The date of the next expected death neared. Violet could tell how it weighed on Alex, even though he now had a good idea of some of the players involved. Alex shared much of what he learned about Hanchett over the past several days. He said the man deserved to be imprisoned even if he hadn’t murdered anyone.
“I can trace his name to any number of shady deals… I just have to find out where to start.”
Alex also said that he had to attend the next meeting of the Society. He absolutely refused to let Violet go.
“It’s too dangerous, love. You are brilliant and clever, and I’m grateful for everything you’ve done. But if you think I’ll let you take one step further toward a killer without any protection, you don’t know me.”
Violet shook her head. “You’re just saying that because you’re a trained spy with a decade of experience and skills I can’t hope to match.”
“Well, yes, that’s all true. But I’m mostly saying it because I love you and I can’t stand to lose you.”
“Oh, that was clever. Now I can’t argue against you at all.”
“Good.” Alex smiled.
“To be honest,” she said then, “Mr Hanchett doesn’t seem much like a killer. Then again, I suppose I have no basis to judge.”
“I do,” said Alex. “That’s why I need to be invited to the next meeting. Getting your Aunt Judith to tell Hanchett I’m harmless is the best way to do that. You’re not going alone.”
The worst part of the plan was that Violet had to pretend that she wanted to see her aunt again. But Alex insisted it would seem more natural if they were both there.
“If I just showed up on her doorstep, asking about Ophiuchus, she’ll suspect a trick. But you’re going to steer the conversation toward it. Let her bring it up. She won’t suspect a thing if she thinks inviting me is her own idea.”
“All right.”
He leaned over to give her a kiss. “Don’t mention anything about the murders.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“And be prepared,” he added in warning. “I’m going to say several things you won’t like. I’ll seem like I’m not myself, perhaps. But just let me do that. You don’t have to look pleased—if fact, it would be a bit suspicious if you were.”
“You’re going to let her think she’s convincing you?”
“Yes. Just enough to get to the next step.” He kissed her again. “You have to trust me.”
“Of course I do.”
“Good. Then let’s go pay a social call.”
They went to the rooms Judith and Roger rented in town—though Roger was out somewhere, and thus only Judith was waiting for them. The call was initially less awkward than Violet feared. The ostensible reason was for Violet to check in on her aunt, to see how she was doing in the wake of her friend’s death.
Judith was on her best behavior, which helped. In fact, she was obviously trying to be as charming as possible to Alex. Worse, it seemed to be working. Alex was rather aloof at first, but by the second course, he’d thawed considerably.
“Violet told me a bit about her evening with your group, but she then had to go run off to look at a meteor or something.”
“Oh, is she still stargazing?” Judith asked.
Alex nodded indulgently. “Every night she gets the chance. I see no harm in it—one silly hobby is just like another. Don’t know what she thinks she’s looking for, but as long as it provides diversion…” He shrugged.
Violet felt stung. Yes, Alex warned her that he’d say things she wouldn’t like, but he sounded so convincing. “There’s great merit in what I do,” she said, unable to keep silent.
“Oh, indeed?” Judith spoke. “And what great insight have you gained, Violet? What mysteries have revealed themselves to you? It’s just like I’ve always said. You look, but you don’t see.”
A slight pressure on her foot kept Violet from snapping back. Alex was warning her as subtly as he could. But she was not prepared for this after all.
“I saw a comet,” she said. “I tracked it. I charted its path through the sky. That’s something, Aunt Judith.” Tears pricked at her eyes.
“It’s nothing,” her aunt said, her voice oddly gentle in its condescension. “Not compared to seeing the future.”
That was more than Violet could tolerate. She stood abruptly. “Please excuse me. I need some fresh air.”
* * * *
Alex watched Violet turn and walk away. He ached to follow her, yet he couldn’t, not without destroying the opportunity he spent the whole time crafting. He had Judith on her own now.
“What do you mean about seeing the future?” he asked. He strove to balance the casualness of his question with a bit of curiosity.
Judith turned to him, already eager to share. “She hasn’t told you, has she?”
“Told me what?”
“I saw her marriage to you, your grace. In the stars—it’s all there, for those who know how to look. Why do you think I was so bold in negotiating the matter? I knew she was destined to be the next Duchess of Dunmere.”
