“Very simple. Logan and I drank some brandy together and formulated a few plans. He is no doubt inviting Penny out for a walk in the park as we speak.”
“I’m impressed,” she said. “That was brilliant, Benedict.”
“I thought so,” he said. “Now, if Declan will excuse us, I would like to proceed with my own plans for the day.”
Declan grinned and made a show of taking out his pocket watch. “Would you look at the time? I must get a telegram off to my father letting him know he need no longer worry that solar energy will be competing with oil any time soon. After that I must pack for the voyage home. Don’t worry, Miss Doncaster, I’ll see myself out.”
“Good-bye, Mr. Garraway,” Amity said.
But she did not look at him. She could not seem to take her eyes off Benedict, who was gazing at her with an intensity that riveted her senses.
Declan opened the door and moved out into the hall.
“Amity,” Benedict began, “l wish to speak to you about last night.”
Mrs. Houston’s heavy footsteps sounded in the hall.
“Don’t forget your bonnet, ma’am,” Mrs. Houston said, uncharacteristically cheerful. “And a parasol. Too much sun isn’t good for the complexion.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Houston,” Penny said.
Amity turned and saw a brightly flushed Penny and a smiling Inspector Logan.
“Where are you going?” Amity asked.
Penny’s blush deepened. Happiness brightened her eyes. “John has been given the entire morning to conclude interviews with all the witnesses in the Bridegroom case. He and I are going for a walk in the park.”
“Nothing like fresh air and sunshine to clarify a witness’s recollections,” Logan said.
Mrs. Houston opened the front door with a bit of a flourish. Penny and Logan went down the front steps and out into the sunshine.
Mrs. Houston closed the door and looked at Amity and Benedict.
“A lovely couple, don’t you think?” she said. She sounded quite satisfied.
“Yes,” Amity said. She smiled. “A lovely couple, indeed.”
“It’s about time Mrs. Marsden found a spot of happiness,” Mrs. Houston said. She stopped smiling and glared at Benedict. “And what about you, sir? Are you just going to stand there like a very large frog on a log?”
Benedict blinked and then frowned. “A frog on a log?”
“I think you take my meaning, sir.”
Benedict’s expression cleared. “Right. As it happens, Mrs. Houston, I was just about to ask Amity to join me for a drive.”
“Were you, indeed?” Amity asked.
“The day is very fine and I happen to have a carriage waiting in the street,” he said. “All part of the plan, you see. Will you come with me?”
Amity caught her breath. “Yes. Yes, I would like that very much.”
Mrs. Houston took Amity’s bonnet off the peg. “Here you go, miss. Now, off with the both of you. I want to put my feet up for a bit. Been a busy morning.”
Forty-six
He took her to his home and introduced her to Mr. Hodges and Mrs. Hodges, who greeted her with a degree of warmth that amazed Benedict.
“I read about your narrow escape in the papers,” Mrs. Hodges gushed. “Thank heavens you and your sister are unharmed.”
