Otherwise Engaged by Amanda Quick Page B

either.”
    “What would you call it?”
    “Evil.”
    Memories of her brief moments in the carriage with the human predator swept through Amity’s mind. She was aware of a tightness in her chest. She reminded herself to breathe. Instinctively she touched the tessen. She could take care of herself. Damn it, she
had
taken care of herself. She was safe now.
    Except that the monster was still out there in the shadows.
    “Yes,” she whispered. “Whatever the doctors might say about the state of his mental faculties, there is no doubt but that at his core the Bridegroom is evil.”
    “The bastard will go on killing until he is stopped. It is the nature of the beast.” Benedict paused, frowning. “Is your sister trying to signal us, by any chance?”
    Amity glanced around and saw that Humphrey Nash had joined the small group of women that included Penny. At that moment Penny caught her eye and tipped her chin ever so slightly.
    Amity took a deep breath and braced herself.
    “Yes,” she said. “I do believe Penny is trying to gain our attention.”
    “Nash is with her.”
    “So he is.”
    Humphrey followed Penny’s gaze and smiled his charming smile when he saw Amity. She summoned up a polite smile in return.
    “I think Nash is angling for an introduction to you,” Benedict said.
    “There is no need for that,” Amity said. “Mr. Nash and I are already acquainted.”
    Benedict looked as if he had more to say on the subject but he held his tongue. Taking a firm, proprietary grip on her arm, he escorted her across the room. When they reached the small group, Penny manipulated the niceties with her customary grace.
    “There you are, Amity,” Penny said. She blinked. “What on earth happened to your hat?”
    “My hat?” Amity reached up to touch the clever little cap. “It’s still there.”
    “It has come unfastened. Never mind, we’ll deal with it later.” Penny reached up and plucked the cap from Amity’s hair. “I believe you know Mr. Nash?”
    “We’ve met,” Amity said. She was proud of the cool manner in which the words came out of her mouth. Benedict’s hand tightened on her arm as if he was prepared to pull her out of Humphrey’s reach should it become necessary to do so.
    “Amity, what a pleasure to see you again,” Humphrey said. His eyes warmed. “What has it been? Six years?”
    “Time flies, doesn’t it?” Amity said. She gave him a serene smile. “Are you acquainted with my fiancé, Mr. Stanbridge?”
    “I’m afraid not.” Some of the warmth evaporated from Humphrey’s eyes. He gave Benedict a short, assessing look. “Stanbridge.”
    “Nash,” Benedict said.
    Humphrey immediately switched his attention back to Amity. “I have enjoyed your occasional pieces in the
Flying Intelligencer
.”
    “Thank you,” she said. “I must say, your photographs are quite brilliant, as always.”
    “I am delighted to know that you approve of them, especially since you have actually visited some of the locations and subjects that I have photographed,” Humphrey said. “You are in an excellent position to judge the quality of the images.”
    “They are spectacular,” she said. It was the truth, she thought. “You have a talent for capturing the particular essence of each scene—the beauty of a desert setting, the artistic elements of a temple, the glory of the view from a mountaintop. Indeed, sir, your work goes far beyond a mere recording of images. You are an artist with your camera.”
    “Thank you,” Humphrey said. “I would very much enjoy discussing some of our mutual observations. Perhaps I might call on you sometime in the near future?”
    “Sorry to interrupt,” Benedict said. He took out his pocket watch and flipped open the gold lid. “But I do believe it’s time for us to take our leave, Amity. We have another appointment this evening.”
    Amity glanced at him, frowning. “What appointment is that, sir?”
    “Perhaps I neglected to mention it earlier,” he said