How does it feel, Grace wanted to ask her,when people treat you badly for something you had nothing to do with?
“I saw you speaking to Mr. Gatewood,” Earnest said. “Do you think it could have been him?”
Grace’s eyes slid back to Earnest.
“I’m not sure,” she said faintly.
She caught a glimpse of Frannie over Earnest’s shoulder. Frannie Allred wasn’t traditionally handsome but there was something about her that night that was glowing, as she smiled without a care in the world, twining her fingers through Copper’s red hair. He said something that set Frannie to laughing, and they walked past Lillie with no acknowledgment. Doing nothing to save her from the ridicule and loneliness she must be feeling.
Grace gritted her teeth. Frannie Allred was selfish, utterly lacking in compassion, believing others to be beneath herself. She had wanted Copper or Theodore or even Oliver for herself. What if she simply couldn’t stand for Harriet to be in her way? To get something Frannie didn’t believe she deserved to have? Could it have pushed her to murder?
With a deep pang Grace imagined Harriet and Oliver together on the dance floor, where they should have been. Twirling. Laughing. Young, and in love.
“You seem like there’s something on your mind,” Earnest said.
Grace chewed her lip. “It’s just…” she said. “I’ve been racking my brain to remember that night. And I came up with something I just can’t understand.”
Earnest nodded his encouragement. “What’s that?”
“I remember the bartender pouring a drink. But the thing I’ve just remembered is… well, that it was inyourglass, Earnest. You’re the one who handed it to Oliver.”
Earnest’s face looked surprised.
He stopped short, chortling in incredulity. The rest of the dance floor continued moving around them.
“Wait. Are you saying—you thinkI’mthe one who poisoned Harriet?” he asked. He looked at her in disbelief, a confused smile dawning on his face as if he hoped she was kidding.
“I’m not saying that, exactly,” she said, trying not to lose her nerve. “I’m just trying to follow the truth. Weren’t you the one who handed Oliver the glass? And do the police know that?”
As people continued to swirl around them, the look in his eyes darkened to anger.
“Is—I’m sorry, but—is this because of Lillie?” he sputtered.
“What?” Grace asked, taken aback. “What do you mean?”
“Are you making this ridiculous accusation because—” His gaze darted over to where Lillie stood. “Are you jealous?”
Now it was her turn to be offended.
She took a step back, her face flushing. “I can assure you that all I want is my cousins’ happiness.Bothof them. I don’t generally go around accusing people of murder just because I want to keep them for myself,” she said.
He snapped, “Well, I certainly didn’t do it. What reason would I have for wanting Harriet dead?” He gestured toward his fingers. “Besides, I could barely do anything that night, I had clumsybandages on my hands. You think I’d be able to subtly add poison to a drink when I could barely tie my own shoes?”
He chuffed, as though she were small and ridiculous, and perhaps she was. She had found his confident assurance charming before but now it grated on her.
“Well. This was certainly an illuminating turn on the dance floor. Enjoy the rest of the party, Miss Covington,” he said curtly, letting the unsaid between them—the ball you wouldn’t even be at without me.He bowed to her and walked away.
She took a deep inhale, her face flushing hot.
Just then Theodore Parker appeared, parting his way through the crowd like a shark fin cutting through water. He had a distinct aura of power and wealth that surrounded him, turning the heads of the men and women he passed. Even despite his resting face of disdain, Grace’s heart rose unbidden in her chest.
She pretended not to watch as Theodore came to a stop in front of Lillie. He bowed slightly, then offered her his arm. Lillie smiled genuinely, a look of relief crossing her face. In response, Grace felt something blooming within her that she’d barely thought possible.
Intense gratitude for Theodore Parker, as he led Lillie to the dance floor.
Only—she realized—itwasn’tthe first time she’d felt that. She’d felt it many times over the last few days, which was incredibly inconvenient, given that he’d accused her of being a shallow gold digger a mere few minutes after they’d met.
Grace stood alone, miserably sipping her drink. Looking around at the couples twirling on the dance floor. Mentally tallying who else was there the night of Harriet’s murder. If only she could go back in time and see it play out again. But it was hazy, her memories flickering like a light.
