Page 42 of Jane's Story
“All right. What’s this about the two of you being a couple?” Darcy reached toward his friend, shaking his hand and pulling him into a hug.
“Uh, it just kind of happened…” Charles looked almost embarrassed and shrugged.
I stepped back and folded my arms over my body. My tone was businesslike. “Charles, does Darcy know about Armond?”
Darcy tipped his head a bit to the side and furrowed his brow. “I heard he passed away.”
Charles interrupted. “We suspect foul play.”
“You don’t think…?” Darcy’s eyes widened.
Charles shook his head. “I don’t think it’s related to the fae or Moonrot. Jane’s aunt helped us with a seer spell. The objects weren’t in direct view of the murder, but they were close enough. We have no reason to believe magic was involved.”
I bit my lip, hoping Darcy didn’t disapprove of my aunt’s involvement. The magic in my family amounted to little more than parlor tricks to someone like him.
“We suspected Lance, but now we don’t know,” I blurted, looking around to make sure no one heard me. “Heand Armond fought about something before the murder. But we’ve learned a bit more…”
“So then you have local law enforcement looking into it?” Darcy asked.
“They’re no help. Charles is on their list of suspects,” I grumbled.
“Furthermore, someone murdered our first photographer, Margery Blake, a couple days ago,” said Charles.
“We’re going to need to look into this, Charles. I need to be certain it’s not connected to the Moonrot investigation.” Darcy’s green eyes flashed bright blue for a moment.
Charles nodded.
Moonrot investigation.I didn’t dare ask, but hopefully it meant Darcy was looking into some kind of cure for the disease threatening my dad’s life.
“Have you run into anyone out of the ordinary? Neither of the victims was fae, were they?” Darcy studied the room for a moment.
“No. This is something else,” Charles said.
Darcy narrowed his eyes at a couple leaving the room. “Changes the way this event feels, doesn’t it? Like we can’ttrust anyone. But I’m sure they would have canceled this if word had gotten out.”
“Only our close circle knows. We’re keeping an eye out tonight,” Charles said.
“Hmm,” Darcy grumbled. “Well, I think they’re expecting me up at the stand.”
I realized the men standing several yards away had been discreetly watching us. Darcy’s security detail. Maybe that’s what Charles and I needed, but then we wouldn’t be able to work through our plan.
“Looks like the servers are bringing out dinner.” Charles’s mouth had fallen into a frown. He and Darcy had something going on they didn’t want to say in front of me, which made my heart hurt. Why was he defensive about having a relationship with me? Even if it was only for show.
A server arrived with a tray full of appetizers, and I glanced at Charles as we sampled tiny quiches and stuffed mushrooms. He had honest eyes and a genuine smile. I trusted him. He had to have his reasons for how he acted around Darcy, and if he needed me to know, he would havetold me.
“Look at all this food.” I gaped at the herbed potatoes and a seasoned vegetable strata served with garlic chicken and asparagus, artfully arranged on fine china and drizzled with a balsamic vinegar glaze. It was too much to finish, especially strapped into my evening gown. But I did my best, trying a bite of everything.
“It’s good, but honestly I’d be just as happy with spaghetti and meatballs.” Charles grinned at me. Whatever got him down around Darcy seemed to have settled in his mind. Those dimples got me every time.
From the stage, Darcy presented a few awards and announced the silent auction and a musical performance. Then he invited the crowd onto the dance floor. This would be a chance for us to socialize more.
Dozens of elegantly clad couples strode to the center of the room to dance. It was nothing like the clubs and social events back in Austen Heights by a long measure. The instrumental music, from waltzes to big band, seemed to fit the tastes of all the guests, whose ages must’ve ranged from their twenties to well into their eighties.
Charles led me to the dance floor and spun me around as the music played a gentle waltz. I intended to keep an eye out for people I wanted to talk to. But I found myselflost in the moment. My dress swished around my ankles as I turned. White fairy lights lit up the topiary trees and marble pillars lining the walls. Floating disco lights danced around the room like starlight.
“Jane,” Charles said to me softly and spun me under his arm. “I have to say, you’re beautiful.”
I didn’t know how to respond. But I smiled at Charles, the man I didn’t deserve but wanted with all my heart.
