Deception at Sable Hill

by Shelley Gray

  “Well, if you don’t mind, let’s go sit in the kitchen. It’s a bit warmer in there.”

  “Wherever you would like is fine.” Owen looked like he wasn’t aware of the temperature in the room. But Sean noticed that some of the fire had gone out of his eyes, that he now looked more reflective.

  He added a bit of hot water to his tea from the kettle on the stove, sat, and took another fortifying sip. His pleasures were few, and he didn’t intend to miss this one because of good manners. “So you said this wasn’t business. What is it? How may I help you?”

  Owen shifted from one foot to the other, looking everywhere but directly at him. “I came over to talk to you about Eloisa.”

  “Oh?”

  “I think we need to discuss what happened with her this morning.” When Sean straightened, ready to kindly ask him to leave, Owen raised his hand. “This is important, Ryan.”

  “I did not invite her to come to the station. I may be more than a little rough around the edges, but even I wouldn’t have done something like that. I hope you realize that.”

  “Of course I know.” He shifted, glanced at the doorway to the front room in a curious way, then looked even a bit more uneasy. “I thought I should let you know that she was quite upset with you.”

  Regret filled him as some of the harsh things he said played in his head. “I’m sure she was.”

  “So much so, she discussed it at length, Sean. I don’t believe anyone has spoken to her so sharply before.”

  “I imagine not.” He hoped not. Barely stifling a sigh, he gestured to a chair on the opposite side of the table. “Have a seat. I’m feeling more and more awkward, looking up at you like I’m a child.”

  While Owen unbuttoned his jacket, then took the chair, Sean prepared his explanation. He needed to be completely honest with his partner. Their relationship deserved that. And, well, as much as Sean hated to admit it to himself, Eloisa’s relationship with Owen deserved it. It was obvious that there was something brewing between them.

  When Owen leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs, Sean said, “Eloisa would be very correct in thinking that I spoke too harshly to her. She caught me off guard, and I hated the idea of her being looked at and remarked upon by the assortment of criminals and petty thieves who were lounging around the premises. However, instead of telling her any of this, I lashed out at her. It was wrong. I’ll apologize to her the next time our paths cross.”

  “All right.”

  Sean had expected Owen to bounce to his feet and walk out now that he’d gotten his way very easily. But instead of darting out right then and there, his partner continued to stare. It seemed more needed to be said.

  Perhaps, even, that the whole situation was not completely his fault. “It should be said, however, that while I did not behave as mannerly as I would have liked . . . I’d venture that you would agree that Miss Carstairs should have never come to the station, let alone unescorted. Any number of things could have happened to her.”

  “Ah, yes. She told me you told her that as well.” Owen’s voice had turned languid, almost as if he was finding Sean to be amusing. Almost as if he was finding the whole situation amusing.

  Which, of course, irritated Sean to no end.

  Eventually, Owen shifted, resting one foot on his opposite knee. It was a pose Sean had seen him strike dozens of times, usually when it was late and they were in their precinct office, discussing the intricacies of a particular case. “For the record, I don’t disagree. At all. Eloisa made a serious error in judgment.”

  Sean relaxed. “Are we all right then?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then, why . . .?”

  “Ryan, to be honest, the reason I came over was because I discovered Eloisa is entertaining thoughts about you.” He paused, then blurted, “Of a romantic nature.”

  Sean felt his neck. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.” Though, of course, he did.

  Owen stared at him a long moment, then shrugged. “I think you do. I think we both do.” He shook his head. “Sean, I was practicing my speech to you the whole way here. Believe it or not, I was searching for the ideal words to attempt to describe Eloisa’s spotless reputation.”

  “I am well aware of her flawless character.”

  “I was going to remind you of her place in society.”

  “I don’t need any reminder, Howard.” In the eyes of most of the elite, Sean Ryan was little more than an Irish laborer. Little more than a drunk, a vagabond. An unskilled, illiterate, uncouth man who very likely carried disease. “She and I are as far apart as the stars in the sky and the soles of my feet.” She was also as bright and beautiful as one of those stars. And just as unobtainable.