“She is an excellent duchess,” Alex allowed. “Though I admit I would never have guessed that on the day of the wedding.”
Judith was smug. “The stars have a plan that is not readily apparent to mortals. One must study them with great dedication.”
“Isn’t that what she does?” Alex asked, gesturing to where Violet had gone off.
“She only gazes at the surface! The music of the celestial spheres is deeper than that, more mysterious.”
“Even to see the future?” Alex asked, putting more urgency into his tone.
“Yes. Do you want to know what yours holds?”
“Doesn’t everyone?” Alex pulled back, regaining a bit of his original demeanor. He didn’t want it to be too easy for Judith.
“Ah, but you have more reason to question than most, your grace. Fate seems to have taken an interest in you.”
“Perhaps.” Alex suddenly wanted to walk away. Judith’s needling disgusted him. But instead, he leaned forward. “I need to know…”
“Yes?”
“Violet,” he said. “I need to know her future.”
Judith smiled slowly. “I have a way to help you with that, your grace. I will tell Mr Hanchett that you are interested in joining our little society.” The briefest frown crossed her face. “After all, we do have a recent opening.”
Alex left Judith as soon as he could. He walked outside to where Violet was waiting. She stood in a small garden between the house and the street.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
Violet ignored the question. “What did she say?”
“I’m going to meet this Mr Hanchett. If I pass muster, presumably I’ll get to attend the next meeting, whenever it is.”
“It will be at midnight, the fifteenth of May,” Violet said. “Exactly as the sky demands.”
Alex reached out to take her arm. “I told you that I’d say some things you wouldn’t like to hear.”
She nodded once. “You did. If I didn’t know you better, I would have believed them.”
“You looked very offended.”
She gave him a tiny smile. “It convinced Judith, did it not?”
“It worried me, as well,” Alex confessed. “All right, let’s move on before anyone can see our touching reconciliation.”
“As my husband commands,” Violet said. Her voice was as demure as it had been the day he first met her. But Alex heard all the nuances in it now, and marveled how he ever could have missed them.
He saw her home and then left again. He only had a few days before he would confront Hanchett, so time was precious. He consulted with the Disreputables and arranged to use them again on the night of the fifteenth. Then he met a few more people, settling a few last details of Hanchett’s past—including the fact that he’d been born Daniel Galbraith.
Alex was eager to get back to the townhouse that night. He couldn’t fathom one more hour without Violet. He didn’t want to disturb the household as they completed their usual tasks before turning in. He used his own key to come in the side door. He shrugged out of his greatcoat while listening to the servants’ idle chatter in the room beyond. Most were the typical end of day exchanges, but he picked up on a word, and then a phrase, that seemed out of place and was quickly hushed.
Doctor. Her grace. Ill.
Alex went cold. Had something happened to Violet, despite all the steps they taken to keep her safe?
One of the footmen happened to step out into the hall at that moment. He saw Alex and jumped in surprise.
“Dear Lord, your grace! Thought you were a ghost.” He recovered quickly. “Take your things, sir?” He reached for the coat and hat.
Alex judged his expression and saw no fear in it. “Where’s my wife?” he asked in a low voice.
“She retired over an hour ago,” the footman said. “Dalby is still awake, should you have a question for her.”
“Was she the one who called for the doctor to see her grace?”
“Oh, yes, sir,” the footman said. Then he drew up as he remembered there was no way for Alex to know that. “How did…”
“Never mind. I’m going up.”
Alex left the hall, taking the stairs two at a time. A doctor had come for Violet. The only thing he could think was that someone made the curse real after all.
His rational side intervened before he slammed open the door to Violet’s room. If she was in danger, the household would never be so calm, and he would certainly be told. And yet…
Slipping in through the narrowest crack of the door he could make, he tiptoed to her bedside. Violet was asleep, her breathing light and even.
The room was illuminated only by the remains of the fire. He wondered if he dared wake her. But he couldn’t stand not knowing. He reached down to touch her shoulder. “Violet?”
She stirred immediately, and gave him a sleepy smile. “You’re back,” she said. “What time is it?”
“Just after midnight.” He sat on the bed. “I heard a doctor was called.”
She frowned. “I told Dalby to stay quiet about that.”
