Page 38 of No One's Bride
“What can you tell me from looking at the scene?”
Lord Denton shuffled closer to her, his arm touching hers as they both examined the frightful image. She tried to concentrate but was distracted by the sound of his breathing, by the deep rise and fall of his chest.
“There are no defensive wounds,” the lord said, pointing to the annotated drawing. “Mr Hibbet knew his killer.”
“Or was plied with drink and subdued,” she added.
Mr Daventry nodded. “Excellent. They lock the doors to the auction house at seven. Mr Hibbet must have let his killer in. They found a bottle of expensive Armagnac on the desk but only one glass.”
It seemed odd that a mere assistant could afford to waste money on liquor. “Maybe the killer had a key and brought the Armagnac with him.” Something else struck her as strange. “Ye came to warn me just before midnight. How was the body found so quickly if the auction house was locked?”
Mr Daventry grinned. “At nine o’clock, a woman approached the watchman and said she heard screams coming from the auction house. The door was open. I happened to be dining with the magistrate when a constable informed him of the murder.”
Lord Denton gave a short hum. “Did you find Mr Hibbet’s waistcoat and cravat near the body?”
“No, his clothes were folded neatly in the armoire. Why?”
“Based on his relaxed dress and there being one glass, we might assume he was entertaining a woman, a lover. I trust the watchman gave you a description of the informant.”
“A vague one at best.” Mr Daventry flicked to a page in his notebook. “Thirty. Dark hair, though it may have been a wig. Pretty face. Nothing to help identify her amongst a crowd.”
“A woman didnae do this.” Ailsa doubted one person could have managed it on their own. “She had an accomplice. She couldnae have held a pistol to Mr Hibbet’s head and made him shackle himself to the desk. And she couldnae do it herself while holding a weapon.”
“Agreed,” Mr Daventry said.
“The woman’s claim seems dubious.” Lord Denton’s long, elegant finger came to rest on the sketch of Mr Hibbet’s chest. “Had she heard Hibbet scream, the watchman would have caught the murderer in the act. In all likelihood, the man was killed quickly. A stab to the heart before the killer mutilated the body. One suspects the ritual aspect is a means of disguising the real motive.”
Mr Daventry’s gaze shifted between them. “You really do make quite a remarkable couple. Equally insightful. Tell me what you discovered today.”
Ailsa felt a blush rise to her cheeks. Amongst other things, they’d discovered this confounding attraction could not be tempered. That when they kissed, the world blurred into the background. That they lost their heads whenever they were alone together. That she suddenly found the lord’s gruff manner appealing.
While she recalled Lord Denton’s indecent proposal, he revealed what they’d learned from the auctioneer. He spoke about the plot to fool the delivery man and named Professor Mangold as the person who won the grimoire.
“I know of the guild,” Mr Daventry said. “On the surface, Mangold seems harmless. Just another man disgruntled with his maker and seeking answers elsewhere. We’ll need to probe deeper.”
“We were told he’s unpopular with the masses, hence why he did not attend the auction.” A thread of excitement in Lord Denton’s voice said he welcomed the prospect of interviewing the professor.
Did it have something to do with the book found in his brother’s quarters aboardThe Perseus? Was the lord seeking spiritual answers to cope with his grief?
“I shall contact him to arrange a meeting.” Mr Daventry took his pencil and scribbled a reminder in his notebook. “You’ll say you’re investigating the power of incantations but will not mention having his grimoire.”
Ailsa swallowed past a lump in her throat. “Sir, Lord Denton agreed to act as yer agent but ’tis best if ye send someone else to assist him.” It was the only way to ensure she didn’t fall under his spell.
“There’s no one else, madam. And your insight will be invaluable to the case. Denton will keep you safe if that’s your concern.”
Safe!
He’d behaved just as recklessly.
Despite being a strong Highland lass, she was in danger of succumbing to temptation. That said, did the professor know of an antidote, a way to break the enchantment? As a disbeliever, Lord Denton wouldn’t think to ask.
“I suppose I could go with his lordship to meet the professor.” Heavens, Mr Daventry must think she had the discipline of a young pup. “It will add credibility to the story.”
Lord Denton didn’t tut or grumble as he’d been wont to do that day at the auction. The lord’s mischievous grin spoke of a desire for her company.
“And I’ll need you to visit the Old Crown with him,” Mr Daventry said. Anyone would think he got paid for every hour they spent together. “It would be wise to have a woman’s perspective when taking the wench’s statement.”
The gentleman removed a letter from his portfolio and gave it to Lord Denton. “Should you encounter any resistance during your investigation, this will help to secure the suspects’ co-operation.”
