Death of a Debutante (Riley Rochester Investigates Book 1)

by Wendy Soliman

  Riley laughed as Amelia picked up a flimsy shawl and draped it around her shoulders. ‘You are many things, Amelia, but no one would ever mistake you for a decoy. Shall we go?’

  ‘By all means.’

  Norris opened the door and wished them a pleasant evening. Stout was on hand to assist Amelia into the open landau.

  ‘How are you, Stout?’ she asked.

  ‘Underappreciated as usual, ma’am,’ Stout replied with a straight face.

  ‘The man adores you,’ Amelia whispered as Stout climbed onto the box seat and encouraged his team forward.

  ‘He has an odd way of showing it,’ Riley responded, placing his hat firmly on his head.

  ‘Why else would he put up with you?’

  Riley lifted one shoulder. ‘That is a question that often plagues my mind.’

  Amelia chuckled. ‘That I very much doubt. Anyway,’ she added as the carriage rattled along, ‘how is the investigating proceeding?’

  Riley told her about Harry Grant.

  ‘So you were right. She had found a young man who shared her passion for music, and probably other things, too.’ Amelia sighed and looked out into the night. Riley knew she had a soft heart and would have made a willing confidante had Emily lived. ‘I thought your speculations were far-fetched. But still, how very sad that she could not have married him, even if she had lived. I am furious with her father for placing her under such pressure to resolve his mistakes.’

  ‘Bear in mind that Emily was used to living in relative luxury, and her friend is a carpenter’s son who could not have provided her with a life of style, at least not immediately.’

  ‘Young people in love don’t stop to consider the practicalities.’

  ‘Emily probably did. She’d had it drummed into her ever since she could walk.’ Riley sighed. ‘I appreciate that young Grant has exceptional musical talent. He must, if he’s been accepted at the Conservatoire. They are extremely selective, but his attendance at that fine establishment doesn’t guarantee that he will go on to a life of wealth and acclaim. And even if he does, such accolades don’t come overnight.’

  ‘And the couple would have had to live on something in the meantime.’ Amelia nodded. ‘Even if Emily was prepared to make sacrifices, I expect that thoughts of disappointing her parents would have prevented her from following her heart. It’s very sad, but the relationship was doomed from the start. The poor boy must be beside himself.’

  ‘We shall know more tomorrow, after I have spoken with him.’ Riley allowed a short pause. ‘But, if he was as fond of her as you suggest, don’t you find it odd that he hasn’t come forward to tell us what he knows about her?’

  ‘Perhaps he fears that this extra scandal will only upset the family further. Or maybe he is unaware of her death.’

  ‘It’s been all over the newspapers.’

  ‘You don’t suspect him, surely?’ Amelia turned wide eyes upon Riley.

  ‘I suspect everyone until they give me reason to think otherwise.’

  Amelia cast him a mildly flirtatious look. ‘And yet you share the particulars of your investigation with this particular suspect.’

  ‘You are high on my list, which is why I am keeping you in my sights, and attempting to lull you into indiscretion by pretending to trust you.’

  Amelia threw back her head and laughed. ‘I am not in the habit of behaving indiscreetly.’

  Riley lifted one shoulder. ‘That is to your credit, I’m sure, but you cannot blame a man for trying,’ he said, matching her light tone.

  Experiencing a rare pang of loneliness, Riley resisted the urge to take Amelia’s hand. He would quell his frustrations instead by visiting a selective courtesan whose services he occasionally availed himself of when time permitted. She expected nothing more from him than financial recompense for her efforts. No permanent commitment necessary. He distracted himself from his growing awareness of Amelia, of her light floral fragrance that filled the carriage and swamped his senses, by telling her about the Borders and Ashton’s unorthodox tailoring arrangements. Amelia shook her head at Ashton’s double standards.

  ‘I am surprised, although I ought not to be,’ she said. ‘The man either is short of capital or just plain mean. I have often wondered which. I saw his daughter wearing the same gown at successive parties earlier this year. I was not the only one to remark upon it.’

  ‘Shocking!’ Riley said, fighting the urge to laugh.

