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December 24, 1818
Christmas Eve
When Mary awoke that morning, she was still out of temper with Inspector Bright. It didn’t matter that they’d come together carnally the night before. It didn’t matter that he was fast becoming an addiction. And it certainly didn’t matter that she enjoyed spending time with him more than she probably should. If he thought her incapable of being intelligent enough to puzzle out the case with him, then she refused to have anything else to do with him.
I should have known better than to think that any male member of the Bright family was worth redeeming.
By the time she’d completed the necessary morning ablutions and donned a day dress of a maroon wool blend, her niece came into the room with a breakfast tray.
“Good morning, Aunt Mary. I thought you might be hungry and might not wish to hobble downstairs.” She gave Mary a grin then rested the tray on the foot of her bed. “Are you excited for the Christmas Eve ball tonight?”
To be honest, she’d forgotten all about it. With a sigh, Mary drifted over and then dropped into the straight-backed wooden chair beside her bed. “It slipped my mind since I’ve been so busy helping with Inspector Bright’s investigation.” Among other things she’d done with him.
“You are going to attend, aren’t you?” Worry shadowed Adelaide’s face as she poured out a cup of tea and then handed it over.
“I suppose I ought to though I don’t know if I’ll be able to dance.” Seemingly in another lifetime, she had enjoyed dancing, but once she’d married, there was none of that in her life, for her husband always maintained he wasn’t the society type. More’s the pity she wouldn’t be able to experience a waltz while partnered with Gabriel...
Stop that, Mary. He doesn’t deserve your regard.
“Was it frightening when you were in that accident last night?”
“A bit.” And now that she knew the sleigh had been tampered with, it was even more disconcerting. “I did wonder if we would ever be rescued.”
“I’m sure the inspector would have set out on foot and brought help himself.” The girl sighed. “He is ever so dashing, don’t you think?” Before Mary could answer, Adelaide continued. “I never imagined a man from Bow Street would be as handsome as he is, but he is so intimidating as he’s going around interviewing all the guests.”
She forced the sip of tea down her throat with a hard swallow. “Has he interviewed you?”
“Not yet, but I cannot wait until he does.” There was a dreamy expression on her face that Mary didn’t quite trust.
“Why?”
“Well, it’s quite exciting to be a part of a murder investigation, isn’t it?” The girl shrugged. “Belle told me his marriage was horrid and that it’s unlikely he will ever marry again.”
“Oh?” While she didn’t endorse gossip, Gabriel had been uncommonly tight-lipped about his personal history, regardless that she’d finally shared hers. “Why is that?”
“She didn’t say, only that his wife treated him poorly.” Adelaide glanced at her with interest. “What do you think of the inspector?”
“He is very skilled in what he does. No doubt he will ferret out whoever killed Mr. Alderson quite soon.” That was all her niece needed to know.
For long moments, Mary indulged in the light repast Adelaide had brought up.
“How will you spend your morning?” the girl wanted to know.
“I’m going to shut myself away in the library. Losing myself in a few books sounds refreshing and it’s quite needed, especially to cultivate quiet time before the chaos preparing for the ball will bring.” She would not think about the inspector or how much he’d disappointed her. “What is on your agenda today?”
Adelaide shrugged. “Belle said something about going down to the kitchens to steal some Christmas pastries then we’re to learn how to play billiards with some of the boys. Right after luncheon, the viscountess is going to have us decorate oranges with cloves and ribbons to set about the house.”
“It sounds like your day is truly spoken for.” Mary finished her tea. “Promise me you aren’t sneaking off to indulge in scandal. Your father will absolutely have my head.”
“Of course I’m behaving!” The girl smiled. “But remember, Auntie, there is nothing wrong if you wished to chase scandal for yourself.”
Heat stung her cheeks. Had she guessed what had occurred between her and the inspector? “I shall bear that in mind.”
Adelaide smiled. “Do more than consider it. The inspector is gorgeous. His hair alone is swoon worthy, and those eyes!” A blush went through the girl’s cheeks. “More’s the pity he is far too old for me, but he might be perfect for you... if you would give a man a chance to be in your life.”
