by Clare Jayne
“Her life is ruined. If she has to watch her brother die after everything else she has gone through, she will never recover.”
“Whatever his reasons, Joe killed someone. He must pay for it.”
She twisted a handkerchief between her hands. “If he had killed someone working class with good reason, then he might well face transportation or lose a hand. Because he murdered a duke he will certainly hang. How is that fair?”
“We had no choice,” he repeated.
“Yes, we did,” she insisted. “We should never have got involved in this kind of work. I thought we could help people, but we have done the opposite.”
“Only on this occasion,” he argued. “We found out what happened to Aileas, which helped her family.”
“And her killer was released with only a fine.”
“He did not deliberately murder her.”
“And he was a viscount,” she said bitterly. She jumped up from her chair, unable to remain still any longer, and walked over to the window.
“What can I do?” Mr MacPherson asked quietly.
She looked back into his concerned eyes and felt only confusion. She had been ready to marry him and she had been sure that what they were doing was right. “I need to take some time to decide whether I want to continue solving crimes. If we do more harm than good, then it is meaningless.”
“You should do whatever is best for you,” he said and part of her wanted to throw herself into his arms. She knew that nothing was more important to him than her happiness; his actions had made that clear time and again. Her actions, on the other hand, had wrecked her own reputation and, were she ever to marry him, would damage his standing in society. It had not seemed so important when she thought they were doing something useful and necessary, but now she could not help thinking how much easier his life would be if he married someone else.
But she loved him.
She swallowed, the words like ashes in her mouth as she said, “I think that we should not see each other at all for the time being.”
The expression in his eyes made her heart ache. “Surely I could still call here as your friend?”
“Our entire relationship is based around our working partnership. Without that, we would have to rediscover who we are and what we have in common.”
“I thought we had more together than the work.” He looked pale, strong cheekbones standing out sharply in his face. “After everything we have said to each other and endured together...” He tailed off and got abruptly to his feet.
“Ewan, I am so sorry.”
He bowed to her as though to a stranger. “Good day, Miss Campbell.”
She watched him turn and walk towards the door and everything in her said to go after him and take back her words, but she did not know anymore if she belonged in his life.
He left the room and, seconds later, she heard the front door click shut behind him.
What had she done?
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“Campbell & MacPherson 1: Lady Tinbough’s Dilemma” is the first novel in the historical detective series set in Georgian-era Edinburgh.
Ishbel Campbell is used to being alone. She attends university lectures at a time when women are told to think solely of marriage and family. Ewan MacPherson is used to a simple life, focused on balls and other entertainments. When they meet, he feels an instant attraction for her and she finds in him someone who seems to understand her as no one else ever has.
Ishbel’s fearsome cousin, Harriette, orders the pair to find the missing emerald necklace belonging to her friend, Lady Tinbough. Neither of them has any idea where to start, managing to insult half of Edinburgh’s upper classes and make their household staff think they are insane.
The case soon grows more sinister when they discover that a young woman, who might have been the thief, is missing. As the danger rises and jealousies and insecurities threaten their partnership, will they be able to solve the mystery in time or will the criminal’s deadly attentions turn on them?
“Complications” - This is a light-hearted Georgian era romance where, in the hunt for the right gentleman, nothing works out as intended.
Amelia Daventry dreams of having the lovely clothes and luxuries her family cannot afford. She intends to use her Edinburgh season to get herself the wealthiest and most powerful husband she can find. The one thing of which she is certain is that Mr Brightford, with his constant frowns and criticisms, is a man she would never consider.
Amelia’s best friend, Lottie Harrington, has found the man she wants to marry and just wishes to live quietly and make him happy. Her hopes are about to be destroyed, causing pain and chaos to herself and everyone around her.
Lottie’s headstrong brother, Benjamin Harrington, has romantic feelings for other men but his parents still expect him to marry. When he meets a man he can love he faces difficult choices but does the gentleman even return his affection?
From suffering heartbreak and tragedy to fighting a duel, the lives of these three friends are about to become extremely complicated...