Chapter Ten
Beckham House
Hanover Square
Mayfair, London
Caroline hid a yawn behind her hand as she refreshed the tea in her cup. She was in the morning room with her aunt for breakfast, but honestly, she could have done with a few more hours of sleep, for so much had happened in the past twenty-four hours.
“Buck up, girl. I’ll wager your life will prove quit busy now that you’re engaged and Christmas is coming soon. You won’t know a moment’s rest for a good bit.” Aunt Georgiana snickered. “But good for you. He proposed. That was what you wanted, yes?”
“Of course it is. I’m in love with Major Kourier.
” In a way, it was good their engagement had been delayed, for they’d come to know each other better through letters.
All the ones he’d written to her since May were tucked away at the bottom of a trunk in her room, bound together by a blue satin ribbon.
Had he kept hers? She hoped so. “I really don’t wish to become immersed in planning the wedding day, but I’ll anticipate it just the same. ”
“Not much to it, really. He’ll sort out the license and engage the clergyman.
Your mother will plan the wedding breakfast; your father will have the major sign contracts and present him with the dowry or whatever he’s gifting the two of you.
” Her aunt shrugged. “You will only need to plan a trousseau and a gown.”
When summed up in such a way, it seemed a bit disappointing, like just another day or a society event instead of a life-changing day.
“To be honest, I would much rather work with the major in solving crimes than ponder fabrics or answer questions about which dish I would prefer at the breakfast.” When it came down to brass tacks, all she wanted was Felix.
Her aunt snorted as she spread marmalade on a toast triangle. “Then there is always the question of moving into the major’s townhouse. You’ll probably wish to redecorate the place to your tastes. That should cheer you up.”
“Oh, I hadn’t thought about that yet.” Once they were wed, they would truly be man and wife, and as such, they would need to live together.
She’d only been at his house a couple of times, and it was odd to think that most likely within the year, she would be mistress of his household. “It’s a bit daunting.”
“You’ll soon grow accustomed to the tasks and duties.”
Caroline frowned. “Will that be my lot in life, then? To look after the home, plan his meals, make certain he goes to his social engagements?” A sense of panic rose in her chest. While she’d wanted the man and to be married, when spoken aloud, such a life sounded so… dull. “Perhaps this was a mistake.”
Did she truly mean that?
“Do stop, Caroline.” Her aunt tsked her tongue while she eyed her askance. “You are acting as if you’re going to the gallows. Marriage is what you make of it, and the man you’ve chosen isn’t like the usual sort.”
“No, he is not.” That made her smile. Slightly. But she pushed the golden scrambled eggs over her plate with her fork.
Aunt Georgiana took a sip of her tea. “How did the engagement come about? Did you have to prod the major into it?”
“Not really. He didn’t need any prompting.
” Had it truly just happened yesterday? It seemed a million years ago already.
“As for how he proposed…” Should she be truthful?
Why not? Her aunt didn’t seem the conservative sort.
“We had come to this house between interviews during our investigation, for a pause.” She pressed her lips together as heat filled her cheeks.
“One thing led to another; we indulged in—”
“I can guess what the two of you got up to,” her aunt said with a shake of her head. “And I don’t blame you. So what caused him to propose?”
Caroline couldn’t help but shrug. “I’m not certain. Perhaps he was feeling overly emotional, but more to the point, if I know him like I think I do, it had only just occurred to him, and he didn’t want my father’s machinations to send me off with another man.”
“He’s not an idiot, it seems.” A cackle of laughter escaped the older woman. “The ring is gorgeous. I wonder what he’s worth annually.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. It’s not something we’ve discussed.”
“You should. It’s important.”
She blew out a breath. “I will, but all of that can wait.”
Aunt Georgiana nodded. “Now what?”
“At the moment, we continue work through this current case and hopefully solve it.”
“What happened last night to see you at sixes and sevens?”
Memories from the shot that came through the carriage window floated back into her mind.
Caroline’s pulse increased, and her appetite slagged off.
She pushed her plate away. “Someone shot at the carriage. Whether or not it was intentional remains to be seen.” Though she’d been frightened at the time, it had been so romantic when Felix had thrown himself over her out of protection.
Yet after what she’d lived through last May, this incident was still scary, especially because they had no idea who’d done it or why.
