wish to listen to four women chat about all the things that upper-class women were wont to discuss: the weather and the shops, bonnets, parties, and all manner of feminine fripperies.
Yet surely this unexpected hen party was good. The interruption came at a moment when he'd found himself nearly drowning in his want for Julianne. Still, at the same time he felt strangely trapped in this room with four women, who-
Were all looking at him with expectant expressions.
Bloody hell.
'Don't you agree, Mr. Mayne?' asked Lady Langston, pushing up her spectacles.
'Agree?'
'That this talk of the criminal being a ghost is nothing but rubbish?'
A sensible female-thank God. 'Of course it's rubbish. This man is very real. And very dangerous.'
'Are you certain the person you seek is a 'he' and not a 'she'?' asked Lady Surbrooke. 'After all, women can be just as evil as men.'
'Indeed they can,' Gideon agreed, 'and while I would not eliminate someone as a suspect based solely on their gender, I believe our murderer and thief is a man.'
Lady Emily's intense gaze bored into his. 'You will of course make certain nothing happens to our beloved Julianne.'
His gaze shifted to Julianne, who sat on the settee. Bloody hell, she looked so damn lovely, and her eyes seemed to just… swallow him. He dragged his attention back to Lady Emily. 'I will not allow any harm to come to her.'
A simple, irrefutable statement, yet the depth of its truth hit him like a blow to the head. He would forfeit his own life if necessary to keep her safe. A realization that stilled him. And stunned him.
'As we're all aware of your expertise, that is a huge relief, Mr. Mayne,' murmured Lady Surbrooke. She smiled at him, clearly an acknowledgment of his assistance in solving the case two months ago that had threatened her life, and he nodded in return.
They resumed conversing among themselves, and with relief Gideon continued his inching progress toward the doorway. Her friends demanded details of last night's ordeal, which Julianne provided, along with a recitation that made him sound like some sort of hero.
'Mr. Mayne was so brave, and very intrepid, searching and securing the house and grounds in spite of the foul weather,' she said, sending a smile in his direction, and he once again found himself the cynosure of all eyes.
'I'd be more worthy of praise had I caught the culprit,' he felt compelled to point out, although he couldn't deny that warmth spread through him at her complimentary words.
'Surely you didn't spend the entire night outdoors,' Lady Langston said. 'Why, you could have caught your death of chill.'
'He stayed indoors with me until my parents arrived home,' Julianne said.
'Precisely where he needed to be to insure your safety,' Lady Surbrooke said with an approving nod.
'Yes, thank goodness you were about, Mr. Mayne,' added Lady Emily.
They again resumed chatting among themselves, and he quickly stepped to the doorway. He didn't intend to listen to them, but it was impossible not to. Their long-standing friendship was evident in the way they spoke-finishing each other's sentences, the warmth and teasing and concern in their voices.
Winslow appeared bearing a silver tea service, followed by Ethan the footman, who carried a food-laden tray. Gideon breathed deeply as the tray filled with biscuits and assorted little tarts and cakes went by just under his nose. The scent of vanilla-her scent-filled his head. His mouth watered, and his body tightened in response.
'Please join us, Mr. Mayne,' Julianne said.
'Oh, yes, please do,' seconded Lady Langston. He wondered if he looked as wary as he felt, because she added, 'We don't bite.'
'At least not very often,' Julianne added.
Deciding they looked harmless enough and that one cup of tea and a biscuit or two couldn't hurt, Gideon joined the ladies, settling himself in the wing chair opposite Julianne. He looked around the group and realized that Julianne's three friends were studying him with a great deal of interest. He fought the sudden urge to squirm in his seat.
'I've never been to a ladies' tea party before,' he said, trying to fill the silence while accepting his cup and saucer from Julianne with a nod. 'I'm not quite certain what to do.'
'It's very simple,' Julianne said with a smile, handing him a plate containing several biscuits and small cakes. 'You sip tea, nibble on cakes, chat about the weather, then talk about things you're not supposed to.'
Her smile was captivating, and he had to force himself not to stare. He noted how at ease she clearly felt in the company of her friends, not exhibiting the shyness he'd observed in her during larger gatherings and parties.
'And what sort of things are ladies not supposed to discuss?' he asked, hoping to keep the conversation diverted from his investigation.
'Anything that isn't the weather,' Lady Emily said, wrinkling her nose. 'You won't tell on us, will you, Mr. Mayne?'
If Gideon had to sum up Lady Emily in one word, it would be mischievous. 'I suppose that depends on what you reveal, Lady Emily,' he said in a perfectly serious tone. 'If it's too salacious, I might have to turn you over to the magistrate.'
Lady Emily's eyes lit up. 'Really? How ghastly!'
'Don't encourage her,' Julianne said, continuing to serve the tea. 'She'd no doubt enjoy such an outing.'
'I absolutely would,' Lady Emily confirmed. 'I would shamefully exploit my newfound friendship with the magistrate and enlist his help in controlling my hooligan younger brothers.'
'Shall I toss them in Newgate for you?' Gideon asked casually.
'A splendid idea,' Lady Emily agreed. 'Although we probably should wait a few years. Little Arthur is only seven, after all.'
'Perhaps when he's nine,' Gideon agreed.
Lady Emily sent him a dazzling smile that he was certain knocked most men flat. 'Perhaps you're not as dour as I thought, Mr. Mayne.'
'Perhaps you're more bloodthirsty than
The ladies all laughed. 'You see?' Lady Langston said with a smile, nudging up her spectacles with her index finger. 'You find out the most fascinating things at tea parties.'
Ten minutes later, Gideon couldn't disagree with that statement. During that time he learned that Julianne's friends were charming, intelligent, amusing, and witty and that the Gatesbourne kitchen produced the most delicious tarts and cakes he'd ever tasted. They chatted about the robberies and murders, all of them expressing sympathy and horror over Lady Daltry's death. They asked him a few questions, but as he didn't have any information to give them, their conversation moved on to other topics. As was his habit, he sat back and listened, studying the group over the rim of his cup.
'Mr. Mayne is awfully quiet,' Lady Surbrooke commented, her gaze resting on him with an expression he couldn't decipher.
'I fear I've nothing constructive to add to a debate concerning whether ostrich or peacock feathers are a more becoming decoration on one's turban.'
'Then we must change the subject,' Lady Emily said. Her eyes took on a devilish glint. 'Tell me, Mr. Mayne, are you fond of reading?'
