Chapter Fourteen
Felix stood at the drawing room window with a cup of tea in his hand as he watched the soothing motion of the waves beating against the shoreline. The sparkle of the afternoon sun on the water looked like millions of diamonds.
“If I was any other man, I could enjoy my life if it was here,” he said as he cast his gaze to Caroline, who sat in a chair not far from his location. “There is a certain simplicity here, a charm that London doesn’t have.”
The laugh that came from his wife warmed his insides. “You would grow bored, Major. The sometimes frenetic pace of London suits you, and there is never-ending murder there.”
He couldn’t help but grunt. “True. I am comfortable in London where there is always noise and people and trouble. Honestly, I don’t know what I would do here in Brighton where the pace is slower and there is not much to keep my mind sharp.”
“You would manage, I’d wager. Murder seems to follow you about, no matter where you go.” She looked up from the book she read and gave him a serene smile. “How many interviews do we have left?”
“Two or three. If luck favors us, we’ll run into Bartholomew Knapp. I’d like a few words with him, especially since Captain Horner is chasing him.”
“Do you truly think he’s still hanging about now that the truth surrounding him is out?”
“I don’t know, but if he is, I’m honor bound to try and capture him for Horner.” He drained the contents of his teacup. “Come take a walk with me. We should take advantage of our time here while we can. Afterward, we will track down the next person on our list of suspects.”
She nodded. “That sounds lovely. Let me run upstairs to grab a shawl.”
A half hour later, he escorted her to the shore, and quite happy to do so, for Caroline was a vision in a light blue dress that had delicate white embroidery all over the skirting.
Oddly, it matched his own blue superfine jacket and turquoise hued waistcoat.
Being by the sea had apparently influenced their decisions.
Even better, the ever-present breeze clawed her black tresses from their pins and left it flowing about her head and shoulders.
“You resemble a sea siren, all wild and free with the wind in your hair and rippling through your skirts.” Never had he seen her more beautiful.
“Perhaps a sea witch,” she said with a lilting laugh. “But I adore the energy by the sea. It’s lovely to feel so small compared to the water and the wind, to realize my problems are insignificant compared to all of this.”
What sort of things was she struggling with? Something niggled at the back of his mind, something outrageous and shocking, but he wasn’t nearly certain or it and didn’t wish to offend by mentioning it. Only time would tell, perhaps.
“I need to stop taking cases that offer up nothing in the way of payment,” he said while holding her hand with his free one. “As of now, these free cases make up one third of my schedule. If I had more income, you and I could travel.”
The poor dear looked as if she’d swallowed a bug. Then she cleared her throat. “Where would we go?”
“Wherever the spirit moves us, but I rather fancy touring the Continent at some point. After all, we’re newly married and there is nothing that is holding us back.” He shrugged. “My schedule with cases is flexible.”
“Right.” The word was terribly breathless. “It sounds lovely.” She didn’t look at him. In fact, her face was turned toward the sea, her hair blocking his view.
Before he could respond, the sound of his name on the wind had him looking around for the source of the hail. Surprisingly, a woman with red hair came toward them from the opposite direction with her slippers and stockings in one hand.
“Major Kourier!”
Once he was close enough, he answered her. “I’m Major Kourier. How do you know me?”
Relief warred with anguish in her doe-brown eyes. “I am a friend of your sister’s.”
“Oh? Felicity didn’t mention that I needed to seek you out.”
“I wasn’t certain I wished to speak with you, but I feel a pressing need to do so.
That’s why I came to Brighton. I rode in with Felicity, and now that she’s gone back to Town, I need to figure out how to return myself, but I couldn’t miss this chance.
” She looked between them. “I’m Megan Standish, married to Jacob Standish. ”
Finally, it dawned on him who she was. “Right! I remember you. Felicity met you in finishing school. You visit her every now and again while in London. I’ve seen you a couple of times when I’ve called on my sister.
” When she nodded, he gestured to Caroline.
“This is my wife. We were married recently.”
“Felicity mentioned that you were marrying.” She nodded at Caroline. “I’m pleased to meet you.” One of her hands rested on the slight swell of her stomach. “From what I understand, you assist the major in his investigations?”
“I do. We’re partners.”
“That’s lovely.” Again, she peered at him. “Can I speak with you regarding Lord Danforth?”
“Of course.”
