Chapter Eight
Gabriel whistled as he went downstairs to the drawing room. He was in an exceptionally light mood this afternoon even though he’d been thoroughly dressed down by Chief Inspector Morritson earlier this morning due to his lack of forward movement on case of Boddingford’s son-in-law.
He gave up the facts that he and Mary had managed to accumulate, then was told he needed to call again on the duke, since all clues and interviews were pointing to him as the prime suspect.
During that meeting, he was reminded of why he’d resigned from Bow Street in the first place.
There was no need for a superior to talk down to the very people working a complex case, especially one that was riddled with secrets.
God, I really need to make inroads into putting effort into attracting clients.
Then he wouldn’t have to consult for Bow Street merely for the income.
When Gabriel arrived in the drawing room, he grinned, for his wife was going over the monthly accounts with the housekeeper. “How fortunate am I to see two wonderful women brightening this room?”
Mary glanced up with a soft smile and the shake of her head, but Mrs. Pearson blushed and tittered as if she were a debutante at her Come Out instead of a matronly woman of fifty.
“Doing it up too brown, aren’t you?” his wife murmured.
“Not at all.” He came further into the room as the housekeeper rose to her feet. “Mrs. Pearson, you look particularly handsome this afternoon. Is that a new apron?” he asked as he eyed the crisp linen of the pinafore-style garment.
“It is, Inspector.” Pleasure lit her eyes. “Mrs. Bright recently authorized funds so that we could buy fabric to outfit everyone with new aprons, and the men new cravats.”
“Ah, that must be it, and wonderful handiwork,” he said with a wink. When she began to gather her ledgers and papers, he held up a hand. “That isn’t necessary; I’m on my way out in any event, so I won’t keep either of you.”
Mary frowned as she stood. “Where are you going?”
He drew her out into the corridor for a bit of privacy.
“Back to the Duke of Boddingford’s home to ask him a few more questions.
It’s becoming more and more likely he was the one who killed Mr. Corbett.
And perhaps was the one who frightened Henry.
” They needed to remember that his son had been thrown into the mess as well.
“Yet we haven’t talked with the whole family or anyone else who might be considered a suspect.”
“We have not, but I’m hoping that he’ll out himself while gripped in a tirade, which will end this case and please Bow Street before anyone else of consequence is involved.” The last thing he needed was for members of the Lords or high-ranking officials to come sniffing around.
Mary nodded though she didn’t appear convinced. “Would you like company?”
“Not this time. I don’t plan to stay there very long.
Afterward, I’m going to meet Major Kourier for our long-standing weekly tea.
I’d like him to give me a firm reply for when he’ll come aboard our partnership.
” He winked and tweaked her nose, grinning like a loon when she giggled.
“Once I’m done with him, if you would like, I can meet you here and we can go out to enjoy dinner. ”
“Or…” She lowered her voice and closed the distance between them to rest her palms on his chest and peer up into his face.
“We could enjoy a quiet dinner here, and following that, perhaps take a stroll about the square. Later, you and I can have dessert of quite a different kind later once the household retires.”
Interest shivered along his shaft. “Are you certain you want that after what we got up to last night?” Once they’d arrived home following what he’d done to her in the carriage, she’d gone upstairs while he attended to some paperwork in his office.
By the time he’d joined her, she’d fallen asleep, and for good reason. The poor dear had been exhausted.
“Especially because of that. Since you and I didn’t couple, I’ve been plagued with pent up carnal energy, and I am still in great need. Besides,” mischief sparkled in her eyes, “there will be retaliation for what happened in that carriage.”
Oh, God.
“How the devil am I expected to carry on for the rest of the day knowing what you have planned for me, sweeting?” he asked in a whisper, and was hard-pressed not to kiss her senseless right there in the corridor.
How was it that she had such a penchant for sexual games the older they both grew?
His first wife had barely wanted to do such things with him, and they were quite a bit younger.
Of course, she’d had no issue having an affair…
So this was quite refreshing even if it was distracting.
“You are a clever man; I’m certain you can find a way.” Then she lifted onto her toes, laid a palm to his cheek, and brushed her lips over his. “Until tonight, Inspector.”
When he reached for her, Mary scuttled away with a grin. Blowing out a frustrated breath, he gave her a wave. “Until then.”
