Page 39 of Affair

“Think of it this way: a gentleman in your circle of acquaintances may be a murderer.”

Rosalind shuddered. “Are you even sure that you are searching for a man? The killer could have been a woman.”

Baxter shrugged. “Mrs. Heskett sent Charlotte a note saying that she believed someone was trying to kill her. She was concerned that one of her recent suitors might had become enraged when she rejected him.”

“I see. This could be quite a fascinating endeavor, Baxter.”

“I thought you’d come to that opinion. Charlotte and I must start somewhere, so we intend to begin our inquiries with Mrs. Heskett’s suitors. The last one to be rejected was Lord Lennox.”

“Lennox.” Rosalind frowned. “Drusilla was quite fond of him for a time. Claimed the man had stamina.”

“Stamina?”

Rosalind looked amused. “Drusilla liked stamina in a gentleman. She also liked it in a footman or a coachman or a groom. To be quite blunt, Drusilla was fond of any man who could keep up with her in bed.”

“I see.” Baxter removed his eyeglasses and pulled his handkerchief from his pocket. “Assuming that it was one of her lovers who killed her, we could be looking at a very long list of potential murderers.”

“I doubt it. Few of her conquests would have had a motive for murder. Perhaps I could be of some assistance, Baxter.”

“I do have a favor to ask of you.”

“What is that?”

Baxter replaced his spectacles. “I would very much appreciate it if you would take my fiancée shopping.”

“Shopping.”

“And her sister as well. You may send the bills to me.”

Rosalind’s eyes gleamed. “Good God, Baxter, I’m stunned. This is so unlike you. I do believe you are beginning to sound a bit like your father.”

“Thank you for the warning. I shall be on my guard.”

Three days later Charlotte stood at the edge of a crowded ballroom and smiled with unconcealed pleasure. “I must tell you, Mr. St. Ives, whatever the result of our venture, I shall be forever indebted to your aunt.”

Baxter glanced at her as he took a sip from his champagne glass. “My aunt?”

“Lady Trengloss has made my sister a spectacular success. I know that was not the point of the evening, but I am delighted, nonetheless. I vow, Ariel has had a partner for nearly every dance. Just look at her out there on the floor. She is a diamond of the first water, is she not?”

Baxter frowned as he searched the dancers for Ariel. It was not difficult to spot her. She was taller than most of the other women on the floor. He saw that she was whirling about in an exuberant waltz with a young man who wore a distinctly dazzled expression.

“She appears to be enjoying herself,” he said.

“Yes. My parents would have been so proud. Lady Trengloss was correct when she declared that Ariel must wear only blue and gold. The colors are perfect for her.”

It dawned on Baxter that Charlotte looked very good in the canary yellow satin gown that she wore. It set off the dark flames in her hair and emphasized the green of her eyes. The bodice was low and square-cut, revealing her creamy shoulders and a decorous hint of the gentle swell of her breasts. There was a dashing little confection of a cap trimmed with a yellow plume perched on her head.

This was the first time he had seen her in anything other than a high-necked, long-sleeved day gown, he realized. He was no expert on fashion but in his opinion she was the most attractive woman in the room.

He took a swallow of champagne. “Blue and gold are all very well. I prefer yellow.”

“Yellow would have been quite atrocious on Ariel.”

He slid her a sidelong glance. “I was referring to your gown.”

“Oh.” Charlotte gave him a brilliant smile. “Thank you. You look very nice in black and white, Mr. St. Ives. It suits you.”

He did not know whether that was a compliment or not. He suddenly felt compelled to explain his limited selection of evening attire. “As I told you, I don’t go into Society very often.”

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