Slaying at the Seashore (Kourier and Ives #3)

Chapter One

Brighton, England

Major Felix Kourier breathed in a deep lungful of the slightly salty sea air. The sun on his face was appreciated. The area was so different from London that he still had trouble believing that he was even there, or how the changes upcoming this week would forever affect his life.

Tomorrow was his long-awaited wedding day where he would take Miss Caroline Ives to wife.

They’d been engaged since the Christmastide holidays last year but because her parents had wished for a long engagement to plan a grand event, he could do nothing except comply and try to act as amicable as possible.

Not that he’d minded, for his own schedule was busy with cases that needed solving.

In fact, he turned his downstairs parlor and study into an office where he spoke with potential clients.

He made a tidy income from privately working cases, and when her schedule allowed, Caroline partnered with him.

Those cases were the most memorable, and they had been since a fateful house party last summer when he’d first met her.

She’d bustled her way onto the case they’d been asked to solve together, and during the investigation, they’d gotten up to carnal scandal.

The memories had a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth as he walked slowly along the sand.

It was difficult going at times due to his cane, but he refused to let his handicap keep him from enjoying the shore.

Despite his initial misgivings, having Caroline at his side in all the ways that mattered had done him a world of good.

Oh, he was still the grumpy former Bow Street man, but his mood was more elevated these days because of her.

And damn, he couldn’t wait to marry her on the morrow.

The constant roar and crash of the waves against the shore filled his ears.

It was soothing and a bit energizing at the same time.

Eventually, Felix stood on the wet, hardpacked sand mixed with tiny pebbles merely to stare at the sea with his hands propped on his hip and his cane leaning against his leg.

It had been a good decision to have the nuptial ceremony in Brighton.

For a variety of reasons. One of which was because his mother had decided to abandon Bath to spend the summer at Brighton.

She claimed she needed to be at the shore and take in the ocean air over the healing baths to help with her breathing, even though there was nothing wrong with her health except she was just a donkey’s arse and difficult most of the time.

But he’d indulged her. Quite frankly, it was easier than listening to her complain and criticize.

Behind him were the cottages—which was a polite way of saying not as expensive or luxurious as a townhouse—one of which he’d rented in Clarence Square.

It was one of several garden squares around Brighton.

Ever since Prinny had made the area sought after for holiday makers and seaside goers, construction had boomed.

The square featured a large central garden for communal use while surrounded by houses.

It was basically the West entrance to the townhouses along the Crescent, where Caro’s family had rented a place.

It was certainly convenient as it was a short walk back and forth, but the rented townhouse was right on the seaside, while his rented cottage or row house was a bit farther from the beach.

It was also cheaper. He wasn’t ashamed, but he rather suspected his soon-to-be in-laws took exception to his lack of fortune.

Since both of their families had gathered in Brighton, after the ceremony they would encourage guests to disburse and have a holiday of their own at the sea.

The water should be a bit warm and to take in exercise would be most welcome.

No doubt his sister would appreciate the break when she returned to London where she lived with her family and little brood of children.

The dear woman was the one who traveled from London to Bath and back in an effort to appease their mother, since Felix’s schedule didn’t allow frequent visits.

Thank God.

In any event, his sister’s oldest daughter was now sixteen and would be going to finishing school at the end of the summer. That would mean his niece would be launched into society in a few years.

“I’m so old,” he whispered to himself and the sea.

The sea, of course, said nothing.

After another deep breath, Felix closed his eyes and let the early summer sunshine seep into his face.

The townhouse on the Crescent that Caroline’s family had rented was where the ceremony would take place.

She and her sisters and mother had taken to decorating the drawing room themselves, and it would prove rather quaint to say vows with views of the sea out of those windows.

The other side of the townhouse featured views of the English Channel.

What must it be like to have an income to support something like that? The Royal Crescent was the first planned architectural development in Brighton designed to face the sea. It ran along Marine Parade, and residents had immediate access to the pebble beach.

