The Earl of Her Dreams (11 page)

Mr. Wicket continued on, blithely unaware. “Lake expressed interest in attending. Nice to have some crosstown interaction, even if he is on the opposing team.” Mr. Wicket chuckled at his own joke.

Christian and Kate excused themselves minutes later and headed back to the dining room. Lake was speaking earnestly to Mary. The girl was blushing. Desmond was at a table across the room with a scowl on his face.

“It all comes back to Lake, doesn’t it?” Kate muttered.

Christian shook his head as he watched Lake and Mary and noted minute gestures of affection between them, gestures he had in the past avoided like the plague. “No, it all comes back to Mary.”

Kate looked at him sharply, and he could see her mind start to churn. Before she could question him, Freewater scuttled over to them from his corner.

“I want to participate in your search of the rooms.”

“What?” Kate looked incredulous.

“I want to help you search the rooms.”

Christian narrowed his eyes as fierce triumph and irritation warred within him.

Kate shook her head. “I’m sorry, sir, but that is just not—”

“Why do you want to help?”

Kate looked at Christian in shock as he abruptly cut off her explanation. He was staring at Freewater, his gaze shrewd. After hearing his contemplative thought about Mary, Kate’s mind was in turmoil. That Freewater should suddenly pop up like a child’s toy was disconcerting.

Freewater straightened importantly. “I want to help your investigation.”

“No you don’t.” Christian’s tone was moderate, as if talking about the weather.

“What do you mean, no I don’t?” Freewater blustered.

“I mean exactly what I said; you don’t want to help investigate Janson’s murder.”

“Why else would I offer to help?”

“Did you lose something, Freewater?” Christian purred. Kate stared at him. His eyes were
mocking, but there was something fierce and narrow behind the mocking.

“Didn’t lose anything. There’s just nothing to do in this blasted inn while we wait to be set free.”

Christian examined his nails. “You can play cards or gossip with the others. You could hide away in your room as you did before, doing who knows what. We can’t help you, Freewater, if you don’t help us.” He continued to examine his nails, his voice idle.

Freewater clenched his lips, his face turning purple. “Fine. A journal was stolen from me.”

“Stolen?” Christian’s eyes grabbed Freewater’s. “Why would someone steal your journal?”

Freewater hesitated before answering. He seemed to be waging an internal battle. “Because the journal was valuable. Priceless.”

“Oh yes? What did the journal contain?”

“It was a private account.”

“A gentleman’s account? Why would that be valuable, or
priceless
, as you say?”

Freewater gritted his teeth. “The gentleman has a lot to lose should the journal fall into the wrong hands.”

“Sounds like the journal already did.” Christian’s eyes were icy, and Kate, already feeling as if she was missing something, grew more suspicious.
Christian seemed to notice her reaction, even though his eyes never left Freewater’s. He gave a small negative gesture with his hand and she stayed silent.

“The journal was given to me,” Freewater sniffed.

“By the owner?”

“Yes,” he said, but Kate noticed Freewater’s left eye twitch.

“Describe it.”

“Dark brown leather, about a fingernail thick, gold embossed.”

“What name is engraved?”

“Darton.” The name was ripped from Freewater’s throat. Kate thought it sounded vaguely familiar, but couldn’t place it. She watched Christian’s eyes turn hard, and she had a feeling that while she might not be able to place the name, Christian certainly could.

“Hmmm…we haven’t come across a journal of that description so far, have we, Mr. Kaden?”

She shook her head.

“That is why I should be involved as well,” Freewater said.

“We can’t have you involved in the investigation, Mr. Freewater.”

“But—”

“It would compromise the entire process. It’s against Runner’s Code Section Forty-one. Firm statute, that one.”

Kate had no idea what Christian was talking about, and she thought Christian probably didn’t either. He seemed quite capable of making things up on the spot, however.

“I need that journal!”

“We will see if we can’t find your missing journal, Freewater. We will, of course, inform you, should we find it.”

Kate thought that from the look on Christian’s face and the tone of his voice that was very unlikely, but Freewater tersely nodded.

“I will pay handsomely for its safe return.”

“Excellent. That will encourage faster results.”

Freewater seemed to think that it would too, since he nodded.

He shuffled off to his dark corner and Christian smirked.

“What was that about?” she hissed.

“Why, nothing, nothing at all. We’ll attempt to find Freewater’s journal, just as I said we would.”

“But what do you know of it?”

“Tut, tut, Kate, so suspicious. I know only what you do, that Freewater lost a journal that really belongs to someone else.”

