Something happened.
Harding carefully set the champagne bottle in an ice bucket before accompanying the footman out the door.
Kendra glanced at Alec, who was also regarding the door thoughtfully. “What do you think’s going on?”
He said, “I have no idea.”
Seconds ticked by, then Harding reappeared. He retrieved the champagne bottle and circled the table to the Duke. On the pretext of refilling his flute, the butler leaned down and murmured something in his ear. If Kendra hadn’t already been on alert, the Duke’s reaction would have been a red flag. His eyebrows flew up and he shot her a quick look. Nodding at Harding, he picked up his linen napkin, blotted his mouth, then carefully laid it on his plate.
“Forgive me, but I must attend to a matter,” he announced, pushing himself to his feet. “Alec, would you and your lovely bride accompany me?”
Lady Atwood frowned. “Bertie, what—?”
“We shall only be a moment, Caro,” he cut off his sister with a smile.
As soon as they exited the dining room, Kendra repeated her question: “What’s going on?”
The Duke shook his head. “I’m not entirely certain. We have a visitor. A royal courier.”
They followed the Duke to the Gold Salon, one of the castle’s more ornate drawing rooms. Apparently, a royal messenger deserved the best. The courier waited in front of one of the Palladian windows, gazing at the gardens outside. He was a middle-aged gentleman wearing an exquisitely tailored green-and-navy frock coat buttoned tight around the torso before flaring into a full skirt that hit mid-calf. He’d kept his curly brimmed beaver hat on, but at their appearance, he swept it off to reveal a full head of curly brown hair and dipped into a graceful bow.
“Your Grace, my lord and my lady.” His gaze traveled over them as he straightened. “I understand felicitations are in order. Forgive my intrusion during this happy time.”
“Thank you,” Alec replied. “But of course, that begs the question as to why you felt the need to intrude. What is this about?”
The courier looked taken aback at such directness. He hesitated, as though searching for the correct words. Finally, he said, “There’s been an incident.”
“An incident?” the Duke echoed.
“Yes. A tragic incident.” The courier looked at Kendra. “We are aware of your ladyship’s experience in investigating such things.”
We?Kendra eyed the man in surprise, but before she could question him, Alec said sharply, “My wife and I shall be leaving for our honeymoon shortly. Unless the King himself is asking for her ladyship’s help with this . . . incident, I am going to bid you good day, sir.”
“I understand your concern, my lord.” The courier reached into his coat pocket and withdrew a letter. A royal wax seal held the flaps together. He handed the parchment to the Duke, but his eyes were fixed on Alec. “The King is indisposed. He is not asking for her ladyship’s assistance in this matter.”
Alec shook his head. “Then if the King isn’t behind this request—”
“Not His Majesty, sir.HerMajesty. Will you postpone your honeymoon for the Queen?”
Chapter 3
A curious silence descended. Kendra wondered if everyone else was finding the moment as surreal as she was.
The Duke was the first to speak. “This incident,” he said. “You are speaking of murder?”
It was a natural assumption. In the last year, Kendra had been involved in several such investigations. She knew her activities had been the cause of gossip among the Beau Monde, but uneasiness knotted her stomach at the idea that she’d drawn attention in royal circles as well.
“Possibly,” the courier said cautiously. “Yesterday morning, Lady Westford was found dead in the Bowden Theater. ’Tis a theater in Covent Garden.”
The Duke lifted his eyebrows in shock. “Lady Westford is dead?”
“Yes, I’m afraid so, Your Grace.”
Kendra glanced at the Duke. “You knew her?”
“Yes, though I cannot claim we were close friends. Lady Westford has an interest in natural philosophy, and throughout the years, we’ve attended the same lectures at the Royal Society. It’s rather unusual for ladies to go to such scientific forums. I found the countess to be intellectual and charming. This is a . . . a terrible shock.”
Alec said, “I met Lady Westford when she launched her youngest daughter into society several years ago.” He looked at the courier. “What happened?”
