Otherwise Engaged (30 page)

T
hey gathered again for breakfast the following morning. Penny sat at the head of the table. Amity sat at the opposite end. Benedict, Logan and Declan were arranged at varying places in between. Amity noted that the three men had very nearly emptied the trays on the sideboard. The violent activities of recent days had certainly not put the gentlemen off their food, she thought.

“We have had the most wonderful news,” Penny announced with a flourish. “Mr. Galbraith, Amity’s publisher, is rushing her book into print. He says that all the publicity surrounding her will ensure excellent sales for
A Lady’s Guide to Globetrotting
.”

Benedict looked pleased. “Excellent news, indeed.”

Declan grinned. “Congratulations, Miss Doncaster.”

“I shall certainly purchase a copy,” Logan promised. “I hope you will sign it for me, Miss Doncaster?”

“With pleasure,” Amity said. “But tell me, what will happen to Humphrey Nash?”

“In an ideal world, Nash would stand trial on all manner of charges,” Logan said. “Conspiracy, treason and murder, among other things.”

Amity put down her teacup. “In an ideal world?”

“What the inspector means is that there is nothing more the police can do,” Benedict explained. “Nash is under arrest but he has made it clear that he is willing to make a bargain.”

“What sort of bargain?” Penny asked.

“He claims he has a great deal of information to sell,” Benedict explained. “And evidently Uncle Cornelius is in the market for that information.”

Penny was outraged. “Do you mean to say that Nash will walk away from this a free man? That’s unacceptable. He murdered both Mrs. Dunning and Lady Penhurst. He set a trap designed to murder Amity and Mr. Stanbridge. Who knows how many others he killed along the way?”

Logan put down his fork and picked up his coffee cup. “Cornelius Stanbridge has assured me that the Russians take a dim view of agents who sell their secrets to others. If Nash is released he will find it necessary to go into hiding. At the very least he will certainly be forced to take on a new identity.”

“Huh.” Benedict looked thoughtful. “If he assumes a new identity he will no longer be able to sell his photographs under his own name.”

“In which case he will be obliged to start his career over again,” Amity said.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he turns up somewhere in the West,” Declan mused. “We do seem to attract a wide variety of people who are looking for new lives.”

Amity smiled at him. “Speaking of the American West, what of your own plans, sir?”

Declan smiled. “Odd that you should ask. I have been doing a great deal of thinking about my future lately. I have concluded that I’m not cut out for the oil business. But I took a great deal of satisfaction assisting Inspector Logan and the rest of you in your search for the Bridegroom. I’m considering establishing a private investigation business, headquartered in San Francisco. Perhaps in time I will offer my consulting services to the police.”

“Excellent notion,” Logan said. “One thing I discovered in the course of this case is that there may be something to be said for the use of the science of psychology in solving crimes.”

Amity looked at Declan. “What about your father?”

Declan straightened his shoulders and assumed an air of resolve. “I am going to tell him that I do not intend to take an active role in the family business and that I will be setting up my own firm instead.”

Benedict looked at him across the width of the table. “If it’s any comfort you will not be going home empty-handed.”

Declan frowned. “What do you mean?”

“It’s true that you did not manage to obtain Foxcroft’s notebook, but you can assure your father it doesn’t matter.”

Everyone looked at Benedict.

“Why doesn’t it matter that I failed?” Declan said.

“I had a long talk with Uncle Cornelius this morning,” Benedict said. “It turns out that the Russians are no longer interested in the potential of solar energy.”

“What on earth?” Amity exclaimed.

“There is even worse news,” Benedict said. “I have been informed that the Crown is no longer interested in solar energy, either. Even the French are abandoning that area of research.”

Logan frowned. “Canceled for lack of funding?”

“No,” Benedict said. “Lack of interest. Evidently the British government, the Russians, France and the Americans are coming to the conclusion that the future is in petroleum.” Benedict gave Declan a wry smile. “Your father may be right.”

Amity was the first to recover from the shock.

“Oh, for pity’s sake.” She crumpled her napkin and tossed it on the table. “After all we went through?”

“Trust me, I was no more pleased to learn that news than you are,” Benedict said. “But that is the way of all governments, I’m afraid. There is a strong tendency toward shortsightedness when it comes to planning for the future.”

Logan regarded him from across the table. “What will become of Foxcroft’s notebook?”