Daisy approached with a bean stew that smelled as tasty as the beef from the day before. Kate picked small slivers of the table’s wood from her nails as Daisy touched and cooed over Christian. She curled her nails into her palms instead.

After an unbearably long time in which Kate shredded her bread to crumbs and nearly cracked her bowl with the force of her spoon thrust, Daisy finally swaggered off.

Ready to deliver a scathing comment, Kate pointed her spoon at Christian, whose eyes were smoothly mocking. “I really don’t think—”

“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention?” Mr. Wicket interrupted, waving his stubby arms.

“You really don’t think?” Christian mock whispered to Kate’s half-delivered invective.

Kate glared as Mr. Wicket finally gained the attention of the room.

“I have just received an update from the men clearing the roads. Coaches and carriages may be running as early as tomorrow afternoon.” Someone gave a little cheer. “Mr. Black will be continuing his investigation, searching rooms, and speaking to each of you, so please be polite and forthcoming so you can all be on your way tomorrow.”

The little innkeeper was such a contradiction. On one hand he seemed to understand his patrons; on the other he seemed not to notice anything in his own household and village.

She glanced over to see Christian looking thoughtful and determined. They would be able to leave tomorrow, and that meant Christian Black would saunter right out of her life the same way he had sauntered in.

She swallowed.

They had the rest of the day and night and maybe tomorrow morning to discover the killer’s identity; after that, the murderer might go free. A chill went through her, followed by steely resolve. She couldn’t let that happen. This was something she could control, unlike all the other things in her life. She was finally doing something constructive. Justice could be served here, and she intended to see it happen.

T
hey searched Tiegs’s room first, even though at this point they were looking less for actual evidence, which had most likely been hidden or destroyed, and more for indicators about the people and clues to the puzzle. When Christian had told Tiegs that his room was the next they would search, the man had given them a nonchalant wave of his hand. Kate had thought it odd, as secretive as Tiegs seemed.

One of his two bruisers followed them upstairs
and watched intently as they searched through Tiegs’s belongings.

With the big man standing at the door, arms crossed, hairless head gleaming in the firelight, Kate was less inclined to search than she had been at first. Christian seemed to take the behemoth’s presence in stride, even going so far as to ask if the man was nervous that they might find his lace undergarments.

The man hadn’t been amused.

“Look at this.”

Kate glanced up to see Christian holding a bat. Crossing over, she touched the bat, and could see stains on the end. They appeared to be old stains, and the wood was nicked and chipped.

“Is Mr. Tiegs a cricket player?”

The bruiser grunted.

“I’ll take that as a yes then.”

“Perhaps that was why Tiegs was talking to Lake?” Kate murmured. No use giving the bruiser information for Tiegs to use in case he was the guilty party.

“It could also explain how Janson knew him.”

“I’ll ask Mr. Wicket.”

Christian nodded.

She found a pocket watch next and showed it to Christian and whispered, “I was hoping the pocket
watch we found on Janson’s body would be the one I saw that night, but I think this is the one I saw. This chain looks similar, even seeing it from a distance.”

Christian just nodded his head.

Their search turned up a small arsenal of weaponry packed in a large trunk. Three rifles, four pistols, and a sword.

Kate thought she might give Tiegs a wider berth than she already had.

The bruiser remained in the room even as Christian and Kate proceeded across the hall to Olivia and Francine’s room. Christian knocked lightly on the door.

“Oh, Mr. Black,” Olivia purred as she wrapped one delicate hand around the oak frame. “I was wondering when you would make it to my room.”

Kate gritted her teeth as Christian smiled brilliantly. “If it’s not inconvenient, I was hoping to search your room? A mere formality, of course.”

“Of course. Do come in now, but perhaps you would like to return later for a less formal search?” The woman’s voice was smooth as satin, and Kate decided she hated that fabric.

“Perhaps,” Christian replied easily.

Kate felt like throttling him. What was he thinking to flirt with one of their suspects? It’s not as if
she would normally
care
, but he was on this investigation with her, damn it. Least he could do was to act professionally.

“Do you mind if I watch you work? I have the utmost respect for you Runners. So strong, and brave, and
strong
.” Kate saw the woman’s fingertips run along the edge of Christian’s arm, caressing his shirtsleeve. Wicked widow, indeed. Kate stumbled forward, and her flailing arm knocked the widow’s hand off Christian’s shirtsleeve.

“Oh, I’m terribly sorry, madam.”

Olivia barely spared her a look, instead continuing to send smoldering glances in Christian’s direction as she regained his arm and tucked hers under his. Olivia’s dress swished as she strolled with him farther into the room. One would think they were at a ball and not in a room that was at most seven paces long. Irritating man.

