“But there are always a number of people coming and going from my brother’s house—servants, clients, friends. I don’t want to risk having someone outside the family overhear a bit of gossip as interesting as a false engagement would prove to be.”
“Your point is well taken,” Penny said. She was clearly troubled by the thought. “For now I think you are right. The engagement must appear to be real.”
Benedict met her eyes. “Absolutely real.”
Twenty-one
Declan Garraway is after the notebook?” Amity asked. “I must say I am somewhat surprised but not entirely shocked. I knew there was something slightly off about him.”
“Did you? That’s news to me. Every time I saw the two of you together you appeared to be charmed by Garraway.”
“I liked him very much. He is a most interesting gentleman. But I did think from time to time that he was a bit too curious about you.” Amity blushed. “His curiosity made me wonder if he might be a tiny bit jealous of you.”
“I see.”
“I never dreamed that he might be after the notebook. To think he actually broke into your house like a common burglar.” She frowned. “You say that his family owns a petroleum company?”
She was oddly grateful for the disturbing news about Declan Garraway. Discovering that he was pursuing the notebook came as a relief—not because it explained a few things about his attentions to her on theNorthern Starbut because it provided a convenient topic of conversation.
She had not slept well last night and a certain portion of her anatomy felt a bit bruised. And the thought of seeing Benedict again had made her unaccountably anxious all morning. She had no idea how a woman was supposed to conduct herself the day after the first passionate tryst with a new lover.
She had deliberated between two approaches—pretending that nothing out of the ordinary had occurred or hurling herself into Benedict’s arms. One look at his stern countenance when she had walked into the drawing room had settled the matter. She would carry on as though she was quite accustomed to such unusual events.
“It would be more accurate to say that young Garraway is working in the family business,” Benedict said. “The Garraway Oil Company.”
“Interesting. Garraway Oil must be extremely concerned about the potential competition that a solar energy system represents.”
“One can see the company’s point of view,” Benedict said. “The Garraways are not alone in believing that petroleum will be the most important source of energy in the future. It’s true that currently it is mostly used as a source of kerosene for lamps, but a significant number of inventors and engineers are developing machines and devices designed to operate on petroleum-based fuels. The oil companies have a reason to fear the development of a rival technology that utilizes a source of energy that is free to all.”
“I suppose that does answer some of the questions I had about Declan Garraway,” she said. “But I must say that I did enjoy our conversations on the topic of psychology. He had some very interesting theories about why otherwise normal people do seemingly irrational things.”
“Human nature is complicated. No doctor can explain it, at least not with our current state of knowledge.”
“I agree.” She drummed her fingers on the seat cushion. “Nevertheless, it occurs to me that it might be useful to discuss the actions of the Bridegroom with Mr. Garraway. He might be able to cast some light on the killer’s reasoning.”
“Damnation, Amity, Garraway is after the notebook. Haven’t you been listening? He broke into my house last night. That makes him a member of the criminal class.”
“I’m sure the attempted burglary was a one-time event.”
“One time is sufficient to throw some doubt on his character, as far as I’m concerned.”
“He was probably quite desperate,” Amity said. “From the sound of things, his father and his uncle are putting a great deal of pressure on him. I’m sure you realize such a situation can be extremely stressful.”
“I don’t believe this. Now you are feeling sorry for Declan Garraway?”
“I can’t bring myself to believe that he’s a bad person—not down deep inside.”
“And you’re certain of this because you had extensive conversations with him on board theNorthern Star?” Benedict demanded.
“Well, yes.”
The carriage rolled to a halt in front of a handsome town house.
Benedict glanced out the window, clearly irritated by the interruption. “We have arrived.”
“I look forward to meeting your relatives,” Amity said politely.
“You don’t mean that.”