  ‘It was unpardonable. Poor Prudence isn’t very pretty at the best of times, and lacks social skills. She is reputed to have a large dowry, but even that may be insufficient to attract someone higher up the social order, which I assume is what Ashton wants for her. He would be more likely to succeed if he ensured her attire was not the subject of gossip. Anyway, I like the sound of the Borders. They are obviously very resourceful people. I am glad that Ashton’s outdated rules about servants in his employ not marrying tripped him up and that Mr Border got his revenge.’

  ‘Talking of Ashton, I trust he didn’t make a nuisance of himself this morning.’

  ‘Ashton? I didn’t give him the opportunity. He stayed for far longer than he should have done, I think hoping to get me alone, although it sounds rather conceited of me to imagine such a thing. But in truth I wouldn’t have noticed his interest in me had you not pointed it out, since I have absolutely no reciprocal interest. Men are an unnecessary complication.’ Riley raised an eyebrow but said nothing. ‘Especially married men who think they can still behave as though they have no responsibilities. Anyway, others called to offer Mary their condolences and he eventually took himself off. Really, he makes my skin crawl. To the best of my knowledge, I have never done or said anything to make him suppose that I would be interested in an affair, but the arrogant man seems to think he is irresistible.’

  ‘I would advise against accepting any further invitations of his without accompaniment.’

  ‘Shall I take that as an open invitation, Riley?’ It was Amelia’s turn to smile and raise a brow, causing Riley’s heart to double-thump behind his ribs. ‘I only accepted on this occasion because Mary wanted me to go with her. That situation won’t occur again.’

  ‘I would be glad to hear it, but Emily’s death seems a rather extreme way to put paid to Ashton’s invitations.’

  Amelia grimaced. ‘Quite.’

  Here we are,’ Riley said, as Stout turned the carriage into the street in Westminster where the Biltons lived. Both sides of the wide thoroughfare were lined with carriages and gossiping coachmen.

  ‘We must be almost the last,’ Amelia said.

  ‘There is only so much torture I can bear for Sophia’s sake.’

  Amelia dealt him an affronted look. ‘It’s gratifying to know that you find my company torturous,’ she said.

  ‘I find your company challenging, infuriating, contradictory, but never torturous.’ He reached out and squeezed her hand briefly. ‘In fact, if you had declined my invitation, I most likely would not have come myself. Not even for Sophia’s sake.’

  ‘Poor Riley,’ she teased. ‘You are titled, dashing, comfortably situated and yet you remain single. Your poor mother must be mortified and probably blames herself for your stubborn determination not to take a wife. That being the case, you must tolerate the attention you will receive tonight for her sake.’

  ‘Only if you promise to protect me from all the others,’ Riley said in a seductive drawl.

  ‘Oh, I think you are more than capable of fighting your own battles.’ Amelia laughed as Riley alighted from the carriage and reached out a hand to help her down. She daintily lifted her skirts and placed a slippered foot on the step, managing the awkward manoeuvre with her customary elegance. ‘Besides, I don’t have the courage to cross swords with your mother.’

  And yet, by entering Lady Bilton’s house at his side, that was precisely what she would be doing. Riley felt a moment’s guilt for putting her in such a position, even though he suspe
cted that Amelia had been well aware when accepting his invitation that she would meet with his mother’s disapproval. The two ladies had been acquainted since Amelia was a babe in arms and his mother was fond of her, Riley knew. But she had very fixed ideas about which ladies would or would not make Riley a suitable bride.

  If young Jasper’s health really was suspect and he didn’t reach maturity, Riley would become his brother’s heir. He therefore needed to live up to his responsibilities, marry and produce sons of his own in order for the title to endure, as his mother never tired of reminding him. Nothing mattered more to his mother—or his brother, come to that. Amelia had been married for seven years and that marriage had produced no children. There could be any number of reasons for that, but his mother would assume that Amelia was barren, making her an entirely unsuitable choice for a wife.

  ‘See what’s being said amongst the coachman,’ Riley said in an undertone to Stout. ‘You can be sure that the murder will be the main topic of conversation. Let me know if you hear anything interesting.’

  Stout inclined his head. Being a man of few words often worked to his advantage. He would blend in with the other coachmen and let them rattle on. Riley knew that people in all walks of life took little encouragement to talk, often indiscreetly, seldom stopping to think who might overhear them. Stout was an expert eavesdropper and wouldn’t miss a trick.