Over the years, her niece had no doubt picked up bits and pieces from Mary’s past, and while that was to be expected, Mary didn’t want the bald truth known. It wasn’t flattering. “I appreciate your concern, but there are more avenues to consider than merely that.”
The girl nodded. “Then perhaps one of the other men at the house party might catch your eye, especially tonight at the ball.” Excitement danced in her eyes. “I am quite looking forward to wearing my Christmas gown and perhaps dancing with a handsome stranger.”
“Don’t be in a rush to begin that next phase of your life, dearest. You have plenty of time.” Would that someone had cautioned her when she’d been Adelaide’s age. However, she’d been headstrong then when Francis had turned her head and manipulated her heart. Sage advice probably wouldn’t have stopped her from doing what she had.
Now she’d let the other Bright brother couple with her.
What is wrong with me?
“Oh, you poor, sad auntie.” Adelaide came close and bussed her cheek. “I still have hope for you, even if you’ve given up.” Then she gave a wave and skipped from the room.
Mary sighed. To be young again and never worry about the consequences.
A half hour later saw her in the library, where she was acutely aware that the inspector was no doubt occupying the library a few doors down from her location.
Had he given any thought to her overnight? Did he care that he’d upset her?
With a huff of annoyance, she attempted to focus on the book in her lap. The fire was cozy enough as it snapped and crackled in the hearth, and miracle of all miracles, it had stopped snowing. Anemic sunlight filtered in through the windows. Perhaps that would mean some members of the house party might try to attend midnight services in the village after the ball. Neither that nor the ball itself appealed to her, for she disliked the cold, and her recent actions were at odds with the proper life one should live if one followed the teachings of the church.
However, she regretted none of it, with the exception of giving into her insecurities, which led to her snapping at the inspector, driving a wedge between them.
The sound of fabric rustling at the doorway alerted her to the presence of another person, but then the intoxicating scents of sandalwood, orange, and spice betrayed the identity of the intruder. Awareness immediately prickled over her skin while flutters went through her lower belly. She turned her head, met Gabriel’s gaze as he came into the room, but he gave nothing away of how he was feeling. “I am occupying the room currently so would ask that you come back later.”
He softly snorted. “I realize that, but I wanted to talk with you.”
“Personally, or for your case?” Did she care either way?
“Perhaps both.”
“Ah.” Now was the perfect time to drive home her point and show him how wrong he’d been. Setting her book aside, Mary put the back of her wrist to her forehead and pretended she was falling into a swoon as if she were helpless.
Gabriel came further into the room and around the sofa so that he stood before her with a fierce scowl. “What the hell are you doing?” he asked with his hands propped on his hips, which only served to call her attention to that interesting part of him.
She fought off the urge to grin. “Since you obviously feel I’m naught but a helpless female who is incapable of doing anything or defending myself against an attacker, I shall act appropriately.” Then she slumped against the back of the sofa while he narrowed his eyes on her. “Life is so much better when I’m the vapid, brainless female that you apparently think I am, for it takes the pressure of being someone else from me.” Had her performance gone too far?
“Bloody hell, Mary.” An honest to goodness growl issued from him. “That is not what I meant last night, and you know it.”
“How should I? According to you, I don’t have the capacity to think like you.” She continued to recline on the sofa. “And you don’t properly communicate what it is you want from me.” In this issue or any other.
“I’ll concede that you have a point.” Yet annoyance rolled off him in waves. “After the news of the sleigh runners being tampered with and knowing the murderer is still among us, I wanted to be certain you’re protected. In order to do that, I need to keep you safe, and that means pulling you off the case.” Nothing but frank outrage reflected in his hazel eyes.
Mary righted herself on the sofa. “Then you don’t think I’m incapable?”
“I do not. In fact, you are more clever and intelligent than many men I know, some of them even at Whitehall.” He sat on the lip of the low table near her location. “And after our abrupt break last night, oddly, I have missed you,” he added in a low voice that sent silly flutters into her lower belly. A trace of vulnerability went over his face. “Will you please continue to act as my assistant—my partner—in solving this case?”
Somewhat mollified, she nodded. “Are you certain I’m up to such a masculine task?” For whatever reason, she couldn’t stop teasing him.
