Free Late for the Wedding by Amanda Quick Page B

gesture, as if heralding the arrival of a noted actor on
    stage.   He is the one responsible for Lady Oakes's enchanting head
    dress this evening. Surely you recall it, sir?"
      Can't say that I do," Tobias admitted.
      Tier after tier of the most intricately fashioned curls piled high

  
    in the front?" She held her hands above her forehead in a little pyra
    mid shape to demonstrate.   The chignon in back, braided and coiled
    with more curls across the top? I vow, Lady Oakes looked very
    impressive."
    Huh, certainly." He had no recollection at all of Lady Oakes's head
    dress this evening, but he nodded once at Pierce.   Striking."
    Thank you, sir." Pierce made a deep bow and assumed a
    demeanor of artistic modesty.   It came out rather well, I thought.
    The row of curls at the top of the chignon and the loop around the
    coil are my own inventions. I consider it my signature."
      Mmm."
    Lavinia smiled.   I was delayed returning to my bed chamber
    because Mister March and I felt the need to make a few inquiries into
    Lord Fuller-ton's accident."
      I see." Pierce regarded Tobias with a brief, considering look. Yes,
    I recall that you did mention that you and your associate occasionally engaged in a rather odd hobby. Something to do with taking
    commissions for private inquiries, I believe. But, really, you should
    not have subjected yourself to such a shocking scene, madam. That
    sort of thing can give a delicate lady such as yourself nightmares."
    The hairdresser's concern for Lavinia was irritating. It occurred
    to Tobias that Pierce was one of those men whom young ladies such
    as Emeline and her friend Priscilla described as so terribly romantic looking.
    He was no expert on such matters, he conceded silently, but he
    was fairly certain that the seemingly negligent arrangement of the
    curls that tumbled so artlessly over Pierce's forehead was no
    random act of nature. Several of Anthony's acquaintances
    currently affected a very similar style. Anthony had explained that
    he had avoided it primarily because it required the use of a
    dangerously hot curling iron and extended periods of time in front
    of a mirror.
    Pierce appeared to have been interrupted in the act of getting
    ready for bed. He wore a frilled white shirt and a pair of stylishly
    pleated trousers. A dashing black ribbon was knotted carelessly
    around his neck in the tradition set by Byron and the romantic
    poets. It did little to veil the expanse of bare skin that was exposed
    in the opening provided by the unfastened shirt.
      What sort of inquiries did you and Mister March make?" Miss Gilway
    asked without taking her eyes off Tobias.

  =  
      We tried to ascertain that there had been no foul play," Lavinia
    said.
      Foul play." Miss Richards shared a look of delighted horror with
    her friend.   Never say it was murder?"
      Heavens." The second woman fanned herself with her hand.   How
    perfectly dreadful. Who would have thought it?"
      Murder." Pierce stared at Lavinia.   Are you quite serious, Mrs
    Lake?"
    It dawned on Tobias that he had seen that same fascinated
    expression on Anthony's face. It was the reflection of a young man's
    enthusiasm for all matters macabre.
      According to Lord Beaumont and the local doctor, it could not
    possibly have been a case of murder," Lavinia said neutrally.
      Oh." Pierce's excitement evaporated.
    The two companions appeared equally disappointed.
      Thank goodness," Miss Gilway said politely.
      Such a relief," Miss Richards added in a dutiful tone.   One would
    hate to think that there was a murderer running about Beaumont
    Castle."
    They both returned to gazing fixedly at Tobias.
      Indeed," Lavinia said.   There is no great cause for concern. I'm
    sure you will all be quite safe in your beds tonight. Don't you agree,
    Tobias?"
    Yes." He took her arm.   Allow me to see you to your door. The hour
    grows late, and we must leave early in the morning."
    You are going back to London tomorrow?"