Benedict smiled slowly. “An interesting question. Uncle Cornelius and I discussed the subject at some length. Foxcroft gave the notebook to me to look after. With the Crown no longer interested in his work, Cornelius and I have concluded that the notebook should go into the Stanbridge family archives.”

Declan looked amused. “My father will be relieved to know that no one over here intends to waste any more time investigating the potential for solar energy.”

“Not now,” Benedict said. “But who knows what the future holds? Today we are concerned with the prospect of running out of coal. Perhaps one day we will have the same concerns about petroleum.”

Amity noticed that Logan was smiling to himself.

“Do you have something to add to the conversation, Inspector?” she asked.

Logan picked up his coffee cup. “I was just thinking that I may have made a good investment, after all, when I sank what was left of
my father’s money into American oil stocks.” He looked at Declan. “Including Garraway Oil.”

There was an acute silence as everyone stared at Logan. Penny’s eyes sparkled with laughter.

“I suspect that will prove to be a brilliant move, Inspector,” she said. “I have made a few investments in that area myself.”

Amity smiled. “If Penny says that petroleum is a good investment, you can take that advice straight to the bank. My sister has a head for making money, Inspector.”

Benedict laughed. In a moment they were all laughing, including Mrs. Houston.

Amity fixed Benedict and Declan with what she hoped was a meaningful look. “If you two gentlemen will accompany me to the drawing room, there is something I would like to say to you both.”

Benedict frowned. “What?”

Declan looked bewildered. “Something wrong, Miss Doncaster?”

“I will explain in the drawing room,” she said, trying to put a not-so-subtle emphasis on each word. She could tell by Benedict’s expression that he was about to ask more questions. She got to her feet. “Now, if you don’t mind.”

At the sight of her out of the chair all three men hastily rose. She smiled benignly at Logan. “Why don’t you stay here and chat with Penny while I talk to Benedict and Declan.”

She whisked up the skirts of her gown and went toward the door of the morning room. Benedict and Declan obediently trooped after her.

When they reached the drawing room, she closed the door and whirled around to confront her audience of two.

“What the devil is this about, Amity?” Benedict asked.

“My sister and Inspector Logan require a few minutes alone,” she said. She brushed her palms together. “The three of us have just provided that for them.”

Declan’s expression cleared. He chuckled and looked at Benedict.

“I believe this is about romance, sir,” he explained.

Benedict stared at him. “What romance?”

“The one that is blooming between Penny and the inspector,” Amity said, striving for patience.

“Ah, that romance.” Benedict smiled a self-satisfied smile. “No need to worry on that front. I took care of everything.”

Amity stared at him, dumbfounded. “And just how did you do that?”

“Very simple. Logan and I drank some brandy together and formulated a few plans. He is no doubt inviting Penny out for a walk in the park as we speak.”

“I’m impressed,” she said. “That was brilliant, Benedict.”

“I thought so,” he said. “Now, if Declan will excuse us, I would like to proceed with my own plans for the day.”

Declan grinned and made a show of taking out his pocket watch. “Would you look at the time? I must get a telegram off to my father letting him know he need no longer worry that solar energy will be competing with oil any time soon. After that I must pack for the voyage home. Don’t worry, Miss Doncaster, I’ll see myself out.”

“Good-bye, Mr. Garraway,” Amity said.

But she did not look at him. She could not seem to take her eyes off Benedict, who was gazing at her with an intensity that riveted her senses.

Declan opened the door and moved out into the hall.

“Amity,” Benedict began, “l wish to speak to you about last night.”

Mrs. Houston’s heavy footsteps sounded in the hall.

“Don’t forget your bonnet, ma’am,” Mrs. Houston said, uncharacteristically cheerful. “And a parasol. Too much sun isn’t good for the complexion.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Houston,” Penny said.

Amity turned and saw a brightly flushed Penny and a smiling Inspector Logan.

“Where are you going?” Amity asked.

Penny’s blush deepened. Happiness brightened her eyes. “John has been given the entire morning to conclude interviews with all the witnesses in the Bridegroom case. He and I are going for a walk in the park.”

“Nothing like fresh air and sunshine to clarify a witness’s recollections,” Logan said.

Mrs. Houston opened the front door with a bit of a flourish. Penny and Logan went down the front steps and out into the sunshine.

Mrs. Houston closed the door and looked at Amity and Benedict.

