When Katherine opened her mouth to protest, Pru waved her hand in dismissal. “I know, I know. They don’t like to be called Runners. Promise me you’ll leave the matter for Lyle and his ilk. It’s for them to determine.”
Never before had Pru suggested they avoid an investigation. Ever since their initial meeting, while simultaneously searching for the Pink Ribbon Murderer, they had been of like mind. But now… Would marrying Lord Annandale so change her perspective?
Katherine turned in her seat to look at Wayland, who smirked as he played with Emma. Surely, he would support her cause. “What of…”
The faint whistle pierced the air from deeper in the house.
“That will be the tea. I’ll return the moment.” Harriet bustled out of the room.
Pru laid a hand on Lord Annandale’s knee and offered a bright smile. “We came to you today because we have an important matter to ask.” Her gaze slid to Wayland. “To ask of you both.” Once more, she beseeched Katherine with her gaze. “May we discuss investigations later?”
A man has been murdered! Katherine bit her lower lip, sensing that her friend was practically bursting to ask her something and that matters of murder were not foremost on her mind. Thoughts of an investigation could wait.
Beaming, Pru met her fiancé’s gaze before they both turned their attentions to the other people in the room. Lord Annandale puffed out his chest, his grin spreading across his face. “Wayland, I want you to be my best man.”
Pru laughed, the sound tumbling out of her mouth with music. She tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear and added with as equally infectious a smile, “And, Katherine, I want you to be my best bridesmaid.”
Katherine’s mouth dropped open. “Your… what?”
“My best bridesmaid.” Pru colored up and fiddled with the drape of her skirt. “If he’s to have a best man, I must have one, too. And I can’t think of anyone I would want to play as important a role in my wedding as you, Katherine.”
Lord Annandale glanced at his wife-to-be with a smirk. “Ye ken a best man dates back to when we kidnapped the bride.” He winked. “Back then, the groom needed his best fighting man around to do it.”
Katherine gaped at the pair incredulously. “What would you have me do, fight off Wayland with a sword?”
The tension building in the room dissipated as everyone laughed. Emma, abandoned as Wayland straightened to his full height, tottered over to the happy couple and begged for attention.
Her eyes dancing, Pru assured, “You won’t have to wrestle with Wayland. All I want is for you to help in a more official capacity.” The mischief in her eyes dulled to an intent, serious expression. “Katherine, you’re very important to me. Since Mary…” A shadow fell across her gaze, but she swallowed audibly and continued. “Mary isn’t here, but you are. And you’ve become as dear to me. I’m going to need your help, Katherine. After all, this isn’t precisely how I expected to be married.”
At that, Annandale arched an eyebrow. “Isn’t this, lass?”
Pru gave a delicate little humph. “I’ll have you know my mother has had her heart set on a hasty wedding in the middle of her drawing room by special license. You know, the kind of whirlwind, scandalous wedding that is the talk of the ton.”
He laughed heartily. “Sorry to disappoint you, lass, but I’m the laird of the manor. I can nae have my wedding anywhere except for Annandale Castle. Once ye meet the lot of them, you’ll see.”
Pru offered Katherine a hopeful smile. “A wedding that includes the entire town and castle requires a lot of organization. I cannot let my mother have any part of that. Can you imagine?”
The last choice Mrs. Burwick had foisted upon her daughter had been buttons so large, floral, and hideous that Pru had worn them simply to try to fend off Lord Annandale’s attentions. It hadn’t worked in the least.
“So, Katherine? Will you be my best bridesmaid?”
Katherine swallowed thickly. Did Pru truly consider her the equal of the late bosom friend she’d known since birth? They’d grown close these past months since Katherine’s twenty-fifth birthday in September. Sometimes, she considered Pru akin to one of her sisters. Katherine blinked away tears. “Of course. I’m happy to help; you know that.”
Lord Annandale unfolded himself from the loveseat to face his friend with a quizzical expression. “And you, old friend?”
A broad grin split Wayland’s face as he pumped Annandale’s forearm. “My acceptance was never in question. Whatever you need.” Leaning forward, he added in a loud whisper, “Are you certain you won’t need my kidnapping expertise?”
Katherine glared at him, but it was probably watery. Judging from his devious smile, it had no effect at all.
Harriet arrived a moment later with the tea tray and several slices of seedcake. As they passed them around, the conversation devolved into other wedding minutiae. Katherine tried to be attentive, but the longer the wedding discussion prevailed, the more her mind wandered. By the time Harriet left to fetch further vittles for tea several hours later, Katherine had abandoned the conversation in favor of sneaking looks at the window to watch those passing by. Every time Emma jumped up and yipped, Katherine held her breath and hoped that Lyle was about to knock on her door.
She wasn’t as lucky. Nor did mulling over the scene she’d found at Dr. Gammon’s house bring her any peace. In fact, it only made her reject the thought of further food despite how little she’d eaten today.
“Are you sure you don’t want something more? You’ve barely touched your seedcake.”
Katherine returned to the present with a frown. Had Harriet baked the seedcake herself?
Pru laid her hand over her stomach, turning a bit green. She waved her hand. “Oh, I couldn’t. We came from the townhouse, where Lorna was making… scones. Yes, scones. A dreadful amount.” Her gaze darkened, quickening along with her words. “We’re trying different flavors to see which one we should have at the wedding breakfast. You know, maybe we should bring some here so Katherine can give her opinion on the flavor.”
Lord Annandale shrugged and helped himself to the last corner of his seedcake. He took an extraordinarily long time to chew, nodding as he did so.
Brightly, Pru met Katherine’s gaze with a wooden smile. “There you go. We’ll bring over a few scones. But now… I think we ought to leave. After all, I still have to relay these plans to my mother before tonight’s event. You’re still coming to Lady Dalhousie’s musicale tonight, aren’t you, Katherine?”
Katherine grimaced. The last thing she wanted to do was find herself in the company of the most notorious gossip in London while still reeling from the death of a friend.
“Lady Dalhousie’s niece is performing. This is the first event she’s had since her fateful ice ball. Be sure to wear something flattering, not…” Pru wrinkled her nose as she waved a hand toward Katherine’s attire this morning. “Nothing gray or—heaven forbid—green. It doesn’t suit your complexion.”
Katherine managed a thin smile, but this time, she didn’t bother arguing. It wasn’t as though anything she said would change Pru’s mind, anyway.