A Little Mischief (27 page)

Yes, Daniel would be very happy with a wife like the prim Lady Katherine.

Isabella had gone home with that horrible sinking feeling in her stomach that made her lonely, the way she had felt when she was growing up, living in the country with her parents. She never had that feeling when she was with Daniel.

She remembered how quiet the house always was, and Isabella knew she never wanted to live like that again. She wanted to be with people who were talking and laughing. She wanted to hear the sounds of the streets of London.

Maybe Daniel had been right when he said she needed a husband. She had loved it when he held her in his arms and kissed her so fervently. She hated to think she might never experience those wonderful sensations again. But she also had her doubts that anyone other than Daniel could make her feel that way.

Perhaps Daniel and Auntie Pith knew her better than she knew herself. Maybe she wasn’t meant to be a spinster like her aunt, but on the other hand, she knew she would never be a quiet, retiring wife, either. If she decided to marry, it would have to be to a man who would allow her some independence to be the woman she’d become.

Isabella took a deep sighing breath and looked down at the book in her lap. She wouldn’t think about Daniel any more today. It made her too melancholy, and she didn’t like feeling that way. She would concentrate on Mr. Throckmorten’s murderer. Now, that was worth pondering.

The back door to the house opened, and Isabella looked behind her. Auntie Pith and Daniel were walking down the steps. There was a big I-told-you-so smile on her aunt’s lips. Isabella rose from the bench, holding tightly to the book. Her heart started beating faster and her stomach quaked.

“Isabella, dear, look who is here. It’s Lord Colebrooke to see you.”

Isabella’s heart felt as light as butterfly wings, her melancholy disappeared. So much for deciding she wouldn’t think about him any more. Daniel was positively dashing in his dark blue morning coat, biscuit-colored waistcoat, and perfectly tied snow-white neckcloth. A gentle breeze blew just enough of his dark hair away from his forehead to be attractive. She couldn’t help but smile when she looked at him. Just seeing him filled her with happiness. But she wasn’t going to let him know that.

“Lord Colebrooke, I’m surprised to see you.”

But
delighted.

“Good afternoon, Miss Winslowe.”

Isabella purposefully put a questioning expression on her face. “Did I forget you were coming by today, my lord?”

He gave her an enchanting half smile as his gaze swept up and down her face. “No, Miss Winslowe, I’m afraid I stopped by on the off chance you might be available to see me.”

“And she is,” Auntie Pith spoke for Isabella. “Isn’t that right? You don’t mind if he interrupts your reading, do you, dearest?”

“Of course not, Auntie. Could we offer you refreshment, my lord?”

“No, thank you, but perhaps, with your aunt’s permission, we could take a walk around the garden.”

“What a perfect gentleman you are to ask for permission,” Isabella said in an overly sweet tone.

Daniel cleared his throat. “I do try to obey the rules sometimes, Miss Winslowe.”

“Yes, I’m familiar with how hard you try to obey them, my lord.”

“Oh, botheration, Isabella,” Auntie Pith said, clearly annoyed and clearly not understanding the tête-à-tête going on between the two. “Certainly she can take a stroll with you, Lord Colebrooke.”

Daniel bowed to her aunt and said, “Thank you.”

“I’ll just sit here on the bench and read from Isabella’s poetry book.” She reached and took the book from Isabella’s hand and replaced it with Isabella’s bonnet. “Put this back on, dearie. You don’t want the sun on your face. Now, you two go ahead and enjoy looking at the flowers. Take your time. It’s not late and we have no reason to rush.”

As they turned away from Auntie Pith and started their stroll, Daniel asked, “Did you enjoy the parties you attended last night?”

“Immensely, my lord,” Isabella said as she placed her bonnet on her head but didn’t bother to tie the ribbons. “I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed myself more. I danced until my feet hurt.”

“I noticed.”

“Really?” she asked, throwing a doubtful glance his way.

“Yes.”

“How could you? When I saw you, you were on the dance floor with the beautiful Lady Katherine, looking dreamily into her eyes.”

He looked over at her with raised eyebrows. “Dreamily? What kind of word is that?”

“The kind that puts sparkles in your eyes and sweet words upon your lips. The kind that charms and enchants every young lady you meet.”

Daniel laughed. “You exaggerate, Miss Winslowe.”

“Do I?” she questioned.

“Yes. Careful, Miss Winslowe, I think I detect a note of jealousy in your tone.”

Isabella huffed. “You most certainly do not, sir. I am merely making pointless conversation until we get far enough away that Auntie Pith can’t hear what we say to each other.”

“Ah, I should have known you would have a good reason for making such bold statements.”

London had been blessed with several days of sunshine, and Isabella was quite comfortable in her long-sleeved dress of bone-white lawn and matching lightweight pelisse. The spring had been so cold there were few flowers in bloom, but the shrubs and yew were full of new growth.

“I assume your dancing with Lady Katherine twice last night put a stop to anyone thinking we were about to announce our engagement.”

“I haven’t heard the latest tittle-tattle, but I would assume so, yes.”

“Good,” Isabella said, realizing she didn’t like his answer.

She turned back to look at her aunt and had no doubt that her aunt was pretending to read the poetry book as surely as Isabella had been pretending to read it before Daniel arrived.

“Do you think we are far enough away that she can’t hear us?” Isabella asked.

Daniel glanced back to Auntie Pith, and then nodded. “I think we’re safe.”

“Do you plan to ask Lady Katherine to marry you?”

He looked confused for a moment but finally said, “That’s not what I came here to talk about.”

“Did you kiss her the way you kissed me?”