A faint grin flirted with the corners of his mouth, and she suddenly had the urge to kiss him. “I cannot think of anyone else I’d rather have on the task. Hell, you could probably solve the case quicker than I can if you have no distractions.”
One of her eyebrows lifted. “Well, if someone wasn’t so deliciously distracting...”
Ruddy color went up his neck above his collar, but he nodded. “The same can be said of you, so will you help me? I apologize for my highhanded treatment. It has seemingly been an age since I needed to worry about a woman’s feelings outside of a potential suspect capacity.”
They both had their difficulties brought on by their pasts and would both need to learn how to overcome those things together, but she nodded. “I will. However, you need to be more forthcoming regarding yourself and why you do what you do. Whatever is between us may not be a courtship, but I refuse to let it be a one-sided affair.”
“Agreed.” His Adam’s apple bobbed with a hard swallow. “I am finding that indulging in... whatever this is,” he gestured between them, “will have more of a chance once I stop looking at it through the shadowed lens of the past.”
“But it’s a difficult endeavor since that very history has indelibly shaped our lives,” she said softly, but thrilled that they were back together and on equal footing again. “Regardless, I understand the sentiment.”
“Yes.” For long moments, he regarded her with questions in his hazel eyes, but it wasn’t an unpleasant stare, and it rather warmed her from head to toe. “Do I have your forgiveness?”
“You do.” She wasn’t one of those women who would nurse a grudge or treat him to silence merely to prove a point. That was childish and manipulative behavior and didn’t solve anything. “Bear in mind that your safety is as important as mine.”
A trace of shock went through his eyes. “You are worried for me?”
“Of course.” A frown tugged at the corners of her lips. “Why do you assume I am not? You can be hurt just as easily as I can.”
“No one has ever been concerned about me before.”
“I’m sorry, and that sounds very sad.” She held out a hand to him, and when he took it, the warmth of him, the security in that pedestrian touch lifted her spirits. “I’m sure your son doesn’t want you to be injured either. Now you have two people in your life who cares.”
The grin he flashed could rival a thousand lit candles. “I appreciate that.” When his eyes darkened, her heartbeat accelerated. “Regarding yesterday...”
“It was a lovely evening, and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend that time,” she said before he made a cake of himself.
“Agreed.” Then he blew out a breath. “How does your ankle fare today?”
Mary shrugged. “There is a bit of a twinge when I overwork it, but otherwise, all is well.”
“Will you attend the ball tonight?”
“That largely depends on whether you will be there, Inspector.” She offered him a small smile. “Yes, I’ll need to watch over Adelaide, and no doubt your son will need a slight nudge of confidence, but it might be lovely to indulge in a dance if the right man were to ask.” What sort of managing baggage was she to push him into such a thing?
“I will be there, for how better to study our fellow guests than from the sidelines of a ball?” Slowly, he stood, and she assumed he would leave the room. “If you’re of a mind, I’d like to continue the investigation before everyone is too busy preparing for the ball.”
“All right. Who do you have in your crosshairs now?”
“My brother.” His eyes were like hard pieces of glass as he stared down at her. “If he didn’t want his indiscretions for public consumption, he had every reason to kill the butler, and if Alderson was blackmailing him? Even more so.”
She sucked in a breath. “You want me to accompany you to interview the viscount.” It wasn’t a question, yet it put so much apprehension into her chest, she could scarcely breathe.
“I do, because it will make him even more uncomfortable to the point that he might not watch his words as carefully.” Then he sat next to her on the sofa, rearranging her feet into his lap. “However, first, I am going to massage your ankle while you tell me about the gown you’re planning to wear tonight.”
“You care about such things?” How odd yet somewhat gratifying, for her husband never said anything about what she chose to wear.
“I am interested in you, Mary, and whatever you are doing.” Gently, he removed the slipper from her left foot. “Why don’t you read to me from your book while we catch this brief moment to ourselves?”
“All right.” The scene was so domestic, she internally reeled. I could become all too used to this. But she also wasn’t a green girl who believed every day going forward would be this blissful, for the sheer fact that men and women would butt heads occasionally, and only the lucky ones wouldn’t turn violent.
