Gertie found that hard to believe, but not wanting to seem ignorant, she refrained from saying so. “Well, I’d rather go out in this motorcar than in a flying machine any day. I like to feel the ground under me.”
Dan grinned. “I can’t say I blame you.”
Remembering something, Gertie sat upright. “I thought you said you got hit by another motorcar last night.”
“No, I said I swerved to avoid getting hit.”
“But I thought you said you got bumped and that’s how you hurt your face.”
Dan sighed. “Maybe I did.”
“So where is the dent in the motorcar? Is it a bad one? I didn’t see it when I got in. Will it cost a lot to mend it? How-”
“Gertie!” He sounded irritable and she snapped her mouth shut. “It was just a light scratch. I rubbed it out with some polish so you can’t see it.”
“Sorry.”
She’d mumbled the word and he was quick to make amends. Reaching for her hand he gave it a light squeeze. “Never mind, luv. It was nothing, honest. Tell me about the carol singing at the hotel. Will you be able to go?”
“I hope so.” She stole a quick glance at him and was relieved to see his jaw relaxed again. “Will you come if I can go?”
“Will it be all right with Mrs. Baxter?”
“Course it would. You haven’t seen the decorations yet, have you. Miss Pengrath does a lovely job with them. Oh, I mean Mrs. Prestwick. I keep forgetting she’s married now.”
If she’d hoped the subject of marriage might start a conversation about their own relationship she was soon disappointed.
“If she did half as well as she did last year with the decorations,” Dan said, bringing the motorcar to a halt, “it’s bound to look fantastic. She really does make it look good. In fact, the windows were lit up so bright last night I thought the hotel was on fire, until I realized it was candles on a Christmas tree. Must have been dozens of them.” He shut off the engine and the motor shuddered into silence.
Glancing out the window, Gertie saw that they were in the courtyard of the George and Dragon. On either side carriages were lined up one behind the other, while the horses were gathered in a pen in the field beyond.
Light flowed from the lattice windows of the pub, and the sound of laughter echoed into the night. The tinkling notes of an out of tune piano could be heard above the chatter, and someone was singing with great gusto and painfully off-key.
It all sounded so festive, and she felt a stir of excitement. Thank goodness she’d told Dan earlier about Ian. He’d been shocked, as she’d expected, but he’d got over it really fast, and now they could put it behind them, at least for tonight.
She waited for Dan to open the door for her, then stepped out onto the pavement. This was the moment she loved, stepping down from the beautiful motorcar with Dan holding her hand like a prince escorting a princess.
That’s how he always made her feel. Like a princess. No one had ever made her feel that way before. No one had ever treated her the way Dan treated her. She could be really, really happy, if only he would say something about their future together. Even if she had to wait a year or two to get married. It was the not knowing that bothered her.
“Don’t look so worried,” Dan said, as he tucked her hand into his elbow. “The private lounge will be just as much fun as the public bar. From what I hear they have a nice supper laid out and there’ll be singing and dancing.”
Gertie began to feel nervous. What if someone saw her and told madam? She’d be in hot water all right. “I can’t sing or dance.”
“Then we’ll watch.” He laughed, and pulled her to the door. “I’ll teach you to dance, Gertie McBride, and if you come out of here tonight without saying you had the best night out ever, I’ll walk all the way to the motorcar on my hands.”
“Now that’s something I’ve got to see.” Putting her qualms behind her, Gertie stepped through the door into the warm, smoky chaos of the Christmas party.
After having enjoyed supper in the dining room, Cecily sat opposite her husband in front of a crackling fire in their suite and did her best to concentrate on the conversation.
She found it hard to relax, however, unable to prevent the questions haunting her, mainly how someone had known about Gertie threatening Ian with a knife. She felt sure it had to be a key to the puzzle, and the only way she was going to solve it was to ask everyone who might have overheard the quarrel. Starting with Mrs. Chubb. She would tackle her first thing in the morning, she decided.
“May I ask what is troubling you to the extent you are completely ignoring me?”
Baxter’s voice cut into her thoughts, jarring her to attention. “Oh, I’m sorry, darling. I was thinking about the Christmas pantomime tomorrow night. Phoebe promised to be here early tomorrow to go over the final arrangements.” Feeling guilty for having been less than truthful, she leaned forward and patted his hand. “I promise you will have my undivided attention for the rest of the evening.”
“I certainly hope so.” He caught her fingers in his and raised them to his mouth. “I’m aware that we have been married long enough for you to grow weary of my company, but I sincerely hope we have not reached the point of shutting each other out completely.”
“Nor shall we ever, my love.” She sent him her warmest smile. “And neither am I, nor shall I ever be, weary of your company. I simply have a lot on my mind, that’s all.”
“Humph. Well, I hope at least you’re not stewing over the unfortunate demise of Mr. Rossiter.” He let go of her hand and reached for his brandy glass.
Knowing how upset he’d be if he knew that’s exactly what had been occupying her mind, Cecily made a determined effort to banish all thoughts of the murder from her mind. Tonight belonged to her husband. Tomorrow would be soon enough to continue her investigation.
It was almost midnight when Dan pulled up outside the Pennyfoot. Already half asleep, Gertie returned his goodnight kiss. “You were right,” she said, snuggling into his shoulder, “it was the best night ever.” Or it would have been, she added inwardly, if he’d said something, anything, that would let her know he really, truly loved her. Then she could look forward to the day he asked her to marry him.
“Well, I’m happy to hear that.” Dan gave her shoulders a squeeze. “I wasn’t looking forward to walking on my hands on this wet road.”
She laughed. “I wouldn’t have let you do that. Besides, every time I go out with you is the best time I’ve ever spent in my life.”
“Me, too.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Now you’d better run along. It’s getting late and I know you have to be up early in the morning.”
Feeling a stab of disappointment, she pulled away from him. “Yeah, you’re right. I wouldn’t want to be worn out and dragging around the kitchen all day.”
He must have heard something in her voice, as he caught her arm just as she was slipping away from him. “Gertie? Is something wrong? You’re not worrying about this Ian business are you? The constable can’t arrest you without evidence, and since there isn’t any, you’ll be all right. Mrs. Baxter will see to that.”
“I know. It’s not that.” She hesitated, afraid to say too much in case she frightened him off. “I was just wondering. You do like me, don’t you?”
For a long moment he just sat there looking at her, until she got really nervous that she’d gone too far. “Of course I like you,” he said at last. “You’re the reason I came back from London. I thought you knew that.”
“Yes, of course I know that.” She smiled. “I just like to hear you say it, that’s all.”
“I like you, Gertie McBride.” He leaned forward and kissed her nose. “Sleep well. I’ll see you soon.”