by Abigail Agar
“I am rather fond of this dance,” he confessed.
“Really? I had not expected that you would be a man who enjoys dancing,” she said.
“No, perhaps not, but I do. I do not show it, in fact I often refrain from sharing my interests on the whole. But I do enjoy a dance,” he confessed.
“I am impressed. You are also quite graceful,” she said.
Hamish tried to hide his smile, not wanting to let the compliment get to him. After all, he was with her so that he might be able to ask her questions about her family. And about her brother.
But as they moved to the music, as the lights of the room reflected her deeply golden hair, he could do little else but focus on Miss Reid and whatever she wished to speak about with him.
“Miss Reid, I must tell you that you are not exactly what I had expected,” Hamish said.
“Am I not? What exactly do you mean?” she asked, a smile playing at her full lips.
“I imagined that you were a young woman like any other in society. I thought that you were probably careless, selfish, involved only in your own gossip and entertainments,” he said.
Her face fell somewhat and Hamish was quick to explain.
“I only thought that because I know so many young women who are that way. I was relieved to find that you are nothing of the sort,” he said.
“Actually…” she began, before trailing off.
“What? Actually what?” Hamish asked.
“I am all of those things,” she said.
“No, no, you are not. You are very respectable,” Hamish said.
But Miss Reid was shaking her head quickly, determination and truth in her eyes as she met his.
“No, I fear that you were correct in your initial assessment of me and my character. I am all of those things you said. I am vain. I longed to marry a wealthy, titled man simply so I could be wealthy and titled. I like the idea of power and fortune,” she said.
“I imagine everyone does,” Hamish said.
“Yes, but I have often longed for them and made decisions that would assist me in reaching them,” she said.
Hamish gathered from her tone that there was, more than likely, a gentleman involved in what she was saying. Perhaps there was a man by whom she had been courted. That was certainly the hint of regret that he heard in her voice.
“I do not believe you are anything so bad as the sort of women I might have expected you to be,” Hamish said.
“Regardless of that, I can assure you that I am not the sort of woman who I ought to be. I am frivolous at times and I do enjoy life as much as I am able to. I do, however, understand that there are times in which one must be serious and intent. I cannot shy away from those moments,” she replied, a sadness in her face.
He admired her honesty. It was unusual to find a woman who could admit that she was shallow and, perhaps, vapid.
Miss Reid was perfectly open, however. She was completely willing to admit to her own faults.
At every turn, she had surprised him. Not only her care for her family’s employee, not only because of her devotion to the truth, and not only because of her own awareness of her feelings. It was all these things.
She was incomprehensible at times. She had motivations that he simply could not understand.
Because of these things and many others, Hamish did not want the dance to end.
“You are something of a mystery, do you know that?” he asked her with a faint laugh.
“Is that so? Or do you only see me as such because you are a detective and that is your job?” she asked in reply, a teasing glint in her eye.
“No. I am certain. You are a mystery because there is not a single other woman here this evening who is anything like you,” he told her, feeling the weight of truth in his words.
He saw her breath catch before she smiled in a girlish way.
“You are very complimentary, Inspector Brock,” she said.
“And you, Miss Reid, are everything I have said and so much more,” he replied.
Hamish had never been so bold in complimenting a woman. At least, he hoped that these things he said would pass for compliment. In truth, he could be saying the wrong thing at every turn.
But her smile told him otherwise. Her smile told him that he was saying just the right thing. That only made the truth more beautiful.
“Oh, dear,” she said.
“What is it?” Hamish asked.
“I fear that the dance is coming to an end,” she said, forlornly.
“I am afraid so. Perhaps we may find one another at another ball in the future?” he asked.
“I do hope so. I should like to dance with you again,” Miss Reid said.
For Hamish, those were the most beautiful words he heard all evening.
Chapter 17
Light and free.
If two words could describe exactly how Georgiana felt, it was those two words.
The evening would soon be drawing to a close and she tried to stifle a yawn, but she did not want to end it. Georgiana could hardly bear the thought of leaving, particularly when she knew that Inspector Brock was still there, that he was still present at the ball, and yet so far away from her.
