Read The Secrets of Mia Danvers for Free Online

stop him would have worked,” he said. “Seems it would have only served in getting yourself killed as well.” Alex refilled her teacup, then went to stand by the window, needing distance from her before he did something foolish.
    She sipped her tea and sat there quietly for a while before she spoke again. “You’ve been out earlier this evening,” she said. It wasn’t a question, more of a random statement, and one that decidedly changed the subject matter. “I would wager you attended an early soiree or perhaps a dinner party.”
    He could ignore her comment and steer her back to the subject at hand, but he didn’t want to see her so vulnerable again. There was nothing he could do for her, his job was to help find the killer. Miss Danvers was merely a witness. Still he could stand to have some regular conversation in the midst of this evening.
    “I have. I briefly attended the Farmington soiree.” He frowned, wondering at his revelation. With the business of the murder he hadn’t wanted to leave the house, but he thought it might do well to keep up appearances. Still he found himself somewhat curious as to how she’d known he’d been out. “How did you know?” He took several steps back toward the sitting area.
    “I can smell perfume on you, a couple of varieties as well as scented waters for hair rinses. Decidedly feminine smells so it seems logical that perhaps you’d danced tonight,” she said.
    He stopped walking, just stood still. The fact that she could know that simply by the smell of him felt awkwardly intimate. As if he stood before her an open book ready for her to peruse and discover any of his secrets. Not that he had any. He lived a reputable life. He was a good man with very few vices.
    “I did dance a few times tonight,” he admitted and his words sounded very much the confession to his ears.
    “You don’t enjoy it?” she asked.
    “Not particularly. Can you smell that, too?” he asked, irritated. Even though he’d allowed her this concession, to pry into his personal life as a distraction, he found himself quite put out by the turn of their discussion. He’d wanted her to take a break so that they could continue, allow him to ask her some additional questions, but now he was feeling very much like she could see into his soul, which was quite ridiculous.
    “Of course not,” she chuckled. It was the second sign of humor she’d displayed and he found himself wanting to see more of that side of her. “I can simply hear it in your voice. It seems as a ‘highly regarded peer of the realm,’ if you didn’t want to dance, you shouldn’t have to,” she said, tossing his words back at him.
    “It doesn’t work that way,” he said, his voice coming out gruff. He took a deep breath. There was no need to punish her simply because she was more astute than the average person. He returned to his seat and forced his tone to be more calm. “I am searching for a wife, and dancing is generally required for that sort of thing.”
    “I see. Well, I suppose I should wish you luck, then. Finding the right wife can’t be an easy feat,” she said.
    Her words echoed around him like a challenge. He should have liked to have selected his own wife, but once he’d assumed the title, that had been decided for him as well. Oh, he could have defied the wishes of his deceased father, gone against the constant pestering of his mother and ignored the wishes of a highly esteemed family, and had a woman of his choice. But the truth was he had yet to stumble across any woman he found remotely interesting. If he had to marry some empty-headed, pretty face, he might as well marry the one who would make a good alignment for his family.
    Mia abruptly came to her feet. “I suppose I should return now,” she said. “Rachel should be home soon.”
    “Who is this Rachel to whom you keep referring?” he asked.
    “She was my governess before . . .” Mia shook her head. “She lives with me now. I suppose