“Very well, pass it along.” Why did it seem as if the air thickened?
“He has an important visitor today and he would prefer company stay at bay.”
Was this why Magnolia had decided not to visit, because of her father’s special guest?
“I don’t know much about the gentleman other than that he recently attained knighthood.”
Butter and biscuits! He’d been thrown over for a title.
“I see that look in your eye, but you must let this one be.”
He ignored his father’s pleading remarks and proceeded to the stables. Instead of being cooped inside a carriage, he saddled a horse and led it outside. Father still eyed him warily. Perhaps he should have shared his feelings for Magnolia at an earlier date and then Father and Mr. Quinn could have discussed the particulars of a Blakemoor and Quinn union, but he hadn’t. His feelings for Magnolia were his own and he wouldn’t be forced to share them with others before sharing them with her.
He mounted and nudged the horse’s flank. He held his breath as he left the yard, but Father didn’t bother to stop him.
He rode at a canter until he reached Magnolia’s street. Slowed to a walk, the horse acted put out, jerking Justin in an erratic manner. One tug on the reins had the horse high-stepping.
“Rodchester, do calm down, I will not run over a walker.” The horse calmed. “That’s better.”
Magnolia’s walkway came into view and he jumped from the saddle and tied the horse to a post. The beast nickered softly and Justin rubbed his nose. “I won’t be but a moment.” The horse knocked him away. The infernal beast. He’d deal with him later.
Justin straightened the hem of his coat and set out toward the house.
It was March. Amongst the shrubs lining the walkway white lilies and yellow tulips started to bloom.
Laughter seeped through a cracked window. He halted his steps and covered his eyes against the morning sun.
Wrapped in the arms of a stranger, Magnolia waltzed before the parted draperies. A smile covered her beautiful face. His stomach plummeted. He should have heeded Father’s warning and stayed away. To be thrown over, regardless of the fact that Magnolia didn’t know of his feelings, felt as if a horse had ground a hoof into his heart.
He turned on his heel and made haste toward his horse. Astride, he set out toward home, however he didn’t make it far before stopping at a cross street.
He could not allow a stranger to oust him.
Justice and Miss Quinn had a job to do, even if Magnolia’s affections lay elsewhere.
He turned around and headed back to Magnolia’s home, praying that her new friend wouldn’t keep them from seeing one another and wouldn’t take his best friend away from him.
****
Magnolia bit her lip and forced a smile as pain radiated across the top of her slippered foot.
“I’m sorry.”
Kennaway had apologized at least a hundred times since their dance lesson began. Her mood was foul after the loss of sleep and her throbbing toes didn’t help. She drew in a shaky breath. “Focus, Sir Kennaway.”
“I am trying, but your beauty robs me of breath.”
Magnolia fought the desire to roll her eyes at the flattery. Sir Kenelm Kennaway was a handsome fellow with broad shoulders, dark hair, and clear hazel eyes, but he wasn’t Justin. Perhaps if she’d met him a week before she would be batting her lashes and holding her hand over her fluttering heart, but not now. With every mishap she compared him to Justin. Justin would never have mashed her slippers. He was an excellent dancer.
“Perhaps your father made a mistake. I am unteachable.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to agree, but instead she said, “Father never makes mistakes.”
The comment seemed to bring the young knight immense pleasure, and a smile covered his chiseled face.
The dance steps ended and Magnolia stepped back, glad the lesson was over. She needed to speak with Justin and determine if he’d discovered any information about the puppet. She fought the urge to sigh. Entertaining Kennaway was eroding her schedule.
“If you’ll excuse me.” She went to walk around him, but he grabbed her upper arm.
“Where are you going?”
She shook off his hold and straightened her crumpled sleeve. “Not that it concerns you, but I must meet a friend.” He need not know she’d sent Justin a letter canceling their meeting.
“May I come along?”
