Page 105 of The Mistletoe Countess
“I suggest you alert the authorities, Lord Astley.” David’s palms pressed against the desk. “If the perpetrator knows of your doubts, this may put both of you in danger.”
“I’m afraid it already has.” Frederick turned to Grace, his dark gaze holding hers. “But we believe we know the culprit. We only need prove it, and you’ve given us some help on that score.”
The declaration sent a wonderful thrill through Grace’s entire body. Oh heavens, her husband would make a gloriously dashing detective. She could almost picture him with spyglass in hand. Marriage certainly proved much more exciting than she’d anticipated, and if they survived another week without being drowned, poisoned, or attacked by moonlight, just imagine how much more thrilling it could become.
Frederick phoned Detective Miracle with the new details from their meeting with Dr. Ross when they returned home, and the detective planned to take the first train to Havensbrooke the next morning to meet Grace and Frederick after the house party. Tension tinged the air. They were hurtling toward some unseen culmination in this dark plot, and the only thing to do was prepare as best one could.
Frederick’s wife dazzled the guests upon entry at Keriford Hall in a gown of midnight blue lace, silk, and beading, a sash of a paler hue cinched around her waist, enhancing curves he knew so well.
Her hair was a halo of fiery red, piled into a mass of curls on her head and decorated with a thin band of silver. He held his breath at the sight of her. And she was his. The awareness reverberated through him afresh every time he acknowledged God’s gift in giving him Grace.
Lady Caroline Keriford welcomed them forward, a vision in dark rose, her expression honed to perfection. Grace must have inherited her eyes from the Rosemunds, because her aunt shared the same captivating hue.
“Aunt Caroline, your home is beautiful.” Grace released Frederick’s arm to embrace her aunt. “Thank you for this wonderful gesture tonight.”
“I couldn’t leave you to the wolves of the aristocracy without a proper introduction, my dear.” Lady Keriford peered over Grace’s shoulder to offer Frederick a wink. “But I daresay you’re in excellent hands. Mr. Andrew Piper is a mutual acquaintance, and quite complimentary of the new Earl of Astley.”
Frederick dipped his head in acceptance of the compliment. “He’s the best of men.”
“Yes he is.” She offered her hand to Frederick, which he accepted with a bow.
“And so is Lord Astley.” Grace lifted her eyes to her husband, one eyebrow winging high in a flirtatious tilt.
A smile warmed his face at her unabashed admiration.
“You’re acting as if you truly like one another.” Lady Keriford chuckled. “Very uncommon indeed.”
“Our American counterparts do bring a shock to the institution, don’t they, Lord Astley?” This from Lord Keriford who joined his wife’s side in greeting. Lord Keriford had done well in his marriage, by all accounts from the outside world, and the two made an amiable pair if first impressions held any credence.
“I’m quite certain I married well.”
“Of course you did. You married intomyfamily.” Lady Keriford ushered them forward with a laugh. “I’m pleased to have you so close, Gracelynn. It’s been much too long since I’ve seen family.”
Music filtered from the room ahead of them, a space boasting high, elaborately carved golden ceilings and a pale oak floor that glowed in the carefully placed lighting. “I should prepare the two of you, though. At the last minute, Lord Elston brought a guest not unknown to you, Lord Astley.”
Frederick halted at the threshold of the doorway, tension constricting his chest with warning. Almost as if drawn by magnetic force, Frederick’s gaze found the root of the aggravation. Surrounded by a group of ladies and gentlemen at the far corner of the room stood Celia Percy in her mourning gown. The very fact she’d shown up to the house party filled with some of the upper crust of English society defied every social expectation, yet from the faces of the enraptured throng, no one seemed to mind. His mother would have been horrified that Celia had taken some of the more relaxed views of mourning by wearing half-mourning attire, let alone showing up at a house party when her husband hadn’t even been in the grave a year.
“I was surprised at her arrival, of course, since she’s still in mourning.” Lady Keriford offered a one-shoulder shrug. “But this is such a small party, and though some of the more astute members of the gentry may scoff, I felt it couldn’t hurt anything really. She seemed determined to celebrate your happiness, so I overlooked propriety this once. Family, you know.”
“This once?” Lord Keriford offered his wife his arm and a crooked grin. “You’ve been overlooking propriety since the day you stepped off the boat from America.”
“You are right.” She laughed and took his arm. “But I do attempt to avoid scandal, at least.” Her gaze settled on Grace. “Which is the only point you need to remember in this British upper class. You’re allowed a great many liberties as long as none of them end in scandal.”
“Come darling, let’s announce the guests of honor.” Lord Keriford drew his wife away from them, leaving Frederick a few seconds with Grace.
“She’s even better than I imagined.”
Frederick really should have failed to be alarmed by Grace at this point.
“Raven hair, deliciously deceptive eyes, and a smile with all sorts of alluring secrets.” She touched his arm. “Oh Frederick, no wonder you fell so desperately.”
“Stay near me, Grace.” He shook his head and leaned closer, lowering his voice. “If anything happened to you, I’d never forgive myself.”
“Who’s to say you won’t need me to protect you, my chivalrous husband?”
As creative and inventive as her mind could be, his bride had no idea of Celia’s cunning. Manipulation was one thing; murder was another.
At that moment, the music died, and Lord Keriford’s voice swelled over the quieting throng of about forty people. “Thank you for joining us this evening for our Christmas celebrations. We would like to welcome our guests of honor, Lord and Lady Astley, in their first public appearance in England as man and wife.”
