Deception at Sable Hill

by Shelley Gray

  “Your touch isn’t rough at all.”

  He was glad because he had no intention of removing his hand. At least not yet. Giving in to temptation, he brushed two fingertips along her jaw, tracing the line of the red scar. “In time, the marks will fade. And the wounds will become less sensitive.”

  “You sound like you have experience with a knife’s blade.”

  He dropped his hand. “I’m afraid a boy growing up in the streets like I did has little choice about that. Knife fights aren’t uncommon.”

  “So you are scarred too?”

  “I am. They’re hardly visible now. But I do remember their sting. Eventually, they won’t feel so foreign. And they’ll fade in time.”

  She nodded. “Did you come to give me an update on the investigation?”

  He shook his head. “I told your mother the truth. Right now we are following a couple of leads, but there is nothing new to report. I came to see you. I needed to see you, Eloisa.”

  “I’m sorry you were refused entry before.”

  “I am too. I thought I was going to have to start climbing trees and sneaking in through your window.”

  As he hoped, his statement made her smile. “Now wouldn’t that be something? You’d scare me half to death, sneaking into my room like a thief.”

  “Then your mother would really have to call my superiors.”

  She chuckled. “How is Katie?”

  “She is doing better. She’s been worried about you.”

  “She is a dear.”

  “I’m afraid she is a bit too full of herself right now. My mother has her hands full with her.”

  “Such is a mother’s lot, I suppose.”

  “Eloisa, Owen told me there is a closing gala at the fair.”

  “Yes. Is Mr. Howard going?”

  “He’s planning on it.”

  “Ah.”

  “I’m asking because I’d like to be your escort.”

  “I hadn’t planned to attend.”

  “I think it might be the right thing to do. That way you can show everyone that you are all right.”

  “People won’t be looking out for my welfare, Sean. They’ll be looking to see how bad I look.”

  “Which is why it might be best if you show them you are still as beautiful as ever.”

  “But I’m not.”

  “I promise, you are still the loveliest woman I’ve ever seen.”

  Panic filled her eyes. “Thank you, but I will not be attending.”

  “Is it me? If so, Owen promised he could escort you if you’d rather not be seen by my side.”

  “It is not you.” Leaning forward, she gripped his hands. “Sean, you must know that I think you are a wonderful man. I would never be ashamed to be seen on your arm.”

  “Then let me do this for you. Let me help you put this episode behind you.”

  “No other woman who has been attacked has ventured out into public—none that I’ve heard of anyway.”

  “I don’t see why that matters.”

  “I’ll be a source for gossip.”

  “I’m afraid you already are.” Even when she looked at him sharply, he didn’t dare retreat. “You can either stay here on Sable Hill and wonder what others are saying or make the choice to hear the words yourself.”

  “You have no idea what you are asking of me.”

  “You’re right,” he agreed. “I’ll never know what it is like to be Eloisa Carstairs. I don’t know what it’s like to be born to so much. To live in a home like this, with dozens of people hoping to keep their jobs by making you happy.”

  “That isn’t fair. You know there’s more to me than that.”

  “I do know. But do you, Eloisa?”

  His question was jarring. Especially since it forced her to realize that she’d been hiding behind so much of what she’d claimed didn’t matter to her. Taking a deep breath, she said, “I am more than those things.”

  “Are you sure?” After a pause, she jerked her head up to look at him but said nothing. “Then prove it. Say you’ll go with me. Say you’ll let me come to your door, be your escort, and help you get through the evening.”

  “But the Slasher—”

  “This time I won’t let you out of my sight.”

  “You’re not going to give up, are you?”

  “I have no choice,” he said quietly. “I care about you too much.” Lowering his voice, he added, “I care about you enough to risk your hurt and scorn, Eloisa. I care that much about you.”

  “What are you saying?”

  He knew what she meant. And he knew what he wanted too. He wanted her bound to him. Forever. He wanted to cherish her and love her. He wanted to spend the rest of his life making sure she knew all he cared about was her. What happened to her at Douglass Sloane’s hand didn’t matter to him. Whether the scars completely faded from her skin didn’t matter to him either.

  She was far more than the worst things that had happened to her. Far more.

  “I want to go anywhere and everywhere with you, Eloisa,” he at last admitted. “To me the possibilities are limitless.”

  Eloisa studied him. Then at last sighed. “If you believe in me so much, I don’t know how I am going to be able to disappoint you.”

  “So you will go to the gala at the fair?”

  “Yes, Lieutenant Ryan, I will go with you to the gala at the fair.”

  Her lips were trembling. Her eyes were glistening. And before he knew what he was about, he leaned closer and brushed his lips against her cheek.

  “You’ve made me very happy, Miss Carstairs. Thank you,” he said before standing up and walking out.

  CHAPTER 28

  Does your mother know you are back at the fair, Miss Ryan?” Detective Howard asked as he and Katie took another turn around the Women’s Pavilion.

  “Of course not. She thinks I am helping my brother Billy and his wife with their new baby.”

  “They won’t let on that you weren’t there?”

  “Not until it will be too late to do anything about it.”