“Do tell me what you are looking for, Mr. Black? You won’t have to search us, will you?” She put her free hand to her bodice and fingered the delicate lace.

Kate blinked in shock, speechless.

“We just might have to at that, Mrs. Trent.”

“Do call me Olivia.”

“And you may call me Christian.”

Olivia gave him a self-satisfied smile, and Kate
turned away to start rifling through the woman’s belongings. She could feel a brief, distasteful glance at her back, but Olivia simply made a tutting sound and flirted shamelessly with Christian once more.

Kate stifled a gasp of shock at finding a rod with a thin leather tail. She shoved it back into the traveling case.

“Did you find something of interest, Mr. Kaden?” Christian’s smooth voice sounded amused, and she just knew he had seen what had been uncovered in Olivia Trent’s valise.

“Not yet.” She cleared her throat. “Do carry on.”

After sorting through several oils, unidentified implements, and a few perfectly identifiable implements, a red-faced Kate shoved the case back under the bed. If the murder weapon was in there, then happy hunting to Christian if he was going to avail himself of the merry widow later. Just like Connor, he was.

She checked under the mattress and searched through the nooks and crannies of the dresser. She was running out of places to search when Christian finally decided to do what they had originally come here to do.

“Olivia, was your first night at the inn the night that Mr. Janson was murdered?”

“Yes, Francine and I are traveling to London and our coach stopped here for the evening. We are taking in
all
the sights. It’s been so long since I’ve been to Town properly.”

After examining Mrs. Trent’s case and watching her interact with Christian, Kate could just bet what those
sights
included. The shades were drawn and the lamps lit to cast Olivia in the best light.

“Did you hear anything odd the night Mr. Janson died?”

“I heard Mr. Lake yelling and glass shattering. Mr. Nickford was mucking about in the hall. I think Mrs. Wicket was down here twice, once to address the ruckus with Mr. Lake and a second time after.”

Kate was intrigued, despite herself. “How do you know Nickford was in the hall?”

Olivia’s gaze never left Christian. “I could hear him muttering. His voice is quite distinctive. Strange man, but rather well off, so I’m told.”

“And Mrs. Wicket?”

“She tripped on something, I think, I heard her cry out.”

“Cry out? Like she was hurt?”

“No. More like in shock. There was a bang like she hit the wall.”

“And the gallery? Did you hear anything out there?” Christian entered the questioning.

“Two people were talking around two or three in the morning. The chimes sounded. There was a sound like a scuffle as well, but I was nearly asleep at that point.”

Kate frowned. “Were you just falling asleep or had you been awakened by the scuffle?”

“Francine and I were talking. We had undressed and slipped under the covers.”

“Talking about what?”

“What we were going to do in London, how glad we were to leave the country.” Her look left Christian and she sent Kate a condescending glance. “Surely our conversation is of less interest to you than our toys.”

Kate was unimpressed by the widow’s patronizing glares and smug superiority. “I find you of very little interest actually, but we need to complete our investigation.”

Olivia’s eyes sparked and then narrowed.

“Did you notice anything else the night of Mr. Janson’s death? Besides the common room, your room is the only one to share a wall with Janson’s. Did you hear anything from his room?”

“Yes, I am quite aware of the layout, Mr. Kaden. Mr. Janson made a lot of noise until around two.
Quite drunk, I do believe. Wouldn’t be surprised if in his drunken stupor he accidentally tossed himself over the railing.”

Kate saw Christian’s eyes narrow.

“Did you hear or see anything that could support that?” he asked.

“I wasn’t spying on my neighbors, Christian.” She looked up at him through half-lidded eyes. “I have much more pleasant ways of passing the time.”

The hall clock began to chime and Kate shivered. Christian deftly disentangled himself from Olivia, who gave a moue of disappointment. He walked over to Kate, and his hand briefly brushed her side.

“Unfortunately, we still have several more rooms to search, Olivia. Will we see you at supper?”

“Most definitely,” she purred.

Kate opened the door and walked from the room. She was irritated with Christian for flirting with a suspect and half surprised that he had walked away from the well-endowed widow to give her comfort. It made for a very aggravating and confusing state of mind.

Kate didn’t wait for Christian to follow as she walked around the stairwell. She paused for a moment and looked around. Olivia Trent really
did have the best room for hearing everything that went on. Centrally located, next to the stairs, opening onto the gallery, and adjacent to the victim’s room. The only rooms that she would have trouble hearing conversations from would be the Crescents’ and the common room.

Christian tapped her shoulder, his gaze once more unreadable. “Desmond’s room next?”