“I don’t think–”
He held his hands together like a begging child. “Oh, please allow me. I know so few people in town. Having spent so much of my recent time at sea, I find most of my previous cohorts have found employment or left the city. Sometimes receiving honor from the monarchy can make you terribly lonely.”
Magnolia felt the first vestiges of empathy. How could she leave the gentleman behind to flounder? Perhaps if she befriended him and brought him along, it would distract her from her feelings for Justin. Being alone with him and knowing his heart’s desire was Hesper was a painful experience of late.
“Very well. Allow me time to grab my pelisse and we’ll be off.”
Kennaway retrieved his hat and they met at the front door. He held out his arm and she wrapped hers in his.
She smiled as he turned the knob and tugged. The door opened fully and it felt as if her heart stopped. Justin waited on the opposite side, the puppet dangling from one hand and the other poised to knock.
****
Justin cleared his throat. “Out for a stroll, are we?” His heart hammered so loudly between his ears he could barely hear.
“Actually we were coming to meet you.”
“But–” He would have stuttered out a question about her message, but she beat him to the punch.
“I apologize for the note suggesting I couldn’t attend, but I wasn’t sure if Sir Kennaway would be up for it.” The gentleman in question opened his mouth, but Magnolia quickly interjected, “But here we are, all meeting up, on my front stoop. Sir Kenelm Kennaway meet Justin Blakemoor.” They shook hands and she stepped back, taking her fellow with her. “Would you like to come in?”
Justin could see no way out of it. He had been standing at the door prepared for just such an event. What would happen if he said no?
“Oh Justin do stop trying to decide what the proper response should be and come inside. The neighbors and passersby are beginning to stare.”
He stepped into the foyer and Magnolia released her hold on Sir Kennaway. That was one good thing that came of his entrance.
Without direction he made his way to the parlor. The room looked odd with the furniture pushed back against the walls.
Magnolia’s voice sounded rushed. “Father asked me to give Sir Kennaway a dance lesson as he will be attending several balls this season and the dances have changed while he was away.”
Justin strutted into the room and took a seat on the settee. He set the puppet upright beside him and laid his arm across the back of the seat. Let the newcomer stare at the wooden object and wonder the purpose while he pondered Jules Quinn’s purpose in having his daughter teach a knight how to parade around with other women at parties.
“Where have you been, Sir Kennaway, that you’ve missed the changes in dance?”
Kennaway took a seat across from him, shooting awkward glances at the puppet. He cleared his throat. “I’ve been upon the seas.”
“Ah, are you pirate or catching the louts for the crown?”
“The latter.”
“Hmm, I assume Magnolia told you her thoughts on the matter.” Magnolia’s face transformed a bright red. “I see she did. Magnolia is quite the little spitfire.”
The lady in question settled on the edge of the chaise longue. “Must we rehash everything that is running through your mind, Justin?”
“Of course not. I’m prepared to get down to business. Are you?”
He looked directly at Kennaway and then back to Magnolia. She chewed her lower lip and his heart s
kipped a beat. Would he be forced to share his love with the stranger? He hoped not. The adventures of Justice and Miss Quinn had only started. He wasn’t ready to stop nor was he ready to share.
“Pardon my question, but what is the meaning of that?” Sir Kennaway pointed at the puppet.
“Why, that is my brother just return from holiday. I’m afraid he became terribly wooden in the harsh weather of the Sierras.”
Magnolia dropped her jaw.
Justin cleared his throat to keep from laughing.
Sir Kennaway pursed his lips. “Mr. Blakemoor, forgive me, but I assure you even though I’ve been away from land that doesn’t mean I’ve lost leave of my senses.”
“Ah, jolly good.” He crossed his legs at the knee and leaned back. “Magnolia received this puppet in the post and I was holding it for her.”
She nodded, which kept him happy. After all, they had agreed not to share their work or her part in it.
“I believe there is more to it.”
