Amity smiled proudly. “You are brilliant, Penny. You managed to provide some information on every single gentleman who was present at the Channing ball who comes close to my description of the killer. You even found out which ones smoke cigarettes.”
They were gathered in the drawing room. Logan had arrived shortly after Benedict. The two men had immediately set themselves to studying Penny’s annotated list of guests.
“Excellent work, Mrs. Marsden,” Benedict said. He got to his feet and went to stand at the window. “That list should help narrow our search. I will ask my brother, Richard, and Uncle Cornelius to make further inquiries in their clubs. You have saved us a great deal of time.”
Penny blushed and made a gracious gesture with one hand. “I had considerable assistance from Mrs. Houston and the members of her family who are also in service. We pooled our resources and worked our way through the list.”
Logan smiled at the housekeeper. “I owe you my thanks, as well, Mrs. Houston. Obviously we should be hiring women at the Yard.”
Mrs. Houston blushed. “Pleased to be of service, sir. It was very interesting work. I wouldn’t mind doing that sort of thing again. Makes a nice change of pace.”
Logan gave her a knowing look. “There is something about the hunt.”
Amity saw Penny cast a quick, curious glance at Logan. Nothing was said but Amity got the impression that Penny had gained a deeper understanding of the inspector and admired what she saw. Logan was good for Penny, Amity thought. But the last thing Penny needed now was a broken heart.
Benedict picked up the list and examined it again. “One of the men here is of particular interest—Arthur Kelbrook. He is the man who exhibited an unwholesome curiosity about Amity’s experience at the hands of the Bridegroom. Kelbrook was present at both the Society for Travel and Exploration reception and the Channing ball.”
Amity frowned. “But I told you, I am quite certain that he is not the man who attacked me.”
“I understand,” Benedict said. “Nevertheless, his curiosity about you concerns me.”
“In my experience there is a certain type of individual who is prone to develop a macabre curiosity in crimes of this nature,” Logan said. “Kelbrook is obviously one of that sort. If Miss Doncaster is convinced that he is not the killer, however, we must look elsewhere. We cannot afford to waste time on a suspect who does not match her description.”
Benedict nodded reluctantly. “You’re right, of course, Inspector. We must stay focused.”
“I would feel so much more positive about the outcome of our inquiries if we knew for certain that the killer actually did attend the Channing ball,” Penny said. “We are operating on pure conjecture here.”
“Not entirely,” Logan said. “I think our original assumption has merit. As far as we can tell, your sister came to the notice of the Polite World the morning after that ball.”
“Many of the people who attended the Channing affair will also be at the Gilmore ball tomorrow evening,” Penny said. “As we have noted, Polite Society is a small world. The guest lists for the various events are often nearly identical.”
Amity and the others looked at her.
“What of it?” Amity asked.
Penny cleared her throat. “It occurred to me that it might be interesting for you to attend, Amity—with Mr. Stanbridge, of course.”
Amity stared at her.“Me?”
“And Mr. Stanbridge,” Penny repeated. She looked at Benedict. “I’m quite certain you could obtain an invitation, sir. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if you have already received one. You are no doubt on the guest list of every hostess in town.”
“It’s possible,” Benedict admitted. “Invitations are always arriving at my house. I usually toss them away.”
“You receive such invitations because you are considered a highly eligible bachelor,” Penny said dryly.
Benedict frowned. “You don’t think it’s because of my charming personality and my witty conversation?”
They all looked at him for a moment. And then Amity giggled.
“Without a doubt,” she said.
Benedict smiled, his eyes warming. “You reassure me.” He turned back to Penny. “Do you really think it might be useful for Amity and me to attend the Gilmore affair?”
“She’s got a point,” Logan said. “If it’s true that at least some of our suspects will be there—”
“I might be able to identify the killer,” Amity concluded. Enthusiasm splashed through her. “Brilliant, Penny.”
Logan smiled at Penny. “Yes, quite brilliant.”