  Owen shifted, looking uncomfortable. “But, well, now I’m wondering if I was wrong.”

  Sean was taken aback, which said a lot since he was still coming to terms with the fact that Owen had shown up at his modest home uninvited. “Pardon me?”

  Still staring at him, Owen murmured, “The fact of the matter is that she is not only beautiful, she has a lot of integrity. She is also smart and knows her mind.”

  “And?”

  “And for whatever reason, I do believe she has set her sights on you.” Looking increasingly contemplative, Owen murmured, “Perhaps the heart doesn’t have as much control over love as I had once imagined.”

  It was all Sean could do not to roll his eyes. “Owen, we’ve been partners for a year now.”

  “I know that.”

  “I know you are as aware as I am that there are not two men who could be farther apart in the realm of society. Fact is, most people wondered when you were going to run from this job. Go to something more suited to your station—or at least search for a partner who was at least a little closer to being your equal.”

  “I like this job. I also might remind you that you outrank me.”

  Sean ignored the reference, knowing his rank was not what was under discussion. “Once more, I would be lying if I said I didn’t appreciate how you’ve treated me as your equal.”

  “You are my superior, Lieutenant.”

  Sean knew why Owen threw out his rank. It had been hardearned, and receiving the promotion had been one of Sean’s greatest achievements.

  For Owen to reference it said a lot about the type of man he was.

  Which, ironically, reminded Sean of how different they were. “While it is true that I’m your superior in the department, in every other way I’m far beneath you. That’s no secret.”

  Owen kept his eyes averted. “Times are changing. Social rank doesn’t matter as much as in our fathers’ time.”

  “God willing, they will continue to change. But they haven’t changed completely yet.” Sean shrugged. “I’ve long since come to terms with who I am. I will also not lie to you. I am attracted to Eloisa. I’m drawn to her in a way I can never remember being to anyone else. When she’s near me, I can’t even imagine another woman meaning so much to me. But we both know I could only hurt her.”

  “Not like she’s been hurt before.”

  Sean stared at him. Something blazed in his partner’s eyes, an anger mixed with a flicker of pain. It made him realize Owen had guessed Eloisa was the lady Douglass Sloane raped.

  Sean suspected he shouldn’t have been surprised. When he heard Reid Armstrong describe the woman who’d been assaulted as a wellknown, beautiful young lady of unquestionable reputation and great wealth, Sean realized there were very few women fitting that description.

  Owen, of course, knew all the women in that circle.

  “If she feels safe with you, well, that is something to hold onto. She needs to feel safe.

  “I know that.”

  “Especially these days. Women are being stabbed and garroted—killed. I know Eloisa is struggling to regain her independence, but I am beginning to realize she also needs to feel safe, safe with men like you and me.”

  Owen was right. She’d come to him at the precinct because she neede
d his immediate assurance. However, instead of promising her he would do everything he possibly could to keep her safe, he chastised her for coming to see him at all.

  “Point taken,” he said dryly.

  Owen stared hard before leaning back in his chair with a soft exhale. “If I ask you something about your sister, will you promise not to clock me?”

  “I assume you are referring to Katie?”

  When Owen nodded, a strange, new prickling slid up Sean’s spine. “What would you like to know?”

  “How old is she? Is she affianced?”

  “Katherine is nineteen.” When he noticed Owen’s shoulders relax, Sean added grudgingly, “She is not affianced.”

  “I see.”

  “I don’t know if you do.” Staring hard at Owen, Sean added, “To my knowledge Katie has never even dated.”

  Owen blinked. “Truly? She’s beautiful.”

  “She is. She is beautiful and trusting. Innocent.” She was also the youngest sister of a police detective. Most men who would normally be sniffing around her were too afraid of jail to get very close.