Magnolia sighed, and he worried for their plans. Would she continue to keep their work a secret? If she told the newcomer, then what did that mean for him?
“Just tell him the truth, Justin. He might be of some help.”
So that was the way of it. She was giving in. He was disappointed but not surprised.
Kennaway glanced between them while clenching and unclenching his hands in his lap. Help indeed. He definitely should have heeded his father’s warning.
“Tell him, Justin, or I shall.”
If he took the helm, then perhaps he could reveal less than she would. Drawing in a deep breath, he said, “Magnolia received a message and this puppet in the post. We are trying to decipher the meaning.”
“Ah, a mystery. I don’t mean to puff myself up, but I’m quite good at solving mysteries.”
“We shall see.”
Sir Kennaway didn’t act the least bit offended by the statement as he awaited further details.
Chapter Three: The Theft
Magnolia couldn’t have been more nervous than if she’d sat beside her father. Justin explained that he’d been at a gathering of friends when she arrived with the puppet and the cryptic note.
“And you have no idea what any of it means?”
“None. But we’re determined to find out.”
Magnolia waited but Justin didn’t mention the previous robberies, Tyrrel’s capture, or her role in it.
“I don’t understand why Miss Quinn is involved in this.”
Justin drew his brows together. He had no intention of telling Sir Kennaway the entire truth. She’d been foolish to force the issue.
She clapped her hands. “We should have tea? Would anyone like tea? Yes, tea sounds wonderful. Justin, would you mind assisting me?”
Justin rose to his feet. A crooked smile tilted his lips. The bloke thought he’d gotten one over on Kennaway. Wait until they reached the kitchens, and then she would tell him what she thought about his behavior.
The door swung open. Midday meant the room was empty, which was perfect for her intentions. She rounded, prepared to tell him her thoughts. He moved a strand of hair behind her ear and she stilled.
“Magnolia, I haven’t had time to mention it, but there is something I must say.”
Her breath caught. Was he set to tell her he had feelings for her? How would she reply?
“At Hesper’s party Fortescue Cunning appeared at my side and started a conversation about the constable.”
She stiffened. Hesper? She should have known. She pulled back from his touch and clasped her hands before her.
He dropped his hands to his sides. “He insinuated that Constable Roskin is being paid by someone of importance. That is, he’s a-a puppet.”
She sucked in a breath. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“I had planned to do so this morning, but I received a note that I’d been thrown over for a title.” He folded his arms across his chest.
Was he jealous? It was ridiculous. He only had eyes for Hesper. Why would he care whom she spent her time with?
“I did nothing of the sort. I only wished to postpone our meeting.” That wasn’t exactly true. Father had insisted she spend time with Kennaway and short of telling Father the truth about Justice and Miss Quinn, she’d had no choice but to comply.
“Postpone it until pointed-toes is out of town?” She prepared to protest, but he grabbed her upper arms and drew her close. His hot breath caressed her cheeks. “This case is bigger than us; if Roskin is being controlled then whoever is pulling his strings is in charge of our justice system. We must rectify this situation because no one else will.”
He wasn’t interested in her—just the case. She gnawed her bottom lip and cast a glance at the kitchen door. Why did his disinterest hurt so badly?
Justin’s hand tightened. “Magnolia?”
“Wh-what if Sir Kennaway could help?” Why had she blurted that? She’d already forced Justin to share about the puppet. Could she really trust Kennaway not to share with Father if they told him the entire truth? The two men were obviously close. And Kennaway was looking for a wife, perhaps her.
“How so?” He released her and folded his arms across his chest again. The tic in his cheek increased. Irritation was evident in every muscle of his body.
She didn’t want to look at him so she paced and tapped her finger to her chin. “He has been recently knighted. Perhaps he knows someone in King George’s court that could assist us.”
He clapped. “Then by all means, let’s ask for his assistance.”
“Truly?” Why had he agreed so readily? He should be arguing with her.
“Yes. I believe you’re correct. It will also pacify your father.”