Their dance had been magical. It was as though Inspector Brock had seen a whole new side of her, aside that no one had ever seen before.
And she had seen a new side of him. She had seen his kindness, his joy. It had been joy that she had long since wondered about. She had believed that it was there, but until that evening, she had not seen it.
Now that it was visible, she couldn’t stop herself from smiling at every turn. Their every interaction was lovely. Their every moment together was great.
Georgiana had been brokenhearted to have to step away from him. Nevertheless, the dance had come to an end and she did what was expected of her. She did what was appropriate.
Not long after their dance, Inspector Brock had gone elsewhere and then had come to say farewell.
Georgiana had watched him go, wishing that he would stay behind. She didn’t want him to leave, not when she had so many more things to share with him, to say to him. Not when he was every bit as lovely as she might have imagined a man could possibly be.
Oh, where was all of this coming from? Did she not detest him and his dour moods? Why was she thinking like this?
Just then, as Georgiana was lost in her thoughts, William came over to her.
“Did you see Miss Lockwood? She danced with me once and then leaned over to whisper in my ear that she would very much like to dance again,” he said, shaking his head as he drew closer to Georgiana.
Her eyes widened in surprise at the scandal.
“Good heavens, do you think her father knows about that behaviour?” she asked.
“I highly doubt it. A vicar would never approve of his daughter doing something like that,” William said.
“Most vicars, perhaps not. But Miss Lockwood’s father is not among the more pious of church leaders,” Georgiana said. She had always been appalled by that man’s hypocrisy and preferred to avoid his congregation altogether in favour of more devout preachers.
“Well, I cannot say that I minded it so much, aside from the fact that I would never make a woman like that my wife. Not if she is going to act in such a way. Such a shocking thing to do,” he said, amused and, perhaps, somewhat flattered by Miss Lockwood’s outlandish behaviour.
Georgiana had seen him dancing with a number of beautiful young woman. She wondered, however, if he was standing there the whole night longing to dance with Rachel.
Still, she was curious what his thoughts were toward her friend. What was he looking for more? Was he unwilling to accept Rachel’s refusal?
Thus far, it had seemed as though he was quite enjoying himself. It appeared that he quite liked dancing with one beautiful woman after another.
But, just as she knew that her own heart held its secrets, she thought that her brother’s might as well.
“What about Lady
Annabelle Devlin?” Georgiana asked. “I saw you dancing with her as well. Do you think she might be worthy of your time and energy in the future?”
William appeared torn.
“She is quite lovely, but I do not believe her father would ever approve of a union between us. I have no title. For her to marry me, she would be moving downward in society. Our family’s fortune—or what we are believed to have, regardless of the truth—is of no consequence to men like Lord Devlin,” he said.
“But, if her father did approve, do you like her? Would you want to be matched to her?” Georgiana asked, deeply curious.
“I do not know. Perhaps. Maybe. If she was interested in me in return, then I might consider it,” he said.
“I think you ought to consider it. She is lovely. You never know. There could be a future for the both of you,” Georgiana said.
“Why are you pushing for that?” William asked, looking suspicious.
“I am only saying it because I think you deserve to be happy and if she makes you happy, you ought to follow through with her. She is beautiful and sweet. Why not?” Georgiana asked.
Still, her brother searched her with his eyes. She looked away from him, not wanting to be found out for the things that were truly on her mind. How could she tell him that she knew he had shown an appreciation for Rachel? How could she ask him if he had anything to do with sending Rachel away because of unrequited love?
“Well,” he said, as if moving on. “I rather thought you might wish to spend some time getting to know Mr. Holt. He is the landowner I told you about. Incredibly wealthy. You cannot even imagine.”
“Why him? You know that Mother wishes for me to dance with the Baron of Ayre and to be courted by him,” she said.
“Yes, but he is not here. Not only that, but you expressed that you no longer have an interest in him. So…why not? You should get to know Mr. Holt. He has no title, but he is incredibly rich and you would be free of our family’s soon-to-be poisoned name,” William said.