  Personally, Sean had never thought there was anything wrong with that.

  Inserting a thick note of censure in his voice, he said, “Perhaps I should remind you that she might be Irish but she’s a good girl. An extremely sheltered good girl.”

  Owen’s eyebrows rose. “Of course you don’t need to say such a thing. I would never suspect anything less. My questions spur from nothing but respect. And sincere appreciation.”

  Now it was Sean’s turn to reposition himself. “You only just met her. Is there a reason you are asking about Katherine Jean?”

  “If I were to ask you if I could see her again, what would you say?”

  Sean wasn’t one for extreme exaggerations, but he had a feeling if Owen had knocked him out with a right fist, he couldn’t have been more surprised.

  He looked away, wanting to kick Owen out of his house. But there was also a part of him that knew his sister could never do better than to catch the eye of a man like Owen Howard. He was a good man. He was also rich.

  And only someone who had been hungry and cold in the depths of a long Chicago winter could truly appreciate that. Only someone who had heard stories about his father working in every menial job possible for next to nothing would want something far better for his sister.

  Because of that, he weighed his words. “I’d say you would have to be careful.”

  “And if I told you that I’ve already been thinking about this, that I’ve been thinking about it ever since she showed up at the station looking for you, just long enough to get up the nerve to come here to talk to you about it?”

  “Then I would hasten to remind you that a man like you would be putting your life in your hands if you trotted down to the street where she lives. A gent like Owen Howard would be as out of place there as a girl like Katie Ryan would be on Prairie Avenue.”

  “That is fair. Would you consider escorting her to where the three of us could have tea?”

  “Tea?”

  His lips twisted. “Or something?”

  Sean still wanted to jump to his feet, kick a chair, yell at Owen, remind him of their places. But once again, he reminded himself of the truth: never could Katie do any better than the man in front of him. But then, insidiously, he was reminded of his feelings for Eloisa. Like Owen, he knew what it was like to think about someone he shouldn’t.

  “I only want to get to know Katie better,” Owen said quietly. “I want to do this right. I want to spend some time with her to see if it would be possible for her to return my regard. I’m asking for your permission, Sean.”

  To return his regard. “Are you sure that’s all?” he asked sarcastically. They both knew it was a very tall order.

  Looking mildly uncomfortable, Owen shrugged. “That’s all.”

  “We both know my sister Katie is as unsuitable for you as a lady like Eloisa Carstairs is for a bloke like me.”

  “I do know that. You are exactly correct. But I’d still like to get to know her.”

  “We haven’t even talked about your family. Can you imagine what they would say if you brought her by?” Sean didn’t want to think about the humiliation they would put Katie through, humiliation a man like Owen, a man who’d had most everything he’d ever wanted, wouldn’t even realize he was putting her through. “Owen, would your parents even allow you to see her?”

  “I’m of age, Sean. And if you think it was easy informing them that I was becoming a policeman working for an Irishman like Sean Ryan, you are wrong.”

  “Understood.” And maybe he really was understanding a bit more. Maybe Owen was more aware of the obstacles than he was aware.

  “Sean, would you be willing to ask your sister if she would be amenable to such a meeting?”

  “Yeah.” He held up a hand. “And I will apologize to Miss Carstairs.”

  Owen got to his feet. “I’m glad that’s settled,” he murmured. “I’ll be seeing you.”

  “Hey, how are you getting home? It’s sometimes hard finding a hack this time of night.”

  “No worries there. My driver’s out front.”

  “Oh. Yes, of course.” How could he have forgotten even for a moment how different their lives were? “Good evening, then. Listen, I’m going to pay a call on Eloisa in the morning, so I’ll see you sometime after.” If they weren’t called out for an emergency before that, of course.

  “Good evening, Ryan. And God willing, I won’t be seeing you until tomorrow afternoon.”

  “I hope not. I’m very tired of standing next to you gazing at victims’ bodies.”

