It’s been a whirlwind recently.”

“Well, you can always help her with how to dress. Sometimes, we all just need a bit of advice or to be pointed in the correct direction.” Mary spread marmalade on a piece of toast. “Does she have any siblings?”

“She might have a younger sister. I’ll have to ask.” Adelaide shrugged. “Sometimes, I have so many things in my brain that I’m afraid I don’t pay full attention when people talk to me.” Embarrassment crept into her expression. “It’s a failing, I know.”

As Mary and her niece talked about the various friends Adelaide had made, Gabriel returned to eating his breakfast. But before he could do much more than open his newspaper, the butler arrived at the door.

“Pardon the interruption, Inspector, Mrs. Bright,” the man of indeterminate years said as he came into the room with a silver salver.

“Quite all right, Collins. What is it?” He’d hired the man for the position after he and Mary married, not for his skills but for his ability to blend in and be forgotten.

If the butler were a color, he’d be gray—noticeable but easily forgotten once he left the room.

It might have been vain of him, but Gabriel wanted to make certain his wife wouldn’t have her head turned by an attractive butler, and he certainly didn’t wish to have a male in the house that might make unwanted advances on her.

The butler cleared his throat as he offered the salver to Gabriel. An ivory envelope rested on the small tray. “This arrived for you from a courier, Inspector. The man indicated it was quite urgent and that I was to put it directly into your hand.”

“Ah. Thank you.” Intrigued, he plucked the envelope from the tray. “I appreciate the promptness, Collins.”

“Of course, Inspector.” Then the butler left the room.

“Who is it from?” Mary asked with a curious glance to the envelope he was even now opening.

As he removed the paper within and unfolded it, he immediately looked for the signature. “Damn. It’s from Chief Inspector Dillon at Bow Street, the man who asked me to consult on my current case.” He frowned as he quickly skimmed the contents of the brief note.

Young woman found dead in Hyde Park. She was the first girl taken over the past two weeks. Come when convenient.

“What is it, Gabriel?” Mary asked in a soft voice, for she was attuned to his every mood.

“A female body has been discovered in Hyde Park.”

She sucked in a breath. “Was she one of the missing girls?”

“That is the assumption at this point, but of course, we won’t know until the body is carried to the morgue and can be identified.

” Knots of worry pulled in his gut. “If she is, then that means the other missing girls are in danger more than they were before.” At times, investigating cases was grim business indeed.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Mary sobered as she met his gaze. “That wasn’t the news you were hoping for, I know.”

“Death is never the news we want to hear, no matter how it comes about.” With nothing else to do, he folded his newspaper, took up the note from Bow Street, and then stood, pushing his chair back.

“Regardless, I’ve been summoned to the scene.

” He bounced his gaze between Mary and Adelaide.

“I apologize for breaking up our breakfast. Adelaide, I hope you have a lovely day.” Then he looked at Mary.

“Would you accompany me to the scene? I suppose it’s as good a time as any to start the investigation. ”

“Of course.” She dabbed at the corners of her mouth with a linen napkin. To her niece, she said, “I shall see you for dinner, then.”

Adelaide waved. “Don’t become so involved in the case that you forget the ball is coming up,” she said with a wink then giggled when he and Mary left the room.

By the time Gabriel and Mary arrived at the scene in Hyde Park, a bit of a crowd had formed around the body.

“I detest when there are onlookers at a crime scene,” he said beneath his breath as he helped his wife over one of the larger puddles on the path.

“People are always curious, especially when death is involved.” She clung to his hand while hiking up her skirts to keep the worst of the mud from the hem. “If we’re fortunate, though, we can discover some clues to guide the investigation to the next step.”

“Let us hope.” With the collar of his greatcoat turned up against the rain, and droplets of that precipitation dripping from the brim of his top hat, he escorted Mary off the path toward the cluster of onlookers.

There was a mix of ages who stood about in the rain to gawk at the unfortunate young woman, as well as a variety of societal rungs represented.

It would seem the macabre fascinated everyone.

“Excuse me, please. Move away from the body.” He poked and prodded his way through until he broke through the ring with Mary in tow.

“Inspector Bright, I presume?” The speaker was a short man with a round stomach, and in his dark greatcoat, he resembled a beetle.

“Yes.” He extended a gloved hand to the man, and then they shook. “Are you the constable?”

“I am. The name’s Lance.”

“Were you the one who found the victim?”