Deception at Sable Hill (25 page)

But none of that gave him the feeling of nervousness he was feeling with Eloisa on his arm. As they approached a small cluster of people—three women, two men—all five of them turned their way. Appreciative gazes settled on Eloisa. And gazed at him with a sharp interest he couldn’t shy away from.

He looked directly back, praying to the Lord to help him not make a complete fool of himself.

“Eloisa,” a young girl with dark-brown hair and clad in a fussy emerald-green gown said. “We were hoping you would join us.”

“Oh?” Eloisa glanced at him quickly before smiling. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting, then. It took a bit of convincing to get Mr. Ryan to spend any time with me.”

“Martin Upton,” one of the men said, holding out his hand.

“Sean Ryan.” During the rest of the introductions, he shook hands with the other man and inclined his head at the three women.

“Have we met before?” the brunette, whom he’d just learned was named Cassandra, asked.

“I don’t believe so.”

“Why not?”

“Excuse me?” Sean blurted.

“I simply meant that I haven’t seen you in our circle.” She looked at the others and shrugged. “And it seems we all see each other only at these functions.”

Sean was rendered momentarily speechless. Just as he was about to explain who he was and to share that, of course, there was no reason their paths would have ever crossed, he glanced at Eloisa. She looked pensive and more than a little reticent.

And that expression made him keep his silence. This was Eloisa’s circle. And would never be his. When the Slasher was caught and the investigation was all over, all of them would go back to their regular lives.

Beyond that, when Eloisa was no longer afraid, she would realize they had nothing in common. She’d turn her attentions to one of the gentlemen in her life who was worthy of her. And he would merely become a reminder of everything violent in her life. When this was all over, the only place he would probably ever see her again was in the society pages.

Which meant if she was determined to keep his identity a secret, then he would allow that. His purpose was to keep her safe, not make her a social pariah.

Just as he was nodding to everyone, intending to step away and disappear back into the crowd, Eloisa placed a gloved hand on his sleeve. “Forgive me. Mr. Ryan is actually
Lieutenant
Detective
Sean Ryan. Of the Chicago Police Department. Until recently, he hadn’t much occasion to attend our functions.”

The men looked intently at Sean while the women tried unsuccessfully to pretend they weren’t shocked.

“I’m afraid I don’t understand why you are here,” Martin Upton said. “Unless you are Eloisa’s new beau?”

Sean glanced her way, again unsure how to explain their relationship. But when he caught a glimpse of warmth in her eyes, he decided to be frank. Well, as frank as he thought Eloisa’s reputation could handle.

“I am concerned about her safety, of course,” he replied. “But I would be lying if I didn’t say that I feel like the luckiest man in the city right now.”

He knew he’d done the right thing when her grip on his arm tightened and a new, sweet softness appeared in her expression.

Eloisa’s lips curved. “You know, I actually believe you mean that.”

“I do.”

While the other women sighed, Martin Upton frowned. “Eloisa, out of all the men in the world, you’ve chosen to be by this policeman’s side? Truly?”

Sean lifted his chin, fueled by every instinct he’d learned growing up on his block to defend both his reputation and Eloisa’s honor.

He must have looked fearsome, because Upton raised his hands in mock surrender. “Easy now, Ryan. I didn’t mean disrespect.”

“Of course you did,” the other man, Jack Collingsworth, said. “Don’t mind him,” he continued. “He doesn’t know any better.”

“Watch it, Collingsworth,” Martin cautioned.

Collingsworth ignored him. “See, Lieutenant Ryan, Martin here
was raised to have a healthy distrust for anyone who works for a living.” He shrugged. “That means, of course, that he looks down on the majority of the population.”

Martin flushed. “That’s putting things a bit harshly.”

“You used to give Reid Armstrong the cold shoulder because his family made a fortune in silver.”

Sean blinked, hoping his recognition of the name wasn’t apparent.

As the tension between the men grew, and Eloisa tensed, obviously at a loss for how to ease things, her friend Avery smiled brightly. “This is simply so exciting. Now, before you whisk Eloisa away, tell us how you two met.”

“Mr. Ryan escorted me home after the tragedy at the Gardners’ ball,” Eloisa said. “We started talking.” Smiling his way, she added, “Then, when he stopped by my house to check on me the next day, we found even more to talk about. We’ve seen each other quite a bit ever since.”

