Catie frowned as a low pounding started up once again. “Did you see the Post this morning?” she asked over the din.
Maddie nodded. “They’re calling Bleven’s death the work of thieves.”
“Didn’t the investigator find it strange that Bleven’s butler had disappeared? There was no mention of it in the papers.”
Maddie shrugged. “Apparently, the investigator came to the conclusion that the duke was killed during an attempt by thieves to burgle his warehouse. I’m not certain what the investigator thinks the thieves were trying to steal in that rancid place. There was nothing of value.” She paused, wondering what the investigator had made of the silver letter opener.
“They’re also calling Bleven’s death a horrible tragedy,” Catie said. “He’s to have a state funeral. Do not tell me that doesn’t anger you. If they knew—”
“It would only cause more scandal. Jack and I would have to prove our case by sullying a dead man’s name. When all was said and done, there’d be more questions than answers. I’ll gladly make Bleven a national hero if it means Jack and I will be left alone.”
“And I’m sure this forgiving attitude has nothing to do with His Royal Highness’s Society for Invalid Veterans of Overseas Conflicts.”
Below Maddie, a second hammer joined the first, and the house shook. “What was that sound?”
Catie shook her head and laughed. Maddie smiled too, because, of course, her cousin was correct. It wouldn’t help His Royal Highness’s Society for Invalid Veterans of Overseas Conflicts one bit if its new president were embroiled in a notorious scandal. And she had the most wonderful charity ball planned for the end of the Season.
She’d even started the preparations, though she hadn’t told Jack quite yet. He was still overprotective toward her. But Maddie had noticed that since the incident with Bleven, he’d relaxed a bit.
It seemed he was coming to realize that he couldn’t protect her all the time. She’d said as much to him last night, mentioning that life, with all its risks, was meant to be lived to the fullest.
Jack had nodded. “My mother used to say the same thing, and despite what happened to her, I don’t think she would have been happy living any other way.”
“Her death wasn’t your fault, Jack,” Maddie had said again, looking into his eyes and willing him to believe her.
He’d smiled and kissed her, but she thought she saw a flicker of acceptance in his eyes. A flicker of forgiveness for the boy that he had been.
She felt hopeful that, given time, Jack would pardon that little boy.
She also hoped that, given time, he would worry less about her. He would love her more and guard her less.
And then maybe she could convince him that the Orphan’s Munificent Society could use her efforts to help build a new foundling house. After all, by the time the renovations on their town house were done and Blackjack’s large enclosure at Jack’s country house was completed, she would know more about construction than most women. Who better to oversee a construction project for the orphans?
“What time is it?” Catie yelled over the noise.
“Half past five!”
“Wasn’t—” The banging ceased, and Catie lowered her voice. “Wasn’t Josie supposed to have tea with us?”
Lord, not another missing cousin. Maddie stood.
“I’ll go see if she has sent a note.”
Maddie left the drawing room and met Jack on his way up the stairs. With a smile, she moved aside to let him pass, but he snagged her around the waist at the last moment, pulling her up the stairs and into an alcove beside the drawing room.
He put his arms around her, holding her close. “Mmm, you smell good. Come up to the bedroom with me. I want to forget about all the hammers and workmen for an hour.”
Maddie tried to disentangle herself, without success. “Jack, Catie is in the drawing room, and we’re waiting for Josie. I was just about to see if she’d sent a note.”
Jack nuzzled her neck. “Aren’t your cousins married?”
“Yes.” She felt a delicious warmth spreading through her body.
“Why don’t they go home to their husbands?”
“Because we’re having a meeting. Their husbands will have to wait. Just like you.”
His expression was fierce, and she smiled, tracing his frown with one finger. “There’s nothing wrong with a little anticipation,” she whispered. “You don’t want life to get tedious.”