Daniel coughed and cleared his throat. “Isabella, you can’t ask me anything like that.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s not the proper thing to ask for one reason, and the other is that it simply isn’t any of your business what goes on between other people.”

“But I only wanted to know if you shared with her the same passionate—”

“Isabella,” he interrupted her. “I will not tell you anything about Lady Katherine or any other lady I happen to be with, just as I wouldn’t tell anyone about anything you and I shared.”

Isabella looked away from him for a moment before looking directly into his eyes again. “Yes. I suppose you are right. Keeping quiet about such intimate things is the proper thing to do.”

“Most definitely.”

“In that case, I suppose it wouldn’t be proper for me to tell you anything about how Sir William Smith kisses.”

Nineteen

The skin around Daniel’s eyes crinkled as his brows drew together in a deep frown. She was sure it was the first time she’d seen him angry. “You didn’t let him kiss you, did you?”

Isabella folded her arms across her chest and lifted her chin as she spoke. “According to you, sir, we are not supposed to discuss things like that so I will remain quiet on the subject.”

“Yes,” he said tightly. “I think it’s best that you don’t tell me anything about it.”

“All right,” she said lightly. “Shall we proceed to the subject of poor Mr. Throckmorten?”

“Yes, that’s a much safer topic. I need to know if you have discovered who the handkerchief belongs to.”

“Why have you waited three days to come and ask me about it?”

“I’ve been busy.”

“Oh, yes, I know. You’ve been very busy riding in the park with Miss Joanne Langley and taking Miss Alice Eldridge to Ganther’s for ices.”

“I have spent my time far more wisely than that, Isabella.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I made some discreet inquiries to find out which Bow Street runner to solicit because I wanted the best. I’ve met with him twice to make sure he knows exactly what I want from him. I made another visit to Throckmorten’s house and returned his journal without your help and without getting caught.”

Her eyes lit with surprise. “I’m impressed.”

“Frankly, so was I.”

“How did you do it?”

“I watched the house and waited until I was sure the butler had gone out. I slipped in the back door and put it back where I’d found it.”

Isabella smiled. “You are a man of many talents, Lord Colebrooke.”

“That is one talent I don’t want to use again.”

He glanced over at her. “I’ve also talked with Chilton and Bradford and feel quite comfortable neither of them had anything to do with Throckmorten’s death.”

“If you believe they are innocent, I’ll accept your instincts about them. I must say that you have been busy. You did all that and still you had time to escort Lady Katherine to the opera.”

The frown Daniel had worn since she’d mentioned Sir William Smith faded from his forehead, and his dark eyes and his face relaxed.

He smiled at her. “Isabella, if you keep this up, I will be convinced you are jealous of Lady Katherine.”

And
all
the
other
young
ladies
you
dance
with, smile at, and speak to!

That was the problem, she realized. As much as she hated to admit it, she
was
jealous. But she would never admit that to Daniel.

Instead she said, “Jealous? Don’t be absurd.”

Daniel locked his hands together behind his back as they continued their slow stroll of the perimeter of the garden. “Am I, Isabella?” he questioned.

“Completely,” she stated firmly, knowing there wasn’t a shred of truth in what she said. “I’m no more jealous of Lady Katherine than you are of Sir William. I’m merely trying to point out that Gretchen is still in jeopardy, and we must continue our search to find the killer.”

“I know. That’s why I had a long talk with my best friend and my cousin. But as I said, I’m convinced they had nothing to do with Throckmorten’s death.”

“If you are confident of that, then I will be too. Did Mr. Cummerford by chance tell you why he went to Mr. Throckmorten’s house?”

“Yes, but unfortunately I’m not at liberty to tell you Chilton’s personal story.”

“Of course, I understand. Can you tell me if the reason has anything to do with the lady he watches?”

Daniel looked over at her. “This lady you see him watching, is there anything unusual about her?”

“No. She’s lovely, friendly, and… married.”

“You are very astute, Isabella.”

“Thank you, my lord. I believe you’ve told me that before.”

“I’ll have to warn Chilton that he needs to be more careful.”

“And what makes you believe there is no reason to suspect Mr. Turnbury?”

“I spoke with Bradford this afternoon, and I don’t think he killed the man, either.”

“Does he have a secret in his life, too?” she asked.

“I’m sure he has many, but I’m not privy to any of them. It was more that he acted so calm when we talked about the man and how he spoke about him. I think he considered Throckmorten a true friend and is sorry the man is dead.”

“Oh, dear, it appears our list of suspects is growing shorter.”

“Yes, but right now there’s another more pressing matter that concerns me.”

“And that is?”

“Lord Gleningwold came to my house and delivered something he found in his garden.”

“What?”

“A glove that belonged to Gretchen.”

Isabella stopped. “Oh, merciful heavens, how did she lose a glove in his garden? I don’t understand, Daniel. We would have noticed if she hadn’t been wearing one of her gloves that night.”

“I questioned her about it. She wasn’t wearing that glove. It was from an extra pair she had in her reticule. She said she keeps extras in case one gets soiled while she’s eating. She thinks she must have dropped it when she was looking for her handkerchief. Thankfully, she didn’t drop that, too.”

“Daniel, do you think Lord Gleningwold suspects Gretchen?”

“I’ll have to make sure he doesn’t. The paper knife found in Throckmorten’s chest had Lord Gleningwold’s crest on it. Whoever stabbed him took the knife from Gleningwold’s house.”

“This is not good news.”

“No. It was much better when everyone suspected a footpad had accosted him on the streets and done the evil deed. I’m hoping Lord Gleningwold is not putting two and two together and coming up with Gretchen. I told him she was in the garden with us and that we talked to Lord Stonehurst and his lady wife. He has to know that several of his guests walked through his gardens that night.”