  When she noticed how shocked he looked, Katie regretted her impetuousness. “I am not usually so disrespectful. But they are closing most of the buildings this week.” Pointing to some of the wooden crates already nailed shut, she said, “If I waited until I finally got permission, it would be too late.”

  “I suppose I don’t need to tell you your excuse doesn’t hold much weight. Or that your brother wanted you to be chaperoned.”

  Katie was beginning to realize that a man like him was always going to be surprised by the willfulness in a girl like her. “I figured Sean would trust us together now. But if you’d rather not be alone with me, we can leave, of course. I don’t want to make you do something you’d rather not, especially not on your day off.”

  He looked nonplussed for a moment. “You continue to surprise me, Miss Ryan. Every time I think I have the upper hand, you throw me off-kilter.”

  “I don’t know whether you are glad about that or not.”

  “To be honest, I’m not sure about that either,” he commented. “Now let’s move on.”

  She inclined her head, then settled in to following his lead. They circled the rooms again. Over the next hour, Owen stayed by her side, listened carefully when she pointed out things that interested her. Smiled softly when she finally revealed that she would like to write for a newspaper or ladies’ publication one day.

  As she revealed more about herself and he patiently listened to every word she said—even some of the not-so-smart things—Katie began to relax. It really did seem that he was with her by choice, and that for some reason known only to him he was pleased to be by her side. Once she even saw him coolly eye a young man about her age who was watching them closely.

  Another time Owen carefully placed a hand on the small of her back when a group of several men and women passed them. The gesture was full of not only his manners but also possession. And in that moment, she realized he was staking a claim on her.<
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  She found herself smiling when they exited the building.

  “What has you looking like the Cheshire cat?” he asked.

  “Nothing.” There was no way she was actually going to admit she was feeling like one of the luckiest girls in the world.

  “Sure it’s nothing?”

  “It’s nothing I’d like to share.”

  “Now you have me very curious.”

  She tucked her chin in embarrassment, then decided she had nothing to lose by being honest. “I was only thinking that I am happy to be by your side. When I think of how different we are, I get nervous.”

  “Because?”

  “Because we have very little in common. But then, when I spend time with you, whether it is here or at my sister’s house, I forget about my doubts and I start thinking that perhaps we have more in common than I’d originally thought.”

  He was walking with his hands clasped behind his back. His pace was slow, his focus solely on her, which was how she knew her words pleased him.

  “There’s no hurry, Katie,” he said. “We are on no timetable. We can take all the time you want to get to know each other better.”

  She exhaled. “I’m glad about that.”

  He’d just smiled at her when his posture stiffened. Then, almost imperceptibly, he changed positions. His hands dropped to his sides and he stepped closer to her. “Quentin. Hello.”

  “Howard.” His friend eyed Owen in a sardonic way before directing his attention to Katie. Then he tipped his hat. “Miss.” And stopped directly in front of them.

  They had no choice but to stop as well, though Katie could tell Owen wasn’t happy about it. He raised his chin, and she noticed his expression was set like granite. “Did you need something?”

  “Only to be introduced.” Smiling at Katie, he said, “I don’t believe we’ve met.”

  After the briefest of pauses, Owen said, “Katie, may I present Quentin Gardner. Quentin, may I present Miss Ryan.”

  “Ryan?” His eyes narrowed. “Irish, yes?”

  Katie nodded. There was something peculiar about the man’s interest.

  Suddenly he grinned. “Wait a minute. Ryan . . . Ryan. Are you the illustrious Lieutenant Ryan’s sister?”

  “Yes.” Though she could practically feel Owen’s hostility next to her, she wasn’t about to deny the relationship. She was proud of her brother, and she couldn’t ignore her birth. She was Irish and there was nothing she could do about that. “Sean is one of my brothers.”

  Something dark entered Mr. Gardner’s face, and his eyes turned back to Owen. “I thought you were seeing Eloisa?”

  “I believe that is none of your business.”

  “Ah, yes. I suppose it is not. After all, we all know you are far more concerned with catching the Slasher.” Flicking a piece of lint off his sleeve, he murmured, “Pity you haven’t made much headway.”

  “We are closing in.”

  “I seem to have heard that before.” After another long look at Katie, he said, “Will you be accompanying Owen to the closing gala tonight?”

  “Good day, Quentin,” Owen said, then firmly put his hand on the small of her back and guided her away.

  Katie let him move her away because she didn’t trust Quentin and she knew Owen was fighting to hold his tongue. Only after they had walked a good fifty feet did Owen stop. “I’m sorry about that. Quentin can be, uh, somewhat of a challenge.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “There’s no need to be so formal, dear.” He sighed. “Actually, Quentin reminded me that I need to check the location for the gala tonight. Do you mind if we walk over to the lagoon? The party is going to be in the New York State building. I need to make sure everything is in order.”

  “Of course we can walk over there.” She attempted to smile, but inside she was calling herself ten times the fool. They really were too different, and the leering way Owen’s friend had regarded her cemented that notion firmly inside her.

