by Beth Byers
“Look,” he said placatingly. “Look. Let me explain. Wendy…ah…Wendell, damn it! He’s a good kid. The one kid. My parents aren’t proud of me. If they lose Wendy—ah, Wendell—damn it, Violet. You’re a devil. How did you do that so fast?”
“So this Greyly wants me to come to this Bonfire Night event and just know who is setting these fires?”
Denny grinned at Violet. “When I told him I’d send for Jack, Greyly seemed relieved. He doesn’t have the same faith in you that I do. You’re a female.”
Violet leaned slowly forward, sniffing. Denny laughed and then shoved his empty plate aside. “I didn’t say I had the same prejudices. Wendell is terrified of Lila, so he doesn’t have those assumptions either.”
“On the one hand,” Violet told Lila, “my father praised me well enough that someone wanted our services.”
Lila nodded, taking Denny’s cocktail from him and sipping it. “On the other hand, these fellows wanted Jack. Denny included.”
Violet took the cocktail from Lila, downing it, then winced. “Oh, I shouldn’t have finished the cocktail. I broke all rules about drinking when I don’t feel well. I am both personally offended at their lack of faith in the human race and personally happy to hear that Jack is returning.”
“He might not come,” Lila mused.
Denny groaned. “Of course he’ll come. The only reason he took the job far away is that the earl can be terrifying.”
“What now?” Lila and Violet demanded.
“Please,” Denny said. “Jack got told to keep his hands to himself until after the wedding day. Much easier to do when the twin is lurking. Victor—well—he’s not going to make things easy for Jack, now, is he? Especially since there is no way Victor didn’t get his own chat with Daddy Lancaster.”
“What in the world?” Violet asked Lila.
“Darling,” Lila laughed, “allow me to translate. Victor has been protecting your virtue. Both of your boys were threatened, Victor to keep you pure and Jack to—” Lila shrugged and tilted her head. “Well, I suppose, to also keep you pure. Especially, of course, because if Isolde hasn’t dipped her toe into the marital bed early, I’ll eat my hat.”
“Lila!” Violet gasped.
“You can tell by how he touches her.”
“What?” Violet breathed. “Really.”
“Strung tight, is our Jack,” Denny agreed. “Poor fellow.”
“This conversation is entirely untoward,” Violet declared, knowing she was blushing a brilliant red. “Isolde?”
Lila nodded and Violet touched her fingers to her collar bone where it had once broken.
“Regardless,” Denny said idly. “Jack is attempting to respect your father, so when Victor left, Jack left too. Your twin is many things—including the lesser twin—but he’s an excellent chastity belt when it comes to you.”
Violet stared between her two friends with their twitching lips, certain faces, and laughing gazes and then set her teacup down with a click.
“That is enough of this conversation,” Violet said, knowing that if anything, her blush had deepened to a furious beet red. “You all are bad influences. You both—terrible—I—I hate you.”
Chapter Four
“My lady?” Violet looked over to the doorway where Hargreaves stood. She was still blushing from Denny’s comments, and Hargreaves paused before his face smoothed into a perfect calm.
“Yes, Hargreaves?” Violet asked, as though she weren’t seventeen shades of red.
“There is a Mr. Harvey Greyly here for you.”
Denny giggled.
“And a Wendell Lancaster.”
Denny snorted and then choked on his laughter. “I am so excited.” He rubbed his hands together happily. “Lila, darling, this is going to be delightful.”
Lila replied smoothly, “I suspect it will be delightful, indeed.”
“Well, now,” Violet said to Hargreaves. “I suppose we should deal with whatever this will be. Mr. Hargreaves, would you please get Victor. Once he’s joined us, show our guests into the parlor with fresh tea, and by Jove, coffee too!” Violet turned to the others. “Is this going to be fun? What’s wrong with this fellow?”
“I suspect you won’t love it as much as I do.” Denny laughed. “We need Victor for this. It’ll be so much better with him.”
“He’s hovering over Kate.” Violet crossed to Denny and took his crumb-covered plate. “Brush yourself off. You look like a child who was allowed to have tea with adults.”