Aye, her father. He would be happy that she was in Sir Kennaway’s presence. But what about her own feelings? She swallowed her fears and forced a smile. “Splendid. Let’s prepare the tea and tell Sir Kennaway the news.”
Her stomach clenched with worry, but she ignored it. Satisfying Father and keeping Justin close would be worth suffering Kennaway’s company, wouldn’t it?
****
Justin tried not to count the number of times Magnolia glanced at Kennaway as he explained in greater detail their goal of catching the constable’s employer. Still he hadn’t mentioned Magnolia’s past involvement with the discovery of the thief. If her father knew of her past assistance, he would lock her in her room and throw away the key, or he would marry her off to the good knight without a moment’s consideration to other possible suitors. The thought made Justin ill.
When he finished, he leaned back on the settee and crossed his legs. “So, can you help?” Here comes the puff and blow.
“I’m not sure.”
Justin couldn’t believe it. The man was actually not boastful.
“I fear I’m due at my country estate within a fortnight.”
Justin caught Magnolia’s gaze. Was she picking up on his insinuations? The knight’s time was limited. Justin thrilled at the prospect of the knight leaving but not if it meant taking Magnolia with him.
She faced Kennaway, and Justin forced himself not to look away.
“Sir Kennaway, where is your home?”
His face beamed. “Odell.”
Odell. Odell was a considerable estate. Kennaway must have more than one title. How would he compete? Maybe he could prove that big homes were drafty, dusty, and cold, and that Magnolia would be more comfortable in his reasonable, more modest home. Justin stood and tugged on his coat. “I best be off.”
Magnolia rose, her hands folded neatly before her. “I’ll see you to the door.”
The knight offered his hand. “It has been a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Blakemoor. I look forward to working with you in the near future.”
Justin nodded. Magnolia escorted him to the door and pecked the air beside his cheek. Butterflies danced in his stomach as he left his ladylove in the clutches of another. He should have turned and let her strike his lips. Then at l
east she would have thought about him in his absence.
****
The intensity of Kennaway’s stare caused heat to flush her neck. Justin had left and she’d returned to the parlor. The rest of the day was a blank slate. She had no idea how to entertain Father’s guest. Dancing again was out of the question. Her feet couldn’t handle it.
She sauntered straight to the sideboard and poured a cup of tea. The China cup slipped from her trembling fingers and smacked the wooden surface. She dabbed the spilled liquid with a towel. Warmth surrounded her hand.
“Let me.” Kennaway retrieved the cup and poured her another drink.
To hide her embarrassment, she pulled her shoulders back and took a seat on the long sofa. Skirts settled about her, she folded her hands in her lap. Her mother had been fond of saying: Never let the enemy see your true feelings or your weaknesses. Was Kennaway an enemy? She wasn’t sure. He’d offered to help them with their cause. He was a known entity at least to Father. Of what she knew, he was a terrible dancer. She knew nothing else other than he was up at late hours and up with the sun again. Why had she insisted that Justin involve Kennaway? Her secret was in jeopardy.
Kennaway laid her saucer and cup on the low table and then retook his seat opposite her. He crossed his legs. If it had been Justin she would have known the situation was dire by his body language, but with the knight she didn’t know what he was telegraphing.
He looked over the rim of his own tea cup. “You like him.”
Her throat clenched. “Pardon?”
“The young man carrying the grotesque puppet—you like him.”
“I fail to see how that—”
He hinged forward. “You must realize your father requested my presence because he hoped you would consider me.”
She had realized but had hoped that it would never be a real issue. “Sir Kennaway—”
“Kenelm.” He smiled.
How could he expect her to be so familiar? Perhaps he agreed with Father that they were a suitable match? “Sir Kennaway, I have no idea to what you refer.” Her palms really sweated now.
The Case of the Puppet Constable (A Justice and Miss Quinn Mystery Book 2) Page 2
