They were in the drawing room. The carriage was waiting in the street. Earlier Benedict had sent around a message informing Amity that there had been developments he wished to discuss with her. In his note he had also mentioned that he hoped she would be free to go out, as he wanted to take the opportunity to introduce her to his brother and sister-in-law. He had received a crisp note in response.I will await you at ten.
He had arrived promptly at ten. But it was Penny who had appeared first.
“If this is about my relationship with your sister,” he said, “I can assure you—”
“Last night you began an affair with my sister.”
Benedict steeled himself. “If you are concerned about my intentions—”
“You have already made your intentions plain, Mr. Stanbridge. You wish to conduct a liaison with Amity and she appears to be amenable to such an arrangement.”
That stopped him. “She is?”
“I will not stand in her way. She is an adult. Furthermore, she is a modern-thinking woman. She has every right to make her own decisions. But as widely traveled and as worldly as she believes herself to be, Amity is still quite naïve in certain respects. I expect you to protect her.”
“You refer to the killer who has fixed his attentions on her. I swear I am doing everything in my power to stop him.”
“I do not refer to that situation,” Penny said coolly. “It is understood that you and Inspector Logan will find the killer and stop him. That is not the sort of protection I meant.”
He went blank. “I don’t understand.”
“You will see to it that Amity does not become pregnant. Do I make myself clear, Mr. Stanbridge?”
A rush of embarrassed heat slammed through him. He knew he was probably turning red. He could not remember the last time he had blushed.
“Very clear, Mrs. Marsden,” he managed.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs.
Penny lowered her voice. “I assume a gentleman of your experience is aware of condoms and how to use them?”
Amity was in the hall now.
He collected himself and his nerves. “Yes, Mrs. Marsden,” he said through his teeth. “Rest assured I am aware of such devices.”
“I am relieved to hear that. I expect you to employ them.”
Amity appeared in the doorway, a bonnet dangling from one gloved hand. She was dressed in a demure, high-necked walking dress outfitted with what Benedict knew the ladies termed street-sweeper ruffles at the hem. The ruffles were designed to protect the expensive fabric of the gowns from dirt and grime.
Amity glanced curiously at Penny and then looked at Benedict.
“Whom are you going to employ?” she asked.
“Never mind,” Benedict said. “I will explain later. Are you ready to go out?”
Amity did not appear satisfied with his response but she did not argue. “Yes.” She put on her bonnet and tied the strings. “The day is quite pleasant. I won’t need a coat.”
Benedict inclined his head at Penny. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Marsden.”
“One more thing before you leave, Mr. Stanbridge,” Penny said in the same cool voice she had used to deliver the lecture on protection. “Are your brother and his wife aware that your engagement to my sister is a pretense?”
“No,” Benedict said. “And I intend to keep it that way.”
Amity looked startled. “But surely there is no need to conceal the truth from your family,” she said. “Your brother and his wife will understand the reason for our charade.”
“Quite possibly,” he allowed. “But families are inclined to talk about such matters. And there is always someone listening.” He smiled at Mrs. Houston, who waited out in the front hall. “I trust Mrs. Houston. She is a part of our little band of investigators.”
Mrs. Houston looked pleased. “Thank you, sir.”
