Chapter Fifteen
Later that afternoon
Beckham House
Hanover Square
Mayfair, London
Felix was well into his second cup of tea and a rousing conversation with Caroline’s Aunt Georgiana about the genius—or stupidity—of some of Napoleon’s campaigns when Andrew Ives finally strolled into the drawing room, whistling as if he had no cares in the world.
“It’s about time you made an appearance,” Lady Kearney said as she turned an annoyed look on the young man. Though, to be fair, he was only a few years older than Caroline. “Where have you been?”
Andrew gave a negligent shrug, and with a wink, sat on the sofa next to his sister, which was across the low table from the settee where Felix and the aunt sat.
“I woke around noon, then spent a couple of hours at the Reading Room at the British Museum, and now that I’m hungry and wanting the company of my family, I came here.
” He tweaked Caroline’s nose. “Besides, I’m to escort you to a rout tonight and introduce you to two of the men Papa chose. ”
Shit. This is going to be rough.
A sudden bout of merriment went through Lady Kearney’s eyes. “Major, I believe this is your chance to announce your news to Andrew.”
“Ha, thank you, my lady.” When he cast a glance to Caroline, she’d pressed her lips together to prevent laughing.
Fat lot of help she’d be, and why was she going to let him bear the brunt of this?
Then he addressed his fiancée’s brother.
“Well, you should know that your sister probably won’t attend the rout tonight. ”
Andrew’s face wrinkled with confusion as he poured out a cup of tea. “What do you mean? There are precious few parties going this week; she needs to make appearances at as many as she can.”
Felix rubbed a hand along the side of his face. “Actually, that won’t be necessary, for a couple of days ago, I asked Caroline to marry me, and she accepted.” There was nothing for it but to just come right out and say it. “That is why she doesn’t need to meet any more men.”
“What?” The teacup in Andrew’s hand listed downward.
Before any of the amber liquid could spill onto the Aubusson carpet, Caroline quickly relieved him of the cup and set it into the saucer that rested on the table.
She laid her left hand on her brother’s arm.
“It’s true. Just look at the ring he gave me.
” The emerald and diamonds caught the candlelight and the fire in the hearth reflected it since the afternoon was again overcast. “You met the major in May, remember? He’s a good man and he treats me with respect.
Beyond that, he is a much better choice for me than anyone you or Papa could find. ”
“You realize that Papa won’t be happy,” Andrew said as he bounced his gaze between her and Felix.
“And you realize that Major Kourier makes me happy? That all that matters.” When she cast her gaze to him, heat went through Felix’s chest.
“But he’s so much older than you!” Andrew protested.
She shrugged. “And you aren’t nearly as intelligent as he is. Do you have a point, brother dear?”
“And where the hell did you get those bruises on your neck?” he asked as the scarf about Caroline’s neck slipped when she leaned forward toward the tea tray. “Did the major beat you?”
“That’s enough,” Felix said, and he made certain authority rang in his voice. “I would never lay a harmful hand on Caroline. I respect her far too much for that.”
She nodded. “These were obtained while we worked the case. The night we interviewed Mr. Emmett at the gaming hell, someone came out of the shadows in front of this house and nearly choked me to death.” With a heavy swallow, she continued. “If Felix hadn’t come when he did…”
“What?” Andrew’s question exploded into the air. “You were almost killed because of him? I won’t stand for that.”
“Stop.” Caroline laid a hand on his arm, staying him when he would have jumped to his feet.
“Guilty people do bad things if they feel threatened. It’s part of us thoroughly investigating a case.
” When he remained silent, she continued.
“Please don’t doubt that we love each other.
Felix would die to protect me. Quite honestly, I can’t wait for the day when I’ll wed him, but I refuse to hear you besmirch his name. He has been naught but a gentleman.”
Felix bit the inside of his lip. Mostly.
Lady Kearney cackled with laughter as Andrew sputtered into the silence.
“Aren’t you glad you came over for tea, Andrew?
” The older lady grinned. “Do you have any other questions for your sister? She has had quite a busy week trying to solve a murder with the major. You know he was formerly with Bow Street, don’t you? ”
It was Felix’s turn to tamp down on laughter.
The other man peered at him. “God, you’re the one investigating the murder of Lord Withington, aren’t you?” Before Felix could confirm it, Andrew rushed onward. “I heard a rumor of such at my club last night.”