Sean was about to ask Eloisa if she’d like something from the refreshment table when Owen appeared in his vision. Noticing the expression on Owen’s face, his body tensed.

Eloisa noticed. Leaning close, she murmured into his ear. “Is everything all right?”

“I am not sure, but I think I had better go find out.”

She worried her bottom lip. “Could I come with—”

“No.” Softening his voice, he gently pulled her hand from his arm. “You need to stay here, please.”

“All right.”

He gazed into her blue eyes a second longer, aching to reassure her that everything would be okay, but he knew that would be an empty promise. He had no idea what had just happened to Owen. He was also learning that things were happening over which he had no control.

Gathering his wits, he turned to her friends. “Please excuse me. I believe I am needed.”

Collingsworth nodded. “Let me know if I can help in any way.”

Sean realized the man meant what he said. “If you could make sure none of the women go anywhere unescorted, I would be in your debt.” Without waiting for a response, he strode toward Owen’s side, noticing as he closed the distance that his partner looked pale. “What happened?”

“I believe I’ve been injured.”

Sean thought his partner’s voice seemed unnaturally strained. “Are you all right, man?”

Owen pointed to his side, where blood stained his shirt. “I’ll be fine. It’s not life-threatening, but I fear I might need stitches,” he said in a halting way as they walked to the edge of the tent away from the crowd.

“I cannot believe this. You were gone mere minutes. What happened?” he asked again. “Was it a robber?”

Owen shook his head.

As they walked farther, across the lawns, Sean began to put the pieces together. He knew his guess was correct when Owen led him to a darkened path. Just off to the side Captain Keaton was kneeling next to a young lady clad in a white gown. She looked shaken and her coiffure was mussed, but otherwise seemed unharmed.

After taking a fortifying breath, Owen continued. “The captain told me he had everything in hand, but he needed me to walk the perimeter. That’s when I saw Miss Berkley, Caroline Berkley, standing alone. Just as I was walking toward her to tell her not to be anywhere by herself, someone knocked into me and got me with his stiletto knife.”

“You didn’t catch a glimpse of who stabbed you?”

“All I noticed was a dark suit. It could have been any of the gentlemen here.”

Just then, Captain Keaton approached them. “Ryan! Go ask your fancy heiress to help you locate this girl’s family.”

“All right. But, Owen here—”

Owen shook his head. “I’ll be all right. Go.”

“When I get back, we’re getting you help.”

“Thanks.”

Sean stared at him a moment longer. It was evident Owen had something else on his mind but wasn’t in any hurry to share it.

As he stepped back into the party, all of Eloisa’s group immediately stopped chatting and turned to stare at him.

“Lieutenant Ryan, is everything all right?” Eloisa asked.

“I’m afraid there’s been an incident. Detective Howard needs medical attention.”

Eloisa’s eyes grew wide. “Where is he? Can I help?”

She really was the kindest woman he’d ever met. “I’ll take care of him, but I am asking for the rest of you to help me find Miss Caroline Berkley’s family. Do any of you know them?”

“Why?” Cassandra asked. “Is she hurt? Did something happen?”

On another evening, in a different situation, Sean might have tried harder to keep what had happened quiet. But he was too tired of this cat-and-mouse game they were all playing with the Slasher. “She has been accosted. I don’t believe she’s injured, merely shaken up. But she needs her family. Owen and my captain are with her now.”

Collingsworth nodded. “I believe she’s here with her parents and older sister. They’re over near the quartet.”

“Please ask them to follow you outside, toward the wooded paths.” He paused. “I might mention that it would be best for everyone if you attempted to keep their daughter’s situation private. Not only will it stir everyone up, but it could harm her reputation.”

“I’ll go with you, Jack,” one of the women said.

“And Avery and I will go with you and stay with her until they get to her side,” Eloisa spoke up.

Every protective bone in his body wanted her to stay where she was, stay safe. “Eloisa, I’d rather you didn’t.”

“Please, Sean. Don’t put me in a crystal box. I have no desire to be treated as if I am about to break.”

“No, no, I suppose you are not. Come with me, then.”

Minutes later Avery and Eloisa were at Miss Berkley’s side, offering her comfort. And as soon as Jack and another concerned-looking gentleman arrived and Sean ascertained they would not leave Eloisa’s side, Sean motioned for Owen to follow him.

