Page 12 of The Swan Detective (The Swan Syndicate #2)

The following morning, Stella stirred and swept her hand across the bed, but it was blocked by a hard, warm body. She smiled and rolled over as an arm snaked out and pulled her close. She breathed deeply, absorbing Beckworth’s earthy scent as he kissed her temple.

“Good morning, luv.” His voice was husky from sleep, which made her wonder what time it was. He was an early riser, even when they spent a portion of the morning in bed. In Baywood, she would wake to find him reading next to her, a carafe of coffee not too far away.

“No horseback riding today,” she mumbled. She ran a hand over his hip and stopped, lifting her head.

There was coffee somewhere in this room.

Beckworth chuckled and sat up, the bedcovers falling to his lap as he ran his hands through his ash-blond hair. “Let me get you a cup.”

She watched him leave the bed as he padded naked across the carpeted floor to the pot he’d left by the fire.

“When did the coffee arrive? Did Libby leave it?”

He nodded as he filled two mugs to carry back to bed.

She groaned as she fluffed their pillows, giving them a soft backrest. He handed her both mugs before slipping back into bed. They savored the coffee as it cleared their sleep-muddled heads. After several minutes, Beckworth broke their companionable silence.

“What did you think of your first party at Lord Percy’s?”

She gave it some consideration before shrugging. “It wasn’t too different than the large dinner party Mary had when I was last in London.”

“I was hoping your first official event would have been more similar to what you might expect at tonight’s grand affair.

The crowd at the duke’s ball will be much larger.

But Lord Percy is a man of influence, so when you get an invite, even to his dinner party, which is an accurate description, it’s rare for someone to decline.

He’ll remember who was missing. I think the invite list was smaller since his young bride is new at hosting parties.

I believe Mary told you that his first wife, who died a couple of years ago, was masterful with a manor full of guests. ”

“His new wife is rather young. Weren’t there children from his first wife?”

He snorted. “Three, if memory serves. One boy and two girls. They’re all adults now. I think he wants more. Before you know it, the parties will be larger again.”

“That’s because his new bride is barely an adult. I can’t imagine her having enough experience with anything larger than a dinner party. What is it with old men and young brides?” She gave him a quirky smile. “Before I know it, you’ll be searching for someone a bit younger.”

He took her mug and set both on the nearby nightstand before turning to her. “Some old men have vanity issues. More than women, I think.”

She glanced at her hands, thinking about his words. “I think it comes down to love.”

“How so?”

“Well, I never met the Earl of Hereford, but from what Maire says, he’d lost his wife decades earlier, before the earl adopted Ethan off the streets of London.

From what Ethan shared, the earl never considered remarrying, despite having no children.

How much more prestige can one get than being an earl or duke?

Lord Percy married barely a year after his wife’s death, then no doubt, finagled a handsome dowry for his new bride.

Yet, the earl lived a long time, never able to replace his first wife when he could easily have gotten a new one.

” She shrugged. “I think the common denominator is love.”

Beckworth eyed her, and she felt her cheeks flush. He was the only man she’d ever been with who could make her blush after the months they’d been together.

“Maybe Percy married his first wife for a business arrangement, and his second chance was because of love.”

Stella choked out a laugh. “A young girl, barely of voting age in my time, falling in love with what? A sixty-year-old man, when there are plenty of young, wealthy bachelors out there. I suppose it can happen, but…”

She didn’t have a chance to finish when Beckworth pulled her down and threw the covers over them.

“Let’s not talk about old men and their sensitivities over their eventual demise. You’ll need your energy for this evening, and I have no doubt Mary and Eleanor have plans for you today. Let’s not waste the morning.”

Stella sighed, wishing they could have the whole day together.

Other than riding, what else did he have to do?

Before she could consider the question further, Beckworth gave her breast a gentle squeeze before running his hand down her side, over her hip, and then between her legs.

Then she didn’t think about anything at all.

S tella tugged at the bodice of her dark sage-colored gown, then ran her hands over the lace-accented skirt before reaching for her opal necklace as she glanced around the ballroom. Her eyes bulged at the sight, having never seen anything so opulent.

“You’re not nervous, are you?” Beckworth’s warm breath caressed her neck as he leaned closer, a wicked smile on his handsome face.

