The doorknob rattled.“Matthew, can I come in?”a woman’s voice called out.
Matthew sighed and stood as well.He adjusted himself and buttoned his jacket, hiding the erection straining against his trousers.He sighed.“That will be my sister.”
She smoothed a hand over her hair.“Am I a mess?”she whispered.
He straightened the sleeves of her dress and then walked around her, inspecting.“Don’t worry.You look beautiful,” he said next to her ear.Then he tugged and retied the bow of her sash.
Elizabeth sucked in a calming breath as he walked over to unlock the door to let his sister in.A young woman, the spitting image of Matthew, bounced into the room.Her dark hair was swept up into an intricate crown of ringlets.A tiny blue tiara nestled into the front of her topknot.She wore a frothy dress of blue tulle that ended mid-calf.The skirts swirled as she entered.
“Ben said you had a guest, and I just knew it had to be you.”The girl bounded over with a wide smile, showing off even, pearly white teeth.“You are Miss Harper, the editor of thePiccadilly Press, correct?”
“Yes, it’s nice to meet you,” she replied automatically.
Matthew shut the door.“This is my sister, Stella Reeves.”
“It’s so nice to meet you,” Stella said.“I admired your article on the murders that have happened.Unlike some people”—she turned to glare at Matthew—“I understood that you were trying to shine a spotlight on their deaths when no one else cared about them.”
“Exactly.”Elizabeth was surprised at this young woman’s understanding of the issue.
Stella walked over to the table, snagged a potato, and popped it into her mouth.It didn’t stop her from talking around it.“So, what else have you two figured out about the murderer?”
“Please excuse my sister’s total lack of manners.For goodness’ sake, sit, Stella, if you are hungry.”
Stella shook her head.“I shouldn’t eat with my costume on.Mrs.Langley would kill me if she knew.I am just being nosy because Matthew doesn’t tell me anything.”
So, it was a costume for the show.Elizabeth smiled at his sister.Her personality was as sparkly as the glass beads sewn onto her dress.“Well, we found a silk hat laying at the scene of the latest attack.Which is a very strange place to find such a nice top hat.Matthew went to the shop where the hat came from and found out that it was purchased by Lord Griffen.Now, we must figure out how to trap such a powerful man before he attacks anyone else.”
Stella’s face went ashen.Her eyes widened and slid to the left to stare at her brother.
Oh dear, perhaps she’d frightened the girl.
Matthew’s jaw tightened.He nodded.
Stella placed a hand to her chest.
“Don’t worry, you are safe here,” his deep voice reassured her.
Elizabeth looked back and forth between the two.They seemed to converse without speaking.Then Stella exhaled a long breath.
Elizabeth went over to her and grasped her hand.“I am sorry if I frightened you with talk of murder.”
Stella gave a small smile, half the vivacity of her bright enthusiasm when she’d first walked in.“If you will excuse me, I have to finish getting ready for the performance.”
“Of course.I am looking forward to watching tonight.”
Stella crossed the room and grabbed Matthew’s hand on her way.“A word, brother.”She all but dragged him from the room, pulling the door mostly closed behind them.
Elizabeth tilted her head.How strange.What was the silent discourse between them all about?She crept forward to stand next to the gap that was left open.
“What are you going to do to stop him?”Stella’s voice was low, but the strain in her tone was obvious.
“I don’t know yet,” Matthew replied.
“You aren’t going to kill him, are you?”
“No, of course not.I don’t care to get hanged for murder, thank you.”
“What about Seaton?”
