Chapter Seven #2
Felix gestured toward the door with his chin. “Well, thank you for your time, my lady. If we have more questions, would you be willing to answer them?”
“I would, but Major Kourier? Perhaps you should just let this case remain unsolved. The world will be a better place without my husband.”
“I shall bear that in mind.” He extended a hand to Caroline. “We have other suspects on our list to visit yet today.”
Quickly, she slipped her fingers into his palm, and then rose to her feet with his assistance. “Why do I have the feeling our list is only going to grow?”
No 37 Russell Square
Mayfair, London
A half hour later, Caroline frowned when the carriage rolled to a stop in front of the major’s townhouse.
“Why are we here? I thought we were going to call on Lord Withington’s sister.”
“Oh, I still intend to do that, but right now, we’re to take luncheon with my family.” As soon as the door opened and the steps were put down, Felix exited the vehicle, turning to assist her out. “I’d forgotten to tell you yesterday due to the whole Bow Street contretemps.”
“Oh, I wish you would have. I should have liked to change my clothes and wear something more flattering.” Though there was nothing inherently wrong with the tan-colored serge threaded with green and blue embroidery, it wasn’t as pretty as it could have been.
She’d chosen it to hold up to the weather and the mud in the streets.
“Gammon. You are quite perfect as you are.” He slowly escorted her up the short walkway to his front door. “Besides, Felicity is anxious to see you again. She’s had nothing but questions for me regarding you since May.”
“She’s not the only one with questions,” Caroline said beneath her breath, but in the next, she pasted a smile upon her lips, for the door swung open and the major’s sister stood beside the butler with a large grin.
“I’m so happy you’re here, Miss Ives!” Then Felicity took hold of Caroline’s hand and dragged her toward the stairs, hardly giving her the opportunity to remove her outer garments and give them over to the butler.
“All my children are here. They’re in the drawing room.
We’re making paper chains to put around the house. ”
“Are you decorating the major’s house for Christmastide?” That was both amusing and concerning. How in the world would Felix allow that?
“A bit. I’m hoping my brother will fetch some Christmas greenery for us in a couple of days if the weather allows.”
Caroline nodded. “That will certainly make the house festive.” She glanced over her shoulder at the major, who gave her a scowl. “In fact, we should decorate the house within an inch of its life. Perhaps your brother will fall into the holiday spirit.”
“Exactly that!” Felicity giggled and linked their arms as they climbed the stairs. “And during luncheon, you can tell me how you’ve been spending your time since I last saw you. It will help pass the time.”
Thinking how lovely it was to have another woman interested in her life instead of bragging about her own, Caroline let herself forget, for the moment, about the new case she should have been working or how grumpy the major was these days.
A couple of hours later, Felicity’s sons went upstairs to nap while the girls returned to the drawing room to continue with decoration making.
In addition to the chains, they planned to fashion silver stars.
Felicity accompanied them while Caroline ducked into the corridor in search of the major, who she eventually found in the small family parlor at the rear of that level.
“Are you sulking as a way to avoid spending time with your sister?” It was alarming and not flattering. Perhaps she needed to have another think about bringing him up to scratch.
“I don’t sulk.” He stood at a window that no doubt looked down at the garden. “I simply needed time alone.”
“Why?” Clearly, he was more grouchy than usual.
Heaving a sigh, Felix turned to face her. “I need a quiet place to think, as well as to get away from merriment, for I have much weighing on my mind.”
She frowned. “But the case just began. Surely, it’s not complicated yet.”
“Why do you assume the case is the only problem I’m grappling with?”
Would she always have to tiptoe around his mercurial moods? Or was he truly like this because of worry? “Then let us leave.” She popped her head into the corridor. From the cheerful conversation, Felicity and the girls had settled into decoration making with aplomb. “Why don’t we go for a drive?”
“Where? It’s deuced cold.”
Could he not grasp at creative ways to be alone? She shrugged. “Why not go to my father’s townhouse? My aunt is having tea with a group of her friends. She’ll be out until just before dinner.”
Slowly, his expression cleared, and his eyebrows weren’t so tightly knit together. “What of your brother?”
“Unless I miss my guess, it’s his night to go to his club for dinner.
He’ll go there ahead of time to read his papers in silence and drink.
” She shot him what felt like a rueful glance.
“Then he’ll have dinner and probably go gamble somewhere.
Yet Papa is worried about me.” She uttered a huff.
“It is quite annoying how much men can get away with, but women are to be protected from scandal at all costs.”
A half-grin lifted tugged at one corner of his sensual mouth. “Intriguing idea. I shall make our excuses to my sister.”
“Bear in mind, she’ll want me over here again to help with the greenery.”
“Oh, Felicity has made that abundantly clear.” Desire and longing glittered in his dark eyes, the same wicked things that currently flitted through her veins. “After our afternoon pause, we shall call on Withington’s sister, lest you think I’m shirking my duties as an investigator.”
“I would never think that.”
For long moments, he rested his speculative gaze on her, then he nodded. “I will meet you in the entry hall.”
By the time they were once again in the carriage, awareness of him tingled over Caroline’s skin. Barely had the major tapped on the carriage’s roof and given the address of her father’s townhouse when he tugged her into his arms.
“I have waited so long to take you to bed,” he whispered, then his mouth was on hers and she was soon lost, for the kisses they exchanged had enough heat to set fire to the whole of Mayfair.
“Clearly, you haven’t been properly motivated if you’ve waited so long,” she couldn’t help but pointing that out. But her brain couldn’t form more words, for she’d waited so long for him to do just that. And his lips on hers were divine.
“I’ll show you motivated, Miss Ives.” The growl in his voice sent tingles down her spine to lodge between her thighs.
“I’m counting on it.” For she just might expire here in the carriage from his kisses alone.
The embrace didn’t cease until the vehicle rolled to a stop in front of her father’s townhouse.
At that point, they breathlessly pulled away, but in some aspects, she’d wished he would have put his hands on her on the ride over.
No doubt it was too short a trip and the driver too efficient, but her knees were decidedly wobbly as he assisted her from the vehicle.
His hand at the small of her back as he escorted her up the short walkway thrilled her. The touch took the edge off the chilly breeze and clinging snowflakes, but hot anticipation surged through Caroline’s veins as they gained admittance, and she waved off the butler’s concerns.
“We shouldn’t require anything this afternoon, and if we’re ready for tea, we shall ring for it.” It took much control to not give anything away with her expression. “Feel free to take some downtime or run errands; the major and I shall be just fine, for we have much to discuss.”
“Of course, Miss Ives.” The butler said nothing else as he took their offered outer clothing and headgear. “I hope your afternoon is productive.”
Heat slapped her cheeks. So do I.