Page 12 of The Moonstone Pirate
“No one wishesto do me in,” Draco replied with a growl at Imogen. “Who would ever mistake me for that wretch?”
Imogen tried not to take offense at his dismissive remark. He was quite agitated, and who would not be if someone had been killed on their property during a welcome party? But could he not see that the culprit might have wanted him dead and only killed Driscoll by mistake? She would not allow him to discard the possibility, but decided not to pursue the matter just now.
If looks could kill…he certainly appeared angry enough to throttle her.
“Lord Woodley, forgive me if it sounds impertinent,” Constable Angel said, “but where were you when all this happened?”
“He was dancing with me,” Imogen immediately replied on his behalf. “He had claimed the supper dance, you see. Then we unmasked and were speaking with his uncle and cousin, Deandra, when his dog, Parrot, suddenly growled and ran from us. Lord Woodley chased after him, so he was nowhere near the caves when the murder must have been happening.”
Constable Angel nodded. “I am not suggesting Lord Woodley murdered him, but I had to ask the question. And now you have raised a most intriguing possibility, Lady Imogen. Did Lord Driscoll’s killer know it was Lord Driscoll and not Lord Woodley he was stabbing?”
“He, or she, would have been rather incompetent to make that mistake,” Draco insisted. “Driscoll was surrounded by those unsavory friends of his. One would think someone intent on murdering me would do the most basic research to learn more about me and know I would not go near that crowd. No, they must have been after Driscoll.”
He then turned to Viscount Brennan. “Let’s gather your men and stop those carriages before Driscoll’s friends go into hiding. They were scared. I’m sure they saw something.”
Constable Angel marched out with them in order to summon his constables, the doctor, and anyone else required to perform whatever formalities were required when one was dealing with a dead body.
Imogen watched them leave, knowing their first order of business would be to change out of their costumes so as not to be viewed as laughingstocks by anyone they encountered along the way as they gave chase.
Her Uncle Cormac and the two dukes had been assigned the task of protecting the body and searching the area for clues. They had immediately gone down to the pirate caves, but before departing, her uncle had issued a further warning: “Stay indoors and stay together until we return. The killer may still be among us.”
Imogen’s aunt put an arm around her as Draco marched off with a purposeful stride. “Your observation was very clever, Imogen.”
“Lord Woodley did not seem to think so. Why do you think he was so peeved?” She shook her head, finding it hard to think of Draco Waring as the Earl of Woodley. Obviously, he was, and had the commanding presence to go along with the title.
Phoebe’s sister, Henley, smiled at her. “Men can be funny that way, not liking when a woman comes up with an idea more clever than theirs. I would not have thought of it myself, butyou have an artist’s eye and picked up on that interesting detail immediately.”
Brenna, the Duke of Claymore’s wife, and Chloe, Viscount Brennan’s wife, agreed.
“Also, it must have shaken him to think someone wanted him dead,” Brenna added. “Would that not upset any of us?”
“He does not strike me as someone easily rattled,” Imogen remarked, thinking of the way he had chased off Driscoll earlier when the man approached her.
“Well, now he is aware of the possibility,” Chloe said. “If he were the intended victim, the killer might try again once he realizes his first attempt failed.”
Imogen’s heart lurched. “Perhaps the danger extends to his uncle and cousin as well. Let’s keep an eye on Albert Woodley and his daughter, Deandra. I’m glad our masks are finally off and we can see faces. Most guests have already gone to the dining room now that supper has been served. Shall we follow?”
“Good idea,” Phoebe muttered, leading the way.
The revelers were hungry, and the display of food was lavish and quite sumptuous. It helped distract Imogen from the gruesome thought of a body on the Woodley grounds. In truth, she was surprised no one other than her immediate family and a few close friends realized what was happening.
Well, Draco had been discreet.
Besides, who was going to hear anything over the music or the chatter, especially when most guests were drunk by now? Nor did she think anyone would notice the absence of Constable Angel or any dukes, marquesses, viscounts—even their earl host—now that they had all moved on to the dining room and seen the feast on display.
Many guests were already digging into the exquisitely presented fare. Footmen were busy serving mutton, smoked trout, honey-glazed squab, crab soup, leeks in butter sauce, peas,roasted carrots in a cinnamon glaze, savory pies—and still more food was carried in to replenish the massive quantities already served.
Imogen ingratiated herself with Deandra while the other ladies occupied Albert Woodley. Imogen’s task was easy enough. Deandra was so excited about attending her first ball that she chattered on and on about it. “None of the other young ladies paid me any notice,” she said, reaching for Imogen’s hand. “But you have been so kind to me. I hope we shall become good friends.”
Imogen smiled. “I hope so, too. In truth, I know very few of the young ladies here tonight. Most are not from the local area and probably came to Moonstone Landing with their families for the summer.”
“Some came all the way from London just for this party and are staying at the Kestrel Inn.” Deandra pursed her lips. “They’ve only deigned to be here in the hope of catching my cousin’s eye, but Draco is very smart and will see right through their ploys.”
“I have only spoken to him briefly, but he does strike me as quite sharp,” Imogen agreed.
Deandra nodded enthusiastically. “He is. There is no one smarter or kinder. He has been very good to me and my father, truly taking us under his wing when he was under no obligation to do so.”
“He must care for you both quite deeply. It is right that he should take you into his heart and under his protection. Are you his only family?” Imogen was now curious to learn more about Draco Waring, the somewhat enigmatic Earl of Woodley.
