“Pigheaded though I may seem at times, I’m aware of that,” answered Wrexford. “As I’ve said to her, I see no reason for us to become involved in the investigation. My intention is simply to give any information we can gather to Griffin. Indeed, Tyler is meeting with him this evening to discuss the terms of taking on the case.”
Sheffield’s face relaxed. “Excellent, excellent. I confess, that relieves my reservations. Griffin is very good at what he does, so if ever there was a time to leave a crime to the proper authorities. . .”
“The same thought occurred to me.” He rose. “Be assured that the last thing I desire is to put my new family in any danger before I’ve even uttered my marriage vows.”
CHAPTER 6
McClellan finished threading a silk ribbon through Charlotte’s upswept topknot and flicked a few ringlets into place before stepping back to assess the effect.
“You look like . . . a countess,” she murmured, giving a gruff nod at the reflection in the looking glass.
“Ha, ha.” Charlotte forced a smile. “Thank you for the reminder.”Black sheep of her imperious family. Gadfly to the rich and powerful. Secretive widow. Occasional sleuth of crimes.“I slip in and out of so many second skins that at times I fear I’m losing track of just who I really am.”
The maid raised a brow. “Sounds like a very interesting life to me. Or would you rather dress yourself every day in conventional boredom?”
Charlotte smoothed at the tiny ruffles that trimmed her bodice. “Thank you, Mac. You have a knack of putting problems into the proper perspective.”
That drew a rare chuckle. “In my experience, a positive outlook is both practical and pragmatic.”
“A very wise observation.” Charlotte took up a bottle of scent and dabbed a bit on the pulse point on her throat. “Let us hope Wrexford will be of the same opinion tonight.”
“You’re a vision of loveliness,” said McClellan. “That should dispel any foul mood lingering from the murder.”
“That,” replied Charlotte, “will depend on whether or not he has seen A. J. Quill’s latest drawing.”
She had been relieved when the earl had sent a note yesterday apologizing that due to the complexity of the chemical experiment he wished to perform on the poison, he would be unable to stop by for a visit. A cowardly reaction, she conceded. But her drawing for the printshop and the accompanying wording had taken a great deal of soul-searching. She believed she had been scrupulously fair—Becton deserved that justice be done, and the Royal Society deserved not to have its good name blackened unfairly. However, she was grateful that she didn’t have to explain herself to him at that moment.
The maid moved to the armoire to fetch a Kashmir shawl. “Wrexford may not always agree with your choices, but he always respects them.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean he won’t express his opinion.” A sigh. “In no uncertain terms.”
“And you will respond by telling him—tactfully, of course—to go to the devil.”
“A rather eccentric arrangement on which to base a marriage,” she murmured.
“One person’s heaven is another person’s hell,”observed McClellan, draping the feather-soft wool over Charlotte’s bare shoulders. “All that matters is it works for the two of you.”
So it does.
“Try to put aside thoughts of death and enjoy the festivities,” counseled the maid.
Repressing a shiver on recalling that Kensington Palace had been the site of a previous murder, Charlotte rose and took up her reticule.The past is the past,she told herself.Evil must never be allowed to overshadow Good.
“Yes, of course. It promises to be a very engaging evening. I’m looking forward to mingling with such an interesting group of scholars.”
The earl’s carriage arrived at the appointed time, and since Wrexford had fetched the dowager as well, the three of them passed the ride discussing the upcoming trip to his country estate, and the arrangements for hosting her brother’s visit.
Alison was quick to remind her that he was expected to arrive sometime during the next few days for the long-awaited family reconciliation. Which did nothing to settle Charlotte’s already-jumpy nerves.
“Perhaps we should ask the head gardener at the Royal Botanic Gardens to create the flower arrangements for the chapel and the wedding breakfast,” suggested Alison. “Something exotic—”
“Something simple,” corrected Charlotte, before the dowager got any grand ideas. “Keep in mind that Wrexford is notorious for his eccentricities. If we were to allow it to turn into a vulgar spectacle, I’d have to do a parody of my own nuptials.”
A gleam of unholy amusement flickered beneath the earl’s lashes. “I’m sure you would render a very imaginative ball and chain. One that would likely send all the demure Diamonds of the First Water fleeing in terror from the altar of Bliss.”
“Hmmph. As if I would suggest anythingvulgar.” Alison looked a little disappointed at being deprived of a chance to let her imagination run wild. “I never had a chance to attend the first ceremony, so I thought we might make up for it with something special . . .”
Charlotte felt a twinge of guilt.Choices, choices.The ramifications had a way of rippling out with unintended consequences. Her youthful elopement had saved her own sanity. But it had hurt people she loved dearly.