“Oh, come now. Our family name is hardly going to be poisoned. Whatever mistakes have been made, whatever we lack, that is not the thing,” she said.
“Of course, it is. Do not be naive, Georgiana. Our family is not doing well at all and we must accept that. We are soon to be mocked and spoken ill of. Would you not rather have an engagement already progressing before that happens?” William asked.
“So I might be abandoned by my betrothed the moment he learns that we have nothing?” she asked, scoffing in reply.
“That is hardly what I meant. Just think about it. Do you not prefer the idea of having someone at the ready? If not the Baron of Ayre, then who? Mr. Holt will allow you to want for nothing,” William said. That was not true. She would still want. She would still want Inspector Brock.
Georgiana’s eyes widened in embarrassment just from having that thought pass through her mind. How could she allow herself to think like that?
“What is it?” William asked. “You look strange all of the sudden.”
“It is nothing. Only…I do not think I would like to dance with anyone else this evening,” she said.
“Come. Just speak with Mr. Holt. You ought to have a wee chat with him and see if you think that there could be any friendship…or something more. You must give him a chance,” William said.
Sighing, she allowed herself to be dragged by her brother.
Georgiana did not want to speak with Mr. Holt. Just as she no longer cared for the Baron of Ayre, she had no interest in landowners and other men who had no discernible personalities.
She had no interest in dancing with a man purely for his fortune. Rather, she wanted to dance again with one man only.
She wondered what was happening to her. Inspector Brock was infuriating. He confounded her most of the time, forcing her to behave and listen rather than act. So why was it that she wanted to dance with him? Why was it that she continually noticed how handsome he was? Was she interested only in his appearance?
Or was it something more? Was it his passion for his duty? Was it the way he was helping her with Rachel, despite the fact that there was no real case? Was it the kindness in his eyes when he did not even think that she was serious?
She still couldn’t say. And yet, it was significant.
“Mr. Holt, how good to see you again,” William greeted.
“And you are…?” Mr. Holt replied.
Georgiana saw her brother’s cheeks burn.
“Mr. William Reid,” he said.
“Oh! Yes. I remember now. Your father, he is a prominent businessman, correct?” Mr. Holt asked, remembering.
“Indeed, he is,” William said, straightening his back subconsciously and preening before this wealthy man.
“And this?” Mr. Holt asked, turning to Georgiana.
“My sister,” William replied.
An unpleasant look entered Mr. Holt’s eye and Georgiana was instantly uncomfortable.
“Well, you are quite a beauty,” he said.
“Th-thank you,” she replied.
“How would you like to dance with me?” he asked, standing far too close for her comfort.
“Thank you…but my card is full,” Georgiana said, just before she slipped away and rushed toward the door, perfectly aware that William was going to be furious with her.
However, as the evening ended, Georgiana was still feeling freer than she had ever known before.
She wished that she had been able to spend more time with Inspector Brock, but it was not to be. For now, however, she had at least gotten out of dancing with someone she dearly did not wish to be around.
“Are you not even going to apologise to me?” William demanded as they entered the home that night and Georgiana started walking away from him to go to her room.
“So sorry, William. I could never marry a man like Mr. Holt. It just wasn’t to be,” she said.
She heard her brother grumble, but she could not bring herself to care in the least.
Georgiana went to her room and, exhausted, crashed upon the bed.
Uncomfortable, a sheet of paper crinkled under her head.
Georgiana opened it and began to read, her heart racing in the midst of a dire mystery as she did so.
Dear Miss Georgiana,
I am writing to you in the midst of a very difficult moment. I need to speak with you at once. I have received a threat. Whomever it was that sent me away has learned that I spoke with Inspector Brock. I am being threatened now.
Please, if you are able, come to see me at once. I am so frightened, Miss Georgiana. I do not know what to do. If you are able to give me any guidance, I would dearly appreciate it. Honestly, my fears are beyond the telling of it at the moment and I cannot express the struggles that I am facing in worrying for the safety of my family.
I could not bear for them to be hurt as a result of my going to the police. If you are able to meet with me tomorrow, I would appreciate it. I shall be at my home.