Lila’s low laugh had them both turning. Violet’s gaze narrowed, but Lila wouldn’t explain. Violet glanced back to Denny, who was staring at his wife. She winked at him.
Victor came in before there was anything more than mad giggles from Denny. Denny crossed to Victor, and they hugged as though they’d been separated for decades rather than a fortnight.
“This is going to be fun!” Denny told Victor as they hugged. “Violet is going to love Greyly.”
“Ah,” Lila cooed, “brotherly love. So precious. Heartwarming.”
“What all this, then?” Victor asked as they finished awkwardly clapping each other on the backs and stepped away. “Something about a brother?”
“Denny has a hardworking and earnest brother,” Violet announced.
“Who? Wendell?” Victor demanded. “The one who was always in the dirt?”
“He’s an archeologist now,” Denny told Victor, who nodded as though he could imagine nothing else.
“Why would he be here? Hargreaves said your brother was here with some old guy.”
“That’s Greyly.”
Hargreaves brought in a fresh tea trolley with both tea and coffee, and Violet sighed in relief. She could use quite an excessive amount of coffee.
Victor settled himself near Violet, who explained: “This hardworking and earnest brother, whom we shall forever call Wendy but who is named Wendell, works for a fellow named Harvey Greyly, who has Denny in giggles.”
“The archeologist,” Victor announced.
Violet looked to Lila, who was staring in shock, and Denny, who seemed entirely unsurprised.
“The archeologist,” Violet agreed, “has experienced a series of odd fires and wants Jack to resolve them. Father told this archeology fellow I was quite talented, but Greyly ensured that Jack would be on his way.”
“Jack? Isn’t he in the north of England? Or was it the Cotswolds? A murder case, yes? I understood he was expected to be gone quite a bit longer.”
“As well as preserving my virtue,” Violet agreed, as she crossed her legs and lifted a brow at her brother, who blushed and glanced away. So he knew exactly why Jack had left. Her gaze narrowed on him, but he avoided her eyes perfectly. Which was fine. She’d find him when he wasn’t suspecting it and pin him down.
Victor choked on his laugh as the door opened and the two men entered. Victor and Denny rose while Lila moved to the seat directly next to Violet. Introductions were made and then Mr. Greyly looked to Wendell.
Violet whispered, “By the heavens! He looks just like Denny used to, except for smart.”
Wendell was a couple of inches taller than Denny and stronger. Wendell looked as though he’d been digging in the dirt, and his shoulders were nearly as broad as Jack’s. With a deep tan, the man looked like a healthy version of Denny.
“He’s lovely isn’t he?” Lila whispered back with a little growl in her voice. Her gaze was fixated on her brother-in-law.
“Turn your eyes away,” Violet hissed. “You’re in love with his brother. You’re considering becoming a mother. Eyes away!”
“He’s just a pretty face. I don’t want him. It’s like looking back in time, but maybe a little better. He wouldn’t make me laugh though.”
“Lady Violet,” Mr. Greyly announced, clearing his throat to draw her attention, “was our plight explained to you? Can we count on your Mr. Wakefield to arrive and assist?”
Victor choked and Denny giggled.
“Mmm,” Violet said, pou
ring a cup of tea for Wendell Lancaster. She should have poured for Greyly first, but he was annoying Violet. “I haven’t spoken to Jack.”
“But your friends have?”
Violet shrugged. Denny had sent Jack a telegram. Violet had little doubt that Jack would come. Denny was a dramatic fellow in between naps, and he would have worded the telegram in the right way to get Jack to return to London.
Violet sighed as she studied Mr. Greyly. “What is it about your case, I wonder, that is more important than the murder case that Jack is working?”
Mr. Greyly blinked rapidly. “I’m afraid you don’t understand the importance of our work.” He gestured at the men as if asking them to explain things to the simple female.
Violet slowly turned to Lila and saw that Denny had bitten his bottom lip to hold back his reaction.
“I feel certain, however,” Violet told him archly, “that I understand the importance of human life.”
“They’re already gone, aren’t they? This is a crime in progress.”
Violet lifted a brow, but Mr. Greyly was entirely unaffected. “Well,” she said, “your manipulations have, I’m sure, been successful. Mr. Wakefield will no doubt arrive sooner rather than later.”