“And will you keep what I’ve said between us?” A plea had entered her eyes.
“I will unless it directly pertains to the investigation.” After releasing Caroline’s hand, he retrieved his notebook and pencil from his jacket pocket. “What do you want to say?”
She pressed her lips together. Tears welled in her eyes. “I have been struggling with my anger about this for days, and when Danforth’s death was announced, I felt guilty.”
“Why? Did you kill him?” Perhaps they could just have it out.
“No, of course not!”
Except, everyone said that, even killers. “Then why the anger?”
The chords of her neck worked with a hard swallow. “Lord Danforth is a friend of my husband’s, and since Jacob works at a bank, I just assumed he knew everything there was know regarding money and investments.”
“Oh, no,” Caroline whispered. “Did Danforth encourage your husband to invest with Mr. Knapp?”
“He did.” Mrs. Standish’s voice broke. “Jacob gave Mr. Knapp nearly everything we had saved, and now it is lost!” Tears fell to her cheeks. “I am increasing. How can we bring a child into the world when we are struggling to pay our rents or buy the other things we need?”
“You poor thing.” Caroline clutched at the other woman’s hand. “But it’s lovely you are carrying a child. Have you told anyone the news?”
“No.” Mrs. Standish shook her head. “Only my husband.”
“Why not?” There was a note in Caroline’s voice that was new to Felix. He’d not heard it before, but then, she was much more sympathetic to victims than he was.
“I was embarrassed after we lost the money. After everything, I don’t want to be considered a case for charity or an object of pity.
My parents died a while back, but Jacob’s are still alive though older.
They don’t need the extra worry.” When she sniffled, Felix offered her his handkerchief.
“Jacob doesn’t say it, but I know he’s concerned.
He believes he’s failing as a husband and a father. ”
The sight of feminine tears discomfited him. Somewhat awkwardly, he patted the woman’s shoulder. “I’m sure it’s not as bad as all of that. Any man worth his salt will do what needs to be done.”
Caroline watched him with an odd mix of hope and fear in her eyes. What the devil was wrong with her? “What will you do now, Mrs. Standish?”
“I couldn’t say.” The other woman dabbed at the moisture on her cheeks.
“Jacob already works so hard. He’s gone many hours at the bank so can’t take on much else; I rarely see him as it is.
” Tears rang in her voice. “He says it’s because he’s a junior at the bank and he needs to show them he can do the job, but I always remind him that I need him as well. ”
“Of course you do. The two of you are a team.” Caroline squeezed Mrs. Standish’s fingers. “Try not to overly tax yourself. It can’t be good for the baby. All will be well.”
“I hope you’re right.” She sniffled again. “It’s a large responsibility to know there is a little life on the way. I want to protect it as best I can, but there are so many people out there willing to prey on people like me and Jacob. It’s a terrifying prospect.”
Caroline’s eyes were luminous. “I understand exactly how that must feel. The fear, the uncertainty, the anxiousness because you don’t know what will happen, and you certainly don’t want to make it more difficult for your husband when he’s carrying so much on his shoulders.”
“Yes.” The redhead nodded.
In a soft voice, Caroline continued. “I can imagine you are terrified that something will come along and destroy everything you have now, everything you hold dear.” Her voice broke, and Felix glanced sharply at her.
“Except, you have hopes and dreams for your future, and though you want to feel excitement about them, you can’t, because everything else is hiding those feelings… and you’re afraid.”
“Yes. Thank you for that.” Mrs. Standish peered at Caroline with moist eyes. “That is why you’re such a good investigator, Caroline. You can empathize with the people you talk with. You are quite fortunate, Major.”
“Don’t I know it?” Suspicions swirled about his mind, and he didn’t know how to come to terms with any of them. “If you don’t mind, Mrs. Standish, I do have a few questions?”
“Of course, Major. I’ll do what I can to help. Lord Danforth was a horrible person, but I don’t believe he needed to die for those choices. I would have liked for him to go to prison…”
“As would we all.” Caroline gasped and pressed her lips tightly together. “Uh, if you’ll both excuse me? I need some air. It was lovely to meet you, Mrs. Standish.”
Felix frowned. Something was off with his wife. He would pull her aside and speak candidly with her later tonight. Then he focused on the other woman. “Were you angry enough, emotionally unstable enough that you could have killed Lord Danforth?”