  Owen tipped his hat. “Sir,” he murmured, then darted out of the kitchen and out the door.

  Leaving Sean to think about tea and his sister and their families and Eloisa.

  But most of all he thought about the glow of happiness he’d see on his sister’s face on her wedding day. And the sense of pride and relief he would feel knowing that she was truly cared for.

  CHAPTER 18

  Another day, another visit to the mansion at the top of Sable Hill.

  As Sean stood hat in hand in the foyer, Worthy having already greeted him with a faint smile on his face, Sean reflected on his conversation with Owen and how much of what he’d said was true.

  Perhaps life really was worth grasping and taking chances. Perhaps life really was for living by what a person wanted instead of how others would view their having it.

  And maybe, too, Eloisa already had done enough. It was time for him to take some chances.

  “Lieutenant,” Eloisa murmured as she descended the stairs. “I must say this is a surprise.” Her step faltered. “Or has there been another incident?”

  “No. I was hoping to speak with you.”

  Something new crossed her features. “Yes, of course. Uh, let’s go to the back terrace. It’s an unusually warm day for this time of year.”

  “Thank you.” He followed her silently, practicing his speech, wondering how he was going to be able to share everything he wanted to say. Was there even such a way?

  She led him into a solarium of some sort. Like the rest of the house, it was spacious. However, because of the openness and many windows, it felt warm and inviting instead of serving as a reminder of the many differences between her life and his.

  He paused for a moment to take in its splendor, wishing for the first time that Maeve could be with him. She would enjoy everything about this room. The white wicker seating arrangement was surrounded by a grouping of exotic-looking plants and flowers. The window-filled walls brought in the warmth of the sun. And the rays of that sunlight filtered through onto Eloisa’s face.

  And that is when his attention skittered from the beauty of their surroundings to concern for her. Because she looked far different than she had twenty-four hours ago.

  Lines had formed around her eyes and lips. Her eyes were faintly puffy and red. But overriding both was the way they were filled with pa
in.

  Immediately he pushed aside his prepared speech, filled with trite explanations and excuses. He also stepped past the chair he’d intended to sit on, preferring to be as close to her as possible.

  When he sat next to her on the sofa, he reached for her hand. “Eloisa, are you all right?”

  Her bottom lip trembled. “No.”

  “What is wrong? Did someone hurt you?” Immediately he began inspecting her for signs of bruising. It took everything he had not to clasp her other hand and inspect her arms and wrists. “Did something happen last night?”

  “No, Sean. Nothing happened. I mean, nothing like that.”

  “Then like what?” Sharp terror slid through him. “What did happen?”

  With the shaking hand that was free, she brushed back a strand of hair from her temple. “Nothing out of the ordinary. I just can’t seem to stop thinking about what happened with Danica and Millicent, and now June. Every time I close my eyes, I imagine them covered in blood. Hurt. It haunts my dreams.”

  He respected her too much to push aside her comments. He, too, had been haunted by the sight of the well-dressed, well-to-do women marred by the Slasher.

  “I know you are frightened. And it would be wrong of me to pretend there isn’t any reason for you to be. You know the victims. You’ve seen how injured Danica was. The madman is targeting women of your station. It would be intolerable of me to make light of such things.”

  “If you think such words make me feel better, you are wrong.”

  “I don’t expect anything will make you feel better until I come to inform you that the Slasher has been apprehended.”

  One perfect eyebrow arched. “And that is not why you’ve come to see me today?”

  “I’m afraid not.” He drew a breath. “Eloisa, I want to apologize for my behavior yesterday. I was beyond rude, and for that I am very sorry.”

  “Sean, there is nothing to apologize for. You were right. I shouldn’t have gone to your precinct. I shouldn’t have gone anywhere without an escort.”

  “You shouldn’t have. But I shouldn’t have been so angry with you. It wasn’t fair or very kind.”

  “You were working. I interfered.” She bit her bottom lip. “If my parents knew, they would have been terribly frightened.”