“I—find myself surprised by you, my dear,” Mr. Greyly said.
“Do you?”
Mr. Greyly’s reply was another harrumph, after which he turned to Victor and made a comment on the weather.
Wendy was looking distinctly uncomfortable. A blush was spreading across his face, and Violet felt a flash of sympathy. The poor man’s blush only intensified as he realized Denny was in his armchair, fighting hysterical laughter.
Given that they were sent off to school at rather young ages, and Wendell was quite a bit younger than Denny—well…how much did they really know each other? Poor Wendy had no idea what he was dealing with.
Violet’s head cocked, watching the brothers interact more than listening to Mr. Greyly talk. He had a loud, brash voice. His hair was mostly gone but what was left was combed over his head.
“Who do you think is setting the fires?” Violet finally asked Mr. Greyly, who smiled at her in a condescending way. Violet barely bit back her scoff and eye roll. She knew that was why he wanted Jack’s investigative skills, but surely Mr. Greyly had suspicions.
“Well now, my dear,” Mr. Greyly said. “Don’t worry over it. Your Mr. Wakefield will be here soon, I assume.”
Violet’s face smoothed into a polite smile. “Lovely weather we’re having.” Greyly scowled her direction and then frowned, glancing at the window where the rain was pattering against the glass.
“Can you believe this weather?” Victor added with a mischievous gleam. “Makes the traffic almost impossible.”
As Mr. Greyly looked at Victor in alarm, Violet poured him a cup of tea and asked if he wanted milk or sugar. He shook his head, distracted, and while he was looking away, Violet loaded his tea with rather a lot of sugar and handed it over. He accepted the tea and glanced again at the window.
“So happy to hear Mr. Wakefield is coming,” Mr. Greyly said with a trace of concern. “I’ve been reading about Mr. Wakefield and Mr. Barnes. Had my secretary gather up what could be found about them. There was quite an interesting article in the Piccadilly Press. About you too, but I understand E. Allen is a woman. Must understand hyperbole with you ladies. Take it with a grain of salt, am I right?” His chuckle burst out, and he looked at Victor and Denny for a laugh, but all he got was a nervous giggle from Denny, who immediately glanced at Vi, noted her dangerous expression and the way she handed him his tea, tipping the tea cup threateningly over his trousers. He accepted the cup and smiled quietly instead into the milky and sweet coffee.
Violet’s eye twitched as Lila choked back a laugh.
Victor shifted. “Well, where do your suspicions lie with who might be setting the fires?”
Mr. Greyly harrumphed. “It has to be someone or a set of someones who have been at all of our locations.”
Violet bit down on the inside of her mouth to just prevent herself retorting, ‘Obviously.’ Her brother smiled engagingly at Greyly’s answer to Victor’s question—the same Violet had asked.
“Is there a list of individuals who meet that criteria?” Victor asked, after meeting Violet’s gaze and grinning at her.
Violet poured herself a cup of coffee and leaned back, sipping. Her gaze narrowed on Mr. Greyly as he glanced her way. “Smile, my dear, you’re far too pretty for such a frown.” He took a long sip of tea and paused as the sugary taste hit his mouth.
Violet slowly blinked, but Denny burst into laughter.
“Have I said something funny, then?” Mr. Greyly frowned at Denny. “He’s really quite a bit different from you, isn’t he, Lancaster?”
“I understand that Wendell is earnest and hardworking. Quite brilliant, even.” Violet tilted her head as she watched Greyly glance at Wendell and then lift one of those giant brows.
“That might be going a bit far, but he is a handy man to have about.” Mr. Greyly set his tea aside after shooting Violet another fierce frown.
“Even if he’s only useful, he’s quite the opposite from Denny.”
It took Mr. Greyly a moment to realize she’d insulted Denny, and Greyly’s frown deepened.
Denny winked at Violet as he said, “I’m confused, Mr. Greyly, did you want Vi’s help? I assume that’s why you wanted me and my wife to introduce you. I’m sure you heard when we explained that she is rather brilliant at ferreting out criminals herself.”
“But of course those cases were solved by Mr. Wakefield. I mean, Miss Violet, you couldn’t have had much to do with it? You’re a woman!”
