“I wish to invite your opinion of what we learned whilst dining last night.” He glanced briefly over his shoulder before lowering his voice. “Northcott had opportunity but no motive.”
She moved the book to the floor and patted the padded seat. “Sit down, my lord, else I shall have a terrible crick in my neck.” When Hugo obliged, she said, “From first glance, it is clear the viscount is used to dominating those around him. Not knowing the deceased, I am left pondering Mr Bellham’s character. Without knowing more about him, one cannot begin to understand the murderer’s motive.”
To say that her logical thought process impressed him was an understatement. “Would you prefer the vague version spoken while ladies sip tea in the drawing room? Or the version exchanged in a smoke-filled room while men down copious amounts of port and brandy?”
A smile played on her lips. “One imagines the latter is closer to the truth.”
“Indeed, though not necessarily commentary fit for a lady’s ears.”
She laughed, and he found the sound infectious. “My lord, having spent the last eight years spying on my grandfather’s friends while at their card games, I learned enough about ladies’ talents in the bedchamber to make you blush. I suspect Mr Bellham’s escapades are mild in comparison.”
“No wonder my mother swooned upon hearing Lord Forsyth’s name. She is quite narrow-minded in her views. Little amuses her, and she is rigid when it comes to following society’s dictates.”
“She was not always so stern.”
Hugo frowned. “How would you know?”
Surprisingly, Miss Bennett was a little lost for words. “What I mean is something must have happened in her life to make her that way. A great disappointment or a terrible sadness. Rules enforced by overbearing parents.”
Marriage proved a crippling disappointment. Hugo could not recall a single time he’d seen Penelope de Wold laugh. Could not recall ever seeing her truly happy. It was one of the reasons he’d gone along with this foolish charade, hoping she might wake from the solemn, subdued mood and see how impossible it was for two incompatible people to forge an alliance.
“I’m the youngest of three children. The only one who survived infancy,” he said. “And a loveless marriage would certainly taint the spirit, which is why her insistence that I wed is quite baffling.”
Indeed, had her own miserable marriage taught her nothing?
“Then my heart grieves for her loss.” Miss Bennett sighed. “Perhaps she has been conditioned to believe in a system where wealth and status are placed above love and happiness. Perhaps it is too painful for her to admit she is wrong and so she forces her opinion because denial makes it easier to live with a broken heart.”
The rush of warmth in his chest came not from a moment of enlightenment, but from the sudden realisation that he liked spending time with Miss Bennett. He liked hearing her insightful opinions. He liked the way her lips moved when she spoke, the way her eyes kept him enthralled.
“Do you think it is ever appropriate for two people who aren’t in love to marry?”
Her quizzical expression stirred his blood just as much as her smile. “Never.”
“But what if two people are compatible in almost every regard?” Hell, he usually avoided talk of wedlock. “What if physical attraction is enough to send mercury shooting from a glass tube and yet it’s too soon to know if they might fall in love?” She’d admitted to finding him handsome. And by God, he would capture her mouth in a heartbeat.
Miss Bennett glanced down at her hands resting in her lap. “You refer to yourself, of course.” It was the first time she had spoken without looking him in the eye. “I only hope you’re not speaking of Miss Harper. Though I hate to think ill of anyone, I conceive she hasn’t a good bone in her body.”
“No, I am most definitely not speaking of Miss Harper.”
She looked up at him. “I see. Then my advice would be to spend more time together. Determine if it is possible for anything to grow beyond esteem and a respectful regard.”
“And how might I achieve that in a house full of guests, Miss Bennett?”
The lady pursed her lips again. She seemed a little shy, which only added to his fascination. “Well, I have an idea that might help you on both scores.”
“Both scores?”
“To determine if you have the capacity to love, my lord, and to give you an opportunity to probe the guests for information about Mr Bellham.”
“I am all ears, Miss Bennett.”
She shuffled around to face him, and their knees almost touched. “You should call everyone to the drawing room, explain that we’re stuck in this house and that Mr Bellham would want everyone to embrace the festive season. We will partake in the usual games. Good old traditions set to restore everyone’s faith and equilibrium.”
Hugo hummed. “And with the guests occupied, it would give us an opportunity to snoop around the bedchambers.”
“And you an opportunity to spend more time partaking in enjoyable activities with your potential brides.”
Oh, he could think of a perfect activity he might enjoy with the only woman he would ever consider meeting at the altar.