“A lovely couple, don’t you think?” she said. She sounded quite satisfied.

“Yes,” Amity said. She smiled. “A lovely couple, indeed.”

“It’s about time Mrs. Marsden found a spot of happiness,” Mrs. Houston said. She stopped smiling and glared at Benedict. “And what about you, sir? Are you just going to stand there like a very large frog on a log?”

Benedict blinked and then frowned. “A frog on a log?”

“I think you take my meaning, sir.”

Benedict’s expression cleared. “Right. As it happens, Mrs. Houston, I was just about to ask Amity to join me for a drive.”

“Were you, indeed?” Amity asked.

“The day is very fine and I happen to have a carriage waiting in the street,” he said. “All part of the plan, you see. Will you come with me?”

Amity caught her breath. “Yes. Yes, I would like that very much.”

Mrs. Houston took Amity’s bonnet off the peg. “Here you go, miss. Now, off with the both of you. I want to put my feet up for a bit. Been a busy morning.”

H
e took her to his home and introduced her to Mr. Hodges and Mrs. Hodges, who greeted her with a degree of warmth that amazed Benedict.

“I read about your narrow escape in the papers,” Mrs. Hodges gushed. “Thank heavens you and your sister are unharmed.”

“We are great fans of your travel articles in the
Flying Intelligencer
,” Mr. Hodges said, his enthusiasm genuine.

“Such an exciting life you lead,” Mrs. Hodges said. “Will you and Mr. Stanbridge be doing a great deal of globetrotting after you are married?”

“Well,” Amity began. She cast an uncertain look at Benedict.

“We will definitely be doing some traveling in the future,” he said.

“Allow us to congratulate you on your engagement, Miss Doncaster,” Mr. Hodges said with a courtly inclination of his head. “I believe that I speak for myself and my wife when I say that we are
extremely pleased by the prospect of Mr. Stanbridge’s upcoming nuptials.”

Amity cleared her throat and smiled. Benedict got worried. Her smile was a little too bright, he concluded.

“Thank you, Mr. Hodges, but I’m afraid there is some confusion as to the matter of my engagement to Mr. Stanbridge,” Amity said.

Mrs. Hodges’s eyes widened in alarm. “Oh, dear.”

Benedict tightened his hand on Amity’s arm. “Miss Doncaster means that there is some confusion about the date of the wedding. Naturally I’d prefer to be married as soon as possible, but I am told that when it comes to weddings there is a great deal of planning to be done.”

“Yes, indeed,” Mrs. Hodges said. She relaxed again and beamed at Amity. “But there is always the option of a quiet little ceremony followed by a formal reception at some later date.”

“Excellent idea, Mrs. Hodges,” Benedict said before Amity could argue. “Now you must excuse us. I’m going to give Miss Doncaster a tour of my library and my laboratory.”

Mrs. Hodges’s eyes narrowed in what Benedict knew was a meaningful way. “Are you certain that is a good idea, sir? Perhaps after the wedding might be a better time to show Miss Doncaster your library and the laboratory.”

“No,” Benedict said. “The tour must come now.”

Mrs. Hodges sighed. Mr. Hodges looked resigned. He patted his wife on the shoulder.

“It’s for the best, Mrs. Hodges,” he said in low tones.

Benedict whisked Amity down the hall and through the open door of the library. Behind him he heard Mrs. Hodges muttering to Mr. Hodges.

“I suppose it’s only fair to the lady,” Mrs. Hodges said. “Miss Doncaster deserves to see what she’s getting into.”

“Try not to worry, Mrs. Hodges,” Mr. Hodges said. “Miss Doncaster is the adventurous sort.”

Benedict closed the door and turned the key in the lock. He looked at Amity, who was examining the titles of some of the books on the shelves.

“Yes,” he said. “Miss Doncaster deserves to know what she is getting into.” He moved away from the door and swept out a hand to indicate the walls of dusty tomes. “This is the real me, Amity, or, I should say, this is part of me. The rest is behind that door at the top of the steps.”

She glanced at the circular wooden steps at the far end of the library. Amusement sparkled in her eyes.

“How exciting, a locked chamber,” she said.

He winced. “I’m afraid it’s not all that thrilling.”

“May I take a look?” she asked.