  They walked to the New York State building. After they went inside, Owen suggested she walk around for a moment while he conferred with the men and women who were already working like busy bees in the various rooms to prepare for a string quartet and servants, adding small tables and chairs for people to enjoy their libations and hors d’oeuvres.

  In addition, several policemen were inspecting the rooms. She had just moved to what was essentially a gallery of sorts, displaying artwork by illustrious New Yorkers, when she noticed a familiar face.

  When she caught his eye, Sergeant Fuller started, then walked her way. “Hello, Miss Ryan. I don’t know how you got inside, but I’m afraid the building is closed for the day. Some swells are going to be having a party here this evening, you see.”

  “Oh, I’m not alone. I’m here with Detective Howard.”

  Fuller blinked. “Why on earth would you be with him?” Before she could even think of a reply, he stepped a little closer and grabbed her arm. “What’s wrong with Sean?”

  “Sean?” She wasn’t sure why he would have even imagined anything was amiss with him.

  He grimaced. “I mean your brother, Lieutenant Ryan.”

  “Nothing is wrong with him. He was perfectly fine when I saw him yesterday.”

  “Then why would you be keeping our gentleman detective company?”

  Now that was a phrase she hadn’t heard in a while. She remembered Sean calling Owen that quite a bit when he was first assigned to work with him. But that had been almost a year ago. Since then the two had developed a firm friendship.

  She attempted to laugh, though she was feeling more awkward by the second. But she wasn’t in any hurry to lie, either. “Detective Howard offered to accompany me to the fair today.”

  “He is here as your escort?”

  “Well, yes. I, um, wanted to see the Women’s Pavilion one last time before the fair closes.”

  “But you ain’t there. And he isn’t by your side.”

  “He wanted to check something here,” she said meekly, feeling more and more awkward. Though Sergeant Fuller was a member of the police force, she didn’t really know him. Furthermore, Sean always warned her not to gossip about his job. “He’ll be right back, though.”

  “I’ll stay with you until he returns, then.”

  She smiled weakly. She didn’t want his company. Not only was she far too old to be watched over like a wayward school girl, she couldn’t escape the notion that Sergeant Fuller was being far too familiar with her.

  She flinched when he wrapped his hand around her wrist.

  “What’s wrong? Do you not take the arms of sergeants?”

  “I simply need to stay here. Like I promised Owen.”

  “Owen? You are that familiar with him?”

  “I mean, Detective Howard,” she said somewhat breathlessly.

  “You don’t know what you want or what you mean, I think. But you should. After all, you’re a pretty thing, but in the end, you are just poor Irish trash—”

  “Miss Ryan?” Detective Howard called out. “Fuller? Sergeant, what are you doing here?”

  “I’m here for the same reasons you are, I suppose, Detective. Checking things out for the high and mighty.”

  “The captain sent you?”

  Fuller ignored the question, merely looked toward Katie. “Now that your escort is here, Miss Ryan, I’ll be on my way.”

  She nodded, barely. But otherwise didn’t do a thing until he was out the door. When they were alone, Owen looked around at the other visitors. When it was obvious that no one was paying them any mind, he leaned closer to her. “What was that about, Katie?”

  “I don’t know. He took hold of my wrist. He . . . he was asking why I was here.”

  “Was he?” he asked in his gentle way. “What did you tell him?”

  “The truth. That I came here with you.” She raised her chin and looked into his eyes, struggling to understand what had just happened. “Was that wrong?”

  Owen slipped a reassuring hand at
the middle of her back. “Not at all, Katherine Jean. Nothing you are doing is wrong or improper.”

  “He acted like I was acting above myself.”

  “What does that even mean?” he asked lightly. “You are a lovely young lady and you have allowed me to spend some time with you. That doesn’t sound like you’re acting above yourself at all.”

  “You did ask me to be with you, didn’t you?”

  “Of course I did. And even though I’m past thirty years of age, I even asked your brother’s permission to do it.” He flashed a wry grin. “Now I think we had best be going.” He paused. “Plus, I have a favor to ask of you.”

  “What is it?”

  “Would you care to go to the gala tonight?”

  The invitation was lightly asked, but the weight of the importance in her life couldn’t be measured. “Why are you asking . . . me?”

  “Because I want to spend more time with you. I promise, my motives are above board. Your brother will be here and you may arrive with Eloisa.”

  It sounded like a dream come true. “I don’t know how to waltz or anything.”

  “You won’t have to waltz. Just stand with us and enjoy yourself.”

  “I . . . I don’t have anything appropriate to wear.” And she couldn’t even begin to imagine how she or her sister could ever afford anything even remotely suitable—even if there were time to shop. Even June didn’t have a dress fine enough for a social event like this.

  “That is why I asked Eloisa if she might lend you a hand.”

  “You’ve already asked her?”

  “I did. She wanted to repay your kindness. Well, the kindness of your family. Sean mentioned that you would probably like to attend one of the social events. And so she offered. If you’d like to go, dear, all I have to do is take you to Eloisa’s house. We can send word to your family so they won’t worry about you.”

  He was making it seem so simple, when it wasn’t at all.

  He was giving her choices about attending functions she never thought she’d ever even hear about except when June read the society papers out loud.