Death Among Rubies (28 page)

“Oh, very well. What is it, Wheaton?” Charles’s shrewd eyes glanced from Hal to Frances. He smiled again. “Or do I already know? You finally got my sister to come around, Henry?”

“Not exactly how I’d put it, Charles, but we have reached an agreement.”

“Mary didn’t mention anything to me. Surely, Franny, you told her already.”

“Oh, I think you’ll find she won’t be at all surprised,” said Frances.

“Meanwhile, it goes against your sister’s principles for me to ask you for her hand. But we would very much like your blessing.”

Charles said nothing, but reached for a brandy decanter and poured a large glass.

“I wouldn’t have thought that the prospect of gaining Hal as a brother-in-law requires your getting drunk,” snapped Frances.

“It’s not for me, it’s for him,” said Charles. “If he’s going to be your husband, he needs a stiff drink.”

“You’re so funny. You should be on the music hall stage,” said Frances. Charles laughed.

“I daresay I can approach the idea of marriage with Franny with a clear head,” said Hal, giving a loving look at his fiancée.

“Then good for you,” said Charles. “Of course you have my blessing.” He slapped Hal on the back and pumped his hand, before giving Frances a kiss and whispering “well done” in her ear. He proceeded to pour drinks for all of them for a toast.

“Have you given any thought to the wedding?” asked Charles. “St. Margaret’s in London? Or our parish church by our country estate—if you want something simpler.”

“I haven’t given it any thought at all. But you two gentlemen feel free to stay here and discuss it to your heart’s content. I have things to do.” Gwen and Tommie were waiting for her to work with them on the latest suffrage project. Hal just grinned and cheerfully drank the brandy, but Charles looked annoyed.

“Where are you running off to now?” he asked.

Frances spun around. “Women’s work,” she said. And strode out the door.

O
nce again, I was fortunate to work with a great team: Many thanks are due to my indefatigable agent, Cynthia Zigmund, for her perseverance and wise suggestions over the years. And no writer has been luckier with his publisher: thanks to the wonderful people at Crooked Lane Books—Matt Martz, Dan Weiss, Sarah Poppe, Heather Boak, and Lindsey Rose—for their editing acumen, patience, and humor throughout the process. And finally, thanks also to my family for their unwavering support as I sat on the couch night after night writing away. Most of all, thanks to my wife, Elizabeth, for years of support and never doubting that my novel would be published.