Least of which was finding out more about the questionable Lord Wainwright.
For the first time since they’d arrived at the scene, she frowned. “So soon? I rather hoped we’d spend the afternoon together. After all, you did say you wanted to court me.”
“Perhaps that can be arranged.” He had a few questions of his own he wished to ask her regarding the viscount, who’d suddenly become suspect number one in his investigation. With nothing else to say, William led the way over to Chief Inspector Pryce. “I’ve concluded my preliminary investigation. Talking with a couple of women who apparently knew of the victim have unearthed a few leads I’ll follow this week.”
“Excellent. We could use some good news for a change.” The bigger man swept his gaze about the area. “Let me know immediately what you find.”
“I will. The coroner can take the body as soon as he wishes.” As William spoke, that man’s carriage had just halted on the road near the scene. “I’d like a copy of his report sent to me along with any odd findings. Chances are I’ll want another look at both bodies side by side.”
“Let me know in advance.” His superior glanced at Francesca. “My apologies that such a gruesome case was your first.”
She nodded. “From its very definition and nature, murder is hardly pleasant, Chief Inspector. And truly, it shouldn’t be. We as a people should never grow complacent about people in our city being violently killed.”
“Indeed.” He looked at William, who shrugged, but a modicum of respect lingered in the older man’s eyes.
Did that mean Chief Inspector Pryce approved of her? It was a high stamp of endorsement, if so. Quickly, William gave his superior the name of their latest victim. “Shall I call upon her family or do you wish to do so?”
“I’ll go. No doubt there will be questions, and you should follow up on the leads gleaned today.”
“Very well.” As William drew Francesca toward his cousin’s carriage, questions popped through his brain like escaped soap bubbles. Knots pulled in his gut, for if Lord Wainwright was somehow involved in these murders, did that mean she was in danger? Despite the fact the viscount was his personal competition for her affections, she needed protection.
And I’ll be damned if I can’t provide it.
His companion remained quiet as he assisted her into the carriage, and after giving his driver the address to a chocolate shop near Rotten Row, William joined her, falling heavily onto the bench opposite. Perhaps a warm, sugary beverage would banish the chill from his bones and put life back into her cheeks.
“What did you think about your first foray into gritty journalism?”
As the carriage lurched into movement, Francesca frowned. “It was eye-opening to say the least.” She met his gaze. “I don’t know how you stand it, going day after day seeing such gruesome things. It must pray upon your soul after a while.”
“That’s why I escape into music. It gives me back the pieces of myself the world steals. Makes me seem a little less shattered.” For long moments he stared out the window. Travel through Hyde Park was slow since there were more vehicles about than before, plus the street was still blocked to through traffic. But then the questions he needed answers to burned through his brain. “Tell me about Lord Wainwright, from your perspective. What sort of man is he?”
“I knew you’d eventually come around to this.” Right before his eyes, she changed from a docile companion into a woman with angry, flashing eyes and a chin tilted at a stubborn angle. “Surely you don’t believe Lord Wainwright killed that woman.”
Yet the W carved into both bodies loomed between them like a rapidly opening gulf.
“I haven’t formed an opinion either way, but my position demands that I investigate every avenue.” He rested his gloved hands on his knees and tried not to let them curl into fists. “Even you know that from the verbal evidence we gathered at the scene. From all accounts, Lords Wainwright and Coxhill are enjoying themselves by indulging roving eyes.”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right. Unless the two women are lying, but I rather suspect they weren’t.” She heaved out a breath and turned her face to the window. “As far as I know, Lord Wainwright is a decent man. He might gamble and drink to excess at times, but don’t all peers do that?”
William declined to answer that question. “What is he particularly passionate about? What are his hobbies?” Not only would that help his investigation, but it would also give him an insight into his competition’s character.
Francesca shrugged. “He doesn’t usually talk about himself, other than mentioning his enjoyment of seeing the cattle at Tattersall’s.”
Interesting.Most men couldn’t wait to cast themselves in a good light when with ladies whom they were courting. “Does he ride, then?” As she’d said earlier at the crime scene, men often rode close to that dump site. Could the viscount have bundled a dead, bloody body on his horse to rid himself of it on a ride?
“He perhaps mentioned it once or twice.”
“Did you ever notice his roving eye while he was in your company?” It was a blunt question and not well done of him, but this was a murder investigation.
“No, of course not.” Yet the denial sounded weak. “I can’t help that he’s popular, and in his defense, I’m not one for dancing. He enjoys it immensely.”
Ah, so he did have a penchant of leaving her side while at social events. How did she really feel about that? “It must frustrate you that a man who’s put forth an interest in courting you applies himself to spending time in other ladies’ company.”
“Perhaps, but if you think to burrow into my head and thoughts, I won’t let you.” She turned her head, capturing her gaze and giving him the whole fury of her anger. “He’s been nothing but courteous, and though he might try to rush certain aspects of our relationship, I’ve never known him to have a violent streak or a penchant for murder.”
William snorted. “Well, men like that don’t go about bragging on what they did the night before if murder was indeed the case.” Neither would they volunteer information of who they bedded behind her back. He waved a hand as if neither subject mattered. “Murder isn’t exactly a subject bandied about polite company. Men like that often have two sides of themselves and you very rarely see the real person behind the mask.”
Until it’s too late.