Otherwise Engaged by Amanda Quick

dawned on her that the glitter in his eyes was excitement, not admiration, and a rather unwholesome excitement at that.
    “I was shocked by the news that you were attacked by that dreadful killer the press refers to as the Bridegroom,” he continued. “I must ask how you escaped. The accounts in the papers were rather vague about that aspect of the affair.”
    “Luck had a great deal to do with it,” Amity said briskly. She inched back another small step. “That, plus some experience in getting out of tight quarters.”
    She was not about to demonstrate her fan to him. There was littlepoint carrying a disguised weapon if everyone knew the secret. One did not confide in near strangers, even those who expressed great devotion to one’s writings.
    Arthur Kelbrook was in his mid-forties. He was pleasant-looking in a bland sort of way, with a receding hairline, pale gray eyes, a soft mouth, broad hands and very little neck. All indications were that he was fated to expand in girth as the years passed. The buttons that fastened his expensively tailored coat were pulled taut across his midsection.
    He was certainly not the handsomest or the most distinguished-looking man in the room, Amity reflected, but his earnest, sincere manner at the start of their conversation had been charming, even endearing. Kelbrook was the only one she had met that evening who seemed genuinely interested in her travel adventures. Everyone else was transfixed with Humphrey Nash.
    Which was not to say that she had failed to attract the attentions of several other men in the room, she thought. From time to time she caught a number of males casting quick, speculative glances in her direction. She knew they were wondering if a woman who dared to go abroad on her own was reckless in other ways, as well. It was not the first time she had encountered so-called gentlemen who presumed far too much.
    “I hear the police have not yet discovered the body of the Bridegroom,” Kelbrook said.
    “No.” She did not add that there might not be a body to discover.
    Kelbrook lowered his voice and edged closer. “There was, I understand, a great deal of blood at the scene.”
    Whatever charm Arthur Kelbrook had exhibited a short time ago had worn off. She was starting to become more than impatient. A deep unease was stirring inside her.
    “Quite true,” she said. She kept her tone vague and pretended to search the room. “I wonder where my fiancé is.”
    There was no sign of Benedict. Just when you need a man he disappears, she thought.
    “You must have struggled valiantly,” Kelbrook said. “But what could a gentle, delicate lady like yourself do to defend herself against a great, rutting beast of a man?”
    Kelbrook’s intensity was increasing. So was the feverish look in his eyes.
    A chill iced Amity’s neck. She tried to step around Kelbrook but he was somehow in her path.
    “I assure you the matter was resolved in mere minutes,” she said briskly. “I simply jumped out of the carriage.”
    “I can only imagine how it must have been for you, pinned beneath that brute, his hands on your maidenly body, your nightgown tumbled about your waist, his trousers no doubt open.”
    “Good heavens, sir, I do believe that you are as mad as a hatter.”
    Amity whirled on her heel intending to depart the scene. She collided with a large, immovable object.
    “Benedict.” Jolted, she stopped short. The little green cap that was angled over her left brow came free of its pins. “Oh, for pity’s sake.” She managed to grab the cap before it landed on the floor. “I didn’t see you standing there, sir. Must you sneak around like that?”
    “Who was he?” Benedict asked.
    The low-voiced question was laden with a dark, fierce, decidedly dangerous threat.
    Amity popped the cap back on top of her head and peered up at Benedict. He was not looking at her. His attention was fixed on the crowd behind her. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Arthur Kelbrook