“Yes.” He steeled himself. “That’s why I brought you here today. I want you to know the real me. It’s part of my plan, you see. I am not a dashing man of action, Amity. I’m just a man who, when he is not working on an engineering project for the family firm, is quite happy to putter around in his laboratory.”

“And what do you do in your laboratory, sir?”

“For the most part, I conduct experiments and design devices and machines that will probably never have any practical applications.”

Without a word she collected her skirts and went up the steps. He followed, a great sense of urgency flooding through him. He knew that his entire future was at stake.

At the top of the steps Amity moved out onto the balcony and
stopped in front of the door. He took the key out of his pocket and inserted it into the lock.

Amity watched without saying a word as he opened the door, turned up the lamps and stood back so that she could enter the chamber.

She stood on the threshold for a moment, examining the array of instruments and tools on the workbenches.

“So this is your laboratory,” she said.

“Yes.”

He waited.

She walked to the telescope that stood near the window and studied it with an admiring eye. “You have a great deal of curiosity about many things.”

“I’m afraid so.”

“As you know, curiosity is one of my own besetting sins.”

He smiled. “I am aware of that.”

“It gives us something in common, wouldn’t you say?”

He hesitated. “Our interests are not always the same.”

“Perhaps not but it doesn’t matter.” She moved to a workbench and studied the static electricity machine. “It is the trait of curiosity that is important. You possess an inquiring mind. That is one of the many things that makes you so interesting, Benedict.”

Interesting.
He was not sure how to interpret the word.

“There are those who find me decidedly boring,” he warned, just in case she had not grasped the point he was trying to make.

“It is only to be expected that those who lack curiosity about the wider world would find those who possess that particular characteristic uninteresting.”

“My fiancée ran off with her lover after she saw this room.”

“Face it, Benedict, your first engagement was a mistake. If you
and Eleanor had gone through with the marriage, you both would have been miserable.”

“I am well aware of that.” He paused. “Which is why I want to be very sure that you know what you are doing if you consent to marry me.”

Amity turned around to face him from the far end of the aisle. “Are you asking me to marry you?”

“I love you, Amity. I want nothing more than to marry you.”

“Benedict,” she whispered. “You must know how I feel about you.”

“No, I don’t. Not for certain. I think I know how you feel but at this point it is only a theory—unproven and founded only on hope.”

She took a few steps toward him and stopped. “I fell in love with you on board the
Northern Star
. I sensed that you had some feelings for me, but I was so afraid that those feelings were inspired by the knowledge that I had saved your life.”

“You did save my life. But that is not why I fell in love with you.”

Her eyes brightened. “Why did you fall in love with me?”

“I have absolutely no idea.”

“Oh.” The glow in her eyes faded.

“I could list all the things that I admire about you—your spirit, your kindness, your loyalty, your courage and determination.” He paused. “I could also add that you are a woman of great passion. Making love to you is the most thrilling sensation I have ever known.”

“Really?” She flushed a vivid pink.

“Really. Those things are all admirable traits, mind you. But none of them explains why I love you.” He took a few steps toward her and stopped. “That is what makes it all so fascinating, you see. Loving you is like gravity or the daily sunrise. It is a mystery that I know I will be content to explore for the rest of my life.”

“Benedict.”
She rushed toward him and hurled herself into his arms. “That is the most beautiful, most romantic thing that any man has ever said.”

“I doubt that very much.” He folded her close, savoring the soaring happiness. “I’m an engineer, not a poet. But if those words make you happy, I will be glad to repeat them as often as you will let me.”

She looked at him, her eyes brilliant with love. “That sounds like an excellent plan, sir.”

He took the Rose Necklace out of his pocket. The rubies and diamonds blazed in his hand.

“I would take it as a great honor if you would accept this as a symbol of our love,” he said.

Once again he waited.

She looked at the necklace for a long moment. When she raised her eyes he could see the sheen of tears. But she was smiling.

“Yes,” she said. “I will keep it safe.”

It was all she said but it was enough.

She turned around. He fastened the necklace around her throat and then he put his hands on her shoulders to turn her back to face him.

“Once upon a time I gave you a letter to keep safe,” he said.

“And I made you promise that you would survive to deliver it.”

“We kept our word to each other,” he said.

“Yes.” She put her arms around his neck. “That is how it will always be between us.”

The future, lit by the promise of a lifelong love, glowed brighter than the gems in the Rose Necklace.

“Always,” he said.

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