“How do you feel about that? The more the major drags you into his world, I’ll wager the more you’ll be put in danger.” Slowly, her aunt shook her head. “A proper gentleman wouldn’t do that to the woman he loves.”
“Oh, do stop, Auntie.” Caroline looked with exasperation at the older woman.
“Felix loves me, and we enjoy solving cases together. That is his livelihood. It’s not something where a woman would find herself, but he specifically asks me to assist, and I adore him for that.
” The fact that he included her, didn’t make her stay behind, endeared him to her even more.
“It’s a decent career, for there’s no end to crime in London. ”
Or elsewhere.
“Well, as long as you are content with him, I don’t mind, but bear in mind, once you settle into marriage or start to fill your nursery, you will need to follow society’s dictates.”
“I don’t know about that.” Caroline frowned then drained the remainder of her teacup.
“You never did, and that seems to have suited you well. Why shouldn’t I wish to follow in your footsteps?
” She winked. “To my way of thinking, history wasn’t changed unless a woman broke the bonds of expectation somewhere. ”
“Ah, you still give me hope for the younger generations.” Her aunt nodded. “Is your time spoken for today?”
“Of course. The major is supposed to come by and retrieve me so we can call on a couple of other potential suspects.”
“You should be here, helping me decorate.”
“If there’s time, perhaps.” Then she shrugged and reached once more for the teapot.
“The major’s sister has pulled me into the family bosom to help with holiday decorating at his home.
I don’t mind, of course, but it’s all rather different from the life I know now.
She has four children, and the younger ones are a bit noisy. ”
Aunt Georgiana hooted with laughter. “Best get used to that, my girl. You might be a mother soon enough.”
She didn’t know if she wanted that directly following marriage.
“I’d hoped to enjoy the husband for a while first.” A sigh escaped her throat.
“Only time would tell.” It wasn’t as if they were taking precautions to prevent pregnancy.
“Regardless, I’ll no doubt spend Christmas eve with them.
Especially now that I’m engaged to the major.
I imagine if Felix’s sister is hosting dinner, you can come as well. No need for you to be alone.”
“I appreciate that.” Aunt Georgiana nodded. “That stands to reason. This is what you wanted, correct?”
“It is.” She nodded. “It’s just a… transition.”
For a few moments, her aunt remained silent while she finished her breakfast. “Shall I write to your father, or will you do it?”
Goodness, she’d forgotten that her parents needed to be informed. “Oh, I…”
“I’ll take care of it, child. He can rail at me all he wants; it matters not to me.” This time, she patted Caroline’s hand. “Oh, he’ll fume that the major didn’t consult him first and that you didn’t choose one of the men he’d selected.”
Caroline huffed out a breath. “But the major did tell him of his intention of courting me. Just after the house party back in May, after he saved face for Papa with the case. Papa chose to come the crab about it.”
“Well, then don’t worry about your father’s bluster. The major is a solid choice, and you could do worse.” When didn’t her aunt hand out sage advice? “By the by, who is the dead person on your case?”
“A Lord Withington. If everyone we’ve talked with thus far is to be believed, he was a vile man and anyone in London could have killed him.”
Surprise lit her aunt’s eyes. “They aren’t wrong. The man was a disgrace and an embarrassment to everyone who ever had the misfortune of meeting him.” She shook her head. “How he ended working with Bow Street, I’ll never know, for he couldn’t discern a puddle in the street from his arsehole.”
Shock slammed into Caroline’s chest. “You knew him?”
“No, I knew of him.” She waved a hand. “I’m afraid you and Major Kourier are facing an uphill challenge on finding his killer. Most in London will agree that the case should remain unsolved.”
“While I might agree, the major doesn’t. He’s of the mind that if we pick and choose which murder deserves solving, then none of them will matter in the end.”
“He’s not wrong, but he’s also not right. But clearly, the search for the truth is what drives him.”
“I think so too.” Caroline nodded. “It’s one of the things I like about him, even if sometimes that urge might steer him into trouble.”
No 32 Hanover Place
Mayfair, London
The plan was to call on Withington ’s mistress first, and when the carriage—with a board fixed across the broken window—rolled to a halt in front of the townhouse in Hanover Place, Caroline sneaked a quick peek at the major from across the narrow aisle.
“How did you pass the night? Did you incur many bumps or bruises after the drama of the gunshot?”