Late for the Wedding by Amanda Quick Page B

the blond wig is a clue, and at the moment it is one
    of the few in our possession."
    She did not quarrel with that conclusion, but her brows knitted
    in thought.   Tobias, is it merely the fact that the killer may have
    worn false hair that makes you believe we are dealing with a man?
    Because I really do not think we should depend too heavily upon
    that. We might overlook valuable evidence if we ignore the possibility that it was a woman I saw with Fullerton tonight."
    He gripped the door frame tightly.   There is more to it than the
    business with the wig."
      Is it so difficult for you to imagine a woman as a professional
    murderess?"
      Not entirely. It is the matter of the memento-mori ring that
    convinces me we are hunting a man," he said quietly. The signature
    is far too deliberately reminiscent of Zachary Elland's work."
      What of it? A woman might wish to emulate him."
    He shook his head, uncertain how to shore up with logic what he
    intuitively felt had to be true.   It seems more likely that a man
    would seek to compare himself to another man."
      Ah, yes," she said with a wise air.   I have noticed that men are
    inclined to be intensely competitive. They do love their horse races
    and boxing matches and wagers, do they not?"
    He raised a brow at that.   Pray do not try to tell me that women
    lack the competitive instinct. I have seen the gentle warfare that is
    conducted in the ballrooms of the polite world during the Season. It
    is no secret that a matchmaking mama is capable of a degree of plotting and strategy that would incite awe and admiration in
    Wellington himself."
    To his surprise she did not smile. Instead, she inclined her head
    in somber acknowledgment of that observation.
      The business of marriage warrants extreme attention and sober
    planning. After all, a woman's entire future as well as the future of
    whatever children she may bear is at stake."
      Huh. I suppose I had not thought of it in quite such dramatic
    terms."
      In my experience, men rarely do contemplate marriage in such
    dramatic terms."
    He frowned, aware from her tone that he might have missed

  
    something, but before he could demand further explanations,
    Lavinia raised a hand to pat a tiny yawn.
      I really do not think that I can give this case the serious contem
    plation it requires tonight," she said.   I suggest we save this
    discussion for the morrow. It is a long drive back to town. We will
    have a great deal of time to talk."
      Do not remind me." He gazed thoughtfully down the long hall.
      Good night, Tobias."
      One question before I leave."
    Yes?"
      Is it the fashion among hairdressers to wear their shirts half
    unfastened in front of respectable ladies?"
    Lavinia chuckled.   Hairdressers are artists, sir. They are entitled
    to set their own fashion."
      Huh."
    She stepped back and started to ease the door closed. Her eyes
    gleamed with amusement in the shadows. You need not concern
    yourself with the delicate sensibilities of either Miss Richards or
    Miss Gilway. Although the vision of Mister Pierce in dishabille was no
    doubt one of the most stimulating sights they have seen in years, I
    must point out that you yourself gave them a great deal to admire
    as well."
    He realized she was gazing pointedly at his chest.
      What the devil?"
    He glanced down and was startled to see that his shirt was unfastened several inches. It had no doubt come undone in the course of
    the few minutes he and Lavinia spent together before Fullerton so
    dramatically interrupted their tryst. He now comprehended all too
    well the curious, veiled looks Miss Richards and Miss Gilway had
    cast in his direction.
      Hell's teeth," he muttered.
      I do believe that together, you and Mister Pierce have provided Miss
    Richards and Miss Gilway with enough inspiration for conversation
    and speculation to last them for months," Lavinia said.
    She chuckled and closed the door very gently in his face.
    He released his grip on