  With Amelia’s hand on his sleeve, Riley ascended the steps to the Biltons’ door, which was opened by a liveried footman. Riley gave him their names and they were formally announced.

  ‘Pretentious,’ Amelia whispered.

  Riley had no time to agree with her, since Lord and Lady Bilton sailed forward to greet them.

  ‘Your mother told us to expect you, Lord Riley, but we had almost given up on you.’

  ‘My apologies.’ He bowed over his hostess’s hand. ‘My duties detained me, as they so often do.’

  ‘Such a dreadful business.’ Lady Bilton shook her head, looking genuinely distressed. ‘I’m sure I don’t know what the world is coming to. However, we will not talk about that tonight. Good evening, Mrs Cosgrove,’ she added, belatedly acknowledging Amelia’s presence. ‘Welcome to you both. I’m sure you know everyone. Please enjoy yourselves.’

  ‘She knows how to make a person feel welcome,’ Amelia muttered as they moved away, sounding amused rather than offended by the lack of warmth in Lady Bilton’s greeting.

  ‘She is a close friend of my mother’s.’

  ‘Which rather proves my point about my being out of favour.’

  ‘Fortunately you don’t intimidate easily.’

  Amelia flashed a capricious smile. ‘Yes, there is that.’

  ‘Uncle Riley, there you are at last.’ A vision in cream muslin and twirling yellow ribbons descended upon them, breathless with excitement. ‘I thought you had forgotten all about me.’

  Riley gave Sophia a look of amused puzzlement. ‘Who is this elegant young lady, Amelia? Are we acquainted?’

  ‘I rather think not. She is far too pretty to be any relation of yours,’ Amelia relied.

  Sophia giggled and gave them a twirl. Her hair had been curled and half of it was piled behind her head, tied with another yellow ribbon. The rest fell in long spirals over her shoulders. His sister Martha’s work, Riley imagined. She had managed to capture Sophia’s youthful innocence and joie de vivre. A chrysalis in the final stages of its metamorphosis into a colourful butterfly.

  ‘Grandmamma said you would not come, but I said that you would because you promised me most faithfully and you always keep your word. Good evening, Mrs Cosgrove.’ Sophia bobbed a curtsey. ‘How absolutely lovely to see you again,’ she said, smiling broadly. ‘That is such a pretty gown. I cannot wait until such colours are considered suitable for me. Aunt Martha said that I have to look demure, whatever that means.’

  ‘And it’s a pleasure to see you too, Sophia,’ Amelia replied, smiling. ‘Your uncle warned me that you had grown up, but I didn’t believe him.’

  ‘Uncle Riley always tells the truth.’

  ‘And how would you know that, Cabbage?’ Riley asked, tweaking her nose.

  ‘You have an honest face.’

  Riley laughed aloud. ‘I shall employ that tactic in my work. If a suspect looks honest I shall let him go.’

  ‘Or you could call me in to advise you.’

  ‘Perhaps I shall. One look at you and the most hardened of criminals would repent his ways.’ Sophia giggled as Riley draped his spare arm around his niece’s shoulders. ‘Are you enjoying yourself?’

  ‘Oh yes, I always enjoy everything I do, otherwise there doesn’t seem much point in doing it.’

  ‘Out of the mouths of babes…’ Riley muttered in an aside to Amelia.

  ‘Grandmamma will be very cross that you are here, Mrs Cosgrove,’ Sophia said in her refreshingly forthright manner. ‘She was so hoping to make Uncle Riley spend the evening with Lady Susanna, but I don’t think he would like her at all. She is very aloof and called me a sweet child.’ Sophia looked momentarily outraged. ‘Only imagine.’

  ‘I cannot,’ Riley said. ‘You were never a child, even when you were a child.’ Sophia giggled again. ‘No giggling, Cabbage,’ Riley reminded her. ‘Socialising is a very serious business and your grandmother will never forgive you if she hears you enjoying yourself.’

  ‘Grandmamma is very dear to me but seldom says anything that makes me feel like giggling, so I expect it will be all right.’