It was now evident that Owen was no longer going to be able to hide his discomfort.

Or hide the blood seeping from his wound, for his handkerchief was now stained red.

CHAPTER 21

T
he pounding on the door was accompanied by a harsh voice. “Maeve. Maeve, open up.”

Just as Katie was debating whether to leave her makeshift bed on the couch and answer the summons, both Maeve and Jack raced down the stairs.

As Jack unlocked the deadbolt, Maeve cast a harried eye in her direction. “Put on your robe, Kate. Be quick about it.”

“Maeve. Now!” the voice called out.

With more than a few inappropriate words under his breath, Katie’s brother-in-law pulled open the door. “Get in, then,” he said with a glare. “But you’d better have a good reason for waking up half the street.”

Now with her robe fastened securely about her waist, Katie stood motionless as Sean burst in, Owen Howard at his side. Owen looked rattled and pale—the complete opposite of his usual self. Katie gasped.

That, unfortunately, directed Owen to glance her way. Straight away a look of shame filled his gaze.

“It’s near on eleven, Sean,” Maeve said.

“I know that, but we need your help,” Sean replied. “Owen is hurt. I need you to sew him up.”

Jack groaned. “Really, Sean? You couldn’t think of anyone else to involve besides my wife?”

Still grasping Owen firmly, Sean said, “I’ll explain everything in a minute. But for now, we really need to get him to a chair.”

“Bring him in the kitchen, then.” Maeve looked her way. “Kate, go upstairs and get my kit.”

Katie did as she was bid. On her way back downstairs, she passed her brother-in-law. “Is everything all right, Jack?”

“I think so. You can go on into the kitchen. I’m going back to bed. I’ve got an early shift in the morning.”

Katie nodded, then hurried to the kitchen. “Here you go, Maeve.”

Her sister was washing her hands at the sink. “Thanks, dear. Go set it over by Mr. Howard, please.”

“Katherine Jean, seeing you here is a surprise,” Sean stated.

“I’m visiting with Maeve for a few days.”

“Because?” Automatically, he thought of a dozen scenarios where Katie could have gotten into trouble with Conner.

“Because nothing,” Maeve said impatiently. “Sean, now isn’t the time to be fussing with our Katie.”

“So something did happen.”

Neatly sidestepping the statement, Maeve shook her head. “No, I’d say it looks as if something happened to our guest.”

Edging closer, Katie held her breath as her brother helped Mr. Howard out of his dinner jacket, revealing a dark stain of red on his side. “Oh, Detective Howard. Look at you.”

Detective Howard pointedly ignored her outburst. “Do you think you can sew me up, Mrs. O’Connell?”

“What happened?” Katie asked.

“Nothing you two ladies should be worrying about,” he murmured.

“You have lost a lot of blood,” Katie cried, feeling slightly queasy.

“Oh, stuff,” Maeve bit out. “He’s gotten stabbed, Katie.” Her gaze hardened. “Don’t you turn into a crying baby on my watch. If you can’t be of use, you need to leave this kitchen—and be quick about it.”

Katie flinched at her sister’s criticism. “That’s hardly fair, Maeve. I don’t go around acting like a baby. Ever.” It took everything she had not to glance Detective Howard’s way. The last thing she wanted to see was him, too, looking at her like she was too silly to be of use.

Or worse, that she had a terrible crush on him, something he was no doubt used to happening. A man as handsome and charming as he was probably had scores of admirers, each one far prettier and more accomplished than a girl like her.

“Just remember that you asked to be here,” Maeve muttered as the kettle started whistling. “Sean, get his shirt off.”

“I believe I can do that myself,” Mr. Howard said as he unfastened the buttons.

“I imagine you could. I believe you could also manage to do more damage by twisting this way and that,” Maeve added, her voice as sharp as a tack. “Let us help you, please.”

Immediately Mr. Howard’s hands fell to his sides, the new position revealing a sliver of his bare chest. “Of course.”

Katie bit her lip so she wouldn’t smile. “Don’t mind my sister, Mr. Howard. She’s gruff with everyone.”

He glanced up at her, winked, then sat up as Sean began to pull off his shirt from behind him. “Good to know,” he quipped before stifling a wince as his side started to bleed once again.