She jerked her head in a nod and Christian strode forward and knocked. Desmond didn’t answer, fortunately, and Christian unlocked the door. As soon as they were inside he turned to her.

“Why are you so irritable all of a sudden?”

“Oh, please. ‘Christian, you are so strong and brave,’” she mimicked. “You did nothing to help in Olivia Trent’s room!”

“I kept her occupied while you searched, didn’t I?”

“You flirted shamelessly with her the entire time!”

He smirked. “Jealous?”

“No!”

He moved forward to flip open a book on top of the bed stand, his body touching hers. Before she could move, he leaned forward so his lips were barely brushing her half-exposed good ear. “There’s no reason to be jealous, Kate.”

Her voice caught somewhere in her throat, but her feet managed to move a step back.

“I’m not jealous, Black.”

“We’re suddenly back to last names, Kate? Seems I’ve made some progress after all.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about.” Unfortunately, she couldn’t quite convince herself. His ability to unsettle her was reaching a new level that was a bit, well, unsettling.

Desmond’s room was uninspiring, quite like the man himself. It was devoid of any personal objects, with his cricket gear stacked in the corner.

“I suppose that makes sense,” Christian said. “He and Janson live nearby. They were staying at the inn for a night of celebration.”

Kate frowned. That thought had been bothering her for days. “Why wouldn’t they just leave to go home? Their other teammates did.”

He shrugged. “Janson’s home was being remodeled. His parents are still away; he likely was using the situation to his advantage. Wicket said he had that chat with Janson. He was attempting to woo Mary.”

“But that doesn’t explain why Desmond would also stay.”

He shook his head. “Janson was the type who
needed someone else to back him. Someone standing behind his shoulder sneering.”

“So you think that’s why Desmond remained?”

“I think Desmond probably stayed because Janson asked him to.” Christian picked through the cricket gear. “We will have to ask him though.”

Kate looked under the bed. Nothing was there, not even a ball of dust. “Good housekeeping service here.”

She turned to see Christian examine the cricket bat.

“There’s no dearth of cricket bats in this inn, is there?”

Christian looked speculative. “Except Janson’s. He played in the match the other day right along with Desmond and Lake. Yet I haven’t seen his bat, have you?”

She shook her head, eyes wide. “You think he was killed by his own bat?”

“Why not?”

She watched him turn Desmond’s bat. Unlike the others, Desmond’s was clean and well kept. Christian saw her staring.

“Desmond’s a mouthy one, not one to get dirty. The only reason he was even in the taproom fight was because he was assaulting people who weren’t paying attention.”

Christian placed the bat back on the chair and motioned to leave the room.

“You don’t think it was Desmond.”

Christian shrugged. “Could easily have been. A jealous rage, perhaps? Tired of being in Janson’s shadow? Perhaps he wasn’t as devoted a second as everyone seemed to think. Men like Desmond aspire to greatness, but are too petty to ever truly achieve it.”

Christian somehow convinced her to search the Crescents’ room again, since the couple was out. The room was probably very light and airy during the daytime hours, but the sun had already set, and Christian lit a lamp.

Other than a silver-handled cane, there was little of interest. The room was well-appointed, with three casement windows and direct access to the gallery.

Kate watched Christian look through the desk and raised a brow as he swore.

“You didn’t see anything resembling the journal that Freewater mentioned, did you?”

“No. Why are you so single-minded about trying to get your hands on Freewater’s journal? It’s the first thing you search for in every room. I even saw you look under the mattress in Tiegs’s room, don’t think I didn’t. That’s what gave me
the idea to do the same in Olivia Trent’s room.”

“Well, while we are searching, we might as well search for the journal too. We don’t know what else we are looking for now, do we?” His voice was harsh.

“Let’s look for Janson’s bat. That was a splendid idea you had.”

He gripped the desk. “But that still doesn’t bring us closer to finding the journal.”

Kate decided not to comment. There was obviously something special about the journal, but until he decided to share it with her, she would continue to keep her peace. Unless it impeded their investigation.

His grip on the desk gradually loosened, though there was a tiredness that remained in his eyes. “Fine. Let’s search Janson’s room. I know that the servants said it was completely bare, but we should still check it over to see if anything was left behind.”

“Then we can go to supper. They should be serving soon.”

“Fine.” He nodded tightly as they exited the room and locked the door. Sally collided with them as they turned the hall corner at the stairwell. She murmured a quick apology and ducked her head after giving Kate a shy smile.

Christian waited for her to pass before leaning down to Kate. “Looks like you have an admirer after all, Mr. Kaden.”