Linda's banishment and her huffy departure seemed to take most of the life out of the party—almost as if it had been the culmination of the evening, and those present no longer had anything to look forward to. Over the next hour, in ones and twos, they dropped by to excuse themselves, many adding whispered condolences on how things had turned out.

Pierce ignored the comments, acting as if nothing untoward had occurred. A few of those leaving looked disappointed by this. Despite appearances, maybe our host wasn't universally liked. There was plenty about him I didn't approve of, so perchance others weren't fooled by him either. But it hadn't stopped them from eating his food or enjoying his alcohol.

I doubted I'd like them any better.

"Prince, here you go." Dai slipped him a treat from her clutch, having him stand down from guard mode. The saying of his second name alone was the signal for more abrasive behavior, his first name an indicator his duty was done. He lay down at her feet to contentedly chew away, alert but no longer showing teeth.

With Pierce occupied, Dai turned her attention to Shannon, who was now in a pleasant mood. Without Asquith as a distraction or Domberry as an adversary, it would most likely be our best opportunity for information gathering.

"Miss Daugherty, how long had you and Laura been roommates?"

Shannon stepped back a little to draw closer to Dai, but her gaze remained on the rest of the room. The music continued to play, now switching to a lively waltz, despite the thinning numbers of the dancers. "About three years, I guess."

"Met her at work?"

Shannon chuckled. "She would never have thought of working there if it weren't for me. No, we'd known each other for years. Raised in the same backwater in East Texas."

"So the two of you came to Dallas together?"

She chuckled again. "Laura begged me to let her come with me. Winona was too small for her. There's a big wide world waiting for us, she said, and we should go take it."

I raised a brow, not quite believing her. It didn't mesh with the image I'd been building of the deceased, but it fit Shannon to a T.

"So you have no ambitions yourself?" Dai cocked her head. "Now that Laura's gone, will you be returning to Winona?"

Shannon's eyes narrowed and she stared at Dai as if trying to make sure she wasn't being made fun of. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.

"No. I have a job, a place to live. And I have my eye on a few possibilities. It would be a pity to waste the opportunities Laura helped find, don't you think?"

Dai cocked her head in the other direction. "Will you be looking for another roommate then? A friend of mine is searching for an apartment to share."

Shannon hesitated. "I haven't decided. Laura felt bad about leaving me in the lurch, so she used money she'd stashed away to cover her share of the rent for six months. She was stupid that way."

For the first time, I saw a glint of grief in her eyes.

"Would it be all right for us to see it, anyway? If you do eventually decide you'd like a roommate, we'd be ahead of the game."

"I suppose."

"Splendid." Dai smiled. "If you'd give Jacques the details, we can come visit whenever it's convenient for you. Sometime tomorrow, perhaps?"

Shannon eyed us as if unsure of what we were up to. "Sure, I guess that works. But it needs to be before three."

She pulled a social card from her small fabric purse, which matched her green dress. Someone came prepared, though I doubted she'd had much opportunity to use them.

Our lost party members returned one by one. Domberry brought with him a glass of chilled white wine for his wife in one hand, the other holding a tumbler filled with something stronger. From the slight waver in his gait, he'd drunk at least a couple before returning. He presented Lizzie her glass with a flourish. "Your drink as requested, madam." The 'as' came out 'ash.' He'd definitely had several drinks while he'd been gone.

"Thank you." Lizzie's cheeks colored in a combination of pleasure and embarrassment.

Asquith returned a minute later with Mrs. Grey in tow. By this point most of the floor was empty. Pierce rejoined them, looking tired.

"Well, the evening didn't go exactly as I'd hoped. Apologies."

Asquith looked confused. "Did something happen?"

Domberry snickered. "I was downstairs, and even I heard about it. You must have been hiding in a deep hole, Willy old boy." He snorted at his own comment.

Lizzie elbowed him in the ribs, hard. "It was nothing to worry about, Will. Just someone who drank too much." She aimed the last bit at her inebriated husband.

"Normally Linda's more restrained." Pierce gave a slight smile, one bereft of humor. "This was over the top, even for her."

