Chapter Three #2
“Thank you.” Again, Felix’s gaze went to the ever-moving sea.
Had the winds and the tide been enough to wash him down to this location overnight from the area where the tavern and shops were located?
To that end, had he been snagged on rocks that prevented him from going as far as he would have?
Or more to the point, had he been killed elsewhere and merely dumped into the sea nearby?
But he didn’t have time to investigate; his first allegiance was with Caroline and their wedding day.
“Well, thank you, Captain. If I have further questions, I’ll seek you out. ”
“Of course, but I rather doubt you’ll have time for that what with your nuptials looming.”
“Indeed.” This was the responsibility for someone else. “If you wouldn’t mind, go find a constable or at the very least a coroner for Brighton. Ideally, a magistrate for this area would be quite helpful. This man deserves some dignity in death.”
The captain nodded. “I’ll do my best.” Then, with the touch of a gloved finger to the brim of his top hat, he made his way from the area.
Good God, what a coil.
Not wanting to leave the body alone for someone else to stumble upon, Felix remained where he was, and twenty minutes later, Caroline joined him.
Felix’s heart skipped a beat when he caught sight of her and she came toward him. “You are a vision. Is this your wedding attire?”
“Yes.” She nodded and gave him a soft smile. “It’s probably not good luck for the groom to see the bride before the ceremony, but I wanted to be with you before we say vows.”
“I don’t believe in superstitions.” As he spoke, he let his gaze rove over her person. “I’m not often rendered speechless, but you have made me that today.”
The gown she’d chosen was of a silver silk blend.
A multitude of clear glass beads had been sewn to the skirting and around the low, scooped bodice.
Every time she moved, the fabric sparkled.
Adorable short, puffed sleeves showed off her slender bare arms. Dainty white kid gloves ended at her wrists, and when she lifted her skirting to keep it off the damp beach area, silver satin slippers encased her feet, sparkling with the same clear glass beads.
“Thank you for the compliment. I can see that truth in your eyes, Major.” She patted a tendril of black hair back into place.
The elaborate updo had a strand of pearls woven into it.
Two combs encrusted with the same clear glass beads were fixed into the tresses.
“It’s not as luxurious as some brides, I suppose, but—”
“Do stop, Caro. You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in my whole life.” He shifted his stance, kept her between him and the body. She didn’t need to see that on the morning of her wedding. “Be careful not to dirty your hem. We’ve a ceremony to get to.”
“I’m mindful of it.” A frown tugged at the corners of her mouth. “What are you trying to hide? We were to walk the shore together before joining the family this morning.”
“I know, but perhaps we can walk over there.” He pointed down the beach in the opposite direction of where the body rested.
She followed where he’d indicated with her gaze. “What difference does it make?”
“I…” Wracking his brain for words, he physically attempted to guide her away. “Humor me this morning, sweeting.”
Of course she wouldn’t, and of course she was too bloody curious. “But it…” Caroline glanced past his shoulder and gasped. “There’s a body over there.”
Well, shit.
“I know.” The likelihood of their nuptial ceremony popping off at the correct time was slipping away by the moment.
“How do you know?”
If he didn’t tell the truth, she’d ferret it out of him anyway. “I found him not fifteen minutes past.” They were partners in every way it counted, and she would know if he lied.
“Found him? What does that mean?”
He heaved out a breath. “I was walking the shore waiting for you and he just washed up.”
“He?” One of her dark eyebrows rose in surprise.
“Yes.”
“Do you know him?”
“Not personally, but I’ve seen him about. I believe he’s one of the wedding guests. Not dressed like it. Reckon he never had a chance for that.”
“Dear heavens!” She gasped again and glanced in the direction of the corpse. “Are you sure he’s dead? We should render aid…” Before he could stop her, Caroline sidestepped him and ran toward the body.
“Shit.” As best he could with the cane on the pebble and sand beach, Felix went after her. “Please don’t kneel in the sand or get too close to him. I don’t want you to ruin your wedding clothes.”
“I’m just going to look.” She glanced up at him. “Have you already examined the body?”
In true Caroline fashion, she assumed he would work the case. “I have not, but the letter opener I gave your mother for her birthday was the murder weapon, jabbed into the side of his neck. No doubt went through his carotid artery.”
“Ah.” When she went around to his other side to peer into the man’s face, all the color went out of hers. “We should do something for him,” she whispered as she clutched at Felix’s hand. “I can’t…”
He peered sharply at her. “I sent a bystander to find someone who can do just that. I don’t know if he died here on this beach, but he was wrapped in sail cloth. Someone carried him to the sea to wash up somewhere else. I don’t know where he was killed.”
“Good, I mean, it’s good you’ve summoned someone here.” Her voice was strained. “Um, please tell me you won’t do the investigating.” A tear fell to her cheek and she dashed it away, blinking to keep others from falling. “Our ceremony is scheduled in a few hours.”
That was different for her. Usually, she encouraged him to investigate anything that smelled like murder. “I am well aware of that.” So much for telling her of the vows he’d written. They would keep. Now was not the time to try for romance.
The delicate muscles in her neck worked with a hard swallow. “What now? Are we to leave him here alone?”
“Uh, we probably shouldn’t, lest the ocean or wildlife take him.” Or even the killer coming back to make properly certain the body was gone.
To hide evidence?
She nodded. “Perhaps examine the body while you can. It might be your only chance.”
What was this, then? Felix scowled. “You just told me not to investigate! Now you want me to do this? On our wedding day?” Truly, he would never understand how a woman’s mind worked.
“Yes. No. I don’t know.” She cast another glance at the body then stumbled over the ground with her skirting hitched up and clutched in her hands.
Going over to a scrubby bush, she emptied the contents of her stomach.
Afterward, she accepted his handkerchief and dabbed at her mouth.
“That was a great waste of drinking chocolate,” she said in a soft voice, clearly trying to make a joke, but when he didn’t laugh, she shifted her gaze to the body again. “Do you think my mother is involved?”
“I would have no idea at this point. However, her letter opener stuck in his neck is quite a bit of damning evidence, even if it might prove to be circumstantial only.” There were no bloodstains on his clothing.
Yes, being dumped in the sea could have washed away some of that, but why the hell wasn’t there more blood?
It was almost as if he’d been naked when stabbed…
Fuck! I can’t get dragged in.
He cleared his throat. “I didn’t wish for you to see that on your wedding day.”
For long moments, she looked at him, her skirts hiked, his handkerchief crushed in one of her hands, then she nodded.
“You’re a good man, Felix.” Again, her throat worked with a hard swallow.
“I’m going to step away for a few moments to compose myself, but I’ll join you once my stomach has righted itself. ”
“We should go inside.”
“Not until after you’ve examined the body.”
“Right.” He nodded and watched her walk over the ground toward the street. What the devil ailed her? She’d seen dead bodies before, and in more states of decomposition than this one. So why should it have affected her?
Not knowing and thinking she probably suffered from nerves due to the day, he returned to the body.