A Rogue No More - Lana Williams Page 0,63

what they’re doing at every level.”

Aberland considered the idea and nodded. “You’re right. We need to find a way to press him for details. He is known to have an overabundance of pride. If he’s behind this, he must think himself clever.”

“Do you think he’s the type of man who tends to talk when he’s had a few too many drinks?” Thomas smiled at the thought that it could be so easy.

“Can’t hurt to try,” Aberland said. “At least until a better idea comes to us.”

“Surely we can discover his schedule for the next two or three days and then place ourselves at his club at the proper time.”

“My butler excels at uncovering those sorts of details from other servants.”

“Perfect.” Thomas nodded, satisfaction at the plan filling him. “I’ll mention it to my valet as well to see if he might be able to discover anything. Send word if you do and I’ll do the same.”

For the first time since the second murder, Thomas held hope that they could solve this. Then Annabelle would be safe, they could marry, publish her book, and all would be right in his world.

~*~

Annabelle sighed as she followed her cousin, Louisa, into the Hadley ballroom after greeting their hosts. The only reason she’d agreed to come was the hope she’d have a chance to speak with Thomas. Her mother had remained at home with her father, who’d had a poor day.

Three long days of silence had passed since she’d last seen Thomas. She was certain he was taking action. But the fact that he was doing it on his own concerned her. He’d told her not to worry and that he’d advise her if anything of interest occurred. But surely something had happened since then.

Had he spoken with McConnelly again? Had he been able to contact a family member of the second murder victim and make inquiries? Was he doing anything to try to solve the murder?

Focusing on writing, something that normally soothed her, had proven impossible when she was so troubled.

She’d called on Caroline earlier in the day, but her sister hadn’t raised the subject. Did that mean she truly didn’t know anything? Annabelle was certain Aberland was assisting Thomas. Was her brother-in-law not telling Caroline anything so as not to worry her? Was Thomas doing the same?

Heaven help him if that were the case. She was going to tell him in no uncertain terms that he needed to keep her apprised of any and all news. They were in this predicament together, and she wanted their relationship to be a true partnership.

Acquaintances greeted her, many of them congratulating her on her betrothal. She’d nearly forgotten this was the first ball she’d attended since they’d decided to marry. All the extra attention made her uncomfortable due to the fact that their betrothal still felt unreal. But she smiled and visited with well-wishers as if she had nothing more on her mind other than her upcoming wedding.

“What’s wrong?” Louisa asked when they had a moment alone.

“How do you mean?”

“I thought you liked Mr. Raybourne. That there was something special between the two of you.”

“There is,” Annabelle admitted after a moment. Louisa’s statement brought to mind their interlude in Caroline’s drawing room. She’d never doubted the passion between them, but if she had, it would’ve been dispelled by those few minutes. The way he’d made her feel, so awash with desire and a longing for more, was something she wanted to experience again. Just thinking of it made her wish for her fan.

She’d known Thomas had the power to make her lose her normal reserve after their kiss some months ago. But she hadn’t realized just how much she would desire him. How the feel of him against her would stir her so. Even now, desire simmered just under the surface. One touch from Thomas would set her aflame again. Though it was unsettling to feel as if she were on the edge of control, she wanted to explore their passion further.

“Yet you don’t seem the least bit happy when you speak of your betrothal,” Louisa continued.

“I suppose I wish it had been the result of his wish to marry me rather than being forced to do so.” The words slipped out before she could stop them, though she knew Louisa would understand.

She’d told her cousin only the bare bones behind the betrothal but not about the murders or the attempted attack at the shipyard. She and Caroline had decided against doing so for now.