Page 15 of A Rogue to Forget

“Butterflies?” Hannah wondered what the significance was.

“Mother’s idea,” he replied. “She loves the creatures.”

“Butterflies are beautiful,” Felicity said. “I am wearing several in my hair. I am also having the seamstress embroider one into the bodice of my gown.”

Hannah nodded, feeling left out, but in a way, she was used to not being part of her best friend’s social circles. “I hope to see you in it.”

“I must bid you both goodnight,” Henry said, standing. “I must rescue Evan and Grant from my father.”

When he placed a kiss to her temple, Hannah’s eyes rounded. When they were alone, it didn’t matter, but that he did so in front of Felicity made her uncomfortable.

“All will be well. You will see,” he said, and to her consternation, took her hand and squeezed it.

He nodded at Felicity and walked out.

“Before you say anything, I do not know what came over him to take such liberties.” Hannah didn’t dare look at Felicity directly.

“The man is madly in love with you and has yet to admit it to himself.” Felicity beamed at her. “I believe the feeling is mutual.”

Hannah shook her head. “Whether I have feelings for him or not does not matter. He will marry the daughter of a lord, or a duke. Not a woman who lives alone and whose father was murdered, and mother absconded.”

“You do have a very sordid life, Hannah. When this is all over, you should write a book.” Only Felicity could turn things to a place no one would think about.

“When this is over, I plan to continue with my plans to redecorate my house one room at a time until it is beautiful, and I can host teas and perhaps this book club of yours.”

“That is boring,” Felicity said. “What if we go on a trip? Or perhaps plan a summer masquerade party?”

Hannah met her friend’s gaze. “Here at your house. No one will come to my house. There are too many shadows in the corners.”

That night as she lay in bed and considered the events of the day, the thing that stood out the most was how kind Henry’s father had been. Upon entering, he’d asked to be introduced to her and had ensured Hannah no harm would come to her.

He’d also insisted on being included in helping. According to Henry, his father was a keen investigator by nature and had often assisted the local constable with cases that were hard to solve. Having the gentleman of such high standing included hopefully meant that things would be resolved soon.

There was the situation with Henry that she refused to face. She would have to prepare her heart for the fact that he would be marrying. That was the reason for the party after all. To ensure Henry met eligible women.

Despite Felicity’s opinion, that they had strong feelings for one another, Henry would one day inherit his father’s vast fortune. And because of it, he had a responsibility to his family.

He had to marry a woman of his social standing, not one who was not only beneath him socially, but brought with her the scandal of murder.

*

Walking to themarket with Marta had been Hannah’s idea. She’d not cleared it with any of the people at Felicity’s house. It was Saturday, the day of the Campbell party, and she needed the distraction of being outdoors. Besides, nothing was more distracting than the possibility of being approached by a killer.

She and Marta lingered in front of several stands, purchasing bread, meat, and vegetables. No one paid either of them any mind, perhaps because Marta’s nephew stood a short distance away.

“I see him,” Marta whispered.

Hannah’s heart jumped in her chest. “Where?”

“What do you think?” Marta said loudly, holding up a bunch of carrots, and then lowered her voice. “Look past the carrots to the man leaning on the tree.”

Holding out her hand to touch the carrots, Hannah saw the man. He was bulky, whether from muscles or fat, it was hard to tell since he wore a long black coat.

“Are you sure?” Hannah said, putting the carrots into her basket.

“A pence,” the woman at the stall called out.

Marta paid the woman and they moved to the next stall. “What should we do?”