This was going to prove annoying. After setting his cup and saucer on the table, Felix rubbed his eyes with his fingers. “Caroline and I had hoped to see you this afternoon for a different reason entirely, Mr. Ives,” he finally said as words fluttered about his brain.
“Which is?”
“The owner of the gaming hell you were at the night before Lord Withington was killed said that you had argued with him after winning a large hand and he couldn’t pay.” One of Felix’s eyebrows rose in question. “Let’s talk about that.”
“And what’s more,” Caroline added with a suddenly somber expression, “is that you are probably the last person who saw Lord Withington alive.”
Andrew sprang to his feet. “Are you truly accusing me of murder?”
Lady Kearney calmly poured tea into her cup to refresh it.
“Don’t be daft, Andrew,” Caroline said. “The major is going to interview you to ascertain if you had any intentions of killing the peer.”
God, what a coil.
“Did you win at cards against Withington that night?” Felix asked with a sternness that came naturally to him. He was tired of everyone thinking he wasn’t good enough.
“I did.” Though Andrew’s eyes were wild, he didn’t have the look of wanting to land Felix a facer. “It was quite a large amount, too, and would have made me more attractive to society. Ladies like a man more if he has a bit of a fortune.”
“That’s what I hear,” Felix murmured with a look to Caroline, who frowned at him. “In any event, what happened after you demanded that Withington pay you?”
“He became rampantly violent. Said he didn’t have the blunt to pay the debt. Accused me of cheating at cards.”
Felix gripped the head of his cane. “Did you?”
“Of course not!” Andrew’s gaze narrowed. “I do have some skill at the tables, you know.” He blew out an annoyed breath. “But I wanted that coin, damn it. That night was the first time I’d ever won such a large pot. I could finally buy a modest townhouse for myself.”
“Except Withington refused to pay up,” Caroline inserted into the conversation. She twisted on the sofa to focus her gaze on him. “Did you follow him that night, Andrew? Follow him through Town to St. Paul’s?”
“What?” Her brother seemed genuinely confused. “Of course not.”
Felix cleared his throat. “Where did you go after the gaming hell?”
“Well, once the security goons threw Withington out, I left a half hour later.” Andrew shoved a hand through his dark hair, upsetting the carefully arranged style his valet had probably labored over. “I’d had a few brandies following the cards. By the time I left, I was well into my cups.”
“So drunk you don’t remember where you were or what you did later that night?” Caroline asked in a soft voice as her aunt watched the poor version of a Drury Lane play.
“No. I was still in control of my faculties.” He frowned. “I’d taken Papa’s carriage out, so had the driver drop me at The Albany.”
“Were you alone?” Felix wanted to know.
“Unfortunately, yes. I was still highly aggrieved that I hadn’t collected on the debt, and wanted to finish getting shit-faced by myself.” Andrew shrugged. “Which I did, after I let myself into my rooms. I didn’t emerge from there until late the following afternoon.”
Interesting, yet Felix wasn’t convinced. “Can anyone vouch for that?”
“Yes, in fact they can!” A grin curved the other man’s lips.
“Question my neighbor. His damned dog yapped half the night, so I pounded on the wall and cursed his dog to hell for the better part of a quarter hour just after midnight.” Shame crept into his expression.
“Then I passed out next to that same wall after vomiting all over myself. Unfortunately, my valet found me there around two that next afternoon.”
Yet was he willing to halt the investigation because he was guilty? Would he have attempted to strangle his sister?
Finally, Felix nodded. “Make no mistake, I will follow up with your neighbor as well as your valet.” He stood. “In the meanwhile, Caroline and I have another stop to make this afternoon.”
Lady Kearney laughed again. “Well, this was lovely. Will you return for dinner?”
He glanced at Caroline, who nodded. “As of right now, you can count on us being here. I believe for the next two nights, however, we are already committed.” They would share the meal tomorrow on Christmas Eve with his sister and her family, since her husband would join them, and then on Christmas Night, they would attend dinner at the Bright residence.
“I enjoyed our discussions, Major,” the older lady said. “It seems Caroline made a wonderful choice in you.”
“Thank you for the compliment.” He held out a hand to Caroline, and when she put her fingers into his palm, he assisted her to her feet. Then he slid his gaze to Andrew. “Mr. Ives, stay out of the gaming hell until the case has been solved. And don’t leave London.”
Andrew threw him a sour look. “I don’t believe I’m in your regiment, Major. You have no authority over me.”