The Sign of Death (Victorian Book Club Mystery 2)

“In what sense?”

He looked over at her. “I had reason to believe all was not right with my finances.”

“You think he was cheating you?”

“I hate to even say it out loud, since we worked together for a few years, but yes. I was beginning to believe money was disappearing.”

“What will you do?”

William leaned back and studied her. “James shared an office with Mr. Ernest Tibbs. He’s a barrister, who only recently moved into the space. I think I should go—”

“—we should go.”

He frowned at her. “I should go and tell Tibbs I am going to retrieve my files from Harding’s office. While I’m there—”

“—while we’re there.”

He sighed and continued. “I will of course retrieve my files, but I think a bit of browsing through all of Harding’s files might not be a bad idea. If he was purposely sent into that river, there must be someone who would benefit from that.”

She stared at him for a minute. “Do you honestly think we are about to involve ourselves in another murder investigation?”

William shook his head. “No.”

Amy’s shoulders slumped. “Oh. I thought maybe that was what you were suggesting.”

He cleared this throat. “We”—he waved his hand back and forth between them—“are not going to become involved in another murder investigation.”

“Now just a minute. If you think Mr. Harding was helped into that river and you believe I will stay out of it, you are mistaken, my lord.”

He raised his eyes to heaven. “One could only hope.”

The carriage slowed down as it arrived at Amy’s house. The driver opened the door and William stepped out. Turning toward Amy, he held his hand out. “I assume I may escort you to the Assembly tomorrow evening?”

“Yes. Of course.” She took his hand, and they climbed the steps together.

William placed his knuckle under Amy’s chin. “The police detectives were correct. We were lucky we did not get killed when we involved ourselves in St. Vincent’s murder.”

She shrugged. “I suppose.” Her eyes lit up. “Maybe we should get a gun.”

“No! No gun. I doubt very much that we will have to shoot our way out of a barrister’s office.”

With that, he bent forward as if to give her a kiss, but thinking better of it, he gave her a slight salute and hurried back down the steps. When he glanced out the carriage window, she was staring after him.

* * *

The Saturday night Assembly was the event of the week, with those who were in town from London joining the regular Bath citizenry. It was easy to pick out those from Town and those from Bath. The Londoners’ clothing was more sophisticated, more expensive, and more daring.

William and Amy joined the circle of friends from the book club who generally attended. Eloise, Mr. Davidson, Lord Temple, Mrs. Morton, and Miss Sterling stood in a circle discussing the upcoming book festival, which William noticed made Amy a bit uncomfortable. That is, if the way she gripped his arm was any indication. He would be black-and-blue in the morning.

“I’m so excited to finally meet Mr. Burton,” Miss Sterling gushed. “I just know he will be tall and handsome.”

Good lord, she sounded like a swooning young maiden, a status from which Miss Sterling was many years removed.

“Lady Amy, what do you suppose Mr. Burton looks like?” Mrs. Morton asked.

William choked down his laughter. “Yes, Lady Amy. Give us all your opinion. What do you suppose Mr. Burton looks like?” He grinned at her and bit his lip when she kicked his shin hard enough to cause a bruise.

He glanced down at her foot to see if she was wearing men’s boots.