He shook his head and opened his eyes. Falling into a comparison with others would make him miserable and would solve nothing. Taking up his cane, he headed back toward the cottage.

Caroline’s family was hosting a celebratory dinner tonight, which would go off in a couple of hours.

His sister and her husband had gone out to play on the shore with the younger children.

If he squinted, he could just see them up the beach from his location.

The older children were already over at Caroline’s family’s townhouse to mingle with them and some of the guests who were staying there.

Presumably, his mother was readying herself at the rooms she’d rented a few streets over, for she had declined to stay with him.

Not even having his sister and her husband beneath his roof could change her mind.

Later, they would pick her up in the carriage Felix had arrived in.

Everyone else would find their own way to dinner.

Which meant he had time alone for the first time in a week.

Once back in the cottage, he went up to the room that served as a drawing room.

Since it was a bit warm and stuffy even with an open window, Felix removed his jacket and rolled his lawn shirt to his elbows.

He wasn’t entertaining so there was no scandal in it.

Just as he’d settled into a comfortable overstuffed brocade chair with a favorite book in hand, a footman announced that Miss Ives had come over to speak with him.

“Ah.” His pulse kicked up at the mention of her name.

Ordinarily, he would have grumbled at the interruption, but after being with Caroline over the past year in one capacity or another, he’d begun to mellow and looked at life differently…

when he remembered. Oh, he was still very much a grouch, but she made him… better. “Tell her to come up.”

“Of course, sir.”

When the sound of fabric rustling announced Caroline’s presence, Felix scrambled to his feet with the help of his cane. He faced her and gave a low whistle as if he hadn’t a brain in his head. “I didn’t think you could look more gorgeous, but you’ve proved me wrong this afternoon.”

Clad in a gown of peacock blue satin, it shimmered with each step and clung to her every curve. With her black hair caught up in a loose chignon and a blush of color in her pale cheeks and her dark pink lips slightly parted, she was the personification of a summer’s night.

“Such gammon, Major,” she said with a grin as she crossed the room and closed the distance between them.

How easily she went into the circle of his arms. “But you’re not wrong.

I wanted to make a colorful splash at dinner tonight.

It’s going to be loud and chaotic with everyone there, and I don’t want to be forgotten in the crush. ”

“That is unlikely to happen since you’re the bride.” Briefly, he brushed his lips over hers. Immediately, awareness for her shivered over his skin. “In truth, you are beautiful, and joy glows in your eyes.”

“I’m happy.” It was a simple answer, but it said everything.

“So am I.” He offered her a grin he hoped conveyed that sentiment. “What are you doing here?”

She shrugged. Small oval-shaped emeralds on her necklace winked when she shrugged. “I wanted to see you before dinner.”

Concern went through his gut. “Is everything all right?” Why he couldn’t relax was anyone’s guess. Not everything was related to something suspenseful.

“Yes, of course.” She fiddled with the folds of his cravat. “I’m not nervous or anxious. Just wanted to be with you.”

“Why?” God, he was a touch arrogant, for he wanted to hear her say she adored him.

“You would see me soon enough at dinner.” Granted, it might be a strained affair because her father still wasn’t fond of him and thought Caro could do better, or marry a man closer to her in age.

As for her mother, well, she was a trifle upset that her daughter wasn’t marrying a man with a fortune or a title.

At the wedding, Caroline’s her aunts and uncles and cousins would be there to stare and analyze… and wonder.

Will they ever see that I’m good enough, damn it?

Another blush stained her cheeks. “I meant I wanted to see you in a particular way.” Her eyes widened and one of her dark eyebrows arched. “In a way that is mostly scandalous, according to my mother. Not that I told her why I was coming over to see you.”

“Oh.” Felix frowned. Then, “Oh!” The full meaning of her intent sank into his brain.

Heat went up the back of his neck. “You wish to do that tonight after dinner?” Her enthusiasm and curiosity regarding carnal meetings fed his own desire.

It was one of the reasons he loved her and couldn’t contemplate life without her.