Katherine tossed the news rag at the table next to her. Seated in her father’s study in front of the crackling fire in the hearth, she sighed as she leaned back into the overstuffed armchair. “Wayland must be up to something. He didn’t take credit for capturing the Pink-Ribbon Killer. I would think he would have pressed for credit so he could be paid.” Katherine pursed her lips. Just who had hired Wayland to find the killer? Mowbry?
Papa leaned forward and patted her knee. His wry smile stretched across his square jaw. His blue-gray eyes twinkled. “Curious, isn’t it? But then I was under the impression you caught the killer without help.”
She bolted upright. “I did, Papa, I promise. I didn’t accept his help, nor did he lift a finger to help me solve that case.”
Papa raised his hand, ending her tirade. “I know. I asked your friend Lyle earlier when he arrived to wish you a happy birthday.”
Katherine gnawed on her lower lip. Papa hadn’t spoken a word of whether or not she had earned her dowry, stating that he would tell her once he had reviewed her work. Even though it might jeopardize the prize she so craved, she couldn’t lie to him.
“In truth, Lyle did help me solve the murders. There was an attack while I was at Northbrook’s estate, and I thought it more prudent to solve the matter quickly before someone else was hurt than to do it entirely on my own.” She held her breath as she waited for his response.
After running his palm over his thinning pate, Papa said, “I know, Katherine. You have a good heart. You’ve done well.”
The air gushed from between her lips on a sigh. “I won the wager?”
“You did. Even the best of detectives must ask for help. In fact, I must insist that you keep someone like Lyle near at hand in order to minimize the danger to yourself. I don’t know what I’d do without you, my dear.”
Katherine smiled, her throat thick with emotion. I love you too, Papa. “I promise I’ll take better care next time.”
“Good.” He nodded sternly. “Though I’ll warn you of seeking Wayland’s counsel in the future.”
Katherine made a face as she stared at that mistrustful news article. “Trust me, I’ve learned that well enough.”
Papa dipped his hand into the pocket of his blue waistcoat and removed a neatly pressed envelope. He handed it to her. “Happy birthday, darling. Once you present this at the bank, you’ll have full control over your fortune.”
Her hand trembling, she accepted the envelope. A lump grew in her throat, and she battled tears. “This is it. I’ll never have to take another matchmaking job.”
“But you must.”
Her smile slipped as she met his shrewd gaze. “What? No, from this day forward, I’m an investigator, not a matchmaker!”
“There is quite the stigma attached to our profession, Katherine. If you openly proclaim your purpose, you’ll find doors shut in your face. No, keep the matchmaking business. You’re well established, and it will provide the perfect excuse for you to investigate wherever you please. Not to mention, with a business such as that, the other detectives at the Royal Society of Investigative Techniques will be free to seek you out, should they have information for you or need your opinion. You won’t need to wait for the monthly meeting.”
Katherine groaned as she acknowledged his point. “But Papa, with my recent success with Annie, the breadth of the ton will be pounding at my door to match up their daughters! When will I find the time to solve crime?”
With a fond smile, he patted her knee. “With a passion like yours, I’m certain you’ll find the time.”
A knock at the door interrupted the intimate moment. Katherine turned as Harriet opened it. Her gaze twinkled with mischief.
“Lady Katherine, you have visitors.”
Papa stood. “See them in, Harriet. I’ll show myself out for a moment.”
Jumping to her feet, Katherine protested, “But Papa, this is your study!”
The earl leaned closer to kiss her cheek. “You’ll have your own study soon enough, pumpkin. Until then, I’m happy to let you use mine. Come down to the parlor once you’re through, and we’ll celebrate with your sisters.”
As he let himself out, Harriet showed in Mrs. Burwick and Pru. Katherine’s stomach sank upon seeing them. Pru cast her an apologetic grimace and applied herself to examining the room as her mother bustled closer.
“Lady Katherine, how wonderful to see you again. Might we sit down?”
When Katherine smiled, it felt brittle. She hoped she at least gave the veneer of civility. “If you’ll forgive my rudeness, I have a family engagement I must attend. May I ask why you’re here?”
“Why, to further our conversation from the Earl of Northbrook’s estate! I simply must secure your services for Prudence before you’re deluged by other offers.”
Pru looked as though she’d swallowed a lemon. She took a healthy step away from her mother as if hoping to separate herself from that line of inquiry as well. Katherine could well understand her reticence to marry, because Katherine shared it, hence why she had taken pains to secure her dowry for her own use.
While Pru craned her neck to read the news rag Katherine had tossed onto the table between the two armchairs, Katherine turned her attention to Mrs. Burwick. When she opened her mouth, prepared to turn her down—or, at the very least, delay her answer—the older woman interrupted her.
“I have just the lord in mind for my Prudence, and I have it on good authority that he means to holiday in Bath for the month of September.”