Boddingford House
St. James Place
Mayfair, London
Gabriel’s plan to re-interview the duke was thwarted by that man himself, for he’d been cooling his heels in the downstairs parlor for upwards of an hour. Clearly, Boddingford had no intention of indulging in his request.
Annoyed, for he had a schedule to keep, Gabriel left the parlor in search of the damned duke.
Not seeing anyone in the corridor beyond, he sneaked his way through the lower level until he gained the grand staircase.
When the sounds of shouting and arguing in male voices drifted down to his location, he ran up the stairs as silently as he could, following the altercation.
At the open door, he paused, didn’t enter the room, but instead, he risked a glance inside.
Boddingford stood with his back to the door facing his first son, the Earl of Edgington, and they were in the middle of an emotion-charged discussion.
“I have grown tired of your prejudice and intolerance, Papa,” the earl said as he glared at his father. “My wife is in tears every time we end a visit here, and quite frankly, I’m of a mind to stop including you in our lives.”
“You shouldn’t have married such a weak woman,” the duke rejoined with the shake of his head. “She is in no way your equal.”
“That doesn’t matter when a man is in love.”
“Ha! Love. What a useless notion. You should have married for power, position, and wealth. Instead, you chose to wed a mongrel.”
“How dare you malign my wife!” The earl curled one hand into a fist. “She has more integrity in her little finger than you do in your whole person.”
“I doubt that.”
The earl shook his head. “I swear to you, I will take Kavya and move to America or even go back to India. Her father was stationed in Bombay and still maintains a home there. At least we can finally have peace and live life as we want.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” Warning growled through the duke’s voice. “You are my heir.”
“That doesn’t mean I couldn’t toss all of that away due to your opinions and actions alone.
” Charged silence reigned between them before the earl spoke again.
“To be frank, I won’t mourn you when you die.
My allegiance lies with my wife, not you, not this family, especially if you continue to treat Kavya and others so poorly. ”
“Clearly, you like to hear yourself talk, Charles. It’s ridiculous and makes you weak.” When the duke took a step toward his son, the earl stumbled back. “I’m quite powerful within the beau monde. If I will it, I can convince the powers-that-be to rule your marriage void.”
“Like hell you will!” More emboldened by infuriation, the earl rushed at his father. He threw a punch that landed on the duke’s chin.
Not to be outdone, Boddingford responded in kind. He plowed a fist into his son’s midsection, that saw the earl doubled up in pain.
“Do not think you can best me in any way. I am still in control of this damned family.”
“I don’t believe that’s true. Your control is slipping while the world is changing, and that terrifies you,” the earl gasped out as he straightened and edged away.
In the corridor, Gabriel couldn’t help but agree with that point.
Before the duke could respond, the butler came into the drawing room. He must have entered through another door, for Gabriel hadn’t seen him in the corridor.
“Forgive the intrusion, Your Grace, but Inspector Bright is waiting in the parlor and has been there for quite a while.”
Why the devil hadn’t he announced me an hour ago?
“I don’t care.” A snarl threaded through Boddingford’s voice. “He can wait until he’s old and gray. I have nothing further to say to him. Tell him I’m not at home.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” The butler nodded.
The earl huffed. “Clearly, you don’t wish to change, and you refuse to empathize or accept anyone different from you. I’m done.” He stormed from the room but didn’t go by way of the corridor where Gabriel was, which meant he exited from the door the butler had used.
Boddingford picked up a vase of flowers that rested on a nearby table.
Then he hurled it into the fireplace where it smashed into a hundred pieces.
Autumnal flowers scattered over the immediate area.
“This damned family is falling apart, Cravitts. With Louis and his sexual aberration, and Charles marrying a fucking woman not even of the beau monde and a mongrel besides, and Anthony allegedly dipping his wick with a whore, I’m at my wit’s end.
To say nothing of the problem of Johnathon. ”
“I’m sorry, Your Grace, but the boys are only doing what their privilege allows. Except for Lord Arsdale. He is a whole different issue.”
“Ha.” A snort issued from the duke. “Something must be done, for England is being overrun by people not worthy to inherit it, and the blood that once made England strong is thinning.”
“The tide is starting to change, this is true, so you must act fast.”