Page 33 of Fit for a Duke
‘To join the other gentlemen in the local tavern.’ Clio could sense that he had taken her suggestion seriously and felt pleased to have thought of a possible remedy. ‘Your plan has merit, my lovely. It is not as though he could discharge a pistol,’ Ezra added in a considering tone. ‘The sound of the shot would bring people running and he would have a hard time proving that he didn’t fire it. Especially if he did. The smell of the cordite would give him away, even if he found time to throw the weapon aside before help arrived.’
‘Precisely, so he will have to resort to a dagger or…well, something less immediately lethal.’
Ezra offered her a droll smile. ‘How reassuring.’
‘Surely you can defend yourself against the captain,’ Clio said, enjoying challenging him. ‘I will confess that he looks fit, strong and capable, but I suppose…’ She canted her head and sucked her lower lip between her teeth as she exacted revenge for unspecified grievances by pretending to contemplate his musculature. ‘However, I’m sure that you could hold your own. Besides, your man will be nearby to step in if needs be.’
‘Minx!’ He bent to throw a stick for Merlin, who barked and then scampered after it. ‘There isn’t enough time between now and tonight—’
‘Which could be just what Salford is depending upon.’
‘Well then, it will be interesting to see if he follows me, should I wander away from the main party.’
‘With help close at hand, naturally.’
‘Naturally.’ But Clio could sense that he had decided to take matters into his own hands.
‘What are you not telling me?’ she asked impatiently.
‘I am more interested in who’s pulling the killer’s strings, and why,’ he replied in a pensive tone. ‘That is the person we need to draw out.’
Clio conceded the point with a dip of her head. ‘In your situation, I would feel the exact same way. You assume that Salford doesn’t know?’
‘If he has been engaged, then I am absolutely sure of it. Whoever killed my father and brother went to extreme lengths to cover their tracks. He wouldn’t risk the person he’s hired knowing his identity, since if he is caught then he would give him up in a heartbeat in order to save his own skin. The mastermind would be aware of that.’
‘Very likely.’
‘Your grace, coo-ee! Are you there? You’re needed.’
‘That’s my aunt,’ Clio said anxiously. ‘Best that she does not find us here alone together.’
‘Ashamed of me?’ he asked in a mocking tone.
Clio shook her head at him and disappeared behind the nearest tree seconds before her aunt came into view.
‘Ah, your grace, exercising your dog, I see.’
‘I was enjoying a respite from your delightful entertainments, Lady Fletcher,’ he replied, turning on enough charm to make even Lady Fletcher blush, Clio noticed with amusement as she peeped round the side of her tree.
‘This is a lovely spot, I have to agree with you there, but if you are ready, we have need of you on the lawns. A new guest has just arrived who is most anxious to renew her acquaintanceship with you.’
‘Then by all means let us attend her.’ Ezra proffered his arm and Clio’s aunt placed her hand on it.
Clio watched them go, curious as to the identity of the new arrival. She gave them a few minutes’ head start and then returned to the lawns by a different route. She noticed Salford immediately, standing on the edge of the gathering and watching everything, as though ready to pounce whenever the time was right. He inclined his head and smiled when he noticed her, but she ignored the gesture and joined Adele, who was seated at a table pouring tea.
‘Who is that?’ Clio asked, nodding towards an attractive lady she had never seen before who was greeting Ezra with a familiar kiss on each cheek. Clio tamped down the jealousy she felt, noticing that Ezra didn’t seem especially pleased to see her. There was certainly none of the informal playfulness or wicked little smiles that he’d just shared with Clio, and he didn’t attempt to stand too close to the newcomer either.
‘Lady Isobel Walder.’
‘Never heard of her. Who is she? She seems to be acquainted with the duke.’
‘Mama knows her only slightly. She is recently widowed—’
‘Not so recently. She isn’t wearing widow’s weeds and doesn’t look especially heartbroken by the alteration to her circumstances.’
‘One assumes she is out of official mourning.’ Adele replaced the teapot on the table and handed a cup and saucer to Clio, who thanked her and took a sip of the scalding liquid. Adele poured another and handed it to a footman to pass on. ‘Anyway, Mama received a letter from her yesterday saying that she planned to be in the district for a few weeks and stating her intention to call.’
‘And let me guess, my aunt felt duty bound to invite her to the party.’
