Dot admired Forrester. What a good head of the family he made. How quick he was to analyze something. He would be an admirable husband.
Blanks and Sir Elvin could not hold back their laughter.
Jonathan quickly recovered. “Penal refers to punishment, particularly as it refers to incarceration and transportation. I will specifically be speaking to the need for a system of classifying crimes –and subsequent punishment—according to the severity of the crime.”
Several heads nodded in agreement.
“For example,” he said, “in Britain we have many, many minor crimes, such as poaching, that are punishable by death. It is my belief that the death penalty be reserved for crimes of murder. Lesser crimes should have lesser penalties.”
More heads nodded.
He gave a clearly defined talk that laid out the problems that needed to be addressed, and he proposed solutions. When he finished, everyone in the chamber clapped, and a lively discussion ensued.
Topham began to circulate throughout the chamber with a tray filled with glasses of port.
Dot was pleased when her guests got up and began to mingle while the footmen set up card tables.
Blanks came up to her. She was struck again by his handsomeness. He was the tallest man in the chamber and was possessed of thick hair in a rich dark brown and an exceedingly agreeable face that evoked a good nature. “You have caused considerable consternation in our house, Miss Pankhurst.”
“How so?”
“Ever since my daughter has become acquainted with your cats, she gives me not a moment’s peace. She’s forever begging to have her own.”
Dot laughed. “I am surprised you’ve not given in to her. I had been told—“
“You’d heard that it was impossible for me to deny the little minx anything?”
“Indeed.”
He nodded remorsefully. “It’s true. She and her mother both have a talent for bending me to their will.”
“I understand you and your wife have known each other most of your lives.”
“True.”
“So you were always in love with one another?” Goodness, what had made Dot speak of so personal a matter?
He shrugged. “To be honest, I wanted no part of marriage. Glee tricked me into marrying her.” He paused. “Once we were married—and completely against my own wishes—I became utterly obsessed with that little vixen I wed.”
“That tells me that the marriage merely affirmed the love you two always had for one another.” Exactly what she was hoping for in her own forthcoming marriage.
“That’s an intelligent observation, Miss Pankhurst. Allow me to say I hope you and Appleton are as happy as Glee and I.”
Forrester came up and settled a hand at her waist. If a body could smile, hers would at this moment.
“And,” Blanks said to her, “it looks as if I’m going to have to procure two cats. Much to my chagrin, Gregory has also become enamored of the creatures, even though I’ve always felt men—and boys—should have dogs.”
“I am most happy to hear that,” Dot said, then looked up at Forrester.
“I refuse to comment,” her betrothed said.
Appleton and Blanks started talking, and she moved to Mrs. Steffington. “I am so gratified you persuaded your husband to be our featured guest tonight,” Dot said. “He was most fascinating.”
That lady beamed. “I agree, but I am a bit prejudiced.”
“I am told your husband always has his head in a book. Do you ever get jealous?”
“Not really. When we first married, I sat by his side in the library and assisted him in his various research. It made us even closer. And now that we have a baby, Melvin’s research is no longer the most important thing in his life.” A satisfied glow came over her fair countenance.
“Then your husband adores your baby?”
Catherine Steffington nodded, her long lashes sweeping downward. “Our precious son is no longer a baby. He’ll soon be two. But, yes, Melvin’s foolish over our little lad. He’s a wonderful husband, too, but I do believe our lad is the center of his universe.”
How Dot wished her union with Forrester could be as happy as the Steffingtons’, how she hoped she could bear Forrester’s son and secure a contentment as satisfying as Catherine Steffington’s.
Next Dot moved to Sir Elvin. “You must be very proud of your brother.”
“That I am.” Sir Elvin snatched another glass of port from Topham’s tray as the butler moved toward them. “How does the investigation go?” he asked in a low voice. “Did you learn anything from Maryann?”
“Nothing that will lead us to the murderer. We did learn that Ellie had regretted her recent acquisition of money. We also learned she was supposed to meet with a man that last night. He must have been the killer, but Miss Macintosh’s friend had no clue as to his identity.”
At that point two well-dressed young ladies came up to them, and Sir Elvin introduced them as his younger sisters. Though their resemblance to their brothers was undeniable, they were in no way masculine, nor were they tall like their brothers. She would guess that they were a good bit younger than her, especially the one named Lizzy, who could not be out of the schoolroom yet. Once more, Dot found herself praising their scholarly brother, and the ladies preened.
Next Dot went to Mrs. James Blankenship, who was so deep in conversation with Dot’s father that neither noticed when she walked up. When Mrs. James finally looked up, she broke into a smile. “Oh, my dear Miss Pankhurst, thank you so much for inviting us to your wedding Wednesday. I cannot wait. I’m so happy that you and dear Appleton are marrying.”
“Thank you. I’m very happy, too, but I especially want to compliment you on your son. How proud you must be of him. He’s terribly clever and was most entertaining.”
“Thank you, my dear. I couldn’t be prouder.” She sighed. “There is only one thing that could make me happier.”
Dot quirked a brow.
“He and Mary have been wed almost two years. . .”
Dot understood. “You fear they’re unable to conceive children?”
Mrs. James nodded. “Don’t get me wrong. I love Joy