“I am a woman,” Vi said smoothly. “Brilliant of you to notice, and it’s Lady,” she said, smoothly sipping her tea.
“I’m sorry?” Greyly replied.
“Lady. Miss Violet is incorrect.”
“Ah, of course. Apologies.”
Violet set her coffee down, losing patience with Greyly as he again glanced to Denny and Victor as if to say, ‘What else could you expect from a woman?’
“Mr. Wakefield isn’t here. Why don’t I have him call you once he returns to the city?”
“I hope we can expect you at our Bonfire Night party,” Greyly said, instead of taking the hint. Violet glanced at Lila and towards the door as Greyly continued. “There will be quite a display of the things we’ve discovered on our digs, won’t there be, Lancaster? Quite an exciting evening even for you, Miss…ah…Lady Violet.”
Her gaze flicked to her brother and her brow lifted in a silent order, which he immediately understood.
“You know,” Victor said, “I must apologize and ask you to excuse the ladies. Their assistance is required at a local charity event.”
“Of course, of course,” Mr. Greyly said, harrumphing again. His gaze dropped down Violet’s body and then slid to Lila where his focus lingered on her chest. Violet rose and pulled Lila up after.
“So nice meeting you,” she lied. “So nice of you to invite us to your party where you’ll be able to tell us all about you.” She smiled at Mr. Greyly, ignoring Wendy’s gasp and Denny’s giggle. “Let’s go, love. Maybe we can find a new dress to be pretty for all the men at Mr. Greybull’s party.”
“It’s Greyly,” he said.
“Oh, of course. So nice meeting you, Wendy, Mr. Greybull.”
Lila let Violet pull her from the room and then burst into laughter in the hallway. “How many sugars did you put in his tea?”
“I don’t know,” Violet told her. “Women can’t count. You know that. Probably two. Maybe six.”
Lila laughed harder, and together they ran up the stairs towards Kate and Victor’s room, pushing through the door. Violet heard the sound of sicking up and glanced back at Lila. “Let’s going shopping without her then?”
“Oh, I think so.” Lila stepped back into the hallway on a particularly vicious gagging noise.
“I’ll send Beatrice i
n.”
“It’s why you pay her so well.”
“Still thinking about procreating?” Violet demanded, when they’d silently pulled the door shut behind themselves.
“Mmm,” Lila mused, as Kate gagged ferociously in the bath. “Perhaps in another year or two.”
“We might as well let Victor and Kate pave the way for us. Make the mistakes first, you know. Go through all the wrong nannies. We’ll steal theirs by paying them double once they’ve found a good one.”
They ran across the hall to Violet’s room, and Lila spun when they reached the door. “Are you still blue?”
Violet shook her head.
“Because Jack is coming home?”
“Because we’re going to that party, and we’re going to spend the entire time ensuring that Mr. Greyly never—”
“I think you mean Mr. Greybull.”
“—never,” Violet continued as though Lila had not spoken, “underestimates a woman again. We can’t work with Jack this time. It’s you and me and Kate, should she stop sicking up.”
Lila grinned. “I would suggest it might interfere with my nap, but I’ll be going to a party on Bonfire Night either way. I would, however, prefer to be going to the scavenger hunt with actual friends.”
“Ooh,” Violet said, as she opened the door to her room and found Beatrice straightening her closet. “Darling Beatrice. Would you look after Kate? I fear that Victor moaning along with her isn’t going to help her feel better.”
Beatrice agreed and left the room.
Violet faced Lila. “I know I came back with all the clothes the stores had yesterday, but today I feel certain that I will need a more dazzling dress for this Bonfire Night party.”
“Perhaps something with beading.”
“Yes, flashy for certain. You’re going to be dazzling too. Something with a low cut v-neck for you, dear Lila. Greybull does enjoy your chest.”
Lila gasped, and then laughed when Denny stuck his head in the door. “Greyly left. Wendy—Wendell—is still here. Come meet my brother and ask him the questions Greyly wouldn’t answer. Victor and I would, of course—but let’s be real here. I don’t have any idea of what to ask, and Victor is the lesser twin.”