  ‘Ah, there you are, Riley.’ His mother proffered her cheek and Riley duly obliged with a kiss. ‘Amelia. This is quite a surprise. I did not realise you would be here.’

  Amelia bobbed a curtsey. ‘I trust the surprise is not an unpleasant one.’

  ‘Not in the least,’ his mother said, pausing for long enough before her reply to turn the reassurance into a veiled insult.

  ‘Hello, Riley. Hello, Amelia.’ Martha greeted them both with far greater warmth, as did her husband.

  ‘I say, Riley.’ Daniel grinned good-naturedly. ‘Half the single men in the room will hate you for having Amelia on your arm. Don’t know how you do it.’

  ‘Sometimes I surprise myself,’ Riley drawled, giving Amelia a gentle nudge. ‘Look who’s here,’ he said sotto voce.

  Amelia followed the direction of his gaze and gasped when she observed the Ashtons en masse. Terrance looked pale and miserable. Prudence blinked myopically at the moving throng since she hadn’t been permitted to wear her spectacles. Lord and Lady Ashton were holding court, behaving as though everything was entirely normal.

  ‘You have to admire their effrontery,’ Amelia remarked.

  ‘I should have anticipated this. They will do just about anything to deflect gossip and save face.

  ‘Oh listen, Uncle Riley!’ Sophia cried, swirling in a circle. ‘They are playing a polka.’

  Riley smiled at Amelia and then offered Sophia a sweeping bow. ‘Then may I have the pleasure, Lady Cabbage.’

  Sophia risked grandparental disapproval by giggling as she dropped into a deep curtsey. ‘The pleasure would be mine, Lord Riley,’ she said.

  ‘Excuse me, Amelia,’ Riley said, leading Sophia onto the already crowded floor and taking her in his arms. Lady Bilton’s invitation had suggested an evening with impromptu dancing. To Riley, it looked more like a full ball, with musicians occupying the gallery and enough space for thirty couples to dance without crowding one another.

  ‘This is fun,’ Sophia panted. ‘And everyone envies me because I am dancing with the most eligible gentleman in the room. It is such a pity that you are my uncle. If you were not then we could get married and I would save you from the clutches of all those ambitious ladies who have you in their sights.’

  Riley laughed, wondering where she found the breath to dance and talk at the same time. ‘When do you return to Sussex?’ he asked.

  ‘Oh, not for ages,’ she replied carelessly. ‘I am to stay in London all
summer. Grandmamma and Aunt Martha are looking after me. I expect I shall be passed from one to the other like an inconvenient parcel, but I don’t mind. London is exciting, even out of season, and has lots of lovely shops. Aunt Martha is such fun—and I think that deep down Grandmamma is lonely and enjoys my company. She would never admit it, of course, but I can tell. She likes to fuss over me, and scold me because I keep doing and saying things to displease her.’ Sophia flashed a disarming smile. ‘I can’t seem to help it. I just say whatever pops into my head without stopping to think if she will consider my outbursts seemly. But then, I find spontaneous people so much more interesting, don’t you? I believe Grandmamma scolds me because she thinks that she should, not because she is cross with me.’

  ‘Will your mother not miss you?’ Riley asked when Sophia paused long enough for him to pose the question.

  She shrugged. ‘I doubt it. She raised no objections when Grandmamma invited me to stay for such a long time.’

  Riley was grateful to his mother. For all her interfering ways, she cared about Sophia and probably saw how neglected she was by parents who had time only for their precious son.

  ‘Well then, I shall make you the envy of your friends by taking you for a drive in the park whilst you are here.’

  Sophia’s squeal of delight was audible even above the music and the sound of dozens of cultured voices. Several heads turned to look at Sophia with disapproval. If she noticed, it didn’t seem to discompose her. Riley was glad. He hated the thought of his exuberant niece’s natural vibrancy being tempered by decorum.

  ‘Which is your friend, Miss Bilton?’

  ‘Over there, in the blue frock.’

  Jane Bilton stood with a few other girls of Sophia’s age and a couple of reluctant youths. She was plain and wore a pinched expression as she watched Sophia cavorting her way through the polka with gay abandon. The dance came to an end and Riley asked Sophia if she would prefer to return to her friends or her grandmother.