“That’s a different story. Many, many of them have ties to London. Many of them don’t live here year round as my friends do. As you know, Bath society is mostly transient.”
“But how many of the men at Mrs. Starr’s use Redmayne?”
“I’d never before given it any thought.”
“And now you’ve pledged not to go there anymore.”
“I never go back on a pledge.” His voice was stern. “But Sir Elvin can always be my eyes and ears there, just as he set up our meeting with Ellie’s friend, Maryann.”
“Just as I felt sure Ellie Macintosh was murdered in the old church, I feel we’re getting closer to learning the identity of her killer.”
He took no comfort in her words. Being at the site of Ellie’s murder made her death even more harrowing.
Now he worried about Dot. And Annie. He wished he’d never allowed them to participate in this madness of trying to apprehend a killer.
Chapter 19
“I’m going to London in the morning.” Forrester made the statement as they were walking up Broad Street, using the same toneless delivery as if he were stating a well-accepted truth, like “My eyes have always been green.”
He need not explain. She knew he intended to visit the establishment of the tailor Redmayne. Selfishly, she did not like to think of him leaving Bath, did not like the thought of not being able to see him.
Yet she realized his trip could yield the identity of Ellie Macintosh’s killer. “You’re going to the tailors?”
“Yes.”
“Do you anticipate being able to make the trip in one day?”
He chuckled. “You have little understanding of English travel if you think that possible. Leaving at dawn tomorrow I’ll have to ride like the wind to make London by nightfall.”
She pouted. “Then you’ll be gone for two whole days or even longer?”
“You sound disappointed,” he said playfully.
“I am. I shall miss you.”
He lifted her hand and pressed his lips to it. “I shall miss you, too.” He paused, his step slowing. “Will you promise me one thing?”
“Of course.”
“Please do not go anywhere without someone—a man—to guard you.”
She was taken aback—taken aback and flattered—over his genuine concern. Ever since they had left the scene of poor Ellie Macintosh’s death, she had sensed that something oppressive was weighing on Forrester. Now she realized he was worried about her. “I give you my word,” she said.
* * *
A costly coach was parked in front of Appleton’s house. The black paint of the carriage shone as if it had just left the carriage maker’s. Not even a speck of dust marred its perfection. Its coachman sported scarlet livery, a jaunty top hat resting on his aging head, lending an aristocratic air to the equipage. But to Appleton’s dismay, no crest distinguished the conveyance.
“Who could be paying us a call?” he said to Dot.
“Then that carriage does not belong to one of your friends?”
“Not unless one of them has recently procured a new coach. A very expensive one.”
They entered the house, and voices, along with his sisters’ tinkling laughter, came from the upstairs drawing room. He and Dot hurried up the staircase, but when he drew close to the drawing room, he recognized Henry Wolf’s voice and went as rigid and cold as a steel cutlass.
She sensed his tenseness and shot him a quizzing glance. “What’s wrong?”
“That man, Henry Wolf, has dared to call upon my sister.”
“I’m sure he means no harm.”
“You. Don’t. Know. Him.” Appleton stormed into the chamber. All three of his sisters, their pretty gowns fanned out upon the silken chairs and sofa where they sat, looked most agreeably upon the obnoxious man who had the audacity to seat himself on the same sofa as Annie.
Appleton felt like striking Wolf. Or challenging him to a duel.
Annie looked up. “Oh, here’s my brother and his fiancée.”
Wolf’s face clouded. He stood, as would any gentleman upon a lady’s entrance into the chamber, and he observed Dot with eyes that were narrowed to slits.
Wolf was the last person Appleton wished to know about his forthcoming marriage. He’d not wanted the man to learn that his marriage to an heiress would enable him to claim the IOUs before Wolf could claim his property—or try to claim Annie.
Wolf spoke icily. “I did not know you were getting married.”
“Yes,” Appleton said. He refused to elaborate.
“They’re to marry next Wednesday,” Abby interjected.
Anger surged through Appleton. Why could Abby never keep her mouth closed? Wolf was so devious, he might try to find a way of stopping the wedding from taking place.
Why was Henry Wolf so obsessed with Annie? Just purchasing the IOUs from Mrs. Starr would have cost a king’s ransom. Yet he was willing to hand them back to Appleton and not even seek a dowry. All in an effort to make Annie his wife.
Which would never happen as long as Appleton drew breath.
Appleton wasn’t the only angry man in the chamber. Wolf could barely conceal his fury as his gaze shifted from Appleton to Dot. He quickly feigned civility. “I regret that I must leave as soon as you’ve come, my lord, but I have exceedingly enjoyed my stay with your delightful sisters.” His gaze went to Annie, and he bid her good-bye.
Appleton ignored him, directing his comment to Annie. “I thought you would still be at the dressmaker’s.”
A puzzled look on her face as she eyed Wolf’s back while he left the chamber, she said, “We just returned as Mr. Wolf drove up. He wasn’t here more than a quarter of an hour.”
Appleton glared at Annie and did not speak until the house’s front door closed. “Have I not warned you against that man?”
His sister bristled. “Honestly, Timothy, I am three-and-twenty years of age—old enough not to have to have my brother screen my callers.”
“I have never screened your callers. Wolf is the only man I’ve ever tried to shield you from.”
“Well, I found him to be a perfect gentleman,” she said, jutting out her chin with an air of defiance. “And you
