Incident in Berkeley Square (A Malcolm & Suzanne Rannoch Historical Mystery Book 10) by Tracy Grant

Author:Tracy Grant [Grant, Tracy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency, historical romance, Historical, Thriller & Suspense, Romance, Mystery & Suspense, Mystery
Publisher: NYLA
Published: 2015-11-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Laura saw Suzanne talking to a woman who must be Cecilia Whateley on a settee against the wall of the ballroom. Lisette Varon was dancing with Bertrand’s lover, Rupert Caruthers. Bertrand was talking with David Mallinson. Raoul was across the room with the Davenports. Laura crossed to join them. Because, she told herself, she could give them an update.

“We’ve found someone who was in the ballroom,” she said in response to their questioning looks. “Suzanne’s talking to her now. I haven’t seen Malcolm.”

“Nor have I,” Harry said. “Probably on the second floor going through the bedrooms. I think we did a decent job of putting things to rights.”

Cordelia took a sip of champagne. “I wish I were the sort of heartless person who could enjoy the excitement without being so terribly concerned about the people involved.”

Harry turned to look at his wife. “I don’t.” He lifted his glass to touch it against her own.

Cordelia’s face relaxed into a smile. “Well, I don’t really either. But—”

Suzanne joined them in a stir of coral lace and a waft of her elusive, custom-blended scent. She moved with the easy assurance of a hostess at her own entertainment, but her gaze held the light of success. “I have it,” she announced, in a conversational tone belied by the look in her eyes. “And I’m quite sure the person who picked it up didn’t read it.”

Laura sensed Raoul’s relief, though he didn’t so much as release a sigh.

“My compliments,” Harry said.

“It was definitely a group effort. And we aren’t out of the woods yet. We’re about to serve supper. I’ll try to return the letter there. I can only trust Malcolm has things under control.”

Raoul smiled. “Being Malcolm, he probably does.”

Suzanne moved towards the supper rooms, but told Laura to enjoy herself, she didn’t need any help. “We’ll update Bertrand,” Harry said, threading Cordelia’s arm through his own. “Probably best you and he stay apart, O’Roarke.”

Raoul nodded. Cordelia’s gaze flickered between him and Laura. The faintest of smiles curved her mouth, and she touched Laura’s arm lightly as she and Harry moved off. Damn, Laura thought. So much for priding themselves on their discretion. At the same time, a part of her that was just coming to be used to having personal ties acknowledged it was rather nice to have her friend understand the relationship. Not that Laura could come close to defining her relationship with Raoul O’Roarke.

Raoul was leaning against the wall with seeming casual ease, but the moment the Davenports moved off, he offered his arm to Laura. “There’s an anteroom through that door, if I remember correctly,” he murmured. “Hopefully unoccupied.”

Laura went with him, keeping her social mask in place. Raoul opened the door and glanced round to ascertain that the room was indeed empty. “All clear.”

He pushed the door to behind them, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her with gratifying urgency. “By God,” he murmured into her hair a few moments later. “I’ve wanted to do that from the moment I climbed in through the window.

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