"I truly didn't mean to cause you any trouble." Dai bowed her head. "I should have thought more about the possible consequences of coming in traditional dress, even if it's a modern variation. My vanity got the best of me, and for that, I apologize. As you may imagine, the opportunities for me to wear evening dress are rather limited."

"No, don't you dare take any of the blame for this." He flashed her a grin. "It's been a privilege seeing you dressed this way. It's worth any inconvenience."

Did he never stop? I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

"Perhaps we should call it a night ourselves? Just in case someone decides to send more trouble our way." Aiden still held the bulky camera, her gaze scanning the room looking for other possible undesirables.

I thought her suggestion an excellent one. I doubted there was more we would glean from the suspects tonight.

Pierce looked deflated. "We've not even had the pleasure of a dance yet. You'd not deprive Miss Wu of such a treat before leaving, surely? Without the crowds, it should be safe enough. And the band is paid up for at least another hour. "

Dai sat up straighter, apparently intrigued by the prospect. "I wouldn't mind. I'd be loath to waste the chance. But I have no experience with dancing. I don't know what to do."

"That is simplicity itself. We'll do something slow and without a lot of steps. It is the man's place to take the lead, and I won't steer you wrong." Pierce looked over at me and grinned. "We've just the right amount of people, too—four boys and four girls. Excluding Mrs. Grey. Though I can find her a suitable dance partner if she would like to join us."

"I most certainly would not." Mrs. Grey huffed her lack of interest.

"So, China Doll? What do you say?"

I didn't like this one bit. But I also didn't want to take the opportunity away from Dai, if she wanted it. The cad probably had this planned all along.

Dai held out her hand in acquiescence. Pierce took it in his and gently pulled her to her feet and led her to the dance floor. He signaled the band, and they wrapped up their current number before smoothly shifting to the Arabian Dance from The Nutcracker. Slow yet erotic. I was right—the bastard had planned this from the start.

There was only one way to be close enough to stop anything untoward before it got too far. "Might I have this dance, Dr. Campbell?"

Her wide mouth opened in a silent O, the bulky camera dropping to the floor as if it no longer existed. When I presented her with my hand and a half bow, she tentatively placed hers in mine. Perhaps Dai would not be the only one having a wish fulfilled this evening.

"Paul, it's been ages. Shall we?" Lizzie's excitement at the prospect made her face glow.

With a small sigh, he offered his hand to her in turn, and she took it.

"Will, I know you would prefer for this to be with Laura, but since that's not possible," Shannon suggested, "maybe we could dance to honor her? We'd been practicing together. She wanted to make sure she wouldn't embarrass you."

Shannon's ploy was as rehearsed as Pierce's. I glanced back to see what William would do. He nodded, extending his hand to hers. Mrs. Grey glowered at her before her expression returned to its careful, disapproving neutrality.

Interesting.

"I've had some lessons, but haven't actually danced much." Aiden stared at her feet as if fearing to make eye contact.

"Same here."

She looked up, surprised.

"I filled in for Mr. Wu whenever he couldn't get away for their private classes. Dai said it would be good for me, and she seemed to enjoy the music and the sounds the dancers made as they moved." I raised my left hand, gently grasping her right hand, then placed my right at her hip, keeping a modest distance between us. Aiden's free hand rested on my shoulder.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Pierce and Dai doing much the same. If he'd brought her too close to his body, I would have intervened. I noticed his lips moving, but he spoke softly enough that I couldn't overhear.

Their heights were off-kilter, but neither seemed to mind. They started swaying to the beat of the music, Pierce seemingly content to keep it simple, with the occasional small step to point them in a different direction.

Aiden and I began the same way, but soon added more steps to make it an actual waltz. To my surprise, Dr. Campbell was light on her feet and followed my lead smoothly. It was nothing like my struggles when dancing with the dragon.

Lord and Lady Domberry swooshed across the floor even with the slow tempo. Lizzie had been correct in her assertion that her husband was a talented dancer—good enough to compensate for what she lacked. She couldn't have seemed happier.

Shannon and Asquith proved to be evenly matched, their dancing smooth and unforced. Though she looked thrilled and was enjoying herself, William appeared pensive, struggling to hold it together. Shannon was the farthest thing from his thoughts.

Aside from the occasional glance to make sure Pierce was behaving himself, I tried to keep my attention centered on Aiden. She was here at Dai's behest, after all. It wouldn't be proper to be rude by making her dance yet focusing my interest elsewhere.

"You love her very much, don't you?"

There was no need for the doctor to say about whom she was speaking. "Yes, I do. We may not be related by blood, but she is my sister and must be protected."

"I agree." Aiden threw her own glance in Dai's direction. "She is quite formidable."

It made me smile to know someone else saw Dai in the same light I did. "This mystery has her pushing beyond her usual boundaries. She can be a handful even at the best of times. I'm grateful for your aid in all this."

"Of course," she said. "But it's nothing at all, really. Just trying to solve a murder."

"Come now, don't sell yourself short. You've gone through a bit of trouble and hardship to help us out. You're a good egg."

Aiden's eyes widened with astonishment, and her cheeks took on a red hue. It was a pleasant look on her. But then she shook her head and frowned, looking away. "You really shouldn't say things like that. They might be misunderstood."

Before I could make heads or tails of what she meant, the music faded, signaling the end of the piece. We both let go, and I thanked her for the dance. Glancing toward Dai, I saw Pierce doing the same. Her cheeks were flushed, and a serene smile showed on her face.

All the men led their partners back to the alcove. Aiden was still frowning, but the other three looked to have enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Of the men, Pierce looked the happiest. Asquith seemed pale and forlorn. I was still struggling to figure out what had gone wrong with Dr. Campbell.

"You've had your dance." Mrs. Grey stood looking ready to go. "We have a long drive back to the hotel, so I think we should leave. We wouldn't want to overstay our welcome, especially since the party is over. It's been a full day for everyone." Her gaze strayed to Asquith, not that we weren't already aware of whom she truly meant.

William nodded. "Yes, I think it would be best as well. Thanks again for your generous hospitality, Truman."

"It was my pleasure. On many fronts." He flashed one of his smiles in Dai's direction, despite the fact she couldn't see it. I wished I could say the same.

"What are your future plans, if I might ask?" Dai sent the question in Asquith's direction. "Will you be staying in Dallas, or will you be returning home to England?"

William looked away. "I haven't decided anything as yet. The family wants me to return right away, but I never completed what I came out here to do in the first place. Yet everything seems so unimportant now."

"You may feel that way at the moment, but it won't stay that way forever." Mrs. Grey hovered over him but made no move to touch him. "Family will get you through it. Being back in a familiar setting and surrounded by those who care for you will help you put all this behind you. It helped me in my time of need." For the first time, her face filled with emotion.

"I know, Nanny. But I'm not sure it would be the same for me as it was for you." William hung his head. "No matter how hard everyone tries to convince me of it."

"I apologize, I didn't realize," Dai said. "It wasn't my intention to make this harder on you."

Asquith shook his head.

"They've been pressuring him to leave almost from the moment Laura died." Shannon glared at the others. "As if she'd perished from a plague and we were all contagious."

Lizzie looked put out. "Well, she was sick off and on for a week or two, wasn't she? Despite modern medicine, there's still a lot we don't know about diseases. Natives build immunities, we all know that. But we aren't natives. Surely you don't begrudge us for wanting to stay healthy?"

"She'd been sick for two weeks?" Aiden was suddenly at the forefront, her eyes flashing. "Did she see a doctor?"

Shannon snorted. "As if we could afford one. And the free clinic was no help. Besides, Laura's always had a weak constitution. We just figured the cramping and stuff was because she wasn't used to eating all those fancy foods. By the time we realized something was really wrong, it was too late."

"I should have insisted she see a private doctor. I was more than willing to pay the fee," William added. "But she was so sure it was nothing. Even Nanny agreed it was something that would pass." He shook his head, tears welling in his eyes. "I should have insisted."