My shoulders drooped. Practicing alone. Not an alibi. I’d ask some of the others if they’d seen or heard him playing but I didn’t hold out much hope. I turned for the house. “I think I’ve gotten enough sun. Let’s eat some breakfast.”
He tucked the blossom into his jacket’s lapel. “You go ahead. I’m going to wander a bit more.”
Nodding, I made my way along the gravel path, my stride not as sure as when I’d come out. Bits of crushed shell interspersed with the stones beneath my feet, reflecting the sun’s rays and making me wince. I didn’t believe Bertram was a killer. He didn’t try to hide his dislike for Perrin. He would have been a liar if he’d said he thought Perrin was a good man. But not liking your sister’s husband was hardly grounds for murder.
Southey greeted me at the door, his little behind wriggling. For once I didn’t mind when he jumped at me, resting his paws on my leg.
One thought weighed on my heart. Was I putting little account into the possibility that Bertram was the killer because the evidence wasn’t there?
Or was I letting my natural affection for the man cloud my judgment?
Chapter Thirty-One
Henry
She was inthe folly in the small copse of trees behind the lake. Henry took the two steps at a jog and glared down at her seated form. “Your father told me you’d gone out for a walk.”
Katherine rested one shoulder on a faux Greek column. She sighed. “It sounds as though there is an accusation in that statement.”
“Damn right.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “There is a killer at this house. You cannot go wandering about alone.”
It was miraculous that he’d found her. Perrin Manor had miles of paths looping about the property. His anxiety had increased with each step he’d taken in his search.
She traced the outlines of one of the flowers embroidered on her gown. “I didn’t know where I was going so how could anyone know where to find me? If anyone wanted to find me,” she muttered.
He bit his tongue, deciding not to point out she could have been followed. He wanted her to take precautions, but he didn’t want her frightened. He tilted his head. “What’s wrong?”
“There is nothing wrong.”
“Liar.” Frowning, he stepped close, forcing her to raise her head to look at him. “Tell me.”
“There is nothing wrong that wasn’t wrong yesterday, the day before, or all my life.” She raised one shoulder, her shawl slipping down her back. “Father informed me he has a newhusband in mind for me. He is going to write to ask for introductions when we return home. Not an industrialist, as he previously threatened. Even though he won’t admit it, I think he does like his daughters having titles. At least this one is younger.” Her smile was bitter. “The son of a viscount.”
His stomach rolled. “So soon?” It did appear that Mr. Smith was eager to marry his youngest daughter off, though from speaking to him, Henry knew the man cared for Katherine very much. He probably thought getting Katherine settled was the best thing for her.
She picked a leaf off the seat beside her and threw it into the air. “You should give my father your direction. You’re already familiar with one party in question. You can write the new marriage contract.”
“I don’t want to write your marriage contract,” he growled. Not unless…unless he was the other party. But he wasn’t of sufficient wealth or status to make a contract necessary to any woman he married. And her father would likely laugh him out of the room, or punch him in the nose, if he asked for her hand.
And why the hell was he putting marriage and Katherine Smith into the same sentence at all?
He scraped his fingers through his hair. “We should get back to the house.”
“He’ll pay you well for your services.”
Heat flushed through his body. “I don’t care about your father’s money,” he gritted out.
She smiled then, and a weight he hadn’t even realized he’d worn lifted off his chest. “You don’t, do you? You’re content with what you earn and don’t waste your time grasping for more.”
Giving up on a quick return to Perrin Manor, Henry sighed and sat next to her. Her thigh pressed against his, and the light scent of flowers rose from her skin. “I appreciate money as much as the next fellow, but I have enough wealthy clientsto know it isn’t what brings you happiness. I have enough to be comfortable, and that’s more than enough.” But could it be enough for her? For someone who’d been raised with every luxury? If he lost his senses and asked for her, could she be content merely being an attorney’s wife?
“And you decide which clients to take, where to live, how you live.” She stared down at her slippers. “I envy you that.”
“Katherine….”
She held up a hand. “Ignore me. I’m feeling dispirited today. I know I’m fortunate. If I feel trapped, at least it is in a lovely cage. There are so many trapped in much worse. In poverty. Sickness. They would exchange their cage for mine in an instant.”
She was right, of course. Life was misery for so many. That didn’t diminish the pain she felt, though. When she turned and gave him a watery smile, he could restrain himself no more.