“What are you up to?”

He chuckled. “Nothing. It’s rare to find an astonished expression on your beautiful face.”

She tapped his shoulder with her lace fan, then glanced at the fancy accessory and laughed.

“I can’t believe I just did that. All I need are smelling salts, and I’ll fit right in with all the paraphernalia any proper lady should carry with her.

” She straightened her shoulders. “For tonight, it appears the fan will be all I need.”

He put her arm through his and guided her down the steps. “I think you’re perfect, but I understand how overwhelming a ball of this size can be for the first time. The fashion alone could make one marvel all evening.”

“I should have known fashion would be the first thing on your mind. So, where do we start? I don’t see Elizabeth or Mary.”

“I thought I saw Hensley in the crowd when we first walked in, but I don’t see him now.

Mary is most likely with her circle of friends from the Cotswolds.

She’s known to circulate more widely at the various parties and balls, but for this particular one, she usually hovers with her local friends from Bristol.

Elizabeth, considering her stature as Dame Ellingsworth, will be with Agatha and Lord Osborne.

I think I caught sight of the Melvilles, too, but let’s steer our own course for now. ”

Stella wouldn’t argue. She shouldn’t have disregarded Beckworth’s and Mary’s excitement for this particular ball, believing them to be too enamored by it all. She’d been dead wrong. AJ never mentioned a party so lavish, but she might not have attended anything of this scale.

From what Mary said, the duke’s ball was one of the most anticipated of the season, and anyone who was anyone expected an invitation.

Elizabeth had seen to theirs, which probably explained why Beckworth had received one so promptly.

Though Stella had a feeling all Beckworth had to do was send a letter, and an invitation would have been on its way.

She might be wrong, but she didn’t think so.

Beckworth had friends in the most unexpected of places.

They greeted a half-dozen couples, constantly dragged into conversations about the war, fashion, and sometimes a little gossip.

Stella held onto those tidbits to share with Mary and Elizabeth at their luncheon the following day.

It wasn’t often she had rumors to share.

Not that she didn’t have a rowdy tale or two to share from Libby regarding these events.

One could always count on the staff to have the juiciest stories that always ended with Mary quickly fanning herself while Elizabeth howled with laughter.

“Let’s see if we can find someone in one of the less crowded rooms.” Beckworth snagged two glasses of champagne from a passing server and handed one to Stella. “If I see anyone I know along the way, I’ll keep the introductions short.”

“Gee, I thought you knew everyone.”

He nudged her shoulder. “As you often say—funny.”

She grinned. “I have no problem meeting people, but you need to tell me if they’re important before greeting them. As hard as it is to believe, there’s only so much information I can store in my head in one evening. I’d prefer to keep the important stuff in there.”

“Fair enough.” He chuckled as he glanced around, sliding his arm around her waist. “How about every time I squeeze your waist, it indicates you’re about to meet an important person.”

She leaned in, her lips gently brushing his ear. “You just want to keep touching me.”

“Keep that up, and I’ll have to lock us in an empty drawing room.”

Her laugh was lusty. “Now you’re talking.” She nudged him back. “Thank you for erasing the nerves.”

He gave her a long look. “Anything for you, luv.”

She shook her head, and then her face brightened as she steered Beckworth toward the approaching couple. “Lord and Lady Melville. How good to see you again.”

“You look lovely, my dear.” Lord Edgar Melville kissed her hand, then shook Beckworth’s. “I’m glad you made it. Hensley found himself a competent opponent at chess. They’re currently tied at one game each and are now battling to the end.”

“Really,” Beckworth responded after kissing Flora’s hand. “Perhaps we should go cheer him on.”

“I was thinking the same thing.”

“Why don’t you both go?” Flora said. “Stella and I have other interests.”

Beckworth glanced at Stella, who nodded.

She wouldn’t have minded watching the chess match, but she promised Beckworth she’d behave like the lady of his manor, and that’s what she’d do.

“I’ll be in good hands with Flora.” She took the woman’s arm, and as they strolled away, she gave Beckworth one last look over her shoulder.

His worried expression made her lift a brow.

How much trouble could she get into at a ball?

Once the men had melted into the crowd, Flora steered Stella back toward the crowd in the ballroom.