Bath? That caught both Katherine and Pru’s attention. Her lips pursed, Pru pointed to the news rag and cocked an eyebrow. Her eyes gleamed, an expression no doubt mirrored in Katherine. If she accepted this job, it would provide them with just the excuse they needed to venture to Bath to solve that murder.
As she opened her mouth, Mrs. Burwick cut her off again. “Money is no object, Lady Katherine. Whatever your fee, we will pay, so long as you promise to secure Prudence’s future happiness.”
Katherine and Pru shared a secret smile. Clearly Pru wanted no match, which would leave Katherine free to investigate the burglaries in Bath. And at the same time, she could help Pru make sure she didn’t end up with a husband she didn’t want. And that would secure Pru’s future happiness, just as Mrs. Burwick wanted. As matchmaking jobs went, it was nearly perfect.
“Mrs. Burwick, how could I possibly say no to a friend?”
*********
If you liked this book, you might also like my Hazel Martin Mystery series set in 1920s England:
Murder at Lowry House (book 1)
Murder by Misunderstanding (book 2)
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Also by Leighann Dobbs
Cozy Mysteries
Hazel Martin Historical Mystery Series
***
Murder at Lowry House (book 1)
Murder by Misunderstanding (book 2)
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Lady Katherine Regency Mysteries
***
An Invitation to Murder (Book 1)
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Sam Mason Mysteries
(As L. A. Dobbs)
***
Telling Lies (Book 1)
Keeping Secrets (Book 2)
Exposing Truths (Book 3)
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Mooseamuck Island Cozy Mystery Series
&
nbsp; * * *
A Zen For Murder
A Crabby Killer
A Treacherous Treasure
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Lexy Baker Cozy Mystery Series
* * *
Lexy Baker Cozy Mystery Series Boxed Set Vol 1 (Books 1-4)
Or buy the books separately:
Killer Cupcakes
Dying For Danish
Murder, Money and Marzipan
3 Bodies and a Biscotti
Brownies, Bodies & Bad Guys
Bake, Battle & Roll
Wedded Blintz
Scones, Skulls & Scams
Ice Cream Murder
Mummified Meringues
Brutal Brulee (Novella)
No Scone Unturned
Cream Puff Killer
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Silver Hollow
Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series
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A Spell of Trouble (Book 1)
Spell Disaster (Book 2)
Nothing to Croak About (Book 3)
Cry Wolf (Book 4)
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Mystic Notch
Cat Cozy Mystery Series
* * *
Ghostly Paws
A Spirited Tail
A Mew To A Kill
Paws and Effect
Probable Paws
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Blackmoore Sisters
Cozy Mystery Series
* * *
Dead Wrong
Dead & Buried
Dead Tide
Buried Secrets
Deadly Intentions
A Grave Mistake
Spell Found
Fatal Fortune
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Magical Romance with a Touch of Mystery
***
Something Magical
Curiously Enchanted
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Romantic Comedy
***
Corporate Chaos Series
In Over Her Head (book 1)
Can’t Stand the Heat (book 2)
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Contemporary Romance
***
Reluctant Romance
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Sweet Romance (Written As Annie Dobbs)
Hometown Hearts Series
***
No Getting Over You (Book 1)
A Change of Heart (Book 2)
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***
Sweetrock Sweet and Spicy Cowboy Romance
Some Like It Hot
Too Close For Comfort
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Regency Romance
* * *
Scandals and Spies Series:
Kissing The Enemy
Deceiving the Duke
Tempting the Rival
Charming the Spy
Pursuing the Traitor
The Unexpected Series:
An Unexpected Proposal
An Unexpected Passion
Dobbs Fancytales:
Dobbs Fancytales Boxed Set Collection
____
Western Historical Romance
***
Goldwater Creek Mail Order Brides:
Faith
American Mail Order Brides Series:
Chevonne: Bride of Oklahoma
___________________
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
WRITING AS LEE ANNE JONES:
***
The Rockford Security Series:
Deadly Betrayal (Book 1)
Fatal Games (Book 2)
Treacherous Seduction (Book 3)
Calculating Desires (Book 4)
Wicked Deception (Book 5)
About Leighann Dobbs
USA Today bestselling author, Leighann Dobbs, discovered her passion for writing after a twenty year career as a software engineer. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband Bruce, their trusty Chihuahua mix Mojo and beautiful rescue cat, Kitty. When she's not reading, gardening, making jewelry or selling antiques, she likes to write cozy mystery and historical romance books.
Her book "Dead Wrong" won the "Best Mystery Romance" award at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention.
Her book "Ghostly Paws" was the 2015 Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem First Place category winner in the Animal Mystery category.
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About Harmony Williams
Bio:
If Harmony Williams had a time machine, she would live in the Regency era. The only thing she loves more than writing strong, funny women in high society is immersing herself in the nuances of the past. When not writing or researching, she likes to binge-watch mystery shows and spend time with her one-hundred-pound lapdog in their rural Canadian home. For glimpses into the secrets and settings of future Lady Katherine Regency Mystery books, sign up for her newsletter at http://www.harmonywilliams.com/newsletter.
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