“Stay quiet?” He leaned forward. “This is important, Violet! If someone tried to hurt you again—”
“Alex! That’s not what happened!” She sat up in bed, her eyes now wide.
“Then what? Are you ill?”
She shook her head slowly.
“Then what?”
“I have something to tell you, Alex, but I needed to find a way to say it so you wouldn’t be concerned or upset.”
“What is it?” he insisted. “Christ, if you’re sick…”
“No, Alex.” She put her hand on his arm. “I just don’t want you to be upset if it’s a girl.”
It took a moment for her words to sink in. “A girl?”
“Because we can try again, of course.” She smiled now, unable to hide it.
Alex reached out, putting his hands on her waist and drawing her closer. “You’re with child?” His heartbeat suddenly went erratic.
She nodded happily. “It’s very early, but the doctor says it’s as certain as can be. I was going to wait a week or so, to spare you if I was wrong. But I know something’s changed.” She leaned in closer and whispered, “Are you pleased?”
Alex could barely breathe. “Violet,” he said, wrapping his arms around her.
She kissed him sweetly, then said, “Because I’m pleased.”
“I love you,” he said, not at all sure what else he could say. “You must be careful. Your health, I mean. No more riding. And you need to sleep regularly…”
“Oh, Alex,” she said, laughing gently. “We’ll get the doctor to tell me all that. I just need to know you’re happy about it.”
“Of course I am.” He kissed her again.
Her arms twined around him eagerly. “I missed you,” she said.
He missed her. He wanted her. But her news made him uncertain. “I can’t risk hurting you, love.”
“Silly,” she said. “You wouldn’t even know if I hadn’t told you. Just be gentle.”
He was. He very gently laid her down and kissed her and put his hands on her body. Now that he knew, he was sure she had already started to change, very subtly. Her breasts were a little fuller, her skin pinker.
“You’re beautiful,” he said, in awe. “You’re everything I ever wanted.”
She said, “I’ve been waiting for you to come home. Not just to tell you, but for you.”
He found that she had been waiting for him, and he slid into her body as she sighed contentedly.
He went slowly, enjoying her warmth and her breathing and her delight more than ever. She ran her hands all over him, as if reassuring herself he was there. He came swiftly, but without any urgency. Violet smiled at him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “That’s enough,” she said. “That’s all I want. But you must stay with me tonight. I missed you so much.”
As if he’d leave. He lay next to her, his hand on her belly. He could stay like that for hours.
“I’m turning lazy,” he said out loud. “All I want to do is be in bed with you.”
“Hardly lazy,” Violet returned. “Isn’t this why you married me? To secure an heir? You’re doing exactly what you’re supposed to do. And being quite productive at it.” She laughed a little.
He nodded, but then said, “That’s why I married you, but it’s not why I love you. If we never have children, I’m lucky to have you.”
“Alex,” she said, putting a hand on his face. “There’s no need to say it. And we will have children. You aren’t compromising.”
“No, I’m not.” He put his head down, wanting to sleep. Then he remembered the list Ash gave him, and got angry all over again.
Violet caught Alex’s expression. “What is it?” she asked, suddenly aware that something was amiss.
“I don’t want to worry you,” he said.
“Well, now you must tell me.”
“I know,” he said. “I’ve been debating. Keeping you unaware in the hope that you’d be happier…”
“I’d rather know,” she said. “No matter what it is.”
He nodded. “All right. When someone sent that snake to the house…”
“You’re not bringing up the curse again.”
“No. Nothing mystical caused that.” He explained the pool and the bets, and the amount it had grown to.
Violet looked appalled. “Someone tried to kill me so as not to lose a wager?”
“That’s my fear. Which is only slightly less horrifying than my original theory, which was that the killer was aware of my investigation and tried to kill you in revenge. The timing didn’t match up for that, thank God. But it matches all too well for this pool.”
“Don’t kill anyone,” she warned.
“No promises,” he said. Then he abruptly pulled her into his arms. “Everything in the world seems aligned against us.”
“You’re forgetting our child.”
“Certainly not,” he said, with a sigh. “Promise me to be careful, and keep someone near you at all times when you’re outside the house itself. No more stargazing, Violet. Not till this is done.”
“I’ll promise that if you promise not to kill anyone in connection to this wager.”
He sighed. “You have my word.”