Adrian tensed, his grip tightening on Miss Carmichael’s back as the comment he’d just overheard registered.Glancing sideways, he saw that it must have been spoken by Mr.Owen Newton, who stood with his brother, Clive, conversing with Viscount Birchwood and the Duke of Eldridge.
Inhaling sharply, Adrian halted his and Miss Carmichael’s progress, a smile fixed on his face as he drew her toward the small group.“Birchwood.If recollection serves, you still owe me a bottle of port on account of our most recent wager.”
Birchwood’s expression cooled.“What an unexpected surprise, Croft.When Eldridge told me of your attendance this evening, I simply refused to believe it.”
“It is surprising,” Mr.Owen Newton concurred, his manner reserved.
Adrian couldn’t argue.Siblings were expected to observe at least six months of mourning for each other, yet it had been only two and a half weeks since Evie’s death.“Had my sister perished from natural causes, I would have stayed home.Seeing as there is a murderer on the loose, however, I’d rather venture back into Society where I am far more likely to catch him.”
“Let’s pray that you do,” Birchwood said, a frown creasing his brow.The pensive look in his eyes faded as he glanced toward Miss Carmichael.A broad smile followed.“Forgive me, but I don’t believe we’ve met.”
Aware that introductions were expected, Adrian sent his companion a quick glance before saying, “May I present Viscount Birchwood?”
She dipped her chin, a soft smile gracing her lips.
“Miss Samantha Carmichael,” Adrian announced.He released her arm so as not to appear too possessive and immediately regretted it when Birchwood’s eyes lit with interest.Schooling his features and squaring his shoulders, Adrian did what he could to squash his annoyance and told the group firmly, “She’s under Mr.Harlowe’s protection.”
“Indeed?”Birchwood’s expression turned quizzical.
“Mr.Harlowe took me in when I was a child and has been like a father to me ever since,” she explained.“I’d not have entered Society were it not for him.”
“Then I must seek him out and express my thanks,” Birchwood said.“For I daresay your presence here has brightened my evening.It’s an absolute pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
The viscount reached for Miss Carmichael’s hand and raised it to his lips while Adrian fought the urge to vomit.Did any woman appreciate such drivel?
He gave Miss Carmichael a sidelong glance and saw to his amusement that her lips were not only pressed together but that they trembled at the corners, as if she were doing her best not to laugh.
Returning his attention to the group as a whole, he caught Clive Newton rolling his eyes, a quirk that suggested the young man found Birchwood’s manner equally ridiculous at the moment.So did Eldridge, judging from the look of exasperation he wore.Of course, this might also be a result of Birchwood ignoring the hierarchy of their titles in his determination to greet Miss Carmichael first.
He took his time, too, releasing Miss Carmichael’s hand.By the time he’d straightened, Eldridge and the Newtons looked slightly impatient.
Adrian indicated Eldridge.“The Duke of Eldridge.”
“A pleasure,” said the duke, sketching a short bow.
“And this is Mr.Owen Newton and his brother, Mr.Clive Newton.They’re Viscount Stanton’s sons.”
“We’re already well acquainted with the lady,” Mr.Owen Newton said, surprising Adrian with the revelation and leaving his spine a bit tenser than it had been before.“We had the pleasure of being introduced at the Marsdale ball.”
“The pleasure was all mine,” Miss Carmichael said, the softness of her voice a compliment to the flush in her cheeks.
The effect made Adrian gnash his teeth until it occurred to him that he probably looked as silly as Birchwood, whose glower likened him to an angry dog on a leash.Not the sort of appearance Adrian wished to reflect.So he took a moment to calm his breath and relax his fists, which he’d not even realized were clenched until that very second.
“I hope you’ll forgive my curiosity,” he said, deciding the time had come for him to broach his reason for interrupting the group’s conversation, “but I couldn’t help overhear the comment regarding murder and someone being interrogated by Bow Street.Might I ask to whom it refers?”
“That would be me,” said Birchwood, his voice grim.
“I must agree with it sounding ridiculous,” Adrian said, choosing to lend support in case it led to additional details.“What happened?”
“I was brought in for questioning in connection with Miss Irvine’s murder.”Birchwood’s somber gaze held Adrian’s.“Along with Julian Walker and the Marquess of Lundquist.It was…most unpleasant.”
Adrian stared at him while trying to come to grips with this information.He’d always been notified of important goings on.Or at least his father had and the information had trickled down to Adrian.
Until he’d decided to slam the door shut on that world.
In the months since Papa’s death, he’d remained fairly ignorant of what went on around Town.He’d been disinterested.More than that, he’d made a concerted effort to become the opposite of what Papa had expected him to be.
So he’d relaxed with Evie during the months that followed.They’d visited museums as autumn gave way to winter, enjoyed evenings out at the theatre